Located in the heart of Zona Colonial, Island Life Hostel offers a vibrant atmosphere with cooked-to-order breakfast, rooftop terrace views, and lush gardens. Relax by the outdoor pool or challenge friends to a game at the arcade/game room or billiards/pool table. With dry cleaning/laundry services and tour/ticket assistance available.
Located in Zona Colonial, a neighbourhood in Santo Domingo, Island Life Hostel is near a metro station and near the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Three Eyes National Park and La Caleta Underwater National Park, while Amber World Museum and Museo del Duarte are cultural highlights. Centro Cultural de España Santo Domingo and Larimar Museum are also worth visiting. Visit our Santo Domingo travel guide
Calle Isabel La Catolica #356, Colonial Zone, Santo Domingo, Distrito Nacional, 10210
What's nearby
Alcazar de Colon
3 min walk - 0.3 km
Calle Las Damas
4 min walk - 0.4 km
Calle El Conde
7 min walk - 0.6 km
Columbus Park
7 min walk - 0.6 km
Santa Maria la Menor Cathedral
8 min walk - 0.7 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
Granier
4 min walk
Restaurante Delicia Campestre
5 min walk
Restaurante Atarazana
3 min walk
About this property
Island Life Hostel
Hostel near Malecon
Consider a stay at Island Life Hostel and take advantage of free cooked-to-order breakfast, a rooftop terrace and a garden. Stay connected with free WiFi in public areas, and guests can find other amenities, such as an arcade/games room and dry cleaning/laundry services.
Other perks at this hostel include:
An outdoor pool
A round-trip airport shuttle (surcharge), tour/ticket information and a TV in reception
A billiards/pool table, luggage storage and a front desk safe
Barbecues
Room features
All guest rooms at Island Life Hostel offer amenities, such as safes.
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
Pets not 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 at the property
Important information
Optional extras
Airport shuttle fee: USD 35 per vehicle (one-way)
Credit card charges are subject to a surcharge of 4 per cent
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.
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
We should mention
This property does not have any lifts
Children 18 years old and younger are not permitted at this property
Only registered guests are allowed in the 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
Does Island Life Hostel have a pool?
Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.
How much does it cost to stay at Island Life Hostel?
As of 11 Mar 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Island Life Hostel on 25 Mar 2026 start from ฿1,205, 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.
Is Island Life Hostel pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
What time is check-in at Island Life Hostel?
Check-in start time: 1 PM; check-in end time: midnight.
What time is check-out at Island Life Hostel?
Checkout is at 11 AM.
Does Island Life Hostel provide a shuttle to the airport?
Yes, there's an airport shuttle. A fee of USD 35 per vehicle applies.
Where is Island Life Hostel located?
Located in Zona Colonial, this hostel is within a 15-minute walk of Museo del Ron y la Caña and Malecon. Church of Saint Barbara and Museo del Duarte are just steps away.
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Reviews
Island Life Hostel Reviews
8.6
Excellent
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.More informationOpens in a new window
Exactly for what you need: a night close to the airport
Mylene
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025
10/10 Excellent
Larry
15 Jul 2024
Excellent staff and even better price
Larry
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
8/10 Good
Mylene
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.
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
10/10 Excellent
Nayna
20 Apr 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!
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!
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.
Gaoussou
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022
2/10 Terrible
kurt
20 Dec 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
4/10 Poor
Arjun
20 Dec 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.
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 .
Jill
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026
4/10 Poor
carla
3 Dec 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
6/10 Okay
SEBASTIEN
7 Apr 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 .