Jodanga Backpackers Hostel
Jodanga Backpackers Hostel
El Fuerte N0 1380 Barrio Los Choferes, Santa Cruz 1380 Bolivia
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About
#1 of 19 hostels in Santa Cruz
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If you want a couple of days chilling in the sun by the pool this is the perfect hostel for you! Come visit our backpacker luxury.The hostel started in 2006 and has established a well-balanced between fun and relaxation. We go according to the guests staying, if you want to have fun and party, we organized BBQ's by the pool “all you can drink and eat” for everyone to meet and have a good time. If you want to rest and relax just watching movies or having a drink at the poolside bar you can also do so. We have years of experience running a confortable, secure and spotlessly clean place with lots of tourist information for your travel. We are not the cheapest place in Santa Cruz, but definitely the best one!
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Property amenities
Paid private parking nearby
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Free breakfast
Game room
Billiards
Airport transportation
BBQ facilities
Wifi
Outdoor pool
Bar / lounge
Snack bar
Poolside bar
Baggage storage
Outdoor furniture
Shared kitchen
Shared lounge / TV area
24-hour front desk
Laundry service
Room features
Air conditioning
Bottled water
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Trendy
Budget
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Location
El Fuerte N0 1380 Barrio Los Choferes, Santa Cruz 1380 Bolivia
Getting there
Car recommended
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 42 out of 100
42
Viru Viru Intl Airport
18.5 km•
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Detailed Reviews
We stayed for a few nights in a private room out the back. It was clean and quiet.
Breakfast is good.
Wifi is sad.
Showers were hot.
Staff are not at all enthusiastic or helpful. We got more information from the owner in one minute of conversation than we did from the other staff members in 3 or 4 days of staying there. They were lazy with information and seemed like they knew nothing about the area/couldn't be bothered recommending anything.
They had signage and books advertising a tour company, when asking any questions about it, they seemed like it was new to them and they had no answers. Very sad for the other business as we booked a tour with them and it was great!
We booked for an additional night and had to change room. It was made clear to us that we NEEDED to wait until 2pm to check into our new room. We understand things need to be cleaned etc, but we were paying customers and did not need to be reminded of something that is generally a given. We were made to feel insignificant and child-like.
The new room was across the street. We were given bunk beds when we were told they were two separate beds. The quarters across the road also smelled like sewage. I asked if we could change rooms but there were none available - fair enough, but no concern was at all shown for the horrible smell. The staff member didn't even come to inspect.
The shower didn't drain and there was often no toilet paper in the bathroom.
Breakfast is good.
Wifi is sad.
Showers were hot.
Staff are not at all enthusiastic or helpful. We got more information from the owner in one minute of conversation than we did from the other staff members in 3 or 4 days of staying there. They were lazy with information and seemed like they knew nothing about the area/couldn't be bothered recommending anything.
They had signage and books advertising a tour company, when asking any questions about it, they seemed like it was new to them and they had no answers. Very sad for the other business as we booked a tour with them and it was great!
We booked for an additional night and had to change room. It was made clear to us that we NEEDED to wait until 2pm to check into our new room. We understand things need to be cleaned etc, but we were paying customers and did not need to be reminded of something that is generally a given. We were made to feel insignificant and child-like.
The new room was across the street. We were given bunk beds when we were told they were two separate beds. The quarters across the road also smelled like sewage. I asked if we could change rooms but there were none available - fair enough, but no concern was at all shown for the horrible smell. The staff member didn't even come to inspect.
The shower didn't drain and there was often no toilet paper in the bathroom.
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Date of stay: November 2015Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It is a little bit pricy, but It is worth it. Great beds, shower and wifi (in the lobby). There is a good kitchen, a good bar and a really nice pool. The breakfast is included and better then average bolivian breakfast. Nothing to complain about.
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Date of stay: December 2014Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traditional hostel with lots of communal seating area and a nice, well stocked kitchen. We had a double room out the back which was small but comfortable. The place was very clean with helpful staff. There is only one communal shower room if you don't have an en suite which is also used by people from the dorms so can mean a bit of a wait. It is half hour walk out of town but don't let that put you off.
