I stayed at The Free Spirit Hostel for 5 weeks. What an amazing place. Even though I wasnt really that much into surfing I enjoyed everyday. Yoga on the deck just listening to the waves. Chilling with amazing people. Checking out all the local spots and having fun with the dogs. Great parties and bonfires. Definitely a place to go for a good time, getting a second family. I loved everything about it! Thanks guys ❤️

This hostel is amazing. One of the most welcoming and open communities I’ve experienced in a hostel. This is due to the volunteers — they are amazing. There are 8 at a time and they each stay for one month or more, so there is always a community present at the hostel that you can integrate yourself into. This is unlike other hostels where people only stay for a few days. We ate delicious complimentary breakfasts and dinners every night together, prepared by volunteers with chef experience. There are surfing lessons and surfboard rentals ($5-10 a day for a board!). The amenities are perfect. Comfortable bed, pool, hammocks, yoga deck, lots of places to sit and chill, very very clean. Activities every day. The town is very small, but cute, with affordable lunches ($3-6) and a few small, cheap grocery stores. My only complaint is that this hostel wants to get every penny out of you possible. One guest, a friend of mine, gave a Spanish lesson to another guest, and the hostel made her pay them a fee because she gave the lesson on the property. Another friend was told he couldn’t use a small piece of tape because it was too expensive. Other guests had similar complaints. You would think, paying so much to stay at a hostel, the management would be less stingy. Also, one of the managers is very passive aggressive and rude. This small negative does not compare to the generally very positive experience I had at this hostel, and in Puerto Engabao in general. It is a magical place and I hope to return one day.

The hostel was lovely, very chilled and super nice staff. It loses points for charging $25 per person for a group surf lesson with 5 people. Elsewhere that got me a private lesson. And the food portions were just too darn small given I was running/surfing/yoga for half the day

This hostel in one for the books! If you want to meet incredible people, to party, to surf and to do yoga everyday, well this place is the perfect spot for you. Every breakfast and diner were included. Diners were delicious vegetarian meals. The staff there was awesome and the best part is that you’ll probably end up with new friends for life !!

Our stay here was everything we could possibly ask for. Clean, cool rooms. The perfect location to walk into town or walk to the point to surf. The best owners on earth. Daniel (the hostel owner) is one of the coolest guys we have met on our trip and we cannot recommend his hostel enough!!!

Such good vibes! Super good location, great staff, clean rooms, and amazing experience. JULIETTE the bartender was supppeerrrr chevere. Gracias!

Puerto Engabao is a cool place! But the hostel definitely needs to get itself sorted. By all means I'd not recommend volunteering there unless you want to bear all of the hostels responsibilities. Management is clearly is disconnected from the guest expirience, and uses the hostal as their own vacation at the behest of volunteers. And by all means do not rent a board from them. They issue defective, well worn boards. If you break it, they do not have insurance and will demand up to 700USD to replace it. When I arrived the roofs of the dorm rooms were leaking due to the hard rain the night prior. I was unaffected by it but other guests had to dry out their clothes in the humid air for days. Ontop of that I woke in the mornings with red bite marks. Mosquito nets are provided, but i was always told the marks were sand fleas. Take that as a grain of salt, but everyone there was complaining of these bite marks. I have up to 100. Otherwise, I met some amazing and memorable guests at the hostel. Other than that I'd stay away.

we had the chance to visit the freespirit in March 2022. We don’t really do hostel, but we had only good comments on the free spirit! Ecuador is a vast country. if you are looking for a unique and simple experience, I recommend everyone to visit the free spirit. For our stay, we booked a private room with our own bathroom. They cleaned our room three times during the week + new sheets. The setup are wonderful : Surf spot is a 3 minute walk on the beach The yoga deck offers one of the best views Every evening, dinner with everyone at the table guests + volunteers and owners. beautiful moments to share with others the site is very clean. A little oasis in the desert it's wonderful to see how much the Owners of the FS invest for the good of the young people of the village. recently, they worked to build a skatepark. we are extremely happy to have visited the free spirit. What do we need more than yoga, surf, smoothie bowls and beer? few interesting details before your visit: • The surrounding village is extremely poor, be ready! Me it does not destabilize me, but it is specific to each • Buy your sunscreen before you get there. The UV index is at extreme at 7am in the morning • make sure you withdraw US cash because there is no atm machine close to the Free and it’s cash only everywhere. At the Free Spirit they will open a bar bill for you for the during of your stay. • There's a bigger town, Playas, $2 by bus from the Hostel, and that's where you can to grocery or take out money. Fun spot around : - Una Dia: a Tacos place! kind of an oasis in the desert. It's beautiful. Ask the Free Spirit to help you to organize an lunch for you there - cocteles del paraiso: a really cute restaurant. Price are higher. Good cocktails and music Thanks Again Ana for the amazing stay ♥️ We had a blast 💥

