The Hostelz.com Review - Genuine, independent review you can trust.
Puk's Palace is a straight up, no-frills party hostel with one amazing pool and a killer sunset spot.
The Location
It's located up in the hills from San Juan del Sur, and they offer free shuttles at set times in and out of town, which means the distance isn't much of a problem (but if you do need to arrange a taxi in to town, it isn't too expensive). This location makes for some phenomenal views down over the town and an even better sunset stop; even better, it is located right next door to Naked Tiger where Sunday Funday (the main reason backpackers flock to this town) ends.
Rooms and Bathrooms
This is a party hostel and it is quite basic; the dorm rooms are large with hatched roofs, which is not great for the mosquito situation, and we also saw some bats flying through the room one morning. The bathrooms are connected to the rooms; they are large and have what some may call a rustic theme. The problem is that, without any form of sunlight, the bathrooms are constantly damp, which really does not help with the mosquitos. The room has some makeshift lockers that do not seem overly sturdy and plenty of space to keep your bags on the floor. Just watch out for bird/bat poop when sleeping on the top bunks!!
Common Spaces
As it's a party hostel, this is where the main focus of the hostel lies. There is a solid bar and restaurant area and some nice hammocks and seating by the pool, but it is quite a weird set-up. There is a "family dinner" every evening, which is quite expensive (as is breakfast), and the kitchen isn't open for lunch, and there also isn't somewhere for guests to prepare food -- meaning you must venture into town or order in. The bar prices are a little steep and they work on a tab system, holding onto your passport until you check out and pay the total, which is simply given to you as a sum so you have no chance to see what they are charging you for. The volunteers working there seem to be there to party as well, which is fair given it is a party hostel, however there is little interaction with the guests, which could make for some awkward scenes.
Summary
Puk's Palace is a party hostel and a good spot if you aren't looking to stay at one of the Sunday Funday hostels. It's a fair option, just be prepared for the mosquitoes!
Photos taken by the Hostelz.com reviewer — Genuine photos you can trust.
Hannah
Hostelz.com Staff Reviewer
Published on Oct 2, 2019
Location and Contact
Location
• Lot 6, Las Escaleras, San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua • https://goo.gl/maps/kWmaT39BBvjzoHsU8 • We offer a free shuttle from ‘The Loose Moose’ bar in the center of San Juan, the center strip. Also drivers can be arranged for airport pick ups for a fair price.