Before I took my big trip abroad, my mom thought it would be a good idea to show me some horror films on travelling (maybe to scare me out of going, little twisted) but I watched, taken, shuttle, vacancy, the cave and Hostel. For anyone who has seen this movie knows the terror I felt when I was staying in one the following week, but here I am still alive!
Truth is, that movie is just a movie. Every time I tell someone I'm staying in a hostel they immediately bring up that show and I find it hilarious that that's peoples real perspective of them. I have yet to be strapped to a chair and tortured and truly that can happen anywhere (as I typed that I realized that's a bit dark but I'll keep it)
Tips on finding the right hostel:
- I swear by Hostelworld. They have hostels in almost every city in most countries and make it so easy!
- Read the reviews! See if it's in a good location, if it's clean, if they have breakfast, etc.
- Be sure they have some kind of locker - you never want to expect people will steal but it happens
- Ratings are everything
My favorite hostels I've stayed in:
Wild Rover Hostel - La Paz, Bolivia
Hidden House Hostel - Montanita, Ecuador
Selina Hostel - Bocas Del Toro, Panama
Hostel De Haan - Jaco, Costa Rica
Hola Ola Hostel - San Juan Del Sur, Nicarauga
Nomads St Kilda Beach - Melbourne, Australia
Sure there are some cons, like that guy who turns on the light at 5AM to pack his bag, or the person who decides to snooze their alarm 11 times, or of course the shagging that happens on the top bunk above you (very unfortunate if you end up in that circumstance).
However staying with a group of like minded people who are always down for an adventure is great! Being a solo traveler especially you'll make heaps of friends staying in a hostel or if you go with a friend and your sick of them you have plenty of people to hang out with. I've met some life long friends staying in hostels and have some of my best memories there.