Incredible stay. As always they level up to expectation. Good surfing lesson. They even adapt to your lever and skills which really allons improvement. The yoga lessons in the morning are amazing. You meet lovely and friendly people. Not too party but sometimes there is very fun nights. Everything was perfect!!!!

You want to surf, yoga and have fun? This is the place to go. You'll have the chance to meet friendly locals and guests from all around the world, all this in a paradisiac environment. What are you waiting for now ?

(Translated by Google) Good (Original) Bien

Everyone who comes to Ecuador should try to make it to the free spirit! From the moment you arrive you know you chose the perfect spot to unwind and really enjoy every moment. the owners and staff make you feel like a part of the family, which will be hard to leave! The hostel has exceptional rooms and facilities, you get delicious meals, amazing yoga classes looking over the ocean, and a really good selection of surf boards! What else could anybody want?

I’ve been volunteering in free spirit for a month as a cook and extended my stay until the end of February. The atmosphere is great, so wholesome and loving. With the volunteers and the guests it feels like a little family of travellers. A great place to take a break from moving around all the time. The yoga classes and surfing lessons are fantastic, I’ve learned so much through them and through the time I’ve spent so far cooking with another volunteer. It’s really easy to get to playas, the city nearby, but I’ve gotten accustomed to the chill beach life here and don’t like going to the city unless necessary. You can get most food you need in the village a couple minutes walk away, the city is only needed for pharmacy things.

The perfect place to surf, do yoga and chill out! My first time on a surfboard, but I felt super safe with the competent teacher. The volunteers go above and beyond to make your stay the best it can be! I wish I could have stayed longer. It's definitely worth coming a little off the beaten track!

A peaceful space in a fishing village. The staff and volunteers were all extremely welcoming and friendly. Every night we eat a complimentary dinner together at a long table as one big family. The food is fantastic! Felt like a home away from home and I wanted to stay forever.

I recommend 100%! The dream place for an absolutely perfect vacation🌞🌴 Tasty meals, friendly staff, varied daily activities (in addition to yoga and surfing)... The general atmosphere is awesome! 😎🤙 What more could you ask for?

(Translated by Google) Excellent Hostel! Very nice and in front of a wonderful beach! Of the best that I know in my country 🇪🇨 (Original) Excelente Hostal! Muy lindo y al frente de una playa maravillosa! De lo mejor que conozco en mi país 🇪🇨

Best vacation ever!!

Beautiful Hostel beachfront! Great people! Surf, Yoga & Fun! 🤙🏽

Super place for surfing, relaxing and yoga

(Translated by Google) Excellent (Original) Excelente

(Translated by Google) In front of the sea a delight (Original) Frente al mar una delicia

I had the time of my life at free spirit hostel ecuador. The combination of yoga, awesome waves and nice company was great. Make sure you try the host‘s SCHNITZL as well!

Never seen a sunset that great while sitting at the bar !

Perks of staying at the Free Spirit Hostel : meeting and connecting with beautiful humans, eating delicious family dinners, surfing every f**king day, doing yoga to the sound of the waves, not having to experience your hangovers all alone the day after, can’t believing how magnificent a sunset can be and leaving with more love in your heart than when you arrived.

Just be aware that no matter how long you plan on staying at the free spirit, there will never be enough time ! this place is a little paradise with great waves at the point, or even at the beach break right in front of the hostel. Can’t get enough of the view, yoga is fantastic in such an inspiring environment, the sunsets are always memorable, the food is great (MIAM MIAM MIAM) good vibes is the spirit of this place and fun is something you will always have here ! Worth the visit. Already thinking about coming back :)

This place is amazing! You cannot miss this hostel if you are in ecuador. The staff is awesome, the view from the hostel is incredible and you will enjoy some delicious meals. It’s also a good place to meet new people from everywhere.

