Skip to main content
  1. Hotel reviews homepage
  2. Colombia hotel reviews
  3. Valle del Cauca hotel reviews
  4. Cali hotel reviews
  5. Reviews of Helena Hostel

Reviews of Helena Hostel

3-117 Carrera 16, 760044 Cali, Colombia

#11 of 187 hotels in Cali

Guests' Choice

Review Score

Based on 30 hostel reviews

9.5

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    9.6

  • Comfort

    9.5

  • Location

    9.6

  • Facilities

    9.3

  • Staff

    9.8

  • Value for money

    9.9

  • Free Wifi

    9.5

Verified guest reviews from real Bookers

Real Bookers. Real stays. Real opinions.

Read more– opens a dialog box
Write a Review

Showing 1 - 25

  • Reviewed: August 31, 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Solo traveler
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Helena was a kind and thoughtful host. Loved the rooftop for getting a little sun, great location with great restaurants and coffee shops.

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: April 28, 2025

    8.0
    I believe for a hostel, it was clean and the price was very fair.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    The bed was hard and you needed to share the bathroom.

    I thought the price was very good and the owner quite attentive.

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: November 25, 2024

    10
    Excellent and value for money
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 8 nights

    Nothing

    The hospitality of the staff

    Stayed in October 2024

  • Reviewed: October 30, 2024

    10
    Excellente
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 7 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Very good location in front of the Loma de la Cruz. They treat you like family and also it has a nice rooftop deck. Very clean and well kept.

    Stayed in October 2024

  • Reviewed: October 3, 2024

    10
    Extremely caring host. Such a nice person!
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Sometimes the rooms didn’t had that much light… BUT the price was great, so you truly got the best value for the amount of money you spent.

    Very caring and protective host. Great location and very affordable single bed room. I became sick and the host took very well care of me. That was such an amazing experience. Thanks again!

    Stayed in August 2024

  • Reviewed: August 26, 2024

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    There are no lockers or rooms that can be locked. Fortunately there weren't many people around and entry to the hostel is well controlled but for peace of mind lockers would be good.

    Alejandro was the perfect host. He was very friendly and made sure to always speak slowly and clearly so that he could be better understood (I speak a bit of Spanish but far from fluent). He also brought me coffee and some bread in the mornings. The highlight of my stay at this hostel. The rooms were big and the toilet/shower were clean. And the area with hammocks was nice and cool, very good in the Cali heat. Would recommend this hostel to anyone looking to unwind and relax after partying in Cali

    Stayed in August 2024

  • Reviewed: February 25, 2024

    10
    Perfect location, hot shower and wonderful host.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    I wish the property had a locker for my belongings but I didn’t have any issues with security.

    Helena is wonderful she even took my laundry to her house to wash it for me. She also has a super hot shower and great water pressure that I loved!

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: January 23, 2024

    10
    Recommend this hostel 100%!
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    I spent a whole week in Cali in Helena Hostel at the end of december 2023. Helena, the owner of the hostel is super nice, very helpfull and always want to share coffee. The hostel is very very clean and there is lot s of space so that everyone feels like home. During my 5 month travel in South America, Helena hostel was my favorite!! Furtheremore the location is perfect and very close to the salsa class. Go in there you will definitely not regret it!

    Stayed in December 2023

  • Reviewed: January 11, 2024

    8.0
    Good deal for basic travelers with a good location
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    No towels or fans and keeping the windows closed.

    Very clean, had hot water for showers and I enjoyed the hammock.

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: January 4, 2024

    10
    Elena is the best
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Everything was wonderful.

    Elena is a wonderful host who treats her guests like family. She invited me to share a New Year's dinner with her family. Her place is safe, super clean and very comfortable. She is attentive and helpful. This hostel is a no-brainer for any foreigner visiting Cali. The location is wonderful, right beside an artist community and close to stores and restaurants.

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: December 28, 2023

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    There was a slight difference between the value issued in Booking and the payment at the hostel, but no big deal.

    The owner's friendliness and her willingness to solve an issue with the reservation.

    Stayed in December 2023

  • Reviewed: November 12, 2023

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 7 nights

    Nothing.

    Elena the owner is amazing. She is not nice and great to be around becuase of "customer service", although of course she delivers this exceptionally. She is just in fact a genuinly great person that also loves nice interaccións and to meet good people too. Personally, the things I look for most when travelling is to connect with local people and so by staying here this is the thing that I have most liked. The Location is excellent for learning to salsa and if you treat Elena and her home with respect, you are treated with the same and it becomes your home too.

