Escape to Paradise: Unbeatable Hostel Deals in La Palma, Spain!
Escape to Paradise: La Palma, Spain - A Rollercoaster Review of "Unbeatable Hostel Deals" (Buckle Up!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this review isn't going to be your typical, perfectly-polished travel brochure. This is real. This is after a week of sun, questionable decisions, and hopefully, some serious laughs. We're talking about the "Escape to Paradise: Unbeatable Hostel Deals" in La Palma, Spain. And trust me, "unbeatable" is… well, let's unpack that.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag & My Wobbly Knee
Alright, so "accessible" sounded promising on the booking site, but the reality? Kinda bumpy. There was an elevator, which was a Godsend after my unfortunate encounter with a particularly enthusiastic vol- ahem, let's just say, a very enthusiastic hiking trail that nearly sent me into a cactus. HOWEVER, navigating the cobblestone streets of La Palma with a slightly wonky knee was a whole other level of fun. Let's just say, I became intimately acquainted with every bump and dip. Inside the hostel itself? Generally fine, wider doorways and… okay, I'm getting distracted by the memory of that cactus…
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: I didn't meticulously check for specific accessibility features in the dining areas, but my experience in the restaurants didn't lead me to any issues.
Wheelchair accessible: I'm not in a wheelchair, but from what I observed, some areas might be tricky. Call ahead and confirm specific access points if this is a major concern.
The Internet – Or, The Struggle is Real (and Free!)
Free Wi-Fi in ALL rooms. Bless. Though, let's be honest, "free" sometimes translates to "sporadic." My attempts at video calls back home were… let's just say, pixelated masterpieces. The speed often resembled dial-up, which, for a millennial like me, was a truly retro experience. I saw a fellow guest desperately trying to download a movie, which, I’m sure, was more of a feat of endurance rather than a quick and simple task. I mean, hey, at least it was free! If you need rock-solid internet, pack your own jetpack and maybe a satellite dish.
- Internet access [LAN]: Look, I saw this option, but honestly? Who even remembers what a LAN connection is anymore? Maybe if I had a computer older than my grandma, I'd have explored this.
- Internet services: Basic. They did offer printing, but I can’t remember the cost. Probably more than the movie download!
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Stronger than the rooms, but still prone to moments of existential buffering. Made me appreciate the beauty of the island.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax…And My Quest for the Perfect Margarita
This is where things get interesting. The hostel advertises loads of ways to relax; however, my experience was a blur of trying to find the perfect margarita (fail!) and avoiding sunburn.
- Body scrub/Body wrap: I did not try these. Honestly, I was too busy trying to find a good coffee.
- Fitness center: I saw it… briefly. I was too busy eating tapas to actually visit.
- Foot bath: Okay, now you’re talking! After that hike, trust me, a foot bath would’ve been heaven. Didn't see one.
- Gym/fitness: See fitness center above.
- Massage: No.
- Pool with view: Yes! The pool was stunning, overlooking the valley. Seriously, breathtaking. That's where I spent most of the time that I wasn't searching for that margarita.
- Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom: Unfortunately, no one I spoke to used any of these.
- Swimming pool: Mentioned above. Magnificent.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Yep, it was outside. And glorious.
Cleanliness & Safety: My Germaphobe Tendencies Were…Tolerated
Okay, I'm what you might call a "slightly" germ-conscious traveler. Thankfully, this hostel actually made me feel relatively safe.
Anti-viral cleaning products: Good.
Daily disinfection in common areas: Excellent.
Hand sanitizer: Everywhere. I almost became addicted.
Hygiene certification: I didn't see any, but cleanliness was maintained.
Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Largely observed, though the communal areas could get a bit crowded during happy hour.
Professional-grade sanitizing services: Supposedly.
Rooms sanitized between stays: Again, that’s what they said, and my room smelled fresh.
Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Seemed to be the case.
Rooms sanitized between stays: YES! Everything was fresh and clean.
Safe dining setup: Mostly, but maybe don't share your paella with strangers.
Staff trained in safety protocol: I was impressed.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: The Food Odyssey
This is where the "Unbeatable Hostel Deals" moniker kinda…stretches a bit. The food wasn't bad, but it wasn't exactly a culinary revelation.
- A la carte in restaurant / Buffet in restaurant: I didn't use the Buffet in the restaurant.
- Asian breakfast / Asian cuisine in restaurant: Nope.
- Bar: Yes. And the happy hour was surprisingly decent. I'm still not sure if I ever found a good margarita, though. Lots of experimentation.