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Date of stay: February 2012Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
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Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Good things first: Its a clean place, they have wifi, there is a nice pool, the computers are free to use, there is a tv-room with a load of dvds available.
BUT this is not a 'backpacker'-place as you know it...:
* its totally overpriced! You pay 80 Bolivianos for a night in a dorm
* the offered barbecue is also really overpriced: 80 Bolivianos again for an average bbq
* at breakfast you are asked (an there is even a sign - not kidding) not to take more than 5 tiny pieces of fruit. If you take more they make you pay an extra 25 Bolivianos for an extra-breakfast.
* you are asked not to bring any alcoholic drinks to the hostel - they want to sell their own stuff
* if they find you having marijuana on you they throw you out of the hostel AND call the police for
* even the storage room is charged with 10 Bolivianos a day
* they even have a fee on the book exchange - seems the didnt get the concept. You have to hand in a book AND pay another 30 Bolivianos to get another book back.
If you are looking for a relaxed backpackers hangout you should go for hostal bolivar near the plaza. The dont have a pool and they have no A/C but they have a fun Tucan hoppin around the place and its more of a real relaxed backpackers spot...
BUT this is not a 'backpacker'-place as you know it...:
* its totally overpriced! You pay 80 Bolivianos for a night in a dorm
* the offered barbecue is also really overpriced: 80 Bolivianos again for an average bbq
* at breakfast you are asked (an there is even a sign - not kidding) not to take more than 5 tiny pieces of fruit. If you take more they make you pay an extra 25 Bolivianos for an extra-breakfast.
* you are asked not to bring any alcoholic drinks to the hostel - they want to sell their own stuff
* if they find you having marijuana on you they throw you out of the hostel AND call the police for
* even the storage room is charged with 10 Bolivianos a day
* they even have a fee on the book exchange - seems the didnt get the concept. You have to hand in a book AND pay another 30 Bolivianos to get another book back.
If you are looking for a relaxed backpackers hangout you should go for hostal bolivar near the plaza. The dont have a pool and they have no A/C but they have a fun Tucan hoppin around the place and its more of a real relaxed backpackers spot...
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Date of stay: March 2013
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This has to be the worst overpriced hostel ever. Guests are there to please the owner and staff, not the opposite. Everything is overpriced, booze, dorms and B-B-Q which has the cheapest cuts of meat and the very cheapest booze which wino's refuse to drink. It is miles from anywhere and one needs to get a taxi everywhere. Some of the girls here are very nice but they do not make up for the "Bats out of hell". The owner is surly when you disagree with him. It is one place I know where you have to tell them how many nights you are going to stay, pay up front, with no room to change your mind. Is this a backpackers hostel or what? If you arrive at say 8am and they have a bed, you cant check in till 2pm. Utter rubbish. Very bad place, never again.
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Date of stay: October 2011Trip type: Travelled solo
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I'll start by accepting the good points about this hostel - very decent breakfasts, clean environment, nice pool, nice DVD room.
However, I flat-out refuse to accept that that all of these admittedly very nice amenities warrant such high costs. Having travelled around South America for the past 3 and a half months, and Bolivia for one of those months, we have stayed in many many hostels of similar quality for which we have paid about half the price. Now I've noticed how the owner has responded defensively to comments like this with remarks like, 'Hostels in the West cost much more', which are obviously pretty irrelevant as we are not in fact in the West. Nor is the fact that we are in Santa Cruz an excuse, as there are many other more centrally located options available for lower prices.
We booked a private room and were expecting to stay inside the main hostel in one of the pictured rooms, but are in fact in a depressing outhouse across the road with a loud fan in place of promised air conditioning and none of the charm portrayed in the photos provided on Hostelworld.
Finally, tonight is our last night in South America (which is why we splashed out on this room in the first place), so we wanted a happy hour drink at the bar. When we got there, we were told that we couldn't have a cocktail because "there is no bar tender working this evening". Apparently you have to be a bar tender to pour a rum and Coke.
Totally disappointed with our experience and wish we had gone with one of the many other options available to finish our trip.
