Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: hostel (24) great (14) friendly (10) good (9) staff (8) Juan (6) Saltwater (6) kitchen (6)
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  • 5/5 David K. 7 years ago on Google
    The friendliest hostel in San Juan Del Sur. There was no such thing as a salty reception at the Saltwater Hostel reception. I was greeted by warm smiles and friendly faces by the amazing staff here. I liked this place so much that i ended up returning three times along my travels. There was a review below that mentioned dirty showers... that's a bit ridiculous considering they run surf shuttles daily. People come back from a day at the beach and wash themselves, as per every hostel in a surf destination. The hostel is spotless apart from this. Calling Ximena unfriendly would be like calling Gandhi a dick, simply ridiculous. I'm assuming this person didn't have a good time for whatever reason and the review was a knee-jerk reaction. The fact is, everyone I know who went here loved it. They also organised beach shuttles, gave great travel tips, provide a laundry service and delicious breakfast. One girl on the team even went to get me a smoothie when i was too hungover to move, the owner clipped my eye brows because she couldn’t bear to look at them any longer and another makes amazing cocktails. I'll really miss this clean, comfy chilled place, and I was genuinely very sad to leave. Thanks guys, much love :)
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 jasonlion54 7 years ago on Google
    Great hostel. The staff are very friendly, accommodations are good, but most importantly the atmosphere is very friendly and open to solo and group travels. Community meals, hammocks everywhere, intimate setting, and while I was here we put together several group outings, surfing, partying, etc. Strongly recommended.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nick B. 7 years ago on Google
    Saltwater Hostel is exactly what the doctor ordered for me. Considering San Juan has a reputation for being a lively party place, especially for backpackers, Saltwater offers a place to lay low in between parties, or even to avoid them altogether. Boasting clean, cheap accommodation, speedy WiFi, a selection of tasty $3 breakfasts and a well stocked, well priced bar, Saltwater is probably the best value for money Hostel in the town. A huge bonus of this hostel is the view from the hammock, which spans from the statue of Jesus on the cliff to the north all the way across the bay to the cliffs on the other side. The best $9.50 you'll spend.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Laurenz Z. 1 year ago on Google
    It's a great hostel with a view on the ocean and therefore really nice sunsets. It's great for solo travelers, but I also saw one or two families. The staff cleans the bathrooms, rooms, and floors really often. Those who dont know english of the staff are currently trying to learn a bit. Everyone is extremely friendly, and the owner himself is a cool and solid dude. He has 3 dogs and a cat, which are not loud at all. They mostly chill around the hostel and are sometimes open to you, giving them a pet. The food there is very delicious and not expensive either. I stayed a longer time (2 weeks) and had a great experience. I would come back every time.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 A.B. B. 2 years ago on Google
    Best hostel in san juan del sur. Super relaxed chilled place you meet a lots of great people and you can decided by your own If you wanna join the Party stuff or not :)
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Hannah B. 1 year ago on Google
    This hostel is fairly unassuming from the outside but it’s in a great location: up a small hill, near the centre of town and with a great view of the ocean and the sunset in the evenings. It has a big communal area outside with hammocks, sofas and a tables for eating/ socialising. they also have a book exchange, board games and cards to borrow and musical instruments. it had a chilled vibe and the staff were really nice. the food that you can order from their kitchen was delicious and reasonably priced. Shared kitchen facilities were also good. As a solo traveller, it wasn’t the most social hostel and I think it would benefit from organised activities or a group dinner in the evenings. I would stay here again 🙂

  • 5/5 Will P. 2 years ago on Google
    I cannot fault my stay at Saltwater, the hostel is in the perfect location, out of the main center but close enough to enjoy the night life, if that’s what you want! On the flip side the hostel maintains an awesome chilled vibe so you never feel forced to go out! Friendly animals will greet you every morning (if you decide to pay them attention) and the hostel has a great view over the bay. All in all you cannot go wrong with staying here, I loved it so much I kept on extending my stay!

  • 5/5 violette t. 1 year ago on Google
    Really loved the chill vibes there ! The place is clean, the staff is really nice and welcoming. Much quieter than downtown such makes it the perfect to relax ! And if you want to enjoy the party in san juan, it's only two minutes walk and it's very safe :) Thanks for the stay, I had a great time and met lovely people !

  • 5/5 Hugh D. 1 year ago on Google
    Saltwater was by far my favourite hostel in San Juan del Sur. Carlos, the owner has cultivated something very special. The atmosphere of hostel is a perfect mixture of relaxing and social vibe. The beds are great and the food is fantastic!

  • 5/5 אלירן �. 2 years ago on Google
    Great hostel , great location,Great food ,pet friendly the stuff are very friendly one of the best value for money I ever staid 🙏 the owner really amazing person , cool vibes probably when I go back to San Juan del sur I will be in that place ! 🤙

  • 4/5 AndrewC 2 years ago on Google
    Great place. Stayed in an ensuite private. Room was spacious and adequate. Vibe was really good. Chilled place. Owner was present and very helpful. It a small bit up a steep hill but not enough to be worried about.

  • 5/5 עופר �. 2 years ago on Google
    Best place to stay in San Juan! Definitely coming back here! The owners are so lovely and kind The place is beautiful, beds are comfy, food is great, there’s a fully equipped kitchen. They’ll help you with everything you need!

  • 5/5 Sabina K. 1 year ago on Google
    Helpful and super friendly staff. Clean rooms, bathrooms and common areas. Kitchen is well equipped. Good location and internet works well. Restaurant on side to get some.delicious food All in all I can recommend the hostel.

  • 4/5 Piers da Camino S. 1 year ago on Google
    Stayed here in July 2022, and I found it a very good hostel! Clean, good beds, kitchen and overall a relaxing vibe. The have lockers and the outside area is very nice. Location also very good. Only the laundry was a bit expensive as well as the breakfast and lunch.

  • 3/5 Julia S. 1 year ago on Google
    Generally nice hostel, good location and well-equipped kitchen. Food was also great! The only thing is that they have three large dogs living there, which also go into dorm rooms and even jump on beds and couches. Being allergic to dog hair, we felt like they should inform guests before that there are dogs which also run around the dorms. I think even if you like pets and you are not allergic, having them in your room, bed or couch is not a thing everyone likes.

  • 5/5 Santana Veen M. 1 year ago on Google
    We really liked the hostel. It’s very clean and the waterpressure in the shower is good (no hot water but you don’t need it since San Juan is hot). The food from the restaurant is lovely. The vibes are chill, there is a common area where people hang out, it’s definitely not a party hostel. You have to walk up a hill about 20 mtrs., it’s steep but really fine. Only thing that would make it better is if each bed had a personal fan and power outlet.

  • 4/5 s r. 7 years ago on Google
    Really great hostel. Brilliantly helpful and friendly staff. Room a little too hot and small though but would recommend highly still.

  • 5/5 Yossi K. 6 years ago on Google
    Super cute little hostel amazing water views from the patio quiet and serene. They charge a bit more than others well worth it if that's your style.

  • 5/5 Eric W. 6 years ago on Google
    Awesome little hostel. Very relaxed vibes that include an ocean view. There's beer and drinks sold and they have a kitchen where they sell food during the day. It's owned and run by females.

  • 2/5 Melina B. 7 years ago on Google
    The owner Ximena was not friendly at all. Very rude. Not helpful. The place was out of water. Only one bathroom (which contains the only available shower) to be shared among like 15 ish people. The floor on the bathroom was not clean, full of mud and sand. I was just there less than 3 weeks ago, and I do not recommend. There are cleaner hostels with friendly owners closer to the beach.


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