Reviews of Elmar Hostel
Calle 30 s/n con Costera, 77930 Bacalar, Mexico
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Reviewed: 23 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewGreat hostel, chill vibes 3 minutes from the lagoon Giovanni & his team are super nice and helpful The free breakfast is delicious Free laundry, kayaks, paddle boards, bikes, water fountain Kitchen is well equipped
The Che hostel is right across, but Elmar did a good job for noise cancellation A pool would be amazing ;)
Hi Laurine, Thank you so much for the perfect 10/10 and for highlighting our chill vibes, amazing location, and all the fun extras 😊. We’re thrilled Giovanni and the team made your stay memorable—your feedback truly lights us up! A pool sounds dreamy—definitely on our wish list! — The Elmar Hostel Team
Hi Laurine, Thank you so much for the perfect 10/10 and for highlighting our chill vibes, amazing location, and all the fun extras 😊. We’re thrilled Giovanni and the team made your stay memorable—your feedback truly lights us up! A pool… Show more
Reviewed: 23 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewStaff was very nice. Very nice hostel atmosphere, incredibly clean & comfortable. I highly recommend this hostel if you’re looking for a quiet time.
Nothing
Hi Nancy, Thank you so much for the perfect 10/10 and for recommending our hostel as a peaceful retreat! We’re delighted you found us quiet, incredibly clean, and cozy—and that our team made a positive impression 😊. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back for another serene stay soon! — The Elmar Hostel Team
Hi Nancy, Thank you so much for the perfect 10/10 and for recommending our hostel as a peaceful retreat! We’re delighted you found us quiet, incredibly clean, and cozy—and that our team made a positive impression 😊. We truly appreciate … Show more
Reviewed: 11 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewI had a great time at Elmar, if you’re looking for a chill vibe but still social - this is the place. The two girls and the guy who work there that I met were super nice, and they arranged activities like yoga, meditation, etc. Very clean and spacious dorms. You also get a towel and laundry for free, which is really appreciated as a backpacker! Breakfast nice and extra plus for having Oatly! :) I can highly recommend this place!
Hi Ebba Carolina! 🌿 Great to hear that you enjoyed your stay at Elmar so much. We’re glad you appreciated the relaxed yet social atmosphere, and that the team helped you so well with activities and everything you needed. We hope to see you again soon for more wonderful moments! — The Elmar Team 💛
Hi Ebba Carolina! 🌿 Great to hear that you enjoyed your stay at Elmar so much. We’re glad you appreciated the relaxed yet social atmosphere, and that the team helped you so well with activities and everything you needed. We hope to see you … Show more
Reviewed: 8 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 3 August 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewI stayed at Elmar hostel for 3 weeks (was doing a bit of work in Bacalar while there), and I loved my stay there. The staff are so welcoming and friendly, always willing to help with my Spanish, teach me some Mexican cooking or give local recommendations. The facilities are great quality - clean toilets, shower and dorm - and the kitchen is a really nice space which is perfect for communal cooking. It’s definitely not a big party hostel however the shared areas of the hostel are designed for easy socialising so it’s not difficult to chat and meet new people. This place felt like my home for 3 weeks, and I would recommend to anyone who wants to experience beautiful and chill Bacalar to the fullest. Muchísimas gracias Mely, Hann, Geo and Jaqui❤️
Thank you for staying with us, Isla Bonita! 🌿 It was a pleasure sharing wonderful moments at Elmar with you. This will always be your home, and we can’t wait to welcome you back with open arms. Safe travels! ✨
Reviewed: 1 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewBeautiful , peaceful little heaven in Bacalar
Thank you, Florencia! 🌿 We’re so glad you enjoyed your little peaceful oasis in Bacalar. Can’t wait to welcome you back for more relaxing moments! ✨
Reviewed: 31 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewThe room was very confortable and had a private patio, and the room's private bathroom was beautiful (even though it was down the hall and not attached to the room). There were also a lot of activities like yoga and a cooking class.