However, I flat-out refuse to accept that that all of these admittedly very nice amenities warrant such high costs. Having travelled around South America for the past 3 and a half months, and Bolivia for one of those months, we have stayed in many many hostels of similar quality for which we have paid about half the price. Now I've noticed how the owner has responded defensively to comments like this with remarks like, 'Hostels in the West cost much more', which are obviously pretty irrelevant as we are not in fact in the West. Nor is the fact that we are in Santa Cruz an excuse, as there are many other more centrally located options available for lower prices.
We booked a private room and were expecting to stay inside the main hostel in one of the pictured rooms, but are in fact in a depressing outhouse across the road with a loud fan in place of promised air conditioning and none of the charm portrayed in the photos provided on Hostelworld.
Finally, tonight is our last night in South America (which is why we splashed out on this room in the first place), so we wanted a happy hour drink at the bar. When we got there, we were told that we couldn't have a cocktail because "there is no bar tender working this evening". Apparently you have to be a bar tender to pour a rum and Coke.
Totally disappointed with our experience and wish we had gone with one of the many other options available to finish our trip.
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Date of stay: September 2015Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Ask for nice room IN MAIN HOUSE, not depressing outhouse across the road
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The hostel looks nice, they even have a swinmingpool. But beware, everything costs money! The private room is already 300 Bolivianos, but you don't have priviliges. When you ask for a phone call, you have to pay. They let you sign to not bring alcohol inside, you just can order crappy cocktails and sweet wine... There's also a video camera so they can watch/check if you don't bring your own drinks?!?!? So the first two nights we ordered the crappy cocktails. The last night we were there, the bar was closed for some reason. We asked about wine and could just but the sweet wine. The lady said that the shop was still open, she even gave us a wine opener, but after buying and opening, when we want to drink the wine, she came to tell us that we weren't allowed to drink the wine. It's just allowed to drink on the streets... we're very disapointed about the hostel.. Think twice!
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Date of stay: August 2014Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Andres L, Manager at Jodanga Backpackers Hostel
Responded 13 Aug 2014
Dear guest, we are glad you think our hostel looks nice and you liked the swimming pool. We would like to clarify what you get for the 300 Bs. you paid for your room: Private Room Ensuite with matrimonial bed located in our quiet privet area with security card control access, cable TV, air conditioner, fan, WiFi and continental breakfast buffet plus access to all our facilities (swimming pool, kitchen, pool table, Tv room, soccer table, computers with internet, etc...). For our own security (hostel and guests) we have a CCTV system running, another service you also get when you pay for your room. Also we call cabs for you for FREE with no cost, if you want to call your friends or home outside of the city/country you need to go to a locutorio to do it (just in the corner). If you need a local phone call you can use our public phone with some coins. As you mention we run a bar inside the hostel where you can buy quality drinks and/or cheap ones depend of your budget (that is why you can´t bring alcohol inside). Also at check in time we inform each guest about it and also we ask you to read and sign our guide lines where we inform about our services, times and also about basic good behavior we expect from our guests in order to keep a nice atmosphere for everyone inside the hostel. Would have been nice from you to tell us what you didn’t liked from our “crappy cocktails” as you call them in order to prepare them as you liked, would had been a pleasure to do it for you. We do not understand about the sweet wine you mention, we clarify you where offered our different kinds of wine we sells per bottle as: Tannat-Merlot, Chardonay-Sauvignon, Resling, Terruño and Bonarda-Sirah. Happy travels to all and don´t think twice, just come to stay with us!!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jodanga Hostal is a good hostal. It's clean, has a pool (which was very welcome :-) and a reasonable breakfast, kitchen, TV room and bar. The bar and pool closes ar around 22:30 at night. It was very quiet and for me a bit boring. If you go to Santa Cruz I think this is one of the best hostals to go to.
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Date of stay: December 2013Trip type: Travelled solo
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is not Evita nor Argentina but Bolivia and Santa Cruz. Still, it would be surprisingly good for you.
It is a backpacker's hostel alright, just like it says on its name but it surpasses the norm of a backpackers' hostel.
1. It is in a very good neighborhood, a residential area not far away from a park called Parque Urbano
2. It is/was a language school, the concept of design is made for student life on campus. Facility-wise, it has all the features of a dormitory in a boarding school. Therefore, full size swimming pool and Jacuzzi, pool table and even a TV room are included.
