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Relax Or Volunteer At A Hostel In The Sky

March 10, 2013 by The Runaway Guide 21 Comments

a tree house hostel in granada nicaraguaThe 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 dorms at a tree house hostel in Nicaragua

Hanging outside the dorms

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!

the bar at poste rojo hostel

The morning after at the bar

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.

a canopy bridge leading to the yoga deck

Bridge to the Yoga deck

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.

The last moments of an epic stay

The final moments of an epic stay

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.

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Filed Under: Hideouts Tagged: central america, nicaragua, runaway retreats

Let Me Know What You Think!

  1. Cris says

    February 5, 2014 at 8:47 pm

    IM SO glad I found this website. Thanks for sharing so much!

    Reply
    • The Runaway Guide says

      February 11, 2014 at 11:43 am

      No worries Cris, glad you find it useful

      Reply
  2. Matt says

    May 21, 2013 at 5:53 am

    WOW! This hostel is stunning! We need to get them listed on http://www.gomio.com!
    Thanks for your video, we found it on youtube and ended up here! It contains everything in a short way! Simplicity is the key! Thanks for that, Leif!

    Reply
    • The Runaway Guide says

      May 22, 2013 at 8:50 pm

      Nice, glad you like it!!!!

      Reply
  3. Anne says

    April 30, 2013 at 6:03 pm

    Such a cool place!!! I definitely have to go there, that would be so much fun to just chill out and relax in the jungle in a hammock or a tree house.

    Reply
    • The Runaway Guide says

      May 3, 2013 at 12:36 pm

      It’s the perfect place for just that.

      Reply
  4. B says

    March 12, 2013 at 8:11 pm

    I’m so in love. Are there any places similar to this in Thailand?

    Reply
    • The Runaway Guide says

      March 17, 2013 at 1:21 pm

      Hey, I’m sure there are, but I just haven’t found them yet.

      Reply
  5. Jessica says

    March 12, 2013 at 2:43 am

    oh that really looks like such a fun place to stay!!!!

    Reply
    • The Runaway Guide says

      March 17, 2013 at 11:41 am

      Yea, it totally is! Definitely going back one day.

      Reply
  6. Adam - Tropical Nomad says

    March 11, 2013 at 12:38 am

    Hey Leif,
    Funny to think of where you are while all that Fox News bs was happening.. Chillin’ in the jungle in Nicaragua.. haha.. Excellent. Keep finding these cheap spots for South America.

    I will end up planning half of my trip based on the hidden gems you find :)

    So let me know if I have got this right. You can work for your accommodation , get $2.50 dinner as staff and drink vodka (probably rough) for 25cents? Sweet..

    Did you get pictures of the rooms?

    Peace

    Adam

    Reply
    • The Runaway Guide says

      March 11, 2013 at 6:50 pm

      I know right :) Finding cool gems is what I live for! Let me know if you find any once you hit the road.

      Reply
      • Adam - Tropical Nomad says

        March 12, 2013 at 1:27 am

        I have been on the road for 4 years now dude! In New Zealand at the minute.. These sort of gems are a little less common but there are lots and lots of HelpX opportunities and places that will let you work for 2-4 hours per day for free board and food. The backpacker trail here is as well work as your flip flops!

        Adam

        Reply
        • The Runaway Guide says

          March 17, 2013 at 11:40 am

          Hey Adamn,
          that’s awesome dude. Yea, helpx is a good site, I think I will do a post on it in the future, thanks for reminding me.

          Reply
  7. Gabrielle says

    March 10, 2013 at 1:21 pm

    I love this article. I agree this magical place seems to be everything a backpacker would want and need. Very inspiring, I hope I can experience this place one day. Thank you for sharing all of your stories and advice!

    Reply
    • The Runaway Guide says

      March 11, 2013 at 6:56 pm

      Hey Gabrielle, my pleasure. I hope you go too one day :) Let me know if you ever need help finding a flight.

      Reply
  8. Ron | Active Planet Travels says

    March 10, 2013 at 12:23 pm

    Dude this looks like a pretty sick place. Would love to visit sometime! Would make it top notch if they put the pools back in commission but hey I wouldn’t mind spending a couple nights sleeping in a hammock listening to the monkeys…reminds me of Puerto Viejo! :-D

    Reply
    • The Runaway Guide says

      March 11, 2013 at 6:56 pm

      I know, the pools would have been excellent. It looked like there was a jacuzzi too.

      Reply
  9. Jess Jones says

    March 10, 2013 at 12:22 pm

    Well, you’ve sold me. Where do I sign up?! Hopefully we’ll have a chance to meet up before I go! Perhaps San Juan del Sur or Ometepe….
    Thanks for the awesome recommendation!

    Reply
    • The Runaway Guide says

      March 11, 2013 at 6:55 pm

      My pleasure! Just show up and talk to Jo from NY. I think they are still short some staff. :)

      Reply
  10. Micamyx|Senyorita says

    March 10, 2013 at 12:12 pm

    I want to stay there too! I’ll wait for the video :D

    Reply

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Who Is The Runaway Guide?

When I was 16 I ran away from home and traveled the world with nothing but the clothes on my back. Over 10 years later and I'm still "on the run," surviving in style, thriving off adventure, searching for that elusive road to enlightenment, and cultivating the life of travel that I want to live. More...






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