A touch of class for the budget backpacker, this colourful hostel provides everything that a traveller needs to escape the chaos of the city of Guayaquil. Equipped with a swimming pool, an on-site bar and a beautiful patio area for socialising, you may find it difficult to tear yourself away!
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Colourful Artwork
There is no denying that Nucapacha is a cool hostel. Characterised by vibrant colours and edgy murals, the artwork adorning these walls is definitely something special. With everything from native wildlife to indigenous women, the artist that was given reign over Nucapacha has certainly focused on Ecuador’s culture and its unique location in the world.
The artwork undoubtedly gives the impression that this is a hostel that welcomes creativity and it is true: yoga classes are offered twice a week and it is not uncommon to see guests blogging in the patio area.
Meet Nacho, The Resident Hostel Dog!
Perhaps the most famous inhabitant of Hostel Nucapacha is the cute resident dog, christened Nacho, owing to his pointy ears. Nacho doubles up as an admirable guard dog and also has a reputation as a proper softie who keeps the guests’ company as they chill out on the terrace or on the sofas inside. Nacho likes nothing more than having his tummy rubbed or his toys thrown for him. This is one friend you’re sure to make during your stay at Nucapacha!
Sociable Communal Areas
The primary selling point of this hostel is undoubtedly its beautiful communal areas as the rooms are quite basic. Guests can hang out and watch Netflix on the flatscreen television inside or alternatively chill by the swimming pool with a couple of beers. Owing to the humidity that Guayaquil is famous for, the swimming pool is definitely a welcome retreat from the sun on a hot day!
Breakfast consists of toast and eggs and is provided daily inclusive of the room rate. It is served at the communal meal table which encourages the guests to get know each other.
Outside of the breakfast hours, visitors are welcome to use the kitchen to cook and prepare their own meals. The hostel sells beer at a reasonable price and also boasts its own homemade ice-cream which is must-try!
Passionate About Guayaquil
All of the staff at Nucapacha are hugely passionate about their city and this shines through whenever you speak to them.Often regarded as a mere stopover city, the hostel is trying to promote Guayaquil as a cool place to hang out for a few days. Rather than just a place where travellers spend one night before catching a flight to the Galapagos, we discovered that there’s plenty of adventure in the city itself, just check out our Guayaquil destination guide!
At the hostel, there is a wealth of information in the form of leaflets on the must-see sights of Guayaquil and other traveller destinations around Ecuador. Galapagos trips can be organised directly through the hostel at reasonable rates.
The popular free walking tour which serves Guayaquil can also be booked through the reception desk a day in advance. There are three types of these tours, the first of which visit the main attractions throughout the city, the second takes you to the Las Peñas district at sunset and the third sees you visit the Sunday market with a local guide. Either or ALL of them are a great way to discover more about the city.
Safe Neighbourhood
In Guayaquil, safety is still a concern for many travellers. Hostel Nucapacha is situated in an affluent neighbourhood and crime is low. The entrance to the hostel is gated and requires approval from a member of staff before you are buzzed in.
The hostel is located around a fifteen-minute drive from the Malecón 2000 and the same from both the airport and bus station. The central setting of the hostel means that this is one of the best spots in the city from which to be based. Staff are always happy to book taxis for guests and there is an accessible road from which Uber is able to pick up. All beds in dormitories are provided with spacious lockers to store valuables.
How much is a room at Hostal Nucapacha?
Hostel Nucapacha offers both basic private rooms with the option of shared or ensuite bathrooms as well as dorm beds. Prices per person for a dorm bed start at $11.50 US and doubles begin at $14.50 US with a shared bathroom.
You can check availability and book Hostel Nucapacha on Booking.com.
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.
