Hostel Santa Cruz del Islote

Location: Islote de Santa Cruz, Cartagena, co

Star Rating: 8.9 Stars

Property Type: Guest houses

About this Property

Important Information

Policies

Check-in: 11:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Check-out: 10:30 AM

Amenities & Facilities

• Guest education on local ecosystems and culture
• Non-smoking rooms
• Restaurant
• Family rooms
• Tour desk
• Non-smoking throughout
• Private check-in/check-out
• Board games/puzzles
• Evening entertainment
• Outdoor furniture
• Fruits
• Staff adhere to local safety protocols
• Guest rooms disinfected between stays
• Cleaning standards that are effective against Coronavirus
• Physical distancing rules followed
• Hand sanitizer in guest room and key areas
• Cashless payment available
• Fire extinguishers
• First aid kit available
• Sanitized tableware & silverware
• Contactless check-in/check-out
• Guests can opt-out any cleaning services during stay
• Shared stationery like menus, pens are removed
• Guest room sealed after cleaning
• Physical distancing in dining areas
• Key access
• Process in place to check health of guests
• Screens / Barriers between staff and guests for safety
• Face masks for guests available
• Thermometers for guests provided by property
• Snack bar/deli
• Snorkeling on site
• Water sports equipment
• Guest education on local ecosystems and culture
• Paddle boating nearby

Rooms Available

• Standard Triple Room with Sea View

  This triple room features a shared bathroom, parquet floors and sea views. The unit offers 1 bed.

  Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)

  • Fan
  • Hardwood or parquet floors
  • Clothes rack
  • Trash cans
  • Socket near the bed
  • Key access
  • Hand sanitiser

• Double Room with Sea View

  This double room features a shared bathroom, parquet floors and sea views. The unit offers 1 bed.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Fan
  • Hardwood or parquet floors
  • Clothes rack
  • Trash cans
  • Socket near the bed
  • Key access
  • Hand sanitiser

• Superior Double or Twin Room with Sea View

  This twin/double room has a shared bathroom, parquet floors and sea views. The unit has 1 bed.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Fan
  • Hardwood or parquet floors
  • Clothes rack
  • Trash cans
  • Socket near the bed
  • Key access
  • Hand sanitiser