- Bottle of water: Provided. Nice touch.
- Breakfast [buffet] / Breakfast service / Western breakfast / Western cuisine in restaurant: Standard hostel fare. Cereal, toast, fruit. Adequate, but not exactly Michelin-star material.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant / Coffee shop: Coffee was, well, coffee.
- Desserts in restaurant: I didn't partake. My quest for that perfect margarita took up a lot of the time.
- Happy hour: Good. See above.
- International cuisine in restaurant: Mostly Spanish, naturally.
- Poolside bar / Snack bar: Yes! Essential.
- Restaurants: There were a couple on-site, but I wandered off to explore (and find that margarita).
- Room service [24-hour]: Nope.
- Salad in restaurant: Yes.
- Soup in restaurant: Didn't try.
- Vegetarian restaurant: No dedicated vegetarian restaurant, but vegetarian options were available.
Services & Conveniences: The Good, The Bad, and the "Meh"
Here's a rundown of the practical stuff:
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes, thankfully.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events / Indoor venue for special events / Outdoor venue for special events: I didn't witness any events, but I saw the facilities. Looked okay.
- Business facilities / Xerox/fax in business center / Meetings / Meeting/banquet facilities: Basic.
- Currency exchange / Cash withdrawal: Convenient.
- Concierge: Available.
- Contactless check-in/out: Yes. Efficient.
- Convenience store: Small, but handy for snacks.
- Daily housekeeping: Good.
- Doorman: No, but security was there.
- Dry cleaning / Ironing service / Laundry service: Available, but I didn't use them. My travel wardrobe is not exactly delicate.
- Elevator: Yes, thank goodness.
- Essential condiments: Yes.
- Facilities for disabled guests: Mentioned above.
- Food delivery: I couldn’t figure that one out.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Basic.
- Invoice provided: Yes.
- Luggage storage: Yes.
- On-site event hosting: Okay, seemed quiet while I was there.
- Projector/LED display / Meeting stationery: No.
- Safety deposit boxes: Yes.
- Seminars / Shrine / Proposal spot / Smoking area: No to almost all of these.
- Terrace: Yes. Spectacular views with a glass of wine.
- Wi-Fi for special events: I didn’t see it.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly? Maybe Not a Theme Park
While I didn’t have to worry about children, they did say it was friendly and I could see it was.
- Babysitting service / Family/child friendly / Kids facilities / Kids meal: It had some amenities, but I didn’t pay a lot of attention.
Access, and other bits and bobs: This section’s a mixed bag.
- Access: Good.
- CCTV in common areas / CCTV outside property: Yes, made me feel safe.
- Check-in/out [express] / Check-in/out [private]: Fast.
- Couple's room: I saw them.
- Exterior corridor:
Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-formatted travel itinerary. This is the raw, unfiltered, slightly chaotic diary from my (hopefully) epic adventure in Hostelit La Palma, Spain. Let's see if I survive…
Hostelit La Palma: Survival Guide (and Possibly, Finding Myself… Maybe?)
Day 1: Arrival & "I Can't Believe I'm Here!" Syndrome
- Morning (or what felt like morning after the red-eye): Landed in La Palma. The airport? Tiny! Adorable! Like a little Lego set you're about to destroy with your clumsy arrival. First impression: the air smells like… well, clean. Seriously, it's a revelation if you're used to city grime.
- The Rental Car Saga: Okay, so I opted for the "budget-friendly" rental (a mistake). The car is a bright yellow, slightly dented thing that I've affectionately nicknamed "The Canary." Finding the Hostelit was an adventure. Let's just say my internal monologue switched between "I'm a seasoned traveler!" and "ARE YOU KIDDING ME, GOOGLE MAPS?!" Eventually, thanks to a helpful (and very patient) local, I found the place.
- Afternoon: Check-in Chaos & Room Revelation: Hostelit: charmingly rustic. The staff? Delightfully laid-back. Check-in? Less "procedures," more, "Oh, so you're staying? Cool. Here's your key." My room? Tiny, but clean. Two beds. Wait… two beds? I only booked for one. Oh well, a luxury? or a curse? Let's see how I feel tomorrow.
