El Viajero Hostel Cartagena is in a relatively central location and would fit into the "party hostel" category. The hostel doesn't have any stand-out features and has an average atmosphere.
The Location
The majority of hostels in Cartegena are broadly located in either the historical centre or Getsemani. This hostel is located on the edge of the historical centre on a quiet street. There are a couple of shops around, but the main buzz of the historical centre is a five- to ten-minute walk away. This street does get quite quiet at night and the neighborhood feels relatively safe.
The airport is around thirty-minutes away and the main bus terminal is around thirty to sixty minutes depending on traffic. The port is around a fifteen-minute walk away. The hostel is not on one of the main streets, so taxi drivers may need some assistance with directions.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The road are relatively spacious and the dorms have fans in the room for the humid nights. The bunk beds are basic and sheets are provided for guests to make the bed themselves. The plug sockets are located away from most of the beds. The rooms face into a courtyard, but there is not too much noise coming in at night.
The bathrooms have cubicles and a shared sink area with a mirror. They are clean and well stocked, but are a walk away from most rooms. The showers are in a separate room and have a cold shower with ok water pressure. There are hooks to hang up clothes.
Common Spaces
There is seating by the main reception, but this is mostly empty except for breakfast. As you enter, there is a long and narrow, rectangular courtyard with deck chairs. The layout means there is a long line of them and so it is not particularly social.
The bar area of El Viajero is nice with a well-stocked bar and some seating. There is a courtyard area here as well where salsa classes are held. For a party hostel, the atmosphere is a bit lacking and there are more lively party hostels in Cartagena in better locations.
Summary
El Viajero Hostel has ok facilities and common spaces, but lacks the vibrant party atmosphere you'd expect from this kind of hostel.
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Viajero Hostel Cartagena Reviews
The Hostelz.com Review - Genuine, independent review you can trust.
Photos taken by the Hostelz.com reviewer — Genuine photos you can trust.
Sab
Hostelz.com Staff Reviewer
Published on 2018-12-31
Verified Reviews by our Community
Better than I expected!
The staff here were quite happy to help or offer assistance when I required it. It is a high turnover hostel so I didn't expect to get red carpet service. The location is great. It is safe enough to walk around the old town. The air on in the rooms works from 6pm to 11am, there is another air conditioned TV room though if you can't handle the tropical heat. Wifi is good. Breakfast is ok, the cut fruit is great but you have to be quick to get it, cereal is average but hey, it will get you through to 10/11am. The bar prices are decent but my one complaint would be the bar chick. Her head is so far up her "you-know-what" she wouldn't know what day it is. I would have purchased more drinks there if she wasn't so arrogant and cocky. I could go on! They don't do much about people coming home and drinking on in the wee hours but a set of ear plugs will solve that. They can offer tours from the desk which is more secure than organising them through someone on the street. We had three nites here then came back for another after playa blanca. I would come back here again, but just avoid the mole at the bar!
Stuart
2014-12-08
Age 30 | Australia
Good
Ok, few bathrooms.
Sergio
2014-01-08
Age 22 | Colombia
Really good option in Cartagena
I found the El Viajero hostel a good place to stay. I found the staff very helpful especially Alex. The rooms and beds are perfect with lockers under each bed and a security box. the aircon is a great bonus to have in what seems to be an always hot Cartagena. enjoy.
Cho
2013-04-14
If you didn't have to check into El Viajero Cartagena Hostel, your first impressions would be of a really nice, clean hostel with a layout that looks a little like an American motel. Unfortunately, your first impression will instead be molded by a collection of the surliest employees in South America, seemingly handpicked for their poor customer service. Check-in alone takes so long you will probably have to pay for another night by the time you eventually get your keys.
The Location
The location of El Viajero, however, is fantastic. Right in the heart of the Old Town, it's a beautiful part of the city with great restaurants, sights, and nightlife all close by. The bus station is a taxi ride away, but this is the case if you want to stay anywhere worth staying in the city. The same goes for the port if you're heading off on a sailing trip to the San Blas or Panama.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The showers are really fantastic at this hostel. They're cool and refreshing without being shockingly freezing, perfect for the Caribbean climate; they have a large changing space; but most important of all for the forgetful backpacker is the fact they provide liquid shampoo in all the cubicles and soap in the toilets.
The bedrooms are also better than average; all have air conditioning, locks on the doors, and large lockers under the beds, as well as small electronic safes on the walls, and some of the best pillows you will encounter in a hostel. The beds themselves are pretty comfortable, too.
Common Spaces
El Viajero has a fantastic huge kitchen with all the amenities you could need next to a decent-sized dining area, which also contains the hostel's two internet computers. Nearby are two fridges full of reasonably priced beers and soft drinks; unfortunately, you do have deal with the receptionists to pay for these. For spirits and cocktails, a small bar is set up out in the courtyard, around which the bedrooms are centered. This courtyard provides a social area at night, which at times can attract a decent crowd from around Cartegena before people head off to the nightclubs and bars. The television room is quite a cool little place with a flat screen TV, sofas, and walls plastered with retro movie posters.
Summary
El Viajero may not be the biggest or liveliest hostel in Cartegena, but it is certainly one of the nicest. If you survive check-in and manage to minimalise contact with the gloomy staff, you could have a very pleasant stay here.
Sam Grocott
2011-12-01
England
Description
Location and Contact
Location
Map
Address: Calle 38, Calle 7 Infantes 9-45, Cartagena de Indias (Cartagena), Colombia
Viajero Hostel Cartagena is listed on the following booking sites:
Hostelworld Booking.com Not listed at HostelsClubViajero Hostel Cartagena is part of the hostel chain Viajero Hostels
Find all Viajero Hostels hereWebsite
viajerohostels.com/en/
Phone Number:
(+575) 6602598
To add or correct information for this listing, please use the Listing Correction Form.
Facilities and Amenities
Groups (10+ people)
Party Hostel
Solo Traveller
Bedsheets
Breakfast
Luggage Storage
Wi-Fi in Lobby/Commons
Bike Rental
City Tours
Lockers in Lobby
Towels
24 Hour Security
Air Conditioning
BBQ Grill
Bar
Cable TV
Concierge/Info Desk
Credit Card Payments
Currency Exchange
Evening Entertainment
Kitchen
Laundry
Live Music/Performance
Lounge Area
Movie Library/Rental
TV
Curfew: No Curfew
Reception Hours: 24 Hours
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