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Though it is a bit of a walk from Sucre's center, The Celtic Cross offers a laid-back, affordable stay in this Colonial town. Staff are friendly and speak English and German.
The Location
The Celtic Cross is about a ten-minute, uphill walk from the main plaza. It is, however, located near one of Sucre's tourist attractions, the Recoleta Monastery, and offers a nice view of the city. It is a safe area to walk around and explore.
Outside the hostel, guests can find a couple small shops and one or two restaurants. Closer to the center is a large market, pharmacies, restaurants, and souvenir shops. The hostel is a ten-minute drive from the main bus terminal or a twenty-five-minute ride from the airport.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The Celtic Cross offers multiple rooms, ranging from four- to ten-bed dorms and private habitations. The dorm beds are fairly comfortable and warm enough for chilly Sucre nights. Each dorm provides locker space for guests, though there could be more power outlets for charging devices and space for hanging clothes. The rooms themselves are spacious enough, though the ten-bed dorm gets a bit stinky and can feel small considering the number of people staying in it.
The hostel's shared bathrooms are typically kept fairly clean. However, in line with Bolivian cultural practices, often there is no toilet paper or soap available. One of the toilets is breaking away from its connection to the floor and can sway a bit when a guest is seated. The shower pressure isn't amazing and the water doesn't quite reach the hot level.
Common Spaces
The two-story accommodation is built with a large, open-air courtyard at its center, which serves as the hostel's main common space. Here, travelers can sit and chat at one of several seating areas. Next to the courtyard is a roomy kitchen providing all the necessities for cooking, including stove, fridge, and lots of counter/storage space. Some spices are available for guest use, as well as instant coffee and tea. One step below the kitchen is a small dining area with two tables, some chairs and power outlets. The only other common space is a small TV room, offering a worn-out couch, a small TV, a ton of DVDs, and an XBox. The hostel's Wi-Fi isn't great but it does the job for basic browsing/social media use. The manager is willing to help out with whatever he can.
Summary
The Celtic Cross offers a great opportunity to meet like-minded backpackers in a comfortable space on a budget. While it is a social hostel, don't expect a raging party.
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+4
Matt of the World
Hostelz.com Staff Reviewer
Published on Jun 6, 2018
Location and Contact
Location
• We´re in a great location right in the center of town. Situated on Calle Grau it’s just a short 3 or 4 minute direct walk to the main central plaza. In the opposite direction lies the mirador (lookout point) with the best views in the city, again just a short walk away. • The best way to reach us from the bus terminal is by taxi for only 5 Bolivianos per person. • A taxi from the airport is 60 Bolivianos for the whole car, and takes about 45 minutes. Alternatively you can take the bus (8 Bolivianos) which drops you off at the end of Camargo street. Walk Camargo until Padilla and turn left for 2 blocks until you reach Grau street. Walk left for one block, and there we are.