Coyote Flaco Backpackers

Coyote Flaco Backpackers is appropriately named -- it's located in the neighborhood of Coyoacan, which is derived from the word Coyohuacan, meaning "place where they have coyotes" in the Nahuatl language. The hostel is about fifteen minutes' walk from the metro station, either through Viveros Park or around it (park closes at 6 p.m.) along Avenida Mexico. With its high brick wall, the hostel is not immediately noticeable. It is indicated by a talavera sign at the entrance with Casona del Coyote written on it. The first impression we get from arriving at the hostel is that it is a very clean and new.

The Location

The hostel is situated by Viveros Park, next to Viveros metro station. Walking along Avenida Mexico will take you to the historical center of Coyoacan, where a market takes place on the weekends. This hostel is also very strategically located if you plan to visit the home of Frida Kahlo and Diego Riviera (also known as the Blue house) and Leon Trotsky's home, which are now both museums. Once you have enough of downtown Coyoacan, some suggest taking a walk down Calle Francisco Sosa to admire impressive residential estates leading to the neighbouring town, San Angel. If you are seeking for some nightlife, however, this area does not offer much.

Rooms and Bathrooms

We stayed in a mixed dorm with three bunk beds and a bathroom in the room. The bunk beds are relatively sturdy with wooden frames. Bathroom is en-suite to the dorm. It is clean and well-lit. They also provide large lockers for each bed in the room at no additional charge. There are no lights if you sleep in the lower bunk but you will have better access to a power plug, if you need one. Given its reasonable price, you might sometimes find young Mexicans who stay much longer as they work on contract in Mexico City.

Common Spaces

On arrival at the hostel after the main gate, you will see a small green garden with a tree near the steps to the entrance door. The reception office is just by the entrance with a glass wall where you can look into the office from the garden. It is a very relaxed and welcoming environment. Outside the office, there are a few sofas with some magazines on the coffee table. A computer is available for use at a reasonable rate. There is a large wooden bookshelf. But the number of books for exchange is limited.

The common space extends to a lounge with two large round tables and comfortable wooden armchairs next to a sizable flat screen TV. The dining area is slightly smaller compared to the spacious kitchen with utensils provided that you can use to cook. There is a small door leading to the back where there is a little courtyard furnished with a couple of garden steel chairs and a table. It is a great place to have a drink, if it is not too cold!

Summary

We like this hostel because of its relaxed environment. Unlike some hostels in the city, it is less crowded and noisy. It is a comfortable place to just hang out. Although the city is further away, the Metro nearby makes it very convenient and cheap to go downtown at anytime. Being in this area also gives us a glimpse of the livelihood of some locals -- we were closer to residential houses and we also saw many exercising or taking walks in Viveros Park.

— Avis exclusif de Hostelz.com
March 2009