Reviews of The Wandering Paisa Backpackers Hostel

09 April 2012 Zachary would recommend this property

Liked: It was not until after staying at the Wandering Paisa did I realize how much owner and staff employees level of care makes or breaks a hostel. I had a private room for a month and enjoyed every second of it. For starters, the one owner Brent was almost always around, and was very approachable and knowledgable for first timers such as myself in Medellin. He obviously did an excellent job picking his staff because they were just as accessible and friendly as he was. The location was great just by la setenta. If you want to party, great. If not, no problem. There is something for everybody at this hostel which makes it perfect for all types of travelers. Cooking facilities were awesome, as was the lounge area and the balconies and terraces. This property is rated number 1 on trip adviser for a reason.

Disliked: It made everywhere I stayed after feel like playing rugby hung over.

08 April 2012 Anna would recommend this property

Liked: Excellent atmosphere and friendly staff. They will provide information about local tourist attractions and keep you entertained throughout your stay. I was only there for a couple of days and there was a language exchange evening and a karaoke night and as it was a holiday (Semana Santa, pretty much everything was closed), it was probably one of the liveliest places in town that weekend. The hostel has a bar (good value for money) and a TV lounge, as well as an area with a little library and hamacas- perfect for a lazy afternoon.

Disliked: A little bit too noisy at times and cleanliness of the bathrooms.

03 April 2012 Jason would recommend this property

Liked: Enjoyed the location very much. Close to estadio and metro. Close to night life and short taxi rides to more night life. Staff was very accommodating and friendly. Owners are very nice and helpfull as well. This is not a party hostel but there are events in the bar. On holiday celebrations the place can get going pretty good. One of the things I enjoyed was that several locals come to the bar events. There is a language exchange on Thursday nights and local Paisas are always in attendance.

Disliked: Jason left no negative feedback.

29 March 2012 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: Great common areas. Nice bar with good prices. Fee bikes to ride.

Disliked: Customer left no negative feedback.

26 March 2012 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: Great events! St Patty's day party complete with decorations, green beer, beer pong, and a live fiddler! The owner (Brent) goes out of his way to make sure everyone is having a great time!

Disliked: Customer left no negative feedback.

15 March 2012 aran would recommend this property

Liked: Well, what can i say, i had planned to stay at The Wandering Paisa and Medellin for a couple of weeks, but ended up staying for 2 months! This hostel was the best hostel i stayed in throughout my trip in South America. Miles (aka Edward Norton) and Brett, the owners were amazingly friendly and helpful. The staff, Gisella, Diana, Jay, Oap, Danni and all the other support staff and maids were equally lovely, friendly and helpful! They are all such lovely people who made my two months in Medellin one of the best times of my life. They really encouraged and helped me with my Spanish too, as before i came to Medellin, i hadn't ever spoken a word! The hostel is clean, the beds are amazing, in fact they are orthapedic mattresses! If i could i'd give this hostel 110 percent!! Highly recommended. Check out Doc on Karaoke night too. A great language exchange night. Movie night, free salsa lessons, the list is endless. And a great selection of films to watch too! The Wandering Paisa Hostel is Perfecto!!

Disliked: Nothing, its amazing!

06 March 2012 Tilesh would recommend this property

Liked: Great thought and attention to detail has been given to this whole hostel. From the location to the all the different ammenties available. The staff are amazing and very helpful, I just wish we could have stayed longer. One of my favorite hostels Ive been too while travelling. If I was ever going to open a hostel it would be like this one!! 10/ 10

Disliked: If anything there seemed to be no back yard light... But I never asked if there was one, so its not really an issue! :)

06 March 2012 Gino would recommend this property

Liked: I was originally going to stay for a week, and ended up staying for 3 while looking for an apartment! Very secure hostel, with reliable and knowledgeable staff (friendly too). Fun karaoke party's on Thursday nights. Nice location, away from the tourist trail, and really close to a great pizza place. Lots of social areas within the hostel help give space to relax. The owners (two kickass but chill brothers from Seattle) are around in the evenings to make sure things run smoothly. Overall a great hostel to stay in.

Disliked: nada

31 January 2012 Tanya would recommend this property

Liked: Nice place, very friendly and helpful girls at the desk. Fantastic bathroom in the ensuite dorm. Area of Medellín felt very safe.

Disliked: You have to pay to use the computers, but wifi is free.

23 January 2012 Lindsey would recommend this property

Liked: The hostel is clean and is well equipped. It's in a nice location close to the subway. It is clear that the owners are travelers themselves. They have payed attention to the little details that make a hostel great.

Disliked: nothing

05 January 2012 Alexis would recommend this property

Liked: The best hostel in Medellin. Very well organized and the owners are a great couple of guys from the states. Everything was very clean and they have 24 hour reception. No issues coming in late or waking up early and wanting to grab a coke from the fridge. Karaoke night was awesome and I had the pleasure of being there for their 1 year anniversary which was very cool, they had a live choir and the owners even belted out a few tunes. Very good vibe and la 70 is very safe and a great alternative to Poblado. They have salsa night, karaoke, and language exchange. A board on the wall outlines all the events of the week, so you always know what's going on. The girls working the front desk were very helpful and I must say that Diana is probably the most beautiful girl I have ever seen ;) . If you want hookers and drugs, go to Poblado, if you want to stay at a cool, clean, safe, laid back but very fun hostel, look no further, this is truly the other side of Medellin. Hope to be back for the ferria. If you stay anywhere else in Medellin, your doing yourself a disservice.

