Relax Or Volunteer At A Hostel In The Sky

The light of the early morning trickles through the canopy of the jungle. The leaves whisper under a cool spring tasting breeze that passes through the screens of my private tree house. My senses are slowly caressed into a blissful morning state of mind.

In the hundreds of hostels I have visited in my nearly 8 years of backpacking the world, none can compare. It seems to float among the trees. It’s a place where you can find both peace of mind and epic rum punch fueled parties. It’s where you go when you want to escape the world for an isolated jungle paradise.

This Runaway Retreat is Poste Rojo Hostel in the Nicaraguan jungle.

Volunteer and live for free

One of the most alluring aspects of this runaway retreat is the chance to volunteer. This means that if you’re willing to put in a minimum of two weeks, you can sleep for free, and eat and drink for 50% off. Duties include cleaning, cooking, and working the bar. You can apply when you arrive but since they only allow between 4 to 8 at a time, it’s best to e-mail the hostel in advance. Check out their website for more details, Poste Rojo Hostel.

Accommodations

One of the things I love about this hostel is that they provide multiple sleeping options, from basic to affordable luxury. For just 4$, you can camp out on their yoga deck. For 5$ you can choose from any one of their hammocks. For 8$ you get a surprisingly comfortable bed in their dorm. For 20$ you get a simple private room.

Finally for just 28$, you can find yourself in private tree house complete with hammock, queen size bed, and patio. The perfect place where you and you’re beautiful Swedish lover can make noises that won’t disturb anyone but the monkeys. No matter where you sleep, you will always have a view of the vast Nicaraguan plains below.

The Food

Unfortunately you are limited to the hostel menu. Fortunately, the hostel menu is delicious. Breakfast consists of a delightful egg sandwich with bacon and American cheese. Dinner, known as family dinner, varies by night, costs 5$, and is always incredibly satisfying and filling.

The Drinks

For bartender Danby from the Adelaide outback and many others, the creative and incredibly cheap alcoholic beverage menu defines Poste Rojo hostel. The most popular drink is a wine sized bottle of refreshing Hibiscus tea infused with even more refreshing local rum. They call it punch rum and for just just around 4$, it definitely has a punch.

The Lemon Drop shot is another drink that will kick the costume party into full swing. It’s shot of vodka infused with a squirt of lemon that will make your eyes water and your dancing feet move. The best part, it’s only 25 cents!

Attractions

Aside from epic dance and Full Moon costume parties, this hostel is a place to relax, to view howler monkeys, to meditate or even do group yoga. You can also take a tour of the jungle canopy by zip line or simply swing the day away in a hammock.

How To Get To Poste Rojo Hostel

Flights to Managua from North America can often be found for around 300$ one way. Check out spirit airlines. From Managua you can catch a 1$ bus to Granada. Be sure to ask your driver to drop you off at Pozo D’Oro. From here it’s a small hike up to the hostel. If you do end up going all the way to Granada, fear not. A free shuttle comes every day at 12:30 and picks up backpackers in front of the Bearded Monkey Hostel.

Everything Else

-They do have internet but it is limited

-Everything is billed to a tab so be sure to be careful if you’re on a budget.

-Though it is very safe, there is a night security guard just in case.

-The hostel has a few pools but unfortunately they seem to have gone out of commission.

-During the dry season mosquitos and other bugs are practically non-existent.

-If you want to save money, be sure to buy cigarettes and food in town before you come.

Conclusion

Poste Rojo Hostel must be the brain child of  backpacker genius. It has everything a backpacker wants in a hostel and more. Not to mention, it’s a massive tree house perched in the canopy of a jungle on the side of a Nicaraguan mountain. Words can’t describe how cool this place is, so check out this video below.

*All views expressed here and in all my articles are always 100% my own.