When we arrived the staff said we had to pay in cash, even though Booking.com had said we could pay by card
Hi Grego 🌿 Thanks for your review! We’re happy you enjoyed your comfy room, private patio, and all the activities like yoga and cooking 🍳🧘♂️. We apologize for the confusion with the payment — we’ll make sure our instructions are clearer for future guests. Hope to see you back at Elmar soon! – Elmar Hostel Team 💙
Hi Grego 🌿 Thanks for your review! We’re happy you enjoyed your comfy room, private patio, and all the activities like yoga and cooking 🍳🧘♂️. We apologize for the confusion with the payment — we’ll make sure our instructions are clearer fo… Show more
Reviewed: 25 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewNice staff welcoming you. Nice people. Near the lagoon.
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Thanks Hannes! 😊 We’re glad you enjoyed the vibe and the proximity to the lagoon. It’s always a pleasure to host such good energy like yours 🌊 – Elmar Hostel Team 🌿
Reviewed: 14 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewVery calm and peaceful place. The staff is incredibly fun to hang out with and very helpful. I was welcomed by Mely, Hann, and Giovanni, three awesome people! The beds are very comfy and have a curtain for privacy as well as usb ports for charging. They offer great services: free kayak for 1 hour, free bikes, and free laundry. A nice spot to swim is very close by as well as good restaurants and shops. 10/10 would and will come again
It's not a party hostel. I liked it for that reason, some people might want to look for something else if they want a party hostel
Thanks Jonas! We’re so happy to read your message 😊 We’re glad you enjoyed the relaxed vibe, our comfy beds, and all the little touches we put in with care. The three of us send you a big hug, my friend 💚 We’d love to have you back anytime—this will always be your home in Bacalar! 🌊🌿 – Elmar Hostel Team :)
Thanks Jonas! We’re so happy to read your message 😊 We’re glad you enjoyed the relaxed vibe, our comfy beds, and all the little touches we put in with care. The three of us send you a big hug, my friend 💚 We’d love to have you back anytime—… Show more
Reviewed: 4 July 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 5 June 2025 · Stayed in May 2025
Verified reviewGreat hostel and as close to the lake as one could ask. Lovely dorm with nice added touch of privacy curtain, USB and charging port. Showers and toilets were meticulously clean and general great and relaxing vibe to the hostel.
Hi Maisy, Thanks a lot for your kind review! We're really happy you enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere and our dreamy location right by the lake 🌊. It’s great to hear that the little extras in the dorm — like the privacy curtains and USB ports — made your stay more comfortable. We also appreciate you noticing the cleanliness and chill vibe we're always aiming for 🌿. Your feedback means a lot and helps us keep improving every day. We’d love to welcome you back anytime you're around Bacalar! — The Elmar Hostel Team
Hi Maisy, Thanks a lot for your kind review! We're really happy you enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere and our dreamy location right by the lake 🌊. It’s great to hear that the little extras in the dorm — like the privacy curtains and USB p… Show more
Reviewed: 15 May 2025 · Stayed in May 2025
Verified reviewI’m a solo traveler from Taiwan. This place is amazing. If you like a quiet and calm atmosphere. Everything is clean. I love the big window in the room. It’s near to the lagoon. They have great service! I was sick but they took care of me so much! I supposed to stay for only 2nights but I extended to 4nights. I love it 😍
Hi ChiaChi, Thank you so much for your beautiful message — it truly warmed our hearts 🫶 We're so happy that you felt cared for during your stay and that our peaceful vibe helped you rest and recover. That’s exactly the kind of experience we want to offer our guests 🌿 It means a lot to know that you extended your stay and enjoyed the space, the service, and the view from the big window! You’ll always have a home here at Elmar Hostel — sending hugs from Bacalar 💛 — The Elmar Hostel Team
Hi ChiaChi, Thank you so much for your beautiful message — it truly warmed our hearts 🫶 We're so happy that you felt cared for during your stay and that our peaceful vibe helped you rest and recover. That’s exactly the kind of experienc… Show more
Reviewed: 4 May 2025 · Stayed in May 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 30 April 2025 · Stayed in March 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 25 April 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewAmazing hostel, it's clean, wide and in a great location., The staff is amazing, people and the vibe is generally magnificient, would definitely go there again.
