Superior Double Room
- 1 Double bed,1 King-size bed
Hotel · Santa Marta (Magdalena) · Magdalena
La Guaca Hostel Santa Marta - Santa Marta (Magdalena)
A quiet, well-equipped hostel a short walk from Cerro Kennedy, with an indoor pool, shared kitchen, and a strong reputation for friendly, bilingual staff.
- Rated 9.2 by 865 guests — top marks for staff (9.7) and general experience (9.3)
- Indoor pool, plunge pool, and sun loungers for relaxing between outings
- Free Wi-Fi throughout, plus parking on site
9.2
Perfect
865 reviews
Booking.com 9.2 · 865 reviews
About
La Guaca Hostel Santa Marta - Santa Marta (Magdalena)
La Guaca Hostel Santa Marta sits on Carrera 8, about an 11-minute walk from Cerro Kennedy in the Magdalena region of Colombia. The property is housed in a quiet area, away from the busiest parts of the city center, yet close enough to walk to restaurants, shops, and a shopping mall. The hostel features an indoor swimming pool, a plunge pool, a garden with furniture, and a terrace — spaces that guests consistently describe as peaceful and well-kept.
Rooms range from shared dorms to private doubles, all with air conditioning in most categories. The hostel provides a shared kitchen, laundry service, luggage storage, lockers, and a lounge/TV room. Staff are frequently mentioned as a highlight — bilingual and often going out of their way to help, whether that means translating at a hospital or offering advice on exploring Parque Tayrona and Minca. Breakfast is included, and free filtered drinking water is available around the clock.
- Non-smoking rooms
- Wi-Fi
- Parking
- No pets allowed
- Security
- Luggage storage
In brief
What works, what to weigh
+
Strengths
4 reasons to book- Exceptional staff — Guests repeatedly praise the team as friendly, helpful, and bilingual, with several mentioning staff going out of their way — one even accompanied a guest to the hospital.
- Strong overall value — With a 9.2 guest rating and a Value score of 9.1, the hostel is considered a solid deal for the area, especially for private rooms with AC.
- Quiet yet convenient location — Situated away from the busiest part of the center, it's a 10–15 minute walk to the heart of Santa Marta, with restaurants, shops, and a mall nearby.
- Well-equipped common areas — A shared kitchen, lounge with hammocks, pool, and garden furniture give guests plenty of space to relax and socialize.
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Worth weighing
4 to weigh- Not much immediate surroundings — A few guests note that the immediate area has little to offer, and finding food late at night can be a challenge.
- Walk to the center required — At 10–15 minutes on foot, the hostel is not right in the thick of things — some may prefer to be closer to the main sights and nightlife.
- No pets allowed — The hostel doesn't accept pets, so travelers with animals will need to look elsewhere.
- Limited reception hours — Check-in is only possible between 13:00 and 22:00, which could be inconvenient for late arrivals.
01 — Rooms
Rooms & rates
High season: summer dates usually book out a few weeks ahead.
8 Bed Dormitory Room Dormitory Room
- 1 Bed in shared room
- Shower
- Non-smoking
- Air conditioning
6 Bed Dormitory Room Dormitory Room Mixed
- 1 Bed in shared room
- Shower
- Non-smoking
- Air conditioning
Shared Bathroom Double Room
- 1 Double bed
- Shower
- Non-smoking
- Air conditioning
Budget Double Room
- 1 Double bed
- Shower
- Non-smoking
- Air conditioning
Standard Double Room
- 1 Double bed
- Shower
- Non-smoking
- Air conditioning
Deluxe Double Room
- 2 Single beds or 1 Double bed,2 Single beds,1 Single Bed or 1 Double Bed
- Shower
- Non-smoking
- Air conditioning
02 — Amenities
Services & amenities
Everything included at this stay — the facilities and essentials, at a glance.