- Evening: Tapas & Terror: Wandered into Santa Cruz de La Palma, the main town. HOLY. MOLY. The colours! The architecture! The sheer, vibrant LIFE! Found a tapas bar (because, Spain). Ordered papas arrugadas (wrinkly potatoes, thank you Google) and a local vino. The potatoes were perfect, the wine… eh. Then, I tried to navigate the single-lane streets after dark. "The Canary" and I almost became one with a parked truck. Close call. Food was good, nearly dying on the road was bad
Day 2: Volcanic Vibes & The Great Sand Dune Dilemma
- Morning: Volcano Views and… Regret? Today's the day. I'm heading to the Cumbre Vieja volcano area. I packed snacks. I planned my route. I forgot sunscreen. Idiot. The landscape is otherworldly. Like, Mars-on-earth otherworldly. The sheer scale of the volcanic craters is mind-blowing. I walked almost 8 miles, I feel absolutely exhausted.
- Afternoon: Dunes & Despair: Then I made a fatal error. The Sand Dunes of Charco Verde. Everyone raves about them. And yeah, they’re gorgeous. But let me tell you, walking on sand that feels like it wants to swallow you whole after you just walked 8 miles is one of those life-choices that you question. I got sand in EVERYTHING.
- Evening: The "Best Pizza Ever" and Existential Dread: Back at the Hostelit, absolutely fried. I ordered pizza. The pizza was AMAZING. Best I've had… ever. Suddenly, feeling all emotional. This place is making me feel things.
Day 3: Stargazing & Slightly Creepy Caves
- Morning: The Banana Highway & Coffee (Finally!) Today, I explored the north-east. A drive through endless banana plantations (the "Banana Highway", as I've christened it). The views were stunning. The locals, friendly. The coffee, thankfully, was actually good.
- Afternoon: The Caves and Creep Out: Caves of Belmaco. Absolutely awe-inspiring. Ancient rock art! But the lighting was dim, and the air was damp, and the echoes… Let's just say I may or may not have convinced myself a gremlin was following me around. I bolted out of there.
- Evening: Stargazing & Stars!: La Palma is famous for its dark skies. I found a perfect spot. The stars… you guys… the STARS. I've never seen anything like it. The Milky Way! Just… shimmering, breathtaking beauty. Absolutely worth the gremlin scare.
Day 4: The Pool's Lament, & Beachy Blues
- Morning: Poolside Ponders (and a Near-Disaster): The Hostelit has a pool. I spent the morning there, which, let's be honest, was the laziest thing I've done since arriving. But! I almost drowned. Okay, maybe not, but I almost slipped on the tiles and did a face plant. I blame the wine from the night before. And the olives.
- Afternoon: Black Sand Beach & Bitter Disappointments: Beach time! I went to a black sand beach. It was cool, the sand was weird and hot, but I wanted to find some cool shells, but it was not my day!
- Evening: Paella, and a Sad Goodbye (Kinda): Tonight was my farewell dinner! I'm not leaving yet! Maybe you will never see this!
Day 5: Leaving (For Now…)
- Morning: Woke up still full of energy! The breakfast was great, and then it was off!
- Afternoon: Getting ready and enjoying all the free time
- Evening: On my way home, I am already making plans to come back.
Final Thoughts (or, the Ramblings of a Sleep-Deprived Traveler):
La Palma? Amazing. Messy. Wonderful. It's not perfect. Far from it. I got lost. I freaked out. I ate too much. I almost drowned. But, you know what? I loved it. It's a place that gets under your skin, a place that makes you feel ALIVE. And while I might need a vacation from my vacation when I get home, I can't wait to go back. Seriously, if you're looking for an adventure, a place to breathe, and maybe a few unexpected panics and pizza-induced epiphanies, go to La Palma. Just, maybe, pack more sunscreen than I did. And maybe learn how to drive on the roads of Santa Cruz before you get there!
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Escape to Paradise: La Palma Hostel Deals - The Lowdown (And the Messy Truth!)
Okay, so...La Palma? Is it *actually* paradise for a backpacker? Because I've seen some Instagram... lies.
Alright, let's rip the band-aid off. La Palma? It's got its moments. "Paradise?" Maybe after a few too many cheap €1 beers at the hostel bar. I'll be honest, I saw a few perfectly-filtered photos before I went, all turquoise water and tanned abs, and I was picturing myself, you know, effortlessly graceful. I got there, and I mostly just tripped over rocks and got spectacularly sunburnt. BUT, the hikes are insane. Like, "breathe-taking" that's actually taking your breath away (and making you question all your life choices) insane. The volcanoes are cool, if you're into that sort of scorched-earth scenery. And the stargazing? Forget about it. Seriously, you'll see a million constellations you didn't even know existed. So, yeah, worth it. Just…pack sunscreen and ditch the unrealistic expectations. And maybe learn to walk on uneven surfaces. I'm still working on that last one.