Disliked: nothing, I just wish I would have stayed longer.

04 January 2012 Chris would recommend this property

Liked: One of the best places I have stayed at in 7 months of travelling. A perfect place for those who like the middle ground - party on the weekend, and more mellow during the week. Thursday-Saturday are the party nights, with a great language exchange night on Thursday that brings in the locals. It has great staff (very switched on, helpful and upbeat, often speak Eng. + Span.), great spaces (hammocks you will have to pry yourself out of) and good kitchen, and even a couple of boutique beers on tap. Would stay again.

Disliked: Bathroom upstairs got a little gnarly - but it was the busy period and some staff were on holiday. Rest of the place was clean. Local bars are average, but it is very near the metro so you have easy access to the best nightlife.

22 December 2011 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: Staff was great and very helpful with tips for seeing the city. Kitchen was well-stocked, good atmosphere, language exchange nights were fun

Disliked: nothing

20 December 2011 Andrew would recommend this property

Liked: Excellent hostel, good vibe, good staff. They looked after me when I was ill too! They literally have everything you could wish for, and it is a good mix of the chilled out life as well as the party vibe if you want it, without being too crazy. Also, it is owner managed and the 2 owners are there very often, so the customer service you get is really good too. Great facilities! Good location too, seems very safe in the area.

Disliked: Nothing!

19 December 2011 Vincent would recommend this property

Liked: This Great Hostel has nice dormbeds, great veranda with hammocks, nice and helpfull staff, and great events lots of nights where friends from the hostel and locals join in too. Salsa, movies, parties, all with relaxed people and space to avoid these events.So a nice and travelling atmhosphere. And yes, they have great movies and not to forget WII mario Kart, for multiplayer heaven on rainy days! very secure hostel as well.

Disliked: private lights in the dorms would make it ultimately perfect

26 November 2011 Roisin would recommend this property

Liked: Really homely atmosphere, great kitchen, lovely rooms, helpful friendly staff, there are always things on, great location, definitely the best hostel in Colombia, i would recommend it to all :)

Disliked: nothing!

11 November 2011 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: Perfect, safe location. Clean and nice staff people. Legendary karaoke evenings.

Disliked: None

11 November 2011 Jaime would recommend this property

Liked: location

Disliked: nothing

10 November 2011 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: Brent and the staff were incredibly helpful. The Wandering Paisa offers a friendly, laid-back in a great neighborhood. We'd recommend the hostel to anyone interested in visiting the awesome city of Medellin. Three other bonuses: -The Castle offers great views of the city, especially at night. -The very relaxed bar offers three kinds of Medellin-brewed beer on tap. -Ask about the Pablo Escobar tour with Alejandra and Nikolas. Brent set it up for us, and it was very informative.

Disliked: Nothing.

01 November 2011 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: Very helpful, friendly staff, good actvities on offer (language exchange, movie night, salsa lessons etc), nice neighbourhood with big shopping centre close by

Disliked: Nil!

14 October 2011 Alejandro would recommend this property

Liked: Very friendly staff, good location, good beer at the bar.

Disliked: Small rooms, you feel a bit cramped, no proper space for luggage

02 October 2011 David would recommend this property

Liked: This one connects all the dots. Three supermarkets within a five minute walk. An over the top staff, craft brewed beer on tap in the bar, half a zillion eateries and bars within ear shot and all sorts of stuff to do on site during the week. You can´t go wrong here but just remember there is no nonsense at the front door day or night. Rats!

Disliked: I liked it all, light sleepers want to request the rooms at the back. Late night salsa folks will do fine in the front dorms.

05 September 2011 David would recommend this property

Liked: Relaxed atmosphere, involved owners, very helpful and friendly staff, easy to get to transport, safe area, comfortable beds, clean, the list goes on and on. A lot of work went into making this a great hostel.

Disliked: Nothing I can think of.

13 August 2011 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: It was a nice hostel, nothing was really bad. Nice atmosphere, multiple common rooms, really good shower. Nice they have lockers in the rooms.

Disliked: It was not that clean, but it was ok. Also, the staff was ok, but not the best I've ever met. Also the location could be better, but is was still ok. So, nothing was really bad, nor was it the best hostel I've ever stayed in. However, wouldn't mind staying in this hostel again. I read in another review the 'Bolivia' room is quiet packed, and this is true. As you book, you cannot choose another room (at least, we couldn't), but you can ask for another room with a little more space for 2000 pesos extra.

12 August 2011 Marita would recommend this property

Liked: I booked for 4 nights and ended up staying 15. Was meant to change to another hostel in poblado to meet up with a friend. But after just 1 night at The Wandering Paisa, and paying a visit to the poblado hostel, I knew that I wouldn't be moving. The staff were amazing, I think the nicest I've had in my 6 months in South America. All the facilities and the whole set up of the hostel could not be any better. Loved the beer on tap in the bar. And the type of guests that were attracted to the hostel also made it a memorable stay. I hope I get to go back again one day.

Disliked: Having to leave.