Hostels are a functional oasis for travelers of all experience levels, demographics, and nationalities. They offer accommodation essentials, coworking spaces, and socialization opportunities while being a low-cost alternative to hotels, Airbnb’s, and resorts. Whether you’re a first-time traveler out of your country looking to stick to a budget or a seasoned traveler looking for a more social travel experience, let me break down everything you need to know about hostel life.
HOSTEL BASICS
Let’s get down to the nitty gritty. Hostels are a low-cost lodging option offering accommodation essentials and shared spaces. While some hostels may be more extravagant or simple than others, they all boil down to the same concept. Guests can rent a bed at a nightly rate (on average $10-$40/night), often with the option of staying in a single-sex or co-ed dorm. Yes, this means you will be sharing a room with people you’ve never met before and who perhaps do not speak the same language as you. You might get lucky while traveling during off-season and have an entire dorm to yourself, but don’t count on it.
Every hostel is different; however, the overarching idea is to enable travelers to socialize and have fun together at a reduced cost. It’s typical to find coworking spaces, shared kitchens, and social spaces at most hostels and while some guests may be staying carefree and ready to party at all hours, others are balancing work and studies with their travel excursions and social fun. Around the world you may find party, eco-friendly, historic, or even family hostels, all of which cater to different types of travelers. You might even stay at a hostel that offers weekly activities such as sunrise yoga, happy hours, and club nights. I always suggest doing your research and deciding what kind of experience you’re looking for before you book a stay. Read reviews and blogs from previous travelers and check out the hostel’s website to help with your search.
MAKING FRIENDS AT HOSTELS
Meeting like-minded travelers from all around the world is perhaps the best part about staying at a hostel. In my week spent traveling within the Yucatán Peninsula and staying at various hostels, I made some of my most cherished and unforgettable memories—clubbing in Cancun with my Ukrainian roommate, taking a day tour to visit Chichen Itza with my bunkmate from Switzerland, and grabbing dinner and drinks with 3 other solo travelers, each from different countries.
Although it might seem super intimidating to initiate a conversation with a stranger, you’re bound to have something in common. Your paths are crossing at the same hostel, after all. My biggest suggestion is to start small. Give a smile to your bunkmate and ask where they’re traveling from or ask a friendly face if you can snag the empty seat at the breakfast table. You can even get a head start on connecting with other travelers on the Hostelworld app, using their newest chat features.
SAFETY MEASURES
Given the social nature of hostels, there are always people around which naturally makes an environment feel safer. Nevertheless, no matter how great a hostel’s reviews are or how friendly everyone is, it is always important to be cautious and take safety measures to protect yourself and your belongings. While some hostels implement wristband/bracelet policies or have security on hand, here are some extra tips you may find helpful for staying safe in a hostel:
Bring a padlock with you to keep your personal belongings secure when you’re out for the day, showering, or sleeping.
If you’re a solo female traveler, consider staying in a single-sex dorm for extra comfort.
Keep your phone charged in case you need directions back home or in case of an emergency. I suggest keeping a portable charger handy for this reason.
Talk to a staff member if you’re feeling unsafe or insecure. They are there to help!
HOSTEL ETIQUETTE AND BEST PRACTICES
When staying at a hostel and sharing spaces with other guests, whether short-term or long-term, it’s important to be as respectful as possible. By following these unwritten hostel rules and best etiquette practices, you’ll be on the right path to making friends rather than enemies:
Keep your things organized and isolated to your assigned bunk and locker.
Even if you love being the naked neighbor at home, be considerate to other hostel guests by staying covered up around others.
If an item (i.e., clothing, food, toiletry) doesn’t belong to you, leave it be.
Don’t turn on the dorm lights unnecessarily to avoid disturbing sleeping roommates. If you need some light, stick to using your phone’s flashlight or the lamp in your bunk (if available).
Leave spaces how you found them. This applies to common spaces, shared bathrooms, and kitchens.
Be courteous during sleeping hours. If you plan on going clubbing or have a sunrise flight in the morning, have your things tidy and ready to go, as to be quiet and considerate to others in the room. Also consider taking late night phone calls in a common space instead of the dorm.
Be mindful of how much time and space you take up in the bathroom. There may only be 2-4 toilets, showers, and sinks in a dorm of 16+ guests.
Be friendly and welcoming!
Some of these rules may seem like common sense, but they really do go a long way when it comes to sharing spaces with strangers. This list isn’t exhaustive, but should get you on the right track for following hostel etiquette and being a respectful guest.
SHOWERING IN SHARED SPACES
Like showering at a gym or a college dorm, you want to be time conscious and tidy, but also recognize that countless guests have used the same shower before you. Always wear shower shoes such as rubber flip flops or crocs to prevent a fungal infection. Even though hostels are regularly and thoroughly cleaned, it’s always best to be safe than sorry.
Hostel layouts also always vary, so some showers may not have a rack or caddy where you can prop your toiletry bag on. I suggest taking a waterproof toiletry bag to avoid dealing with the hassle of keeping your things dry in the shower. Oh, and always double check on your way out that you have all of your toiletries, or they might get used by the next person.
HOSTEL KITCHENS
It’s fun and budget friendly to cook yourself a meal in place of going out to dinner, especially if you’ve made a few friends and can do it as a group activity. It is important to remember, though, that you are expected to clean up after yourself and return things to how they were before you used them. This means washing, drying, and putting back cookware items when you’re done with them. If you do have leftovers that you want to leave in the fridge, just be sure to leave your name and the date on the container or they might disappear.
TO WRAP THINGS UP...
If you want more specifics about hostel’s amenities, locations, and pricing, I’ve personally used and recommend checking out Hostelworld to browse tens of thousands of hostel properties across 178 countries. If you’re an LGBTQ+ traveler, you can even check out this article to learn about gay-friendly cities and hostel recommendations.
I could go on and on about hostel life, the do’s and don’ts, tips and tricks, and even sharing my personal hostel stories. If you want to hear more, feel free to contact me through my website or any of my social media pages and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can!
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