Hi Robin, Wow — thank you so much for this amazing review! 🫶 We’re truly honored that you consider Elmar Hostel the best stay of your trip in Mexico. It means a lot to us to know that the space, the people, and the vibe made such a great impression. Clean, spacious, and well-located is exactly what we aim for — and we're really happy that it felt that way for you too 🌿 You’re always welcome back whenever you're around Bacalar. See you next time! — The Elmar Hostel Team
Hi Robin, Wow — thank you so much for this amazing review! 🫶 We’re truly honored that you consider Elmar Hostel the best stay of your trip in Mexico. It means a lot to us to know that the space, the people, and the vibe made such a great im… Show more
Reviewed: 15 April 2025 · Stayed in March 2025
Verified reviewI loved everything about this hostel. The location was great, close to supermarkets, restaurants, bars and city Center. The beds were comfortable and the bedrooms and bathrooms always very clean. I stayed 10 days as I was working and I found different spots from where I could work and have my meetings. The hostel has a chilled vibe, so it was great as well to rest. The staff was the best part! All very friendly, we hanged out and had a good time together. Cooking lessons, and parties with Gus the DJ were the best!
Anything. I would only recommend more sockets in the common areas
Hi Camiii 🌿 Thanks so much for your lovely review! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the cozy vibe, comfy beds, and all the fun moments with cooking classes and DJ Gus 🎶🍳. We appreciate your tip about more plugs in the common areas and will work on it. Hope to see you soon in Germany! – Elmar Hostel Team 💙
Hi Camiii 🌿 Thanks so much for your lovely review! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the cozy vibe, comfy beds, and all the fun moments with cooking classes and DJ Gus 🎶🍳. We appreciate your tip about more plugs in the common areas and will work o… Show more
Reviewed: 13 April 2025 · Stayed in March 2025
Verified reviewThis is a very uniquely designed hostel, with lots of outdoor space that has plenty of chairs, tables and hammocks. The 6-bed female dorm I stayed in was bright, spacious and airy. It also has air conditioning. Beds and bedding were super comfortable, and towels were free. Each bed had a privacy curtain, shelf and light. There were 2 showers, 2 toilets and 2 sinks for the female dorm use only. The hostel is kept very clean and tidy. A basic breakfast is available, so is use of a kitchen. This is not a party hostel and guests are very respectful of each other. Han was the perfect host / receptionist and nothing was too much trouble. She was polite, professional, engaging, friendly and very helpful.
Although the hostel is located on a quiet road, it is opposite the party hostel, Che, which pumps out the non-stop music on a Saturday night to the early hours. Therefore, ear plugs are a must!
Hi Suzanne, Thank you so much for your thoughtful and detailed review — we truly appreciate the time you took to share your experience 🌿 It’s wonderful to hear that you enjoyed the design of the hostel, the comfort of the female dorm, and the peaceful, respectful atmosphere. That’s exactly the vibe we aim to create — chill, clean, and welcoming for everyone. Special thanks for mentioning Hann — we’ll make sure she sees your kind words. She’ll be thrilled to know she made a difference in your stay 🫶 We’re also aware of the noise issue on weekends, and your feedback is important. We now offer earplugs at reception and are actively working on additional solutions to minimize the impact while keeping our space peaceful. You’re always welcome back at Elmar Hostel — The Elmar Hostel Team
Hi Suzanne, Thank you so much for your thoughtful and detailed review — we truly appreciate the time you took to share your experience 🌿 It’s wonderful to hear that you enjoyed the design of the hostel, the comfort of the female dorm, and … Show more
Reviewed: 29 March 2025 · Stayed in March 2025
Verified reviewThe rooms and especially the bed with the curtain was amazing. Very nice terrace to chill outside. The only thing that could be improved is the breakfast: either don't offer breakfast or offer good breakfast. There was only hard toasted bread and 2 types of fruit. The water for the tea tasted like tap water and wasn't really drinkable... In terms of comfort in rooms and facilities I would 100% recommend it.