• Mixed Dormitory Room

  The unit offers 2 beds.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

Guest Reviews

• Heerco (3/5): Think twice before you book. - The place is exceptional of course. And you know what to expect going to the most densely populated island on the world. Nice view and good possibilities to go to other islands. I am used to a lot, i don’t need luxery. But this place is worn down and below basic. You look right through bedroom doors inside, shower the same. Staff is only nice when they want to sell you something. I can handle that but when being with a company of 3 they try to manipulate your choices there is something really wrong. Telling to one that the others already booked a tour is not okay. Food: very basic and crazy expensive. Only electricity from 6pm to 3 am. No problem. Can understand that. But electricity means that you are in the middle of diesel smell and noise of generator ( ever thought of solar panels and batteries?). Overall it was an experience I wont forget. And that is not on the positive side.
• Pierre (8/5): -
• Guillermo (8/5): -
• Rudy (9/5): Great hostel with beautiful views - Nice property on a unique island. Next to a chicken coop. So no sleeping in.
• Caraffa (10/5): - Il posto è spettacolare e Juan e il suo staff ti fanno davvero sentire a casa. Tutto perfetto. È un luogo dove puoi disconnettere completamente godendoti un posto unico al mondo
• Malte (9/5): -
• Sabra (10/5): Semplice ma magico e intimo!! - La camera ha una bellissima vista sul mare e il mare davanti all’hotel ha il migliore snorkeling che abbiamo fatto sulle isole! È stato bellissimo passare un pomeriggio a rilassarsi sul patio dell’hotel osservando la vita del villaggio che ti si muove intorno. I servizi sono molto semplici ma c’era tutto quello di cui avevamo bisogno, un posto magico!
• Ayi (10/5): Exceptional -
• Omer (10/5): Beautiful experience in the middle of the Caribbean Sea. - One of the best stays you can have. There is a coral reef right in front of the property. Watching the sunsets and sunrises from the balcony/terrace area is a treat incomparable. The food was delicious. Internet was surprisingly very reliable. The host is great. The surrounding area on the Island is very very poor. The hotel is completely insulated from the rest of the island though so you can choose to ignore it but it makes you feel very guilty. It is not safe to go out to the island. The tours provided could also be better.
• Vasileios (9/5): Relaxing and warm people - The hospitality of the hostess and the staff was really good with positive attitude and warmth. The staff, the protection and the overall vibes
• Jerson (9/5): Superb - La vista de micuarto
• Enrique (10/5): very good location and service - location and service it is ideal for this location
• Taka (10/5): Exceptional - It was quite a challenge to get here from far away Japan, but it was really worth it. The blue sea that spread out before my eyes, the fresh fish, the delicious caipirinhas, the sunset over the sea and the sunrise, the moon casting its shadow on the water. And the unique island life. An experience that can only be had here in the world. It was an experience I will never forget, thank you Samantha. nothing
• Samuel (10/5): Exceptional - Very welcoming and made me feel like home
• Nicole (7/5): Great place to stay in the island. - a bit small the breakfast it would be nice that hostel and the island has a better control of garbage. We saw multiple times garbage floating around the hostel.
• Micaela (9/5): Nice spot to stay up to two nights - Room’s view, access to ocean, breakfast included. Noise and crowded island 24/7
• Martine (10/5): Unique, wonderful, peaceful hostrl - This was a perfect place to stay on the Islands of San Bernardo. It made me feel so peacefull. The sounds of and the view on the sea that surrounds the hostel, swimming in the calm water straight from the platform, looking at the children playing on the boats in the evening, the boats leaving and coming....Didn't feel the need to go anywhere else. They accompanied me for a walk in the authentic Colombian village which made me feel at ease. Samantha especially and also Luz, Claudia, Blaz Enrique...made ne feel so welcome. And the food is delicious, the fresh juices and variation with the breakfast Nothing. The roosters crowing from around 3'o clock is part of the local experience. And the place is so relaxing that I didn't need more sleep.
• Camacho (9/5): Amazing Place to rest and conect with Yourself - The Hostel is beautiful, cozy and very clean. The Staff is nice and servicial, I spent a few amazing days in this paradise. Thank you to Samantha, Pastora, Luz and Blass. Loved this Place, see you later!
• Julia (8/5): Very good - The property is beautiful and well organized, and the snorkeling right off the deck is so amazing!! Staying right on Santa Cruz del Islote really lets you see more of the local life, which was a great and really unique experience. It really felt like paradise!! Just don’t expect the tranquility of a traditional beach resort, because it is directly on Santa Cruz del Islote. Every night there were many roosters crowing from 3-9am! We did not get much sleep but it was worth it for the unique stay.
• Evianne (7/5): Nice hostel but don't go here for some sleep or relaxation. - The hostel itself is well kept and the rooms are nice with a beautiful view. The communication beforehand was great. The staff took us to a party in the town which was nice. You can't really sleep at this hostel because of all the noise in the area. The people around the hostel party until late and the roosters begin at 3 AM. Also the electricity stops at around 1 AM so there is nothing to cool the room after that which means it gets really hot without any sleep. If you want to go to the islands for some relaxing this is not the place. The boat to get here is also really expensive. And the "tours" are quite expensive for the fact that you don't get a tour but more a taxi boat which you need to take anywhere because there is not much to do on the island. Would recommend to go to Isla Mucura or Isla Titipan.
• Matthias (10/5): Exceptional - So unique! The island and the staff is great! Generator running at night
• Olufunmilade (10/5): A much needed get away from the main city of Cartagena- Sun, swimming and as much relaxation as you like. - It was very peaceful and clean ! Samantha, Diane and the rest of the staff were very helpful. They help you sort out tours on the island if you need. The food was also excellent ! Nothing like have lobster caught right out of the ocean for you.
• Mitja (10/5): The only place to stay on islote. And a good one! - Perfect view! Great location.
• Stig (6/5): Beautiful community in the island - Nice location, fine facilities. Clean and organise and comfortable enough. Lovely community in the island -The person in charge Samantha is quite arrogant, when you re talking she keeps interrupting you. And is not very kind in her answers. So her service can totally improve. - Strong bad smell in the entrance of the hostel, and is very dirty. They could work to keep it a bit cleaner I think.
