peter E.
Google
Review: Beautiful Views and Great Vibes, But Watch Out for Hidden Fees
We had a very pleasant stay at Viajero Hostel Salento, though it was a bit of a mixed bag due to some transparency issues at checkin. Here is the breakdown of my experience:
The Highlights: Scenery and Staff
The physical setting of the hostel is breathtaking. The view of the surrounding landscape is easily one of the best in Salento, providing a perfect, peaceful backdrop for a morning coffee or an evening wind-down.
The absolute standout of the stay was Alejo, the activities host. He was superb! Alejo is incredibly kind, high-energy, and clearly loves what he does. He went above and beyond to make sure everyone felt included and had a great time during the organized events. He truly represents the best of the Viajero spirit.
The Downside: Payment Transparency
Unfortunately, the check-in process left a "bad taste" due to a lack of transparency regarding payment. When paying with a credit/debit card, the terminal was set up to force payment in my home currency rather than the local COP (Colombian Pesos).
* The Issue: This resulted in an automatic 7% surcharge on the total cost of the stay.
* The Interaction: When I pointed this out, the receptionist insisted the 7% extra was mandatory.
* The Result: This felt very intransparent and intentionally misleading, as it wasn't communicated beforehand.
Final Verdict
While the location is stunning and the social atmosphere (thanks to Alejo!) is top-tier, the price-to-performance ratio felt a bit off because of these hidden fees.
Pro-tip for travelers: If you stay here, I highly recommend bringing enough cash (COP) for your stay to avoid the forced currency conversion fees at the desk.