3. The cleanliness of this location is good to very good, you don't see smudges on the hall way to the swimming pool nor the locker room area outside the shower room
The price of this hostel is one of the lowest in Santa Cruz that I can locate through the web and yet the quality it delivers is "surprisingly good".
The price is also including a continental breakfast but more than a regular "continental" breakfast. You can order 2 eggs of any styles you name. Toasts are self-serve. The juices are freshly squeezed strawberries, papayas or any of the local ripes. You can tell by watching the person at the kitchen area right next to the swimming pool. She even filters out all the tiny seeds from the strawberries after they are blended from the food processor.
They offered 2 room sizes during the time that I searched: 6-beds and 10-beds, co-ed style. But they also offer double room and twin room on other websites later on.
I chose the 6-beds room during my stay. When I came in the room, there was another tenant who was in bed already. I woke up around 2am and I noticed the other tenant was gone but the belonging was still there. I knew immediately my snoring drove her out. I asked and confirmed the next morning. The front desk guy nodded and gave me a nasty look. They re-located that person late at night and they did NOT complain. They handled it professionally.
I didn't use the swimming pool, nor the pool table. I didn't use their TV room either. But from the noises of the laughers, the other guests must be enjoying themselves.
They also have a full size kitchen, huge and clean. All the utensils are provided.
The hostel has plenty of decent area and space for people to meet and chat. And they also impose certain ground rules for customers to observe. These ground rules are posted up in every room.
Again, this is a hostel, bring your own soap and shampoo. If you ask for a towel, the cost of the towel is equivalent to the cost of one night stay. Keep that in mind.
I am happy with their set prices and the quality that they deliver.
It is a backpacker's hostel alright, just like it says on its name but it surpasses the norm of a backpackers' hostel.
1. It is in a very good neighborhood, a residential area not far away from a park called Parque Urbano
2. It is/was a language school, the concept of design is made for student life on campus. Facility-wise, it has all the features of a dormitory in a boarding school. Therefore, full size swimming pool and Jacuzzi, pool table and even a TV room are included.
3. The cleanliness of this location is good to very good, you don't see smudges on the hall way to the swimming pool nor the locker room area outside the shower room
The price of this hostel is one of the lowest in Santa Cruz that I can locate through the web and yet the quality it delivers is "surprisingly good".
The price is also including a continental breakfast but more than a regular "continental" breakfast. You can order 2 eggs of any styles you name. Toasts are self-serve. The juices are freshly squeezed strawberries, papayas or any of the local ripes. You can tell by watching the person at the kitchen area right next to the swimming pool. She even filters out all the tiny seeds from the strawberries after they are blended from the food processor.
They offered 2 room sizes during the time that I searched: 6-beds and 10-beds, co-ed style. But they also offer double room and twin room on other websites later on.
I chose the 6-beds room during my stay. When I came in the room, there was another tenant who was in bed already. I woke up around 2am and I noticed the other tenant was gone but the belonging was still there. I knew immediately my snoring drove her out. I asked and confirmed the next morning. The front desk guy nodded and gave me a nasty look. They re-located that person late at night and they did NOT complain. They handled it professionally.
I didn't use the swimming pool, nor the pool table. I didn't use their TV room either. But from the noises of the laughers, the other guests must be enjoying themselves.
They also have a full size kitchen, huge and clean. All the utensils are provided.
The hostel has plenty of decent area and space for people to meet and chat. And they also impose certain ground rules for customers to observe. These ground rules are posted up in every room.
Again, this is a hostel, bring your own soap and shampoo. If you ask for a towel, the cost of the towel is equivalent to the cost of one night stay. Keep that in mind.
I am happy with their set prices and the quality that they deliver.
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Date of stay: September 2013Trip type: Travelled solo
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Bring your own towel and soap/shampoo, these are not provided. This is a hostel.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I've been to Santa Cruz a few times now (as a 'recharge' spot from the jungle/other travels), and its pretty clear that if I come to Santa Cruz, I go to Jodanga.
The only serious complaint I read about this place in these reviews is "overpriced". my god. have you seen this place? its literally the tidiest, most highly maintained hostel I have almost ever seen. I have never seen a bathroom as clean in a hostel. there is constant maintenance on beds, doors, the pool, the pool table, the kitchen, etc. This place can only even function on this budget due to the property being family-owned. If they had to pay rent as well, the business model would not even pan out! So its disheartening to read all these complaints about price.
