Ave Garcilazo de la Vega 1588, Lima, Peru | (888) 273-7116
Across from The Lima Museum of Art and close to a mall and attractions
Dorms with bunk beds, lockers, and shared bathrooms
Suites with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and en-suite bathrooms
Rooftop terrace has drinks for sale, a grill, and couches
Free simple breakfast and self-catering kitchen
Bar with a pool table and foosball table
Free walking tours and cooking lessons
Public computers and free Wi-Fi
On-site travel agency
Dated decor and bothersome noise
Breakfast is just bread, jam, and coffee
Dorm and private rooms lack air-conditioning
Wi-Fi is reportedly slow
The two-pearl 1900 Backpacker’s Hostel caters to budget travelers who don’t mind a bit of a divey atmosphere and dated decor in exchange for low rates and a walkable location. The dorms have bunk beds and lockers, while Suites offer flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and en-suite bathrooms. Dorms and Standard Rooms lack air-conditioning, have spotty Wi-Fi, and must share en-suite bathrooms. Decent amenities include a basic breakfast of toast and jam, free walking tours and cooking classes, a small bar, rooftop terrace, and public computers. For those who don’t mind spending a bit more money for privacy, consider the Bayview Hotel for free breakfast and parking, an on-site restaurant, and a Miraflores location.
Scene
Grunge-like, historic hostel with lots of public spaces and freebies
The 1900 Backpacker’s Hostel is a laid-back, budget property. It was built in 1900 and isn’t a new-age hostel with fancy technology or chic and modern furniture. Rather, it has a grunge feel and dated decor. There’s a heavy wooden presence, high ceilings, and mismatched furniture in most rooms. The lobby has a few seating areas with couches -- some of which have visible wear and tear -- plus a reception desk and a travel agency desk. Other spaces, like the bar and rooftop terrace are a hodge podge of decor. For instance, the bar has an elegant chandelier and rose-pink walls that contrast with a modern pop art painting of a vulture, wooden chairs with visible wear, and pool and foosball tables. The hostel encourages its guests of mostly young, budget-minded travelers to interact.
Location
Within walking distance of Plaza Mayor, a mall, Magic Water Circuit, and dining options
This property has a decent location near Lima's city center. It’s a 26-minute walk to Plaza Mayor and 28 minutes to the Monastery of San Francisco. The Lima Museum of Art is across the street and it’s eight minutes away on foot from a mall. There are quite a few dining options within a 10-minute walk from the property. The Magic Water Circuit is a 17-minute walk away. For those who prefer public transportation, there’s a bus stop outside of the hostel. It’s a 36-minute drive to the Jorge Chavez International Airport.
Rooms
Dorms with bunk beds and lockers, and private rooms with a mix of shared or en-suite bathrooms
There are a mix of private rooms and shared dorms with bunk beds at this budget hostel. The dorms sleep up to 10 people and have a simple decor of wooden beds, white bedding, wood floors, and high ceilings. The rooms are only equipped with lockers and small desks or tables. Private room types vary; most Standard Rooms have one to three beds and sometimes small tables and chairs. Like the shared dorms, they lack air-conditioning and come with access to shared bathrooms. The Suites are the most modern in style with white beds and blue accents, trendy antique furniture, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and en-suite bathrooms with vessel sinks, glass showers, and toiletries. Shared bathrooms have multiple showers and toilet stalls. Free Wi-Fi is available, but it's spotty. Hairdryers can be provided upon request. As a building built in the early 1900s, travelers should expect bothersome noise from other rooms and outside the property due to thin walls.
Features
Freebies of simple breakfast, Wi-Fi, cooking classes, and walking tours
The 1900 Backpacker’s Hostel has a decent number of facilities and services for a budget hostel. Each morning, it provides a free, but very basic, breakfast of coffee, juice, bread, and jam to guests. There’s a self-catering kitchen for travelers to use for lunch or dinner. A small bar offers alcoholic drinks and a relaxed lounge with pool and foosball. The divey rooftop terrace provides comfy couches under awnings, a grill, and an honor system ice chest with a variety of drinks. Other freebies include walking tours, cooking classes, and reportedly slow Wi-Fi. There are a couple of public computers for guests to use, and a convenient travel agency on-site.