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Life is Good Cartagena Hostel – Rating My Experience
Are you looking to stay at Life is Good Cartagena Hostel?
If you’re planning your trip to Colombia and reading up on the best hostels to stay in Cartagena, you’ll definitely want to consider Life is Good Cartagena Hostel as it is truly a top-quality accommodation for backpackers.
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Colombia is a hostel haven and there are many good options, it’s hard to choose where to stay.
In this post, I’m sharing my 1-week stay at Life is Good Cartagena Hostel. Additionally, I will share with you the best hostels in Cartagena that are worth booking.
Life is Good Cartagena Hostel
Life is Good Cartagena Hostel is located in the vibrant Getsemani neighborhood.
While I may be biased, I think this is the best neighborhood to stay in because it hands down has the best restaurants in the area.
To be honest, Life is Good Cartagena Hostel is one of the more expensive hostels in Cartagena.
I chose to stay here because I wasn’t on a tight budget and wanted to kick off my 1-month Colombia trip with a clean and comfortable start. After only a few days, I extended my stay.
Where to book Life is Good Cartagena Hostel
My favorite website/app to book hostels on is hostelworld . Occasionally, if I have points for savings or I’m booking a private room, I use booking.com
I find these booking platforms are easy to use, have simple cancellation & refund policies, and offer a level of protection that other websites may not have.
My Hostel Essentials
Location
Life is Good Cartagena Hostel is located in the Getsemani neighborhood.
There are many amazing restaurants and bars nearby the hostel. It’s also just a short 10-minute walk to Old Town and a 5-minute walk to the Muelle de los Pegasos pier.
This location is perfect because it’s not in the busiest part of the city, but within walking distance of everything you would want to do in Cartagena.
Don’t forget to print this FREE Cartagena Checklist for your trip!
The Rooms
One of the few cons about this hostel is it doesn’t offer all-female dorms or 6-8 bed dorms. This hostel only offers a 4-bed mixed dorm, a 10-bed mixed dorm, and a few private suites.
I stayed in the 10-bed mixed dorm and was very happy with my experience. It is quite spacious and the beds are broken up by multiple nooks in the room, so it doesn’t feel like 10 beds.
Additionally, every bed has a curtain and its own light.
Amenities
Small details are what really make a hostel stand out from all the others.
Life is Good Cartagena focuses on the little luxuries that backpackers don’t have at normal hostels.
Breakfast here is so tasty! When entering the hostel cafe, you’ll be presented with options such as scrambled eggs, pancakes, daily specials, and fresh juice selections. With this big breakfast included, I feel like the “expensive” price of the hostel is worth it because an entire hot meal is included.
Don’t miss the enchanting rooftop equipped with a jacuzzi, loungers, and a great view of the city.
With all the amazing amenities, the lovely and informative receptionists were by far the best part of the hostel!
One of the most important features of this hostel is the air conditioning which you will certainly need in the hot Colombian heat.
Social Life
Life is Good Cartagena is not a party hostel.
Although, I did end up meeting many new friends on the rooftop – which is a great opportunity to meet other travelers who are also staying at the hostel.
This hostel focuses on comfort and hospitality rather than an intense social scene. However, I feel like it’s easy to make friends at any type of hostel if you set your mind to it!
Another common area the hostel offers is a cafe/study space which is in a room connected to the lobby.
I personally didn’t book any tours through the hostel, but I did sign up for a free walking tour they recommended (also a great way to meet other travelers).
Best Hostels in Cartagena
In my opinion, I do think Life is Good Cartagena Hostel is the best hostel in Cartagena.
It’s a great option for any type of traveler, but especially so if you are a digital nomad, new to hostels, or a mature backpacker.
If you’re coming to Cartagena just to party (which is totally ok!) then I would suggest staying elsewhere.
Not to worry if this hostel isn’t for you, there are plenty of other great hostels in Cartagena to stay at.
Viajero is best for people who like to party.
República is best for solo travelers.
Casa del Pozo Boutique Hostel is best for solo female travelers
Clock Hostel is best for budget travelers.
Overall, Life is Good Cartagena Hostel is a hostel that impressed me so much, I stayed twice. I would highly recommend this accommodation to budget travelers looking to explore Cartagena.
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