A dream come true for solo travellers, Casa Michael makes meeting other backpackers a doddle. There is everything to encourage conversation from a ping pong table to a fridge stocked with beer! You will find everything you need at this self-contained hostel in one of Guayaquil’s safest neighbourhoods.
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A safe haven
Safety is a huge concern for many travellers visiting Guayaquil. As a city with a bad reputation when it comes to crime, backpackers want to know that both they and their belongings are out of harm’s way. Casa Michael is located in a mainly residential area which is predominately home to families and older people, making it a very safe neighbourhood.
If you are looking to go somewhere but have concerns over safety in the area, owner Michael is always on hand via his WhatsApp to tell visitors when and where to take precautions. To enter the outside gate into the grounds of the hostel, a code is required which keeps the area secure. Lockers are also provided for guests.
Great communal areas
Casa Michael is a fantastic place to meet other travellers and it is not uncommon to see backpackers lounging in hammocks on the terrace, chatting about their travels. The outside area is super chilled and has both squishy sofas and even a ping pong table!
There is a communal kitchen with fridge freezer as well as a stove and a decent sized free-standing breakfast bar to eat at. This kitchen definitely saved us a few dollars during our stay!
Next to the cooking area, there is a sofa and TV complete with Netflix so it is easy to catch up on your favourite series with your new found friends. A computer with internet access is provided for guests to use and there is also a fridge outside from which beer and other cold drinks can be purchased.
Convenient location
The neighbourhood that Casa Michael is located in is hugely convenient for travellers. The hostel is very close to the bus station and airport, which means getting there and away is very easy. Casa Michael recognises that a lot of people use the hostel as a springboard to the Galapagos and therefore, there are facilities for baggage storage whilst people are away.
In terms of using the hostel as a base to explore Guayaquil, this is also hugely convenient. The road that runs into the neighbourhood finishes just a minute walk from the entrance to the hostel, so it is an easy place to arrange an Uber pick-up.
Fans in rooms
The first thing you will notice about the city of Guayaquil is that it gets really hot. As a result, it is a fairly usual occurrence to be sweating around the clock.
All of the rooms at Casa Michael and most of the communal areas have fans, which definitely makes it easier to relax in the daytime and sleep at night.
We all know how horrible it is to sit in a baking hot dorm room with seven other travellers so a fan definitely goes a long way in terms of comfort and hygiene. Let’s be honest, no-one wants a smelly roommate!
Knowledgeable staff
Owner Michael is one of the most helpful hosts you could ever meet. Upon check-in, he talks you through your location on a map and details what is close to the hostel. There are plenty of major food chains along the main road including McDonalds and two supermarkets where you can purchase food for use in the communal kitchen.
In the hostel, there are posters which display Guayaquil’s main sights and a walking route between them. This is handy for visitors looking to check out the city. Michael displays his WhatsApp number on posters around the hostel so if you have any questions, you can always contact him for a quick answer, even if you are out and about.
Book your stay at Casa Michael today!
Sheree Hooker | Editor @ South America Backpacker + Winging The World
Sheree is the awkward British wanderluster behind wingingtheworld.com, a travel blog designed to show that even the most useless of us can travel. Follow Sheree’s adventures as she blunders around the globe, falling into squat toilets, getting into cars with machete men and running away from angry peacocks.
