Okay, If you’ve never stayed in a hostel, you might think of it as a step above a correctional facility of some sort, a lot of people believe they’re potentially shady places where they need to have their eye on their belongings at all times. Luckily, that reputation is mainly just based on stereotypes. You might as well know about the positives that are really out there if you’re considering the hostel life for travel. I bet I can convince you that they’re not all that bad.

First and foremost, lets address the elephant in the room: safety. There are so many things about hostels that can help you keep all of your belongings without stress. Many hostels have amenities like safety deposit boxes, private rooms and round-the-clock security. Most hostels also have lockers to put your things in, and you can even bring your own lock; some even have gender-separated dorms.

But what should you expect from a hostel? Usually, you’ll find yourself with simple, basic and decently clean accommodation. Bedrooms and bathrooms will usually be shared if you’re going the cheap route. However, if you get a private room, the most cost-efficient way to travel is going with the dorms. In a few hostels they can be as big as twenty people or more, but don’t let that scare you, as a general rule you’ll find about six to eight beds per room. For more information, click here to see what facts about hostels surprise you. And always remember, don’t knock it ’til you try it!

-H