hostel advice - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**pinknic38** · 03-02-2009, 11:31 AM

Okay so I'm off to Cartagena, Colombia here in 19 days (not that I'm counting or anything!

) and I originally booked a hostel at North Star Backpackers which was the only one that came up on all the hostel search engines. I read the reviews and they were a little subpar for me, especially one of the most recent reviews being from a US female traveler in my age bracket who said she felt uncomfortable there because the hostel staff was trying to hook up with her and be inappropriate. Other reviews had other complaints but that specific one really bothered me.

That's a bit unsettling as a female traveler who, at the time of the trip, will be 4 months pregnant. I don't know how much of this girl's review was ignorance of culture and/or behaving like an ignorant female tourist or if she legitimately had a valid complaint.

I found another smaller hostel for around the same price by just googling around. It isn't on any of the hostel booking sites and I can't find reviews of it anywhere so I'm nervous about that one also. It's run by some Austrian guy who came to Colombia and loved it and he has a Colombian wife. That's all I know.

I don't know if I am making a big deal out of this but right now I'm at a loss as to where I want to stay. I made reservations at both but definately need to cancel the North Star one if I don't stay there so I don't get charged....

What do you guys think? Normally I wouldn't mind because I am always smart when I travel and I know how to handle myself, but maybe because I'm traveling solo as a 24 year old American girl and also pregnant I'm just being hypersensitive.........

**mbo108** · 03-04-2009, 04:18 AM

at the risk of getting reprimanded by the super independent travelers out there - have you checked a Rough Guide or Lonely Planet or some other guidebook and see what they recommend for Cartagena?

**pinknic38** · 03-04-2009, 06:22 AM

there isn't much in LP as far as Cartagena (or Colombia in general goes) but I think I will stop by B&N after class is over and have a look-see at the Rough Guide.

**Canadian Bacon** · 03-12-2009, 10:03 AM

The only thing I can comment if I'm looking to hit on a girl, if I know a girl's pregnant, I generally will move on. Men sort of look at it as - "the flag has already been planted."

Actually I think people would treat you nicer... offer you seats, stuff like that. I am always really nice to pregnant women.

**pinknic38** · 03-12-2009, 10:08 AM

haha well I'm not TOO visibly pregnant which was my original worry. I'll likely be wearing dresses most days and only in my swimsuit will it be like "oh hello she's with child". not even that really, I just really didn't want to stay at sketch city because as much as I want to say I'm not mildly nervous visiting Colombia - I am. I'm super excited, but a little nervous also.