Bed sheets and pillows are provided at the hostel. Renting towel is possible with a small fee.

What is there to do in the hostel?
‍There is plenty of stuff to do at our hostel. You can play volleyball, ping-pong, washer, pool, spikeball, foosball table, swim in the pool, beer pong, have a jam session, make a bonfire on the beach or have a movie night. Upon availability you can also get a massage or a tattoo while seeing and listening to the waves!

Yes! We even have a co-working space for digital nomads or for people who are working/studying remotely. We also have a generator to make sure you’re always connected in case of power cuts.

‍You will surely appreciate our little pueblo for its peace and quietness. Different from the busy nightlife in Montañita or the crowded landmarks of Baños, Puerto Engabao is a remote oasis with only a few bars and other hostels around town, including our own. Surfing and doing yoga are the main activities but these are not the only activities to do here. Take a walk around town, go for a run on that infinite looking beach at low tide and enjoy a sunset. You may also meet local people in the village, play soccer or volleyball with them at one of the local courts.And last but not least: We are having one of the best skateparks in Ecuador! Skate board rental available for 5$/day 😉

We only accept US Dollars. But don’t worry there is many ATM in Playas, 30 min by bus.We also accept credit cards with an extra fee of 10%

This could happen for two reasons. Either we already have a full house for the dates you’ve chosen, or because there’s a problem with the length of your stay, it doesn’t follow the minimum night policy (depending on the season) of 3 nights or 6 nights. If you want to be sure you can still write us, sometimes we can arrange something for you.

We only accept US Dollars. But don’t worry there is many ATM in Playas, 30 min by bus.We also accept credit cards with an extra fee of 10%

Anyone aged 14 or over is entitled to stay at the hostel as long as they are accompanied by a parent/guardian that is over the age of 18. This must be pre-arranged with the hostel. Anyone over the age of 18 can stay here without any restrictions.

Yes we do! Depending on the season and packages available, dinner and breakfast is cooked and served by the Free Spirit staff. However, the guest kitchen is equipped with a stove/oven, a fridge, cooking supplies and a cabinet to store your food, is accessible anytime.

Since it’s opening, The Free Spirit Hostel has built part of its experience on the type of food we consume, and the way we appreciate it. Although we offer fresh fish once a week, all of our dinners are vegetarian. Instead of meat, our team match different flavors, combining spices, fresh local vegetables and original ideas to excite your taste buds in a creative manner. Meat is available at the supermarket in Playas, and you’re welcome to cook it back at the hostel. Dinner is served family style, meaning that guests, staff members and owners get together for dinner to sit together on one big table.

By Taxi:
We offer a taxi service directly from the Guayaquil airport for 75$US (85$US from 10pm to 7am). To book a taxi, please message us via facebook or email.

By Car:
It’s about a 1h30 ride from Guayaquil. Take the ‘Via a la Costa’ to Progreso, in Progreso follow the signs to Playas Villamil. Once you get to Playas take the road to Engabao, from there continue on the dirt road to Puerto Engabao and follow the “Via a la Playa” sign to find us right in front of the beach.

By Bus:
From the terminal Terrestre de Guayaquil, take a direct bus to Playas (directo), which usually leaves every 30 minutes with “Cooperativa Villamil or Cooperativa Posorja”. Watch out, the last bus leaves at 8 pm (if you miss it, you will easily find a taxi). Once you are in Playas ask for the bus to Puerto Engabao or take a taxi for around 8$US to our hostel.

From Quito to Guayaquil:
Avianca, Tame, LATAM offer almost hourly flights from Quito to Guayaquil starting from 50 $US.

You can also take the bus from Quito (Bus Terminal Quitumbe) to Guayaquil which takes about 8-10 hours and costs 12 $US.

From Baños, Cuenca, Mindo, Otavalo, Cotopaxi:
Get yourself to Guayaquil and follow the indications above from Guayaquil.
From Montañita, Olon, Ayampe, Puerto Lopez, Manta:
Take one of the direct buses from “Cooperativa Manglaralto” passing by the coast all the way from Manta to Playas, and follow the indications above to get to the hostel from Playas.

We offer a taxi service directly from the Guayaquil airport for 75$US (85$US from 10pm to 7am). To book a taxi, please message us via facebook or email.

Sure, as long as you let us know by mail what time you’ll be arriving when you make your initial booking. We can then arrange your arrival with our driver if you want to use our transport services, or we will explain to you how to access to your room via email.