Vista Verde Lodge

DO NOT STAY HERE – THEY WILL SCAM YOU! This was by far the worst hostel experience I have ever had. Not only was the staff completely incompetent, but they also tried to scam us for extra money and treated us like garbage. On our first night, we were never informed that the gate would be locked with a padlock from 00:00 to 06:00. We went out to meet our friends at another hostel and came back late, only to find ourselves locked out in the jungle, with no internet, no light, and no way to get inside. We shouted for 15 minutes, calling out in both Spanish and English, but nobody answered. We were genuinely terrified—stranded in the dark, with no idea what to do. Eventually, we ran to Zephyr Lodge and asked for help. After some time, they managed to contact a staff member from our hostel, who rudely told us we had five minutes to get inside, or he would lock the door again. No apology, no concern for our safety—nothing. The next day, instead of apologizing, they gave us a complaint because other guests were “disturbed” by our shouting. So everyone heard us, but nobody helped?! Disgusting behavior. And then it got even worse. They falsely accused us of damaging their metal gate, claiming we had thrown large rocks at it. Some random “neighbor” supposedly saw us—in complete darkness, with no lights nearby?! Absolutely ridiculous. We NEVER threw anything. This was clearly just a scam to get more money out of us. They tried to charge us a 300 quetzales fine for something we did not do. And when we checked out, they ambushed us with six staff members, none of whom spoke English. We tried our best in Spanish, even using Google Translate, but they refused to listen or even read what we showed them. They also added an extra 200 quetzales in “taxes”—which was never mentioned anywhere in our booking. This hostel is a complete scam. They trap you, lie to you, and try to steal your money. On top of that, the staff is rude, unhelpful, and completely unprofessional. STAY AT ZEPHYR LODGE INSTEAD! They were kind, helpful, and even offered us a place to sleep if we couldn’t get into our hostel. Amazing people—nothing like the trash running this place. And before the hostel responds with the usual “they are lying”, like they have done with other guests—go ask Zephyr Lodge about the girls who stood outside their door at 1 AM, crying, with nowhere to sleep. Because that was us.

I’ve been backpacking for five months and never stayed at a place I hated so much. The worst staff, they’re are ridiculously rude. I wanted to cancel my order one minute after making it and they refused and forced it to me when I said I didn’t want it anymore. Walked away from me and yelled aggressively at me when all I wanted is for them to keep for me tomorrow. They say everything is not possible when it clearly is, the rudest woman works here, wifi sucks, water leaks into the dorms, they left a dirty bin on my friends bed, there’s a woman that haggles here every night to everyone, and just a very very weird and off atmosphere. Worst service I’ve ever experienced in my life.