    Stayed in November 2023

  • Reviewed: June 27, 2023

    10
    Fantastic hostel in Cali
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    Helena is a great hostess and I immediately felt welcome by her warm smile! She made me feel at home in her really nice hostel. The hostel is located right in the center of San Antonio with many bars and restaurants nearby. The hostel also offers a great view of the neighborhood as well as hammocks to relax in. Also, the WIFI is super fast and available throughout the hostel. Moreover, Helena is very helpful and supportive and even assisted me with my doctor's visit.

    Stayed in June 2023

  • Reviewed: March 29, 2023

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Noisy if people is talking in the hall

    Helena and the staff are super kind and helpful. Very well located

    Stayed in March 2023

  • Reviewed: March 20, 2023

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    There's no sign indicating the hostel. However, if you're arriving during the day it's not a problem because Helena's husband sells sandals across the hostel, so he will probably notice your arrival.

    They had the fastest wifi I may have ever had on my travels. The place is also super clean and the location is perfect with lots of restaurants around and centrally located to explore Cali.

    Stayed in March 2023

  • Reviewed: February 14, 2023

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Helena Hostel is very confortable and clean. It's a very spacious and calm place. Helena is very welcoming and carrying !

    Stayed in February 2023

  • Reviewed: February 9, 2023

    9.0
    It's really a nice hostel
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    Shower was cold! use of the kitchen was not really allowed!

    Good Location, very nice and friendly host, super clean, spacious rooms. all amazing

    Stayed in December 2022

  • Reviewed: December 15, 2022

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Helena Hostel is the best hostel in Cali! It's in a perfect position, close to the famous neighborhood S.Antonio, the best salsa club Topa Tolondra and right in the popular park Loma De La Cruz where you can experience local music, dance and culture during the many events that te park offers. The owner of the hostel, Helena, is an incredibly kind person always happy to help and also a great cook (you should try her breakfast or lunch if you'd have the chance). The building has been recently restructured and is very clean. It has a very nice terrace with a nice view! The rooms are comfortable! I recommend this hostel for your stay in Cali!!!

    Stayed in December 2022

  • Reviewed: December 10, 2022

    9.0
    Amazing hostel, great location
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Can be a bit noisy in dorm on weekends, privates are on other side, quiet. Only cold water but Helena made a huge bucket of hot water so I could wash my long hair at night 🥰

    The cleanest hostel I have seen in South America. Super safe area, close to shops, bars & restaurants. No bunk beds! Lots of space between beds. Helena is a wonderful woman who makes you feel part of the family. Righ next door to the amazing indigenous dance on Thursdays and 3 min walk to the best salsa club in Cali TOPA TOLONDRA. No taxi needed unless you want to go to the center at night.

    Stayed in December 2022

  • Reviewed: July 23, 2023

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    -It is quite loud at night -Feels like the owner should trust guests enough to give them keys to access the property at night. Right now, what we have to do is ring the loud bell which can wake the entire hostel up.

    Stayed in July 2023

  • Reviewed: April 25, 2023

    7.0
    Good hostel in Cali
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Dorm room was a bit noisy from outdoors.

    Location was good. Friendly owners

    Stayed in March 2023

  • Reviewed: January 5, 2023

    3.0
    Don't stay there.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 6 nights

    So the person at the reception is not the person who answers messages. I wasn't given a bed on my first night and had to sleep in the sofa of the common area (I didnt sleep). It wasn't professional at all, I arrived at night and went to a concert. I had friends in the city I could have stayed with but the lady preferred not to say she didn't have any beds until I arrived at 4 AM. The shower is not even cold, is RIVER cold. Most of the people staying there were complaining about it. It literally gave us headaches. I paid for a six bed room but in reality is three rooms separated by just a curtain. There is no ventilation in these three rooms. Not a window to open, no AC, and not even a fan. She never refunded me for the night I had to sleep in the sofa. She was rude to other guests when it came to payment. Also if you stay there and you arrive late you can only get in by ringing the bell, and that's REALLY ANNOYING. Everyone I met in that hostel, switched after a few days.

    Loved the location of the hostel. For the feria you had the live music right there. The hostel was super clean.

    Stayed in January 2023

  • Reviewed: January 2, 2023

    4.0
    more of a homestay than a hostel
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 6 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    no hot water and very noisy

    Stayed in January 2023

  • Reviewed: December 31, 2022

    6.0
    Pleasant
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    the hostel is poorly soundproofed with thin walls - you hear everything from people talking to the noise of the bathrooms. also, there are not enough bathrooms and it has only ice cold water - (Helena heats up water in a kettle when asked). to enter the hostel at night people have to ring the bell which is heard in the whole hostel and kept me from sleeping through.

    the hostel is located in a nice neighbourhood with bars and restaurant close by and you can explore the city on foot. Helena is a lovely host and keeps the place super clean.

    Stayed in December 2022

Showing 1 - 25

We Price Match
We Price Match
Low rates • No booking fees • Find something cheaper? We'll refund the difference!