Hostel Quetzal

The hostel, whose facade is covered in colorful graffiti, is best suited to young budget travelers wanting to party, groups of friends vacationing together, spring breakers, and solo tourists looking for company. The bright-colored decor consists of graffiti, handicrafts, and wrought-iron finishes -- both indoors and outdoors. To call the hostel laid-back would be an understatement. Housekeeping works daily, but it's common to see backpacks lying around the hostel's corridors and staff are usually mingling with travelers. During the day, the atmosphere is usually tranquil and relaxed, with most guests resting up from the previous night's revelry. The festive vibe starts in the evening, with communal dinners, frequent get-togethers, and lively parties with loud music and games either in the pool area or in the rooftop garden. If the ongoing party at the hostel isn't enough, staff will take guests to the "hottest" nightclubs with open bars. 

The hostel is situated in an older residential area, near lots of bars, restaurants, and hotels. A tranquil street leads to Parque de las Palapas, a popular esplanade with food and handicraft stalls. The ADO bus station is a five-minute walk away, but there's a closer bus stop on Avenida Tulum. The best beaches, shopping, and nightclubs in Cancun are about a 20-minute drive away. Cancun International Airport is about a 30-minute drive from the hotel.

Hostel Quetzal's seven rooms include both private rooms and shared dormitories, all in different sizes and with varying colorful decor. Private rooms have either two twin beds or one double bed and a twin bed, so staying solo in a private room means paying for two people. Hot water, linens, and towels are provided, plus rooms have ceiling fans and air-conditioning-- though units run only from night until morning.

The main mixed-gender dormitory sleeps 16 in bunk beds, and has a shared bath with two walk-in showers, two vanities, a large mirror, and a toilet. There's also a women-only dorm for six with pool views and a separate bathroom. All dorms include private lockers for each guest, but padlocks are not provided. Another dorm includes a bathroom and is connected to a shared terrace with hammocks and a garden. There's little to no privacy at the Hostel Quetzal, especially in the ground-floor dorms, as doors stay open during the day for housekeeping.

There's a shared kitchen and breakfast area with limited seating, dining tables, cutlery, and two fridges. Both a basic breakfast and dinner are included in the rate -- with the Mexican dinner often including a shot of tequila. The rooftop terrace is frequently the scene of communal dinners, and the animation team organizes games and icebreakers. The lounge area also has barbecue facilities, a punching bag, and chairs. Expect lots of on-site partying and drinking games, as well as staff-led outings to popular clubs.

The above-ground outdoor pool, which has an adjacent bar, stays open around the clock, but is neither large enough nor deep enough for laps. Its main purpose is as a party venue. Adjacent to the pool, a common living room with large glass windows doubles as a lobby and a TV room, plus it has a few shelves of books in English and Spanish. Wi-Fi is free throughout, but not all rooms pick up a strong signal. The front desk can help book area tours.