The Humpback Turtle

Just came back from spending 4 nights here and the hostel has a super relaxed and chill atmosphere, Juan who worked here really made us feel welcome and at home. The food was some of the best I've had on the trip, the rooms and common areas are cleaned daily and we had a great time on all the tours recommended by the hostel.

First of all: THANK YOU so much!
I just finished my 5 nights stay at the hostel and I wish I would have stayed longer already!
I loved the atmosphere/friendly vibe, the location right by the beach, the staff and don't have anything to complain about.
I arrived there with a friend and my baby and I was welcomed from the first moment. There was only a bed available for 2 nights in dorm because I came spontaneously without booking in advance so I decided to stay in my own hammock that I brought, because you can close it. Therefore I cannot say anything about the comfort of the hammocks but I loved the space where we slept and the three of us were super welcomed there.
Since it was complicated to take my baby on a whale tour because of the weather conditions, one of the ladies working there spontaneously offered that they can take care of my child while I'm gone (that was on the last day we were there). Both me and my baby felt super at ease with everyone so he did stay there alone and there were SO many caring and loving people spending the morning with him until I got back around lunchtime (I was gone for around 5 hours! ). This was something that really touched my heart — apart from just the whole atmosphere.
There are many more positive things I could mention, but I definitely recommend going there and just getting your own impression. I went on several tours and was really enjoying all of them as well!

I just finished a 4 night stay in one of the cabanas my son stayed six in the dorms!
My partner and I were definitely the oldest people there, but it was a great vibe and the staff is wonderful. The first night we had a cabin that shared a wall with the dorms and I thought I was going to need to move to a different lodging because it was loud. In the morning I talked to Annie and she showed me two other options I took one on the middle of the hostel. Halfway between the dorms and the fire pit. It was perfect and I slept well every night after that. The food is good, but there is also a kitchen where travelers get together and can cook there own meals.
The beers are icy cold at the hostel but you definitely need to visit Rodrigo at the bar for sunsets! (Also if you are traveling here and have a spare set of binoculars Rodrigo would greatly appreciate them)
The hostel can arrange a wide variety of hikes and tours. We went out on the whale watching tour and it was epic.
My son did a guided waterfall hike, it is best to do with a guide because you need to be very aware of the tide. We went back with him and no guide and we were literally minutes from being stranded by until low tide.
The only reason I am giving this place 4 and not 5 stars is they don’t have a designated smoking area.

Great hostel to stay in Valle. The staff is very friendly and always asking what they can do for you. The place and bathrooms are very clean. The bar is a good place to hangout, music is not loud like other places. Right in the beach where I was walking at 10pm and saw a turttle looking for a place to put her eggs.

Had a great stay at the Humpback Turtle. After a bad experience with another hostel they welcomed us at the last minute with open arms. All of the staff was lovely and helpful, the rooms and bathrooms were clean and organized. The location was incredible, probably the best spot on the beach, far from the more trafficed areas with less trash.

We really enjoyed our stay. The staff was very helpful, specially the natives Camila and Manuel. The cabins were very natural and had nice decoration.
Btw Manuel is a great surf teacher!

Spectacular location, clean spaces, comfortable rooms and with a very friendly staff. They guide you so that your passage through Chocó is involviable, making contact with the best guides in the area and contributing to make it a magical experience. Thank you very much to all 💛

One of my favorite hostels ever. Really hard to leave this place. Lots to do here, but also one of the easiest places to just chill.
There’s ocean and jungle and a river to explore. The beach is spectacular and the only one selling anything is a guy with the best ceviche in the world. The people in El Valle are super nice, but they don’t cater to tourists. It makes you feel more like you belong than you are intruding in their little piece of paradise. The staff at Humpback were great, and It was really tough to say goodbye to Rayo, the hostel dog.
And if you want a local guide, I’d recommend Fidel Castro (his real name). He took us on a river nature trip that was amazing.

Mucho Love for this place! Was volunteering here for 2 months, even for a big part during the Corona Lock Down. They took really good care of us and we could help them with painting and other maintenance during the Lock Down period. The cooking and the ladies in the kitchen are awesome! The whole coast is spectaculair, never in my life I've been in such a pristine beautiful place. The jungle is just mind-blowing! And I wasn't even there during whale season, that must make it even more crazy. The whole staff has a super good spirit, and there is really nice community vibe with the kids and people from El Valle:) Overall I have traveled a lot the last 10 years, but this place is something else.

Spectacular hostel, beautiful facilities, excellent customer service from start to finish.
I would like to return as a volunteer; I spoke to two volunteers who were there for two months and told me that it has been the best experience of their lives; the team behaved beautifully with them, and it was very nice to help them; so I'm sure I'll apply for volunteering. 100% recommended.

What a great hostel! The best energy in a magical place. I highly recommend it.