• Nicole (9/5): Top! - Super cool Location with own aquarium, friendly staff, delicious food, relaxed atmosphere, snorkeling equipment for free! Highly recommended!
• Victoria (1/5): They canceled my stay and won't refund me - avoid! - I did not stay here in the end. At the airport during my layover they Whats Apped me to say that they had lost their roof in a storm and were cancelling my stay. This was only a few days before I was to arrive and I had the boat transfer booked. Initially they said that they didn't have the money I PAID IN ADVANCE to refund me. They said I needed to wait up to FOUR MONTHS for my refund. They didn't even offer to help me find another place to stay. So I paid in full in advance and did not have any service provided. It's now been 18 days and I have had to fight with them almost every day to get any of my money refunded. They are trying to shift the blame onto me - they sent me money via PayPal and made sure I paid all the fees so I'm out of pocket for their problem. When I complained about the fees for my refund they said I should've used Western Union like they offered, which I didn't want to use because of the fees and currency conversion! So now I'm out of pocket for a booking that I never got to use. I'm making a formal complaint to booking.com. Don't stay here unless you want to give away your money. I'm sorry they had a disaster, the community really needs the support, but they're being really unfair to their customers.
• Davidc1415 (10/5): Amazing place 10/10 - Everything about this place is amazing. The people, the food, the setting. Free snorking and kayaking is offered. Water is crystal clear right outside. Thanks for everything. We will be back for sure.
• Apoorv (10/5): great! absolute paradise - great staff! samantha and her team are amazing at meeting your every need. marlo is the best more flexibility with food timings, more tours
• Julian (10/5): Exceptional - the hostel is amazing, and the rooms are great, the staff really friendly and helpful, the kayak lets you go lots of places and there are many available tours it’s located I. the Santa Cruz Island, which is really dirty, so yo basically have to stay at the hostel, it’s like two different worlds, other than that, it was great.
• Celina (10/5): Perfect stay! - I can only recommend this hostel! We had such a great time, it's a perfect spot to hang out and swim in the blue water (we had the hostel almost to ourselves). They cook for you freshly every meal and you can say what you want (fish, meat, vegetarian..), the food was soooo good! :) The staff is very helpful and friendly, we also had a very great plankton tour organised by the hostel. They also have a great music playlist :). Thank you! The only thing that was a bit complicated was the booking process. You have to pay in advance and it's not possible to pay by credit card. nevertheless it was worth the effort :)!
• Alessandro (10/5): Exceptional -
• Sigurdur (9/5): Superb -
• Timothy (10/5): Exceptional -
• Sabina (10/5): Best hostel - The view is amazing, the staff are so friendly & food is good! I highly suggest staying here as you get to be on the island with the real locals, but you can get to other islands/beaches by a boat they organize for you. It''s super safe too.
• Kirsten (8/5): Very special place to stay in the middle of the ocean - Very special place to stay! The double room is small without a lot of options to hang clothes, but ok fpr two nights. The shared bathrooms were clean and sufficient. Best thing, you have an „aquarium“ in fron of you for snorkeling. Food was super nice! I think it is a bit too expensive compared to other places. The neighbourhood was friendly, but every day tons of tourists are brought to visit and sometimes it felt like visiting a zoo - there might be something good in it, because locals have the chance to earn some money. What we didn’t like were the strict meal times although we do understand. Still it was akward that your plate was taken as soon as you had the last bite. After 21:00 it was completely dark, no music and we didn’t feel comfortable sitting in the main area. Balcony unfortunately only has one chair. If you are happy going to bed after dinner, you might not have a problem. Be prepared that the transport to and from the island is not easy and has to be organized by yourself!
• Louvain (10/5): Amazing stay in a unique location - Exceptional stay that exceeded my expectations. The staff is very friendly, the food is of good quality, and the location is particularly interesting as located on one of the most dense island in the world. There are quite a few activities (snorkeling, plancton, island tours) proposed at a fair price. Expect to be awaken by the roosters in the morning if you do not use the noise pads provided by the hostel. And the locals love to party ;) The noise from the island that has nothing to do with the hostel, the hostel actually provides solutions.
• Rosanna (6/5): Hostel is good but not the 9 you expect - clean Took us by boat to the beach but no one picked us up at the agreed time . Had no wifi so we were panicking a bit but a nice lady let us hotspot and eventually got in contact with the hostel who sent someone to get us. An hour and a half later than planned and got no apology really. We thought they might offer some money off for the bad experience but it wa barely acknowledged also you will pay 10% more than shown on booking.com if you want to pay by card - once you’ve booked you can pay by card or bank transfer so if you have an international account and need to pay by card you’ll pay more than shown on this website Hostel itself is nice and clean, has toilets and a good shower (which is a luxury compared to others) but it’s noisy from 5/6am, don’t expect to have a nice lie in! staff were really friendly
• Alexander (10/5): Awesome hostel on a special place - -the host Andres is super friendly and funny -the water in front of the hostel is perfect -food, drinks, ... has normal prices and is very delicious. Also special wishes for food are possible (other sides, ...). You should try the crab and the cake! -the host can organize private tours and transportation to the other islands around. Its very flexible and cheap. -the island is safe and special. Its an adventure going there. Thanks for three amazing days! Nothing. Everything was just fine
• Fiorella (8/5): Very good -
• Estela (8/5): Beautiful but sadly polluted :( - The view from the hotel is indeed amazing. People living in the Islote are very kind. We were however a bit shocked by the sea pollution nearby the island and, most shocking and sad for us was the pollution in Mucura. Terribly sad. Is not the population living there's fault, and we do understand that tourists are needed for economic reasons, but it should be better organised, less destructive for the environment. The worst is that Mucura's public beach is extremely polluted, and rest of the island is private (and probably better protected... Or not), so it is a huge and sad paradox. How to be accessible and democratic while not destroying the environment.

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