General
- Non-smoking rooms
- Wi-Fi
- Parking
- Security
- Luggage storage
- Locker room
- Vending machines
- Fire extinguishers
Services
- Paid shuttle service
- Housekeeping
- Laundry
- Tours/Ticket assistance
- Fax/Photocopying
Food & Drink
- Shared kitchen
- Restaurant
- Picnic area/ Tables
- Vending machines
Outdoor & Recreation
- Terrace
- Garden furniture
- Plunge pool
- Indoor swimming pool
- Beach access
- Sun loungers
- Garden area
- Leisure/ TV room
- Board games
- Game room
Activities
- Diving
- Snorkelling
- Hiking
- Tennis
In-Room
- Air conditioning
- Curtains
- Shower
Photos
Gallery
03 — Reviews
What guests say
Recent verified reviews from guests who stayed here.
Guest-rated 9.2/10 from 865 reviews
Booking.com · 9.2 · 865 reviews
9.2Verified guest“The private room was incredibly roomy, and the AC worked flawlessly. Best value I found compared to other places. Breakfast was delicious, and the kitchen had everything. Being a bit outside the center actually made it quieter, which I liked.”
9.2Verified guest“A great hostel with spacious rooms, plenty of useful amenities, and a calm vibe. Handy location close to restaurants, food stores, and a mall. Staff were friendly and helpful. Really good experience overall.”
9.2Verified guest“Breakfast was excellent. The pool was tranquil. My private room was nicely decorated, with helpful AC and a comfy mattress. Everything stayed clean, and there was a luggage room and lockers for valuables. Budget-friendly, with shops and eateries nearby. The pool was small but nice, and there were hammocks. AC in the rooms, friendly staff, free drinking water, and close to the center. Supermarket and safe ATM nearby. Bilingual staff, clean, good breakfast, large communal area, solid security.”
9.2Verified guest“Breakfast was tasty and filling. The hostel also had a well-equipped kitchen, a pool, and a TV room — plenty of facilities to enjoy.”
9.2Verified guest“I had an amazing time at La Guaca. The value was outstanding, and the room was clean and comfortable. Location was convenient, just a short bus ride from the center. The staff treated me like family, especially Ana, who was so sweet and caring throughout my stay. Definitely a hidden gem!”
9.2Verified guest“The location isn't the best — there's not much around, and finding food late at night can be tough.”
04 — Location
Getting around Santa Marta
The property sits in Santa Marta.
Cerro Kennedy: About an 11-minute walk away, this landmark is a convenient starting point for exploring the area.
City Center: A 10–15 minute walk gets you to the heart of Santa Marta, with its restaurants, shops, and historic sites.
Nearby Conveniences: Guests mention a shopping mall, supermarkets, and a food truck park within a short walk or bus ride.
Carerra 8 No. 27-75, Santa Marta, Magdalena, 470010, Colombia
05 — Good to know
Policies & conditions
Hotel details are shown for reference. Final rate terms are confirmed on the partner’s site at booking.
- Check-in
- From 13:00-22:00
- Check-out
- By 06:00-11:00
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation on many rates — terms on booking page
- Payment
- Pay-at-hotel available on many rates; final terms at booking
- Pets
- Not allowed
- Property
- 23 rooms
06 — Questions
Frequently asked
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is from 13:00 to 22:00, and check-out is from 06:00 to 11:00.
Is parking available at the hostel?
Yes, the hostel offers on-site parking.
Are pets allowed?
No, pets are not allowed at La Guaca Hostel Santa Marta.
What breakfast options are served?
Guests describe the breakfast as delicious, with fresh fruit, coffee or tea, and a choice of eggs or cereal. Some also mention yogurt and granola as options.
Does the hostel have air conditioning in all rooms?
Most room types, including the 8-bed and 6-bed dorms and all private rooms, come with air conditioning. The Superior Double Room is the exception, with no AC listed.
Is there a swimming pool?
Yes, the hostel has an indoor swimming pool and a plunge pool, plus sun loungers.
The bottom line
La Guaca Hostel Santa Marta earns its strong reputation through attentive staff, a peaceful atmosphere, and a well-rounded set of amenities at a fair price. While the location is a bit removed from the center and the immediate area is quiet, guests consistently appreciate the trade-off for a restful stay. It's an excellent choice for travelers who value service and comfort over being in the middle of the action.
9.2Based on 865 guest reviews and our own analysis
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