An incredible 'floating' hostel in Colombia has dropped jaws as tourists can stay in the middle of the Caribbean Sea and jump directly into the water.
Staying in a hostel can often be a cost effective way to travel, but it’s not everyone’s first choice. Often, you’re stuck in a dorm room in a tired building with few amenities, however that’s certainly not the case for Casa en el Agua – or the house on the water.
The Colombian wooden house, formerly a holiday home, is built directly over the sea in the San Bernardo Islands just a few hours away from Cartagena. Now, it’s an eco-friendly backpackers hostel with a bar, private bedrooms and bed-to-ocean dives encouraged.
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The adults-only hostel is solar powered and sits in the middle of a natural park. While the space in the house is limited it’s totally worth sticking to the eight kilogram luggage limit on the floating hostel. There are a number of room options with different prices. The most expensive is the King sized private room with a bed for two which costs the equivalent of £112. A smaller room holds two double beds, while a single double room costs from £107 per night.
Those who aren’t fussed about privacy can book the eight room dorm which has four bunkbeds and costs from £73 per night. Backpackers who want to save money can book to sleep in a hammock from £59 a night – and they have ocean views. The rooms all come with breakfast (fresh fruits, eggs, toast & cereal), lunch and dinner, bottomless coffee, drinking water and bed linen.
The food on offer looks incredible too as “while you’re still snuggled and tucked away in bed, the fishermen from Islote are out in their handmade canoes to catch the best fish, lobsters, octopus and crabs for you”. The hostel offers vegetarian alternatives, but if you’re into fresh fish it seems this will be your ideal stay.
When it comes to booze, guests are not permitted to bring their own, but that doesn’t seem to matter much as there’s an “‘all-day-every-day’ happy hour” right on the edge of the sea. Cocktails are always on a two-for-one offer which costs £12.33 with choices like MaiTais and Margaritas.
You can get natural juices for just £1.64 if you don’t drink alcohol or indulge in shots from just £2.47. You can also buy extra snacks like crisps, peanuts, chocolates and fruit salads.
The house offers a great opportunity for a digital detox as there’s no Wi-Fi and the hosts ask holidaymakers to charge their tech ahead of time to conserve the solar energy used at the hostel. The toilets on offer are “dry” meaning that they’re essentially compost loos and to shower you’ll use buckets of fresh water.
Getting to the hostel can take some time, but Casa en el Agua has a sister company that will deliver you there in either two hours or five hours if you prefer a longer route. You’ll need to meet the boat at Cartagena or Tolu, but the transport itself costs just £17-£30.
You can also book tours from the hostel: a plankton tour that shows you bright, glowing bioluminescent plants that make the ocean glitter and glow, a tour of local Islote, a Caribbean snorkel tour or a day out to a local beach.
Over on TripAdvisor, visitors raved about the incredible hostel. Emily said: "Beautiful hostel, freshly painted and very colorful, great music with super easy access to the sea around the hostel and it's so clear and warm. Fun and friendly staff. Drinks prices not bad considering guests can't go anywhere else All meals were included and all came with soft drinks. Lunch had three courses! Offered a free shot and a beautiful toast during sunset that brought everyone together. Drinking and dancing is encouraged."
Marcela said: "This place is literally paradise. The house is so beautiful and super clean. The ocean was gorgeous and full of wildlife. They give you a waterproof bracelet to make all purchases, very convenient. You can borrow snorkelling equipment and rent kayaks, paddle boarding, etc. The food is excellent and very fresh, and the drinks are yummy and super well-priced."
Dominic noted: "This is one of the best and most unique hostels I've ever been to. Fantastic fresh seafood delivered by local fisherman every day. Had great activities and an awesome party with wonderful people from around the world."
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