Amazing hostel with great staff and fantastic food. I learnt how to surf here for the first time and was quickly standing up taking waves! The hostel has the perfect balance of chilling and party with free yoga and a lively bar.

The best hostel by far during my stay in Ecuador. Amazing people, great surf instructors, yoga everyday and wicked food! A stay in Ecuador is not complete without stopping by Free Spirit. Hope to be back next year!

The food is always delicious and you can watch amazing sunsets with cool people :) I would definitely recommend this hostel. The learning to surf package is perfect for beginners!

I immediately felt at home & really enjoyed spending time with people from all over the world. The rooms, the hostel in general was always very clean and a highlight was the delicious food! The yoga and surf sessions were perfect! Since I felt like home, I extended my stay and was very happy about it.

Amazing location! Close to an amazing point break and beach break. The hostel is so clean and safe. Pool, billiards, ping pong, yoga, tons of surfboards, fooseball. The breakfast and dinners are delicious, the vibes are on point and the hammocks are plentiful.

My experience in the hostel was just perfect ! I love the system that includes volunteers all over the world, everyone was so nice to me. The hostel is litteraly on the beach, which makes the surf experience even better. Sunset are beautiful from here, one of the most beautiful i've seen. I would recommand to anyone !

Beautiful place, nice atmosphere, great waves and sunsets, friendly staff and excellent food. 😊☀️👍

the best spot in ecuador, great surf teacher and nice yoga classes. if you want to party at the bar, meet nice people or chill in a pool or a hamac its the place!! people speak french, english and spanish! enjoy :)

(Translated by Google) It was an amazing stay, easy to hang on and difficult to leave. We develop beautiful friendships, we eat well, can make beautiful parties, but just as easy to sleep if you want to rest! Clean and beautiful place! Thank you all for your stay more than perfect !! 😘 (Original) Ce fût un séjour incroyable, facile de s’y accrocher les pieds et difficile de quitter. On développe de belles amitiés, on mange bien, possibilité de faire de beaux party, mais tout aussi facile de dormir si vous voulez vous reposer!!! Endroit propre et magnifique! Merci à tous pour ce séjour plus que parfait!! 😘

Very unique experience. Great food, moderate good waves, great staff. The hostel is located in a poor fisher village. You happen to be the only tourists there. Go there before more hostels will open and the village will transform!!

Awesome location & people.

best place! amazing yoga deck, great surf! I met awesome people from the first day on! the owners and staff made me feel part of the family :) definitely coming back!

(Translated by Google) the best place in all of Ecuador and most of all in the south of beaches where the waves are the best and the hosts of the free spirit treat you like family (Original) el mejor lugar en todo Ecuador y mas que todo en el sur de playas dond las olas son las mejores y los anfitriones del free espírit te tratan como familia

Loved everything about that place! The hostel is directly at the beachfront so you can do yoga, lounge in a hammock or sip beer at the bar while looking at the waves. I learned how to surf here and managed to stand up easily within the surf lessons. Before coming to Puerto Engabao I was a bit hesitant if the fishing village would offer any kind of infrastructure - however you will find a few very good beach shacks/restaurants close by for lunch snacks and busses leaving several times a day to Playas (next bigger town). I loved that it is not in a hectic place like montanita and we hung out quite a lot at the bar socializing and played drinking games. Thanks Dan for making our vacation perfect!

Amazing place, beautiful views, authentic surroundings, great surf, yoga and relaxation!

