Heart of Santo Domingo.With a stay at this Zona Colonial hostel, you'll be steps from Museo del Ron y la Caña and Amber World Museum. Church of Saint Barbara and Iglesia de Santa Bárbara are also within half a mile (1 km).
You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. Free breakfast is available daily. Public spaces have free WiFi.
An outdoor pool, a rooftop terrace, and barbecue grills are also featured at Island Life Hostel. An airport shuttle (available 24 hours) is available for a fee.
Smoking is allowed in designated areas at this Santo Domingo hostel.
9 guestrooms or units
Cooked-to-order breakfast (free)
Terrace on the roof
Dry cleaning
Self-service laundry
Front desk (limited hours)
Storage area for luggage
Front-desk safe
Tour and ticket information
Game room or arcade
Pool or billiards table
Garden
BBQ grill(s)
Outdoor picnic space
Television in lobby
Smoking in designated areas
Bar or lounge
Island Life Hostel offers 9 accommodations with safes. Guests can make use of the shared/communal kitchen. Bathrooms include showers. Housekeeping is provided daily.
Free cooked-to-order breakfast available daily 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM
A bar/lounge
Things to do
Arcade/game room
Billiards/pool table
Outdoor pool
TV in common areas
Accessibility
No elevator
Room amenities
Bathroom
Shampoo
Shower
Towels provided
Food and drink
Shared kitchen access
More
Safe
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 1 PM; Check-in end time: midnight
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out
Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out available
Special check-in instructions
The property charges 4 percent for credit card payments
The front desk is open daily from 6 AM - midnight
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property ahead of time using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after midnight please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
All guests must show a valid passport. This is the only form of identification that is accepted at this property.
Access methods
Front desk (limited hours)
Pets
No pets allowed
Children and extra beds
Children 18 and younger are not allowed at this property. All guests older than 18 are welcome.
Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
Cribs (infant beds) are not available.
Property payment types
Important information
Optional extras
The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.
Airport shuttle fee: USD 35 per vehicle (one-way)
Credit card charges are subject to a surcharge of 4 percent
This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, and a first aid kit
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy. A cash deposit for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in. Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, debit cards, and cash. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, and a first aid kit in each accommodation.
We should mention
Children 18 years old and younger aren't allowed at this property.
Registered guests are the only ones allowed to be in guestrooms.
Property is also known as
Island Life Backpacker's Hostel Santo Domingo
Island Life Backpacker's Santo Domingo
Island Life Backpacker's
Island Life Hostel Santo Domingo
Island Life Santo Domingo
Island Life Backpacker's Hostel
Life Hostel Santo Domingo
Island Life Hostel Santo Domingo
Island Life Hostel Hostel/Backpacker accommodation
Island Life Hostel Hostel/Backpacker accommodation Santo Domingo
Frequently asked questions
How close is Island Life Hostel to the airport?
Island Life Hostel is 12.4 mi (32-min drive) away from the Santo Domingo (JBQ-La Isabela Intl.) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.
How much does it cost to stay at Island Life Hostel?
As of Jun 10, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Island Life Hostel on Jun 18, 2026 start from CA $54, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
Does Island Life Hostel have an airport shuttle?
Island Life Hostel offers an airport shuttle 24 hours a day, for a charge of USD 35 per vehicle, one-way.
How close is Island Life Hostel to the beach?
This hostel is 1.2 mi (2-min drive) from Playa Montesinos and 1.5 mi (6-min drive) from Playa Punta Torrecillas. Don't forget your sunscreen!
Does Island Life Hostel offer free breakfast?
Island Life Hostel offers free cooked-to-order breakfast every day from 7 AM to 10 AM.
Is there a casino at Island Life Hostel?
No, there is no casino at this hostel, but Casino Colonial (8-min walk) and Casino Diamante (4-min drive) are nearby.
What time is check-in at Island Life Hostel?
Check-in start time: 1 PM; Check-in end time: midnight.
Is there free parking at Island Life Hostel?
Free parking is not available at this hostel.
Does Island Life Hostel have a pool?
Island Life Hostel features an outdoor pool.
Does Island Life Hostel have a spa?
There are no spa services available at this hostel.
