Tribe on the Beach

I’ve stayed in over 60 hostels & I’ve never had an experience as bad as this. I genuinely feared for my safety. I arrived to find the owner (I think), an old (Kiwi?) man, in his underwear - that was my first red flag - but I figured since it was just one night I would be fine. Come to find out, over half the hostel is old men, which made me very uncomfortable. A few hours later the owner tells me that I “took the wrong bed,” even though I took the one that the volunteer told me to take. This man had taken it upon himself to move my things. I told him I was feeling uncomfortable and I would like to leave with a refund. He left, I assume to get the refund, and I called my mom to rationalize the situation. This is when the escalation happened, and I’m still not exactly sure why. The owner (old underwear man) burst into my room, screaming that I had to leave. I said I was planning on it and that I just had to pack up. He grabbed my bag and stormed out of the room, throwing my things on the floor. I asked to go back to get my other stuff, but he said he would grab it. Obviously, he didn’t grab everything as he didn’t know what was mine, but this could have been avoided if he had just let me pack. All the while, he’s standing over me, screaming at me. I was terrified. I did not receive my refund. I had to dispute the charge with my credit card company. Besides that, the pillows can barely even be called pillows, the room smells horrible, and the bathroom is moldy. DO NOT BOOK HERE, especially if you are a young woman traveling alone like myself. I’m still shaking hours later. My worst hostel experience to date.

DO NOT BOOK HERE! I’ve stayed in over 60 hostels & I’ve never had an experience as bad as this. I arrived to find the owner (maybe a manager), an old man, in his underwear - that was my first red flag - but I figured since it was just one night I would be fine. From looking at other reviews, I believe his name is Shaun from New Zealand. Come to find out, over half the hostel is old men, which made me very uncomfortable. A few hours later he tells me that I “took the wrong bed,” even though I took the one that the volunteer told me to take. This man had taken it upon himself to move my things. I told him I was feeling uncomfortable and I would like to leave with a refund. He left to get the refund, and I called my mom to rationalize the situation. This is when the escalation happened, and I’m still not exactly sure why. Shaun burst into my room, screaming that I had to leave. I said I was planning on it and that I just had to pack up. He grabbed my bag and stormed out of the room, throwing my things on the floor. I asked to go back to get my other stuff, but he said he would grab it. Obviously, he didn’t grab everything as he didn’t know what was mine, but this could have been avoided if he had just let me pack. All the while, he’s standing over me, screaming at me. I was terrified. I did not receive my refund. This is an UNSAFE HOSTEL! especially for young solo women like myself. Shaun blocked me from writing a review on hostelworld. I just want to spread the word so no one else has to go through the trauma that I went through.

Hi all, i was just about to write a recommendation when i decided to have a look what other people wrote and i noticed a comment from a guest that i met here as well during my stay. I Just quickly want to clarify that Lea_Brew's comment shouldn't be considered when making a decision on where to stay in Playa del Carmen as this guest was really horrible and nasty. Besides the fact that never greeted me when i said hello, this guest was completely druged up and left rubbish everywhere which was very uncool for other guests who might received the impression that the hostel is dirty, that is definately not the case. The Location was the best i have ever been to. The kindness and the fact the owner helps with everything and socializes directly by inteoducing guests with each other was Just amazing. Coming to the point..it was awesome! Thanks again for the nice stay! Best Greets from Sebastian (Germany Frankfurt)

room smelled strongly of cigarettes I was woken up to a very large rat scurrying on my pillow no sign to enter building should be condemned strong sewage smell another guest kept asking to borrow money overall bad vibes I cannot recommend this place

I've had an ongoing relationship with this hostel for a few years now, so this place is starting to feel like a second home. It's amazing location, relaxing terrace, chill environment, comfortable bedding, convenient shopping and dining , access to tours and the ferries, beautiful sunrises on the Caribbean. Shaun has always been a good host and his new staff are attentive, friendly, and keep the place clean and sanitized. The guests are varied from hyper experienced backpackers , senior travellers , students, remote workers ( as WiFi is solid ). All are welcome. If you're looking for "all inclusive" 5 diamond amenities , search elsewhere , but if you want a stay at one of the best independent hostels. This is the spot.

Excelente lugar , me gusto cerca de la playa. También la comida y desayuno muy rico. Me gusto el ambiente y la gente que conocí en el lugar , me hubiera gustado estar más tiempo pero no pude . Espero volver pronto a Playa del Carmen , gracias .