(Translated by Google) Exclusive place for foreigners (Original) Lugar exclusivo para extranjeros

I love gaby go here youll have fun

(Translated by Google) Wow wow wow just wow (Original) Wow wow wow juste wow

(Translated by Google) The place is ideal for surfing, but if you have never practiced it, it does not matter, there are excellent teachers, with very good techniques to learn and you are surrounded by expert people, who can give you their different opinions and if you also practice yoga every day , you will have the state more quickly. When your session ends, you can rest in the many hammocks that you find or have a few beers at the bar, listening to the music that you can choose yourself. New and very nice facilities, the best in the area. Vegetarian food but very rich. At night there are small parties and time to rest The staff is very close and attentive, the atmosphere is familiar and fun, great people. The days, you don't want them to ever end. (Original) El lugar es ideal para practicar surf, pero si nunca lo has practicado, no importa, hay excelentes profesores, con muy buenas técnicas para aprender y estás rodeado de gente experta, que pueden darte sus diferentes opiniones y si además prácticas el yoga todos los días, tendrás el estado de forma más rápidamente. Cuando termina tu sesión podrás descansar en las muchas hamacas que encuentras o tomar unas cervezas en el bar, escuchando la música que tú mismo puedes elegir. Instalaciones nuevas y muy bonitas, las mejores de la zona. Comida vegetariana pero muy rica. Por la noche hay pequeñas fiestas y tiempo para descansar El personal es muy cercano y atento, el ambiente es familiar y divertido, gente grande. Los días, no quieres que terminen nunca.

(Translated by Google) The place is beautiful !! The staff awesome and super friendly !! The atmosphere can be as much relax as party, which is great !! Very clean as hostel !! The food is excellent, the smoothie bowl in the morning 🤤 (Original) L'endroit est magnifique !! Le staff génial et hyper sympathique !! L'ambiance peu être autant relax que party, ce qui est génial !! Très propre comme hostel !! La nourriture est excellente, les smoothie bowl le matin 🤤

(Translated by Google) One of the best hostel I have stayed at. The view is stupid and the premises are very welcoming. Welcoming and relaxing atmosphere. (Original) Une des meilleurs hostel où j'ai séjourné. La vue est débile et les locaux sont très accueillants. Ambiance accueillante et relaxante.

Wikkid spot, good waves and a good spot to enter the Thunderdome

(Translated by Google) Super hostel! The places are very clean, the staff is super friendly, the atmosphere is nice, the sea is warm and the surf is pleasant here! I recommend everyone to come here for a holiday! (Original) Super hostel! Les lieux sont très propres, le personnel est super sympathique, l'ambiance est agréable, la mer est chaude et le surf est plaisant ici! Je recommande à tous de venir ici passer des vacances!

(Translated by Google) At the beginning of April I stayed at Free Spirit Ecuador for 7 nights. It quickly became clear to me that I wanted to go to Puerto Engabao and not to the more touristy Montanita. And this small, charming village is just the thing for an easy-going surf vacation. The point break can be reached in a minute on foot and the waves there are perfect for advanced surfers and professionals. Beginners are in good hands at the beach break which is really right in front of the hostel. The hostel is one of the cleanest hostels I've ever been to. And the crew is extremely friendly and helpful. Free Spirit is lived here! I'm looking forward to coming back! (Original) Anfang April war ich für 7 Nächte im Free Spirit Ecuador. Dass ich nach Puerto Engabao wollte und nicht ins eher touristische Montanita, war für mich schnell klar. Und dieses kleine, charmante Dorf ist genau das Richtige für einen "easy-going" Surf-Urlaub. Den Point-Break erreicht man in einer Minute zu Fuss und die Wellen dort sind perfekt für fortgeschrittene Surfer und Profis. Anfänger sind am Beachbreak super aufgehoben welcher wirklich direkt vorm Hostel liegt. Das Hostel ist eines der saubersten Hostels, die ich je gesehen habe. Und die Crew ist überaus freundlich und hilfsbereit. Hier wird Free Spirit gelebt! Ich freue mich schon wenn ich wieder kommen kann!

Blown away by this place, great surf and super rad accommodation.. thanks for everything!!

Sick surf bro🤙

Great hostel, great beach, yoga and surfing were incredible! I‘ll be back soon!

FREE/SPIRIT/HOSTEL/ECUADOR This morning I taught my first yoga class in this beautiful space as the sun rose and the waves and breeze filled our senses. We have been living here, surfing, practicing yoga, cooking dope vegan cuisine and loving all the people who have become apart of our memories and life. We celebrate Easter today and as we are sad to be apart from our families in AUS and USA, we are grateful for our Ecuadorian family...and for life. Thank you @freespirithostelec for making our hearts filled with love, gratitude and great vibes. #home #mifamilia #ecuador #gratitude