Yes its probably the most expensive hostel in Santa Cruz. But even then, you are still only paying $10 a night!! Trying to save a few dollars a night? then yeah go to some other place with less facilities.
Yes its not "in the center" of Santa Cruz. great!! Its right on parque urbano, on a tranquil backstreet one street down. brilliant. allows chilling out with no outside noise or crowds. want to go out? get ready to pay all of <$3 to transport up to five people to the city centre! ermahgerd my budget, however will I get by? sorry but I am getting tired of all these tourists complaining about "price" in one of the poorest countries in south america. they make probably ten times more salary back home, then come to Bolivia and start complaining things are "to expensive".
Jodanga: Great staff, great (and excellently maintained) pool, the fastest WiFi internet possibly in Bolivia(overstatement, but you get my point), two free computers to use, tv room with tons of DVDs to watch, big kitchen, clean rooms, all with Fans and some with A/C, incredibly clean bathrooms, books to read or trade, a little bar, and oh yeah possibly the BEST breakfest in a hostel (fried/scrambled eggs, fruits, fruit juice, toast, various toppings). most hostels just give you bread and butter.
Jodanga is a brilliant hostel. enough said.
The only serious complaint I read about this place in these reviews is "overpriced". my god. have you seen this place? its literally the tidiest, most highly maintained hostel I have almost ever seen. I have never seen a bathroom as clean in a hostel. there is constant maintenance on beds, doors, the pool, the pool table, the kitchen, etc. This place can only even function on this budget due to the property being family-owned. If they had to pay rent as well, the business model would not even pan out! So its disheartening to read all these complaints about price.
Yes its probably the most expensive hostel in Santa Cruz. But even then, you are still only paying $10 a night!! Trying to save a few dollars a night? then yeah go to some other place with less facilities.
Yes its not "in the center" of Santa Cruz. great!! Its right on parque urbano, on a tranquil backstreet one street down. brilliant. allows chilling out with no outside noise or crowds. want to go out? get ready to pay all of <$3 to transport up to five people to the city centre! ermahgerd my budget, however will I get by? sorry but I am getting tired of all these tourists complaining about "price" in one of the poorest countries in south america. they make probably ten times more salary back home, then come to Bolivia and start complaining things are "to expensive".
Jodanga: Great staff, great (and excellently maintained) pool, the fastest WiFi internet possibly in Bolivia(overstatement, but you get my point), two free computers to use, tv room with tons of DVDs to watch, big kitchen, clean rooms, all with Fans and some with A/C, incredibly clean bathrooms, books to read or trade, a little bar, and oh yeah possibly the BEST breakfest in a hostel (fried/scrambled eggs, fruits, fruit juice, toast, various toppings). most hostels just give you bread and butter.
Jodanga is a brilliant hostel. enough said.
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Date of stay: August 2013Trip type: Travelled solo
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: some rooms have A/C and some dont. but its usually not that hot in Santa Cruz.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
"If you want rooms with better wifi and that are quieter, ask for the any of the rooms across the street from the lobby."Read full review
LOCATION
BoliviaSanta Cruz DepartmentSanta Cruz
NUMBER OF ROOMS
11
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Jodanga Backpackers Hostel
Which popular attractions are close to Jodanga Backpackers Hostel?
Nearby attractions include Manjar de Oro (0.8 km) and Museo de Arte Sacro "Monseñor Cárlos Geriche Suárez" (1.1 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Jodanga Backpackers Hostel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and a pool.
What food & drink options are available at Jodanga Backpackers Hostel?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, a lounge, and a poolside bar during their stay.
Is parking available at Jodanga Backpackers Hostel?
Yes, paid private parking nearby is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Jodanga Backpackers Hostel?
Conveniently located restaurants include El Cuartito, Factory Grill & Bar Santa Cruz, and El Tabano.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Jodanga Backpackers Hostel?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Does Jodanga Backpackers Hostel have airport transportation?
Yes, Jodanga Backpackers Hostel offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Jodanga Backpackers Hostel?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Spanish.