Island Life Hostel puts you in the heart of Santo Domingo, within steps of Museo del Ron y la Caña and Church of Saint Barbara. Highlights at this hostel include free cooked-to-order breakfast, an outdoor swimming pool and a bar/lounge. .This hostel has free WiFi in public areas, a rooftop terrace and a games room. Added amenities include laundry facilities, a garden and barbecues. Each morning free breakfast is served. There's also the convenience of an airport shuttle. .Attractions within a 10-minute drive of this Zona Colonial hostel include Malecon and Sambil Santo Domingo.
Santa Maria la Menor Cathedral - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
Malecon - 14 min walk - 1.2 km
Getting around
Eduardo Brito Station - 4 min drive
Santo Domingo (SDQ-Las Americas Intl.) - 27 min drive
Restaurants
Pat'e Palo European Brasserie - 3 min walk
Casa de los Dulces - 3 min walk
Restaurante Atarazana - 3 min walk
Sabina Bar - 3 min walk
Restaurante Delicia Campestre - 5 min walk
About this property
Island Life Hostel
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
Games 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 a safe. Guests can make use of the shared/communal kitchen. Bathrooms include a shower. Housekeeping is provided on a daily basis.
Free cooked-to-order breakfast available daily 7 AM to 10 AM
A bar/lounge
Things to do
Arcade/game room
Billiards/pool table
Outdoor pool
TV in common areas
Conveniences
Laundry facilities
Limited-hour front desk
Luggage storage
Safe at front desk
Guest services
Dry cleaning/laundry service
Housekeeping (daily)
Tour and ticket assistance
Outdoors
Barbecue grill
Garden
Picnic area
Rooftop terrace
Accessibility
No lift
More
Designated smoking areas
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
Special check-in instructions
The property charges 4 per cent 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.
Cots (infant beds) are not available.
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 per cent
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 guest room 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 all 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
Are there any beaches close to Island Life Hostel?
Yep, Island Life Hostel is a short 15-minute walk from Playa Montesinos.
How much does it cost to stay at Island Life Hostel?
As of 25 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Island Life Hostel on 29 May 2026 start from NZ$79, including 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 a pool?
Island Life Hostel has an outdoor pool.
Does Island Life Hostel serve breakfast?
You bet, complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast is served daily between 7 AM and 10 AM.
Is there a free airport shuttle available at Island Life Hostel?
No, but there's an airport shuttle that runs 24 hours a day for a fee.
What time are check-in & check-out at Island Life Hostel?
Check-in begins at 1 PM. Check-out time is 11 AM.
Are pets allowed at Island Life Hostel?
No, pets are not allowed.
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 .
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.
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!
Exactly for what you need: a night close to the airport
Mylene
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025
8/10 Good
Mylene, Calgary
17 Mar 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.
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.
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 .
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!
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 .
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.
This place is like an oasis in a desert of sulking, scowling misery. Pedro is an excellent manager and super helpful. The staff are smiling and extremely pleasant. This has an amazing effect on the travelers mood. The young Frenchman is an amusing character. The Hungarian volunteer who showed me to my room was especially awesome. The small rooms are really all one needs and the colonial character fits in with the zone. All of the important sites are within ten minutes walking distance. Free wi-fi and about 150 pesos for an Uber to the bus station. A little noisy in the courtyard at night but the cacophony of conversation is constant like white noise on the TV so I slept well. Don't waste your money - stay here!
Located in an a stuning building, having a great atmosphere with the guests and staff. The breakfast is good and you'll have everything you need. Dont skip this one while travelling around the D.R.