Questions, answered

Every “Book a bed” button opens Macondo's own booking engine (LobbyPMS), where you pick dates, the room type and the number of guests. If you add dates on a room page we pass them along. You can also message the team on WhatsApp. Macondo is listed on Hostelworld and Booking.com too — if you book there, their terms apply.

No. This site never takes bookings or payments; it only hands you over to Macondo's booking engine. Your reservation exists once you complete it there (and, per Macondo's conditions, the team then contacts you about the deposit).

Macondo's booking conditions say that after you complete the reservation form the team contacts you to request 50%, and unpaid reservations may be cancelled.

In Macondo's own engine: free cancellation up to 3 days before check-in. For stays between 20 December and 20 January, public-holiday weekends and Semana Santa, changes or cancellations are accepted up to 7 days before. Third-party sites have their own rules.

Macondo lists cash, Nequi and Davivienda bank transfer, and says it doesn't take credit-card payments at check-in.

Rates change with dates and season. The booking engine shows live prices, so that's the only place we send you — we'd rather not show a number that's out of date.

From 14:00. Hostelworld lists check-in until midnight; arriving later than that? Message the team on WhatsApp before you travel.

12:00 in Macondo's own booking engine and on Hostelworld. Booking.com shows 11:30 — if you booked there, confirm with the hostel. Either way, the terms in the channel you booked through apply.

When possible. Macondo says it gets guests in as soon as it can — and if the room isn't ready, there's free coffee and a hammock while you wait. It isn't guaranteed.

Yes — luggage storage is free, and guests can keep using the bathrooms and common areas while waiting for a night bus. Hikers heading out for a few days can leave bags too.

The Small Double, the Double with private bathroom and the Twin with private bathroom. The 8-bed dorm has its own large bathroom for the people in that dorm (Booking.com lists it as private; confirm the exact layout). The Double and Twin with shared bathroom and both 4-bed dorms use a shared bathroom just outside or next door.

No. Rooms have fans — Macondo's listings show them, and a recent Hostelworld review notes the same (no AC, fans instead). San Gil afternoons are warm, so plan accordingly.

Macondo describes hot water in its private bathrooms and in the shared bathrooms next to the dorms and shared-bath rooms.

Macondo mentions towels for the Twin rooms and the Small Double. For dorms it doesn't say — ask, or bring your own travel towel.

Yes — the 4-bed female dorm, which faces the garden with a hammock out front. There are also a 4-bed and an 8-bed mixed dorm.

The Twin with private bathroom (a double + a single) sleeps up to 3 in Macondo's engine. The Twin with shared bathroom is booked for 2, and Macondo says a third person can be added for an extra cost. Or book three dorm beds.

Yes, free security lockers for guests (for the 8-bed dorm they're just outside the room, under CCTV). Several private rooms also have a safe.

There's a large, well-equipped guest kitchen. Macondo doesn't have a restaurant or serve breakfast; free coffee is available to guests.

Small — Macondo calls it a small plunge pool (its Spanish copy sometimes says jacuzzi). It's for cooling off, not for laps.

Yes, free Wi-Fi.

No on-site parking, but Macondo says there are several affordable car parks nearby.

There's a TV room with Netflix; the bedrooms don't have TVs.

Social, not a party hostel. Expect group dinners, board games, Tejo Tuesday and people planning adventures together — plus quiet corners of the garden when you want them.

Very likely. The team helps solo travellers find buddies for activities, and Tejo Tuesday is where a lot of friendships start.

Macondo publishes its booking conditions in English and Spanish and hosts lots of international travellers — message in whichever language you're comfortable with.

The team arranges many activities with local operators — rafting, paragliding, bungee, caving and more are listed in Macondo's own activity notes. Message them with your dates; they confirm availability, price, timing and transport. Macondo's notes say most are paid on the day; the team will tell you how for each one.

The certified operator: minimum ages, weight limits, health conditions, swimming ability and whether conditions are safe on the day. Be honest with them — and if something feels wrong, don't do it.

Ask the operator exactly what cover is included for your activity, and check that your own travel insurance covers adventure sports.

Listings differ, so please confirm with the team. Hostelworld lists Macondo as child friendly. Booking.com says children of all ages are welcome (ages 4+ charged as adults, no cribs or extra beds) but also lists a minimum check-in age of 18 for the person checking in.

No — Macondo's booking conditions say pets aren't accepted.

We haven't been able to verify step-free access or accessible bathrooms. If you need specific access, message the team before you book so they can tell you honestly.

Carrera 8 #10-35, San Gil, Santander — in town, about 0.7 km from the centre by Hostelworld's estimate, a short walk from the main square.

Long-distance buses arrive at San Gil's terminal; from there it's a short taxi ride. Message the team with your arrival time and they'll point you the right way.

Satena sells Bogotá–San Gil flights to the small Los Pozos airport (LPZ); check its current schedule. The nearest big airport is Palonegro in Bucaramanga (BGA). Third-party listings mention a paid airport shuttle — ask the team whether it's available.