What's the deal with these "Unbeatable Hostel Deals?" Sounds like a scam, tbh.
Scam? Nah, probably not. (Famous last words, right?) Look, hostels on La Palma tend to be cheaper than, say, trying to find a place in Barcelona. You're looking at saving some serious euros. These deals are usually about off-season travel, or they might have some sort of a "stay longer, pay less" kind of things. But also, it's a small island. Competition isn't exactly cutthroat. So, the hostels HAVE to offer something a little bit special to get tourists to come. Plus, La Palma isn't exactly a party-hardy destination (thankfully). So you're not paying for a 24/7 rager. You're paying for a bed, usually basic facilities, and the chance to meet some interesting people who are also slightly broke and appreciate free breakfast. And that's a pretty good deal in my book. Just double-check the fine print. I once booked a "bargain" only to realize I was signing up for a shared room with six snoring dudes and a chronic dust mite problem. Learned that one the hard way.
What's the *best* hostel for someone who's, like, a super-introverted, socially awkward hermit? Asking for a friend... (it's me).
Okay, friend. I got you. This is a tricky one. Because, let's be real, hostels are SOCIAL. That is, your typical experience will involve other humans. My recommendation? Look for hostels with a strong outdoor area. That way when all the other humans are trying to hug a stranger, you can retreat to a hammock and pretend to read a book while eyeing the mountains, and maybe have a quiet smoke. Or, you could try to find a hostel with designated quiet zones. I once stayed in one that had an actual *library*. A LIBRARY! I spent a whole day just reading and avoiding conversation. It was glorious. On the other hand, if you want to *try* to break out of the hermit shell, go for the hostel that does group walks, with a social dinner. I was terrified, and I wound up making some great friends. And now I love hugging strangers. (Don't quote me on that!)
Is it safe? I'm always worried about my stuff getting stolen. (And, like, getting murdered.)
Okay, let's address the elephant in the room: fear of being murdered. Probably not. La Palma is tiny, and generally super chill. Petty theft, however? Yeah, that's a possibility anywhere you go, more so in high-tourist areas. Most hostels will have lockers so use them, and don't leave your phone/wallet lying around your bed. I had a friend who lost ALL her money because she left her bag unlocked. That was a bad move. Bring a padlock, and keep valuables on your person. Common sense, right? But in the throes of backpacking, with all the beers and the late nights, you can forget. So, be smart. And if something *does* go missing, report it to the hostel staff and/or the police. They might actually help. (Unlike that one time in Rome… but that's a story for another day.)
What's the food situation like? I’m a picky eater, and I'm *always* hungry.
Food is… decent. La Palma isn't exactly a foodie paradise, but you'll find some good stuff. Fresh seafood is a must. The papas arrugadas (wrinkled potatoes) are a Canarian classic and you’ll find them everywhere. Also, tapas! Love them. Hostel kitchens are usually… well, let's just say they vary. Some are great, with everything you need. Others are kind of a disaster zone, with one sad saucepan and a half-broken toaster. It's a lottery. So, plan ahead. Stock up on groceries at local markets. Don't be afraid to try the local restaurants, even if your Spanish is terrible (mine certainly is.) You'll find something you like. And if all else fails, there are always bananas. La Palma has a lot of bananas. I lived off bananas for a week once. It wasn't my finest hour, but I survived.
Okay, but REALLY specific: What's the Wi-Fi situation? Because I kinda need to, you know, *work*.
Ugh, the Wi-Fi. That's the Achilles' heel of paradise, right? It CAN be a pain, honestly. Some hostels will brag about "blazing fast Wi-Fi" and then you get there and it's slower than a sloth on tranquilizers. Check the reviews! Seriously, read ALL the reviews, specifically for the Wi-Fi. If people are bitching, believe them. If you're relying on the internet for work (like, say, I am… sometimes. Okay, *often*), consider buying a local SIM card. Or be prepared to work from cafes. Lots of cafes have free Wi-Fi, but be prepared for the occasional disconnect. And the frustration. And the temptation to just ditch work altogether and hike a volcano. Hey, I'm not judging. I've been there. Maybe every day.
What's public transportation like? Do I need to rent a car? I'm broke.
Public transport? It's… there. Buses do exist. They'll get you around the island, eventually. And they're CHEAP! But the schedule can be a bit…relaxed. Like, "arrive whenever" relaxed. You'll be waiting. Waiting for the bus. Waiting for the next bus. Waiting for the bus after that. It can be a VERY LONG wait for some destinations. I once missedBook Hotels Now
