Helena Hostel

They had the fastest wifi I may have ever had on my travels. The place is also super clean and the location is perfect with lots of restaurants around and centrally located to explore Cali.

There's no sign indicating the hostel. However, if you're arriving during the day it's not a problem because Helena's husband sells sandals across the hostel, so he will probably notice your arrival.

excellent location, beautiful hostel and with a nice terrace with a view.

Helena Hostel is very confortable and clean. It's a very spacious and calm place. Helena is very welcoming and carrying !

Good Location, very nice and friendly host, super clean, spacious rooms. all amazing

Shower was cold! use of the kitchen was not really allowed!

Loved the location of the hostel. For the feria you had the live music right there. The hostel was super clean.

So the person at the reception is not the person who answers messages. I wasn't given a bed on my first night and had to sleep in the sofa of the common area (I didnt sleep). It wasn't professional at all, I arrived at night and went to a concert. I had friends in the city I could have stayed with but the lady preferred not to say she didn't have any beds until I arrived at 4 AM. The shower is not even cold, is RIVER cold. Most of the people staying there were complaining about it. It literally gave us headaches. I paid for a six bed room but in reality is three rooms separated by just a curtain. There is no ventilation in these three rooms. Not a window to open, no AC, and not even a fan. She never refunded me for the night I had to sleep in the sofa. She was rude to other guests when it came to payment. Also if you stay there and you arrive late you can only get in by ringing the bell, and that's REALLY ANNOYING. Everyone I met in that hostel, switched after a few days.

no hot water and very noisy

the hostel is located in a nice neighbourhood with bars and restaurant close by and you can explore the city on foot. Helena is a lovely host and keeps the place super clean.

the hostel is poorly soundproofed with thin walls - you hear everything from people talking to the noise of the bathrooms. also, there are not enough bathrooms and it has only ice cold water - (Helena heats up water in a kettle when asked). to enter the hostel at night people have to ring the bell which is heard in the whole hostel and kept me from sleeping through.

No bunkbeds, nice hammocks

The owner is very helpful but is not the type to run a hostel. It is very clean but you are not allowed to do anything because you might make it dirty. You have to ask permission to do anything like use the kitchen or the fridge. The fridges are full of her own food as if she is prepaired for WW3 so there is hardly any space for guests. As soon as she hears you using the kitchen she comes running at you to see what you are doing and then gives you a speech on dishes and trash. She means well, but it is very uncomfortable. I wanted to cook Christmas dinner for everyone but ended up afraid to use the kitchen. On Christmas eve we were having a toast with all 5 guests in the hostel but the owner sent us away because we were not allowed to drink in the hostel or make any noise (we were just talking, it was 8pm and there was litterally no one else in the hostel). Also online you can book a room with 6 dorm beds but there is only 1 dormroom and it has 11 beds. The hostel is very overpriced for what you get. I would pay €6 not €10. In other hostels you get a swimming pool for this price, here you get cold showers and a lady who is stricter than my mum.

Helena Hostel is the best hostel in Cali! It's in a perfect position, close to the famous neighborhood S.Antonio, the best salsa club Topa Tolondra and right in the popular park Loma De La Cruz where you can experience local music, dance and culture during the many events that te park offers. The owner of the hostel, Helena, is an incredibly kind person always happy to help and also a great cook (you should try her breakfast or lunch if you'd have the chance). The building has been recently restructured and is very clean. It has a very nice terrace with a nice view! The rooms are comfortable! I recommend this hostel for your stay in Cali!!!