Surviving A Hostel Part 2

Now that I have introduced hostels and what they are, we will now go into how one would acquire a bed in one.  Just like hotels, there are many different hostels in any given city and one of the most difficult aspects of the process is deciding where you are going to stay.  The easiest way to find a hostel would be via the Internet; with two of the most popular websites being www.hostels.com  and www.hostelbookers.com.  If you do not have access to the Internet, you can always use a telephone book or just show up and see if they have a vacancy.

For this post I am going to walk you through how to book a room using www.hostels.com.

Hostels.com's Homepage

As you can see from this screenshot, Hostels.com's homepage is very user friendly and easy to navigate.  For this upcoming "Trip" that we are going to book, we will be going to Goa, India from October 23-28th.  If you did not already know, Goa is a province of India on the coast of Arabian Sea. 

Goa is in the center of the screen

Now that we have decided where and when we are going, we need to look for a hostel to stay in for the duration of the trip.  Upon hitting the "Search" tab on the homepage, you are redirected to a page filled with listings.

Hostels.com listing page

As you can seen from the screenshot, it has the listings in the center with a section to filter the results on the left of the screen, as well as tabs to sort by at the top.  Now, we are going to look into the top rated hostel and book a stay.

The top rated hostel is Evershine Guest House with a 91% rating based off of 9 reviews. In their listing, Evershine states that they are a welcoming guest house located in the rain forest with a peaceful and fun atmosphere.  Evershine states that they are a 5 minute walk away from the famous Anjuna Beach as well as from a flea market.  They expand into their location is walking distance away from a a post office, yoga studio, as well as restaurants.  

Evershine Guest House's info page

Further down the page, they have their rates listed with everything from a Basic 4 Bed Dorm, to a Superior Single Private suite.  The rates at this hostel are relatively cheap (as is the rest of India) with prices going from $4.28 to $13.71 per night.  

Evershine's Price Index

After reviewing Evershine's facilities and policies under the price index we are now going to select and book our room.  I selected 1 guest from the tab to the far right of the Basic 4 Bed Dorm and the total of my stay will be $22.10.

My total cost

 From here I selected the "Book Now" tab and was taken to a basic billing page, where it shows a receipt of your transaction and asks for your billing information.  On that page you have the option to pay in either US Dollars, British Pounds, or Euros.  Naturally, if you decide to pay in a currency different from USD, the rates will change.  You also have the option of buying cancellation protection in which you would get your 10% down payment back, but considering it is only $4.21 I think I'll pass. From here you just fill in your info and complete your booking like a normal Internet sales transaction.

Billing Receipt

Congratulations on booking your stay and I wish you the best on your trip.

A few pointers for your first hostel stay:

1. Get a lock for your pack/suitcase
1. Most hostel goers are friendly and honest, yet you don't want to walk into your room and see a stranger rummaging around your stuff.
2. Go in with an open mind and open heart
1. It makes your stay much better once you meet people and make friends with the staff and visitors.  You never know who you are going to meet and what adventures they will take you on.
3. Go to the grocery store
1. Most hostels have kitchens for the guests to use.  Buying food and making it yourself will save you money compared to eating out every meal.
4. Have your memories be your souvenirs
1. Yes, I know that handmade wooden monkey is really unique and would look great on your mantle, yet how the hell is that going to fit in a 40 liter pack filled with clothing.
2. Bring a camera and take pictures to show your friends and family where you went and what you did.
1. Also, pictures are great for reflecting upon the trip later in life.
5. Bring a notebook
1. Get a travelers notebook and bring it with you to keep track of your thoughts and reflect.
2. They are great for sharing your story as for written words are most likely going to last longer than your memory.
1. Plus, it's easier to give it to your mother to read rather than tell her EVERYTHING about your trip.
3. Moleskine Classic Notebook
1. A good inexpensive notebook that is great for traveling.

Alright, well that is it for this week, I hope you all go out and book a trip soon and wish you the best of luck.

-JAscher