Caroline in the Everglades

Between four days at a hip but pricey hostel in South Beach Miami and four days in the Florida Keys (more on both later), I spent one night in the Florida City/Homestead area. It’s the jumping off point for exploration of the Everglades National Forest, one of only two types of these wetlands in the world with over 1.5 million acres

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While I could go on about how beautiful the area is and how it is packed with wildlife, what I found most special was Everglades International Hostel, a piece of home in the middle of nowhere. I read about the hostel in the Hostels U.S.A. guidebook a few years ago and remembered them when I was planning the Ultimate Florida Road Trip.

I contacted them about staying there and they were kind enough to put me up in one of their luxurious Nenby suites, which are like freestanding apartments with their own kitchens, living rooms and pools. There’s even a waterfall in one of the pools, which you don’t expect to find in this oasis nestled in suburban Florida.

You can also expect your standard dorm rooms, which guests have been known to almost move into when they fall in love with the hostel, its staff and the area. They’re also each set to a specific theme. If you want to feel even closer to nature, you can also camp on the grounds. But you’ll have to share your space with the hostel chickens and iguanas.

There are the 2 pools with waterfalls that I mentioned earlier, a full kitchen, television room and computer room, all with 24 hour access. There’s also WiFi for those who travel with their laptops. Parking was plentiful, which was a relief after spending $8 per day to park in Miami.

And what would a hostel be without the activities? Everglades International Hostel runs their own tours to the parks, including kayaking and hiking excursions. If you prefer to do it on your own, you can rent bikes and canoes. Indulge in the all-you-can-eat free pancake breakfast before leaving on an excursion.

I even climbed up to their new ropes course, which has a hammock at the top and a view of the hostel. The hippie eco-lodge vibe here very much reminds me of Arts Factory Lodge in Byron Bay, Australia. Guests are encouraged to reuse as much as they can, bringing their own towels and composting. You’ll find a few long-term guests here, all characters in their own right.

When I think about my extensive time spent in hostels, both here in the US, Europe and Australia, one thing remains constant for the properties that I fall in love with: homeyness. In Australia it was Ozzie Pozzie Backpackers, in Charleston it was the Not So Hostel, in Split it was Silver Gate Hostel and in London it was Palmers Lodge. The staff here was fantastic, which only added to the appeal. They even have their own intern who hopes to open her own hostel one day!

Everglades International Hostel kindly hosted me for one night, but all opinions are my own. To book a room at Everglades International Hostel, see their website or listing on Hostelworld. For more information on hostels in the United States, check out the Hostels U.S.A. guidebook.