Most Americans don't think of staying in a hostel, especially when traveling domestically. But staying in a hostel is honestly one of the best things you can do to enhance a travel experience. I visited San Diego over spring break and rested my head in the ITH Adventure Hostel. It was the first time I had stayed in a hostel and I am so enormously glad that I did. Here are some of the reasons why:
1. The People
I cannot stress this one enough. The people that you meet in a hostel are second to none. You meet people from all walks of life, all ages, professions, etc., but there are certain unifying factors. People who stay in hostels are (for the most part) open minded, adventurous, and free spirited. They have had their own adventures and are ready to make more. Maybe you'll tag along. Hearing others' stories and sharing your own while sipping beer on the front porch and watching the evening sky fade into night is a rejuvenating experience. The people who stay in hostels are creative. There were several nights where we pulled out guitars and various percussion instruments and just had a jam session. Some played, some sang, some listened, but all were a part of the event. The people you meet in a hostel really enhance the experience.
2. The Connections
This one kind of goes along with the "people" point. During my week and a half stay at the ITH hostel, I made friends from Brazil, Argentina, Costa Rica, France, England, Ireland, The Netherlands, Germany, Portugal and Russia, just to name a few. That means that if I ever am passing through any of those countries, I now have people that I can call to crash on their couches, get advice, or even just someone to say hi to so that I'm not stuck in a sea of strangers. These people further know other people in other countries that they could put me in contact with, further expanding my network. Knowing people around the world really opens doors and staying in a hostel is a great way to make those connections.
3. The Food
A lot of hostels will feed you. ITH offers free breakfast and dinner. You never know what you will get, but it's almost never bad (at least as long as the person in the kitchen is competent). You get a variety of meals and since everyone else is partaking in the free food as well, you don't have to eat alone! It's a great way to get to know the other people in the hostel and it really makes the hostel feel like home. ITH grows its own vegetables and keeps chickens for eggs so most of the food was vegetarian and all of it was fresh. I only spent about $50 on food the entire time I was there and it was mostly on huge burritos from the hole-in-the-wall Mexican place a couple blocks away (Mexican Fiesta. Seriously, go there. You will thank me).
4. The Cost
This is a bit of a more practical reason, but it is significantly more cost effective to stay in a hostel. My bed in an eight-person dorm room was $31 a night. A hotel room during the same time would have been at least twice that. (And that would be staying at a Motel 6 which is significantly less clean than the hostel was. The hostel was very well kept.) Add in the fact that you aren't paying for breakfast or dinner, and that's a significant savings. Over my 10-day stay there, I estimate that I saved at least $500 by staying at the hostel instead of in a hotel and buying food. That's a full month's rent! (Though really, that money went to paying for a spur-of-the-moment new tattoo I got done by Sue at Flying Panther Tattoo. If you're in San Diego and want some ink, I highly recommend her. She did a great job.)
5. The Opportunities
You never know when opportunities will arise. One of the friends I made at the hostel, Max, went up to Los Angeles for a couple days with some other people from the hostel. While staying at another hostel there, he was invited onto the Jimmy Kimmel show. Just by staying in a hostel nearby! Now when would that ever happen staying in a hotel? Everyone at our hostel, of course, freaked out and the news back home in The Netherlands went CRAZY. He got a taste of being a small-time celebrity for a couple days in addition to a free night at the Hollywood Roosevelt and all the good stuff that comes with that.
6. The Stories
Oh goodness, the stories. I'm not entirely sure that I could list all of them here and still get this article through the editorial staff. But boy, do you end up with stories. Sometimes they're innocent and fun like wandering around Balboa Park at night with your new friend from Germany and getting very spooked by the eerie voices in the dark, only to discover a beautiful pair of owls perched in the parapets. And other times, you go to Tijuana with some of your new friends and end up getting tattoos done in a sketchy looking parlor in the back of a bar (seen above) after riding a mechanical bull... or at least attempting to ride one. (Note: If you're going to do that, please try to be sober and make sure that even if the parlor looks sketchy, it is clean and the needles are sterile like I did. I am not your mother, but would really rather not find out anyone did this and got an infection or a disease.) Your stories can be as tame or as wild as you want because you will always be able to find the people (see point number one) who are just as calm or crazy as you want to be.
Ultimately, what you do on your travels is only up to one person: You. But staying in a hostel is a great way to meet new people, make new friends, save money, and form memories that will last you a life time. It adds to the adventure ten fold and I can't wait to see who I will meet or what new things I will experience at my next hostel.