Hi Clara, Thank you so much for your kind review and for highlighting the things you loved — we're really happy to hear that the dorm setup, comfy beds with curtains, and the outdoor terrace made your stay enjoyable 🌿 We also really appreciate your feedback about breakfast and the tea water. You’re absolutely right — we want the little details to match the comfort of the rest of the hostel. We’ve taken note and are already working on improving the breakfast experience so it feels more complete and satisfying. Thanks again for your honest suggestions — and for recommending us! You’re welcome back anytime 💛 — The Elmar Hostel Team
Hi Clara, Thank you so much for your kind review and for highlighting the things you loved — we're really happy to hear that the dorm setup, comfy beds with curtains, and the outdoor terrace made your stay enjoyable 🌿 We also really ap… Show more
Reviewed: 27 March 2025 · Stayed in March 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 25 March 2025 · Stayed in March 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 3 March 2025 · Stayed in February 2025
Verified reviewI loved the beds here they were really comfortable. The chill spaces were also nice. The showers and bathrooms were very clean. It's within a few minutes' walk to the downtown area.
The owners girlfriend wasn't very polite and banged on my bed every night, waking me up for snoring, which I feel is a normal thing in hostels. It was super annoying.
Thank you for your feedback, Sheena! We’re glad you enjoyed the beds and cleanliness 🌿. We’re very sorry for any disturbance during your rest; in a shared environment there can be some noise, which we try to minimize so everyone is comfortable. We appreciate your understanding and hope you’ll give us another chance so your next visit can be even better. – Elmar Hostel Team 💙🌿
Thank you for your feedback, Sheena! We’re glad you enjoyed the beds and cleanliness 🌿. We’re very sorry for any disturbance during your rest; in a shared environment there can be some noise, which we try to minimize so everyone is comforta… Show more
Reviewed: 3 March 2025 · Stayed in February 2025
Verified reviewLovely female dorm with curtains.
I had high expectations for this hostel based on the reviews, but unfortunately, I was quite disappointed. While the female dorm was lovely and comfortable, the overall experience was dampened by the staff/volunteers. It often felt like they were annoyed when asked for help, which made the atmosphere less welcoming. I also spoke with other guests who had similar experiences, which is a shame because this place has a lot of potential. Good service and a friendly attitude make a huge difference in a hostel, and sadly, that was lacking here. I hope the management takes this feedback into account to improve the experience for future guests.
Hi Caroline, Thank you for your honest feedback. We’re glad you found the female dorm comfortable and charming. However, we’re truly sorry to hear that the service and atmosphere didn’t meet your expectations. We take your comments seriously and are working hard to improve our team’s friendliness and support, ensuring a warm and welcoming environment for everyone. We appreciate your input and hope you’ll give us another chance in the future. – Elmar Hostel Team 💙🌿
Hi Caroline, Thank you for your honest feedback. We’re glad you found the female dorm comfortable and charming. However, we’re truly sorry to hear that the service and atmosphere didn’t meet your expectations. We take your comments serious… Show more
Reviewed: 26 February 2025 · Stayed in February 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 26 February 2025 · Stayed in February 2025
Verified reviewVery friendly staff, clean spacious hostel and they offer free laundry service/bikes/kayaks/small breakfast and yoga! So a very great place to stay in bacalar.
Nothing, I really enjoyed my time here.
Hi Raishna, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the friendly staff, the clean and spacious hostel, and all the activities we offer 🧘♀️🚴♂️🌿. It means a lot to us to know you had a great time here in Bacalar. We hope to welcome you back soon! – The ELMAR Team 💙🌿
Hi Raishna, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the friendly staff, the clean and spacious hostel, and all the activities we offer 🧘♀️🚴♂️🌿. It means a lot to us to know you had a great time here in Baca… Show more