I Stayed At A Hostel In The Middle Of The Ocean — Here's What Happened

A whole new travel experience.

Hi! My name is Arielle, and I am currently doing a program called Remote Year. That means I'm working remote while traveling abroad, writing about all the cool places I see in South America.

Arielle Calderon

I spent a week in Cartagena, Colombia, and while planning my trip, came across a hostel called Casa en el Agua.

Arielle Calderon

Which literally means, "House on the Water." Obviously I had to go!

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Due to popular demand, they start taking reservations 60 days out. Most people in my Remote Year group decided to go, so we reserved as soon as possible.

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Highly recommend you do this!

So, how do you get there? Casa en el Agua is a two-hour boat ride from Cartagena. It's not a day trip, you've got to sleep at the hostel at least one night.

Arielle Calderon

The next boat ride back to Cartagena isn't until the following afternoon.

And your options are toughing it out on a hammock...

Arielle Calderon

...or sleeping on a bed.

Arielle Calderon

I personally stayed in the 8-dorm bedroom, and I will say it was HOT (I went mid-November). I couldn't sleep very well. Luckily I brought a portable mini fan and that pretty much saved my life.

Read more about accommodation options and prices here.

Once you get there, you check in (don't forget your passport and Colombian cash!!) and you'll choose your lunch options and get a tour of the hostel.

Arielle Calderon

If you forget your passport, make sure you email yourself a digital copy or save it on your phone as this can work as an emergency resort.

And you MIGHT panic about the bathroom and bucket shower situation. It's not pretty, but you're at a house in the middle of the ocean, so...

Arielle Calderon

For the bathroom, you go #1 and #2 in the same toilet but different holes. Sounds confusing but you'll understand when you see it.

For bucket showers, they ask you not to use it during the day — only at night. Honestly, if you're only staying one night, I'd just wait until you get back to Cartagena.

For food and drinks, the hostel makes lunch and dinner (at a cost) and free breakfast in the mornings. You can bring your own food and snacks though if you need it!

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For lunch and dinner, the staff catches fish and other sea creatures. You can choose a veggie option as well if that isn't for you.

Arielle Calderon

I paid extra for lobster, and I've got to say, it was GOOD. You can't get more fresh than this.

And as far as drinks go, it's always happy hour! So make sure to ask for two drinks at a time (or let them know you'll have the next one when you finish the first).

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Cocktails are two for COP$40,000 ($13 USD). My biggest advice is to just bring way more cash than you think. I brought around COP$500,000 ($155 USD) but I only spent about half.

They offer lots of activities (at a price) like snorkeling, kayaking, diving, subwinging, and a plankton tour.

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The plankton tour wasn't available for us since there was a full moon. 😭

You can also jump off the second floor of the casa into the ocean!

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I was too scared to do this but all my friends had fun! 😂

And of course, you can just chill out and enjoy the turquoise sea.

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And watch a beautiful sunrise.

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Overall, Casa en el Agua is a really fun experience and you should do it if you're in Cartagena, Colombia!

Arielle Calderon

Just understand that you're in the middle of the ocean and not everything will go as planned and things will be a little more "grungy." But if you embrace it and just enjoy yourself, it will be a blast.

Now go explore the world!

Arielle Calderon

Arielle Calderon is a writer temporarily based in Latin America participating in Remote Year. If you have any tips on cool places, events, or things to eat in Bogota or Mexico City, email her at [e-mail] or DM her on Instagram.