Hostels conjure a lot of negative images—from shit horror movies, to loud snoring, to lack of privacy.
I’ve experienced the downsides of them.
But when you stay at a good one… man is it good.
The Best Hostel I’ve Ever Stayed At
Without further ado… The Secret Garden Cotopaxi in Ecuador.
Let me start with the value of the place. My 3-day, 2-night package included:
Transport from Quito (Cotopaxi is a couple of hours away). You’re in a van filled with travelers, starting to make friends immediately
– Two nights stay
– All meals
– Guided hikes
Transport back to Quito (or, discounted transport to wherever you want in Ecuador, pretty much. I went to Lake Quilotoa)
All for less than $100.
That’s absurd. I gave them my $95 on the recommendation from a friend and packed my bags.
After a few days checking out Quito, a high-altitude, affordable city with the top architecture in LatAm that’s easily worth exploring, I was on my way to Cotopaxi.
The Secret Garden’s location in Quito seemed cool too. I didn’t stay there, but it served as our meeting point to be shuttled down. It had a rooftop dining area with fresh cooked food and views of Quito’s city and mountains.
And like that, we were on our way to Cotopaxi.
Cotopaxi is a highly active volcano and Ecuador’s second highest mountain, and the Secret Garden sits in the foothills of its namesake peak.
Why The Secret Garden Is Great
One of the benefits of hostels touted by backpackers is their sense of community.
But sometimes one finds that they are void of community.
Not the case at Secret Garden.
All meals were shared, community style. Gather ‘round the table type shii. Hikes were done as a group.
In the evenings after a long day of hiking in the misty, frigid mountains, you’d be sipping hot chocolate by a fire surrounded by travelers and mountain doggos.
All of that community time meant tons of travel stories and inspiration.
This is famously what led me to fully committing to my decision to quit my job and travel all of South America—yep, it happened right there in Secret Garden’s common area.
Out in the sticks, reception is weak or non-existent. This made for a fully present group of people simply connecting and enjoying nature.
Even the bathroom had views!
I came away from Ecuador feeling refreshed and recharged following days of community and being offline.
Hostels don’t always play out this way, but I’m glad I got to experience one of the good ones.
To your growth and travels.
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