6 Tips for Your First-time Hostel Stay

by Lauren Youngerman on October 14, 2014

If you have ever traveled on a tight budget, or plan on traveling on one, you’ve probably looked into staying at a hostel. The idea of sharing a room with complete strangers can seem scary, especially if your only knowledge about hostels seems to come from horror movies.

I’m here to tell you that hostels aren’t as bad as they sound. I’ve stayed in hostels both in the US and in Central/South America, and the people I’ve talked to have even stayed in hostels in Europe and Asia.

Some Hostels even have their own private Island – Surfing Turtle Lodge (Nicaragua – $10/night)

Here are 6 tips for your first-time hostel stay:

1. Do your research.

There’s so many sites out there where you can find hostel reviews, and so many people who’ve stayed in these hostels who can answer questions for you. However if you’re looking into staying in cheap hostels in South or Central America –don’t freak out if you can’t find any information! The reality is there are a lot of hostels that don’t have websites or reviews, which doesn’t mean they are bad!

It simply means you actually have to go to the location, and walk into the hostel to get a room. Talk with people who have traveled to the location you want to go, they are usually more than willing to help you out.

2. Figure out how you want to stay.

Do you want to stay at a quite hostel on a secluded beach? A popular hostel downtown? The well known party hostel in the country? This all goes back to doing your research, but it all comes down to how you want to stay.

I can say I’ve personally avoided the party hostels for a quiet weekend, and then I’ve gone to some such as the famous party hostel Pacha Mama in San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua. It all depends on what you want your trip experience to include.

3. Talk to others staying in the hostel.

An example of a normal night at a “Party Hostel” and the amazing friends that come with it! – Hostel Pacha Mama

You can make the closest friends in the hostels you stay in. Make sure you talk to others staying in the same location, even if you’re in a private room. If you have any questions or want to make plans, there’s somebody who can help you out. Even just to go get a quick bite, there’s always someone who’s hungry.

4. Always check the bed before you get in it.

The most common tips from most of those who I’ve met is to always check the bed before you get into it, especially if you are staying at the cheaper hostels in already cheap areas. This summer I’ve met countless travelers who have had awful experiences with bed bugs.

A friend of mine, Jenni from Sweden, had this to say “If it even looks like there are bed bugs, just leave. The last thing you want to do is stay the night, get attacked by bed bugs, and have them follow you to your next location.”

Another friend, Jeremy from California added “I always check for bed bugs before I touch the bed. Thankfully I’ve never actually seen them, and I’ve stayed in some pretty sketchy places!”

So check, but don’t be too paranoid. I’ve never experienced a problem with bedbugs.

5. Talk to the hostel staff.

“The hostel staff can make amazing friends as well. Also, they can hook you up with some pretty cool trips or activities for the day. The last time I stayed in a hostel they pointed me to the BEST tacos I’ve ever had, which I would have never found on my own!” – Clara from London

6. Don’t be afraid to have a good time.

When staying in a hostel, don’t be shy or uncomfortable around everyone else. Other hostel guests are generally in the same situation as you are — trying to have a great time on a budget. Say “Yes” to any opportunity, and you won’t have to spend your whole trip alone.

Have you stayed in a hostel? What other tips can you share in comments below?

This post was written by Lauren Youngerman, a student at the University of South Florida studying international business with a focus on Spanish and marketing.

She is a member of her school’s sailing team, and also works as a sailing coach at a nearby club.

Lauren is an adventure seeker who has had the opportunity to live abroad in both Brazil and Nicaragua, as well as to being a part of the U.S. Army.

Currently completing a social media internship for VentureTime Travel, Lauren seeks a career in marketing after graduation. Learn more about Lauren’s work experience via her LinkedIn profile.

If the idea of staying in a hostel is not your cup of tea, you may need to work on collecting hotel reward points. Check out these posts for a peek inside some hotel rooms we’ve stay in using HiltonHonors points or Marriott Rewards:

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