How close is Island Life Hostel to downtown Santo Domingo?
Island Life Hostel is 0.8 mi away from Santo Domingo.
Island Life Hostel Reviews
Reviews
8.4
Very good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
The staff were amazing and helpful . They seemed to work so hard. The room was very clean . The hostel was a great layout with large communal areas and surround to pool was nice to relax by .
Island Life Hostel is in a perfect spot of Santo Domingo that made it easy to walk around town. The hostel itself is clean, good amenities, and friendly staff!
The staff is very welcoming, it is a place that makes you feel at home right off the bat!
I will recommend this place, for sure!
eric
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022
Verified
8/10 Good
Mylene
Mar 17, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
It was good enough for what I needed. Just to crash for a night. People staying there were really nice and all the staff there helped me with everything that I needed.
Very nice hostel in a great location. Right near the top attractions, restaurants and bars. The staff is absolutely amazing and the nicest people. They are very helpful in giving tips and advice on how to navigate the city and answer any questions. Would highly recommend.
I love the hospitality of the staff! Everyone is so welcoming and easy to talk to. I also like how safety is important to the staff and the presence of security. I stayed by myself in a private room and it was very clean and cozy. The wifi didn't work so great, but the area is so beautiful and full of life that I didn't want to spend much time in my room anyway. The size of the hostal combined with the amenities, such as the pool table, made it easy to socialize and make friends with other travelers. Breakfast is great as well. The bar is great. The dogs are so chill and friendly. There was a great mixture of people available to speak Spanish, English, French, and even Italian. I definitely recommend staying here.
Brianna
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Nayna
Apr 20, 2025
Liked: Staff & service
I stayed here for 4 nights. Met some amazing people from around the world. The owner is great and made me feel very comfortable. There was a glitch initially but he sorted it out in no time. Nothing was too much trouble for him. He made me feel well looked after. I'll definitely visit again!
Nayna
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025
Verified
2/10 Terrible
kurt
Dec 20, 2022
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities
No hot water. Smelled bad. Dirty mattress. Dogs living on the property barked all night.
This was my first ever experience in a hostel . At first when I arrived I thought as though I may of made a mistake from the entire environment. Very different from a hotel . I was here on a couples visit . But as I settled in I realized I was getting exactly what I paid for and I got the hostel experience. The owner and manager are really great guys and will do everything within their power to make you feel welcome and feel like a home away from home . Hostels unlike hotels really push for a more social atmosphere and I meet some really great people .Had a lot of fun at the bar and one day had there Nachos (and they are very good ) I ended up loving this place . But know exactly what you are getting .
Ronald
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023
Verified
4/10 Poor
Arjun
Dec 20, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service
Loved the property and the people I met there - just had a big complaint about the owner. I've stayed in dozens of hostels while travelling through over 30 countries but this has been the most incosiderate hostel owner I've ever seen.
He likes keeping his dogs on property both of which like barking really loudly at random noises throughout the night which kept me up. He also just brings his friends over on weekdays from out of the hostel to e party right in front of the rooms (they didn't even go to the common area) which also kept me up. Also someone got sick in my dorm and was asking the owner if he could get some medicine or some help from the owner who was on property, but the owner refused to even go to the room to see him.
I wouldn't recommend booking this property because I think it's a bad idea to give money/support a bad hostel owner like this one.
Arjun
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023
Verified
4/10 Poor
carla
Dec 3, 2025
Disliked: Amenities
Internet que não chegava no quarto, segurança que não fala o idioma e trata mal por não ter o cartão, falta de indicações
La limpieza y muebles de la propiedad deja mucho que desear, al igual que la atención al cliente, el personal fue inaccesible con la reserva desde antes de llegar a la propiedad. Al igual que la comunicación fue limitante ya que no todos hablan bien el español.
Constanza
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025
Verified
6/10 Okay
SEBASTIEN
Apr 7, 2024
Disliked: Cleanliness
Bien placé
L'hôtel est bien placé pour visiter la zone coloniale a pied
On a tout fait en une demi journée...
La pasé muy bien en el hotel , el personal muy acomedido y las instalaciones en buenas condiciones y sobre todo la ubicación para ir a los diferentes lugares turísticos ... excelente .