The Octopus's Garden offers a peaceful setting to relax while staying connected. Unwind in the serene garden, enjoy coffee at the cafe, or dine at Casa De Hule restaurant. High-speed WiFi keeps you online, and multilingual staff make you feel at home.
Downtown La Cruz, a neighbourhood in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, is home to The Octopus's Garden. Nayar Vidanta Golf and Cruise Ship Terminal are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Bay of Banderas and Playa Bucerías. VidantaWorld and Los Arroyos Verdes are also worth visiting. Visit our La Cruz de Huanacaxtle travel guide
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco (PVR-Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz Intl.)
33 min drive
Restaurants
La peska
13 min walk
Mariscos García
3 min walk
Osos Oyster Bar
10 min walk
Tacos On The Street
6 min walk
Iguanacaxtle Restaurante
4 min walk
About this property
The Octopus's Garden
Hostel near Bay of Banderas
A terrace, a coffee shop/cafe and a garden are just a few of the amenities provided at The Octopus's Garden. The on-site restaurant, Casa De Hule, serves dinner. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi, with a speed of 25+ Mbps, and guests can find other amenities, such as a library and an outdoor entertainment area.
Other perks at this hostel include:
Free self-parking
Cooked-to-order breakfast (surcharge), charcoal grills and a gift shop
Luggage storage, a water dispenser and multilingual staff
Room features
All rooms are individually furnished, and include comforts such as laptop-friendly workspaces, as well as thoughtful touches such as free WiFi and dining tables.
Other conveniences in all rooms include:
Hairdryers and soap
Private fenced gardens, wardrobes/cupboards and microwaves
Daily cooked-to-order breakfast available 8:00 AM to noon for a fee: MXN 150 per person
A bar/lounge
A coffee shop/cafe
A restaurant
Restaurants on site
Casa De Hule
Coffee Bar
Things to do
Library
Family friendly
Dining table
In-room microwave
Conveniences
Gift shop/newsstand
Limited-hour front desk
Lockers
Luggage storage
Shared microwave
Shared refrigerator
Water dispenser
Guest services
Change of bedsheets (on request)
Change of towels on request
Housekeeping on request
Multilingual staff
Outdoors
Barbecue grill
Garden
Outdoor entertainment area
Terrace
Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: 8:00 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age - 18
Check-out
Check-out before 11:00 AM
Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open daily from 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
If you are planning to arrive after noon please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
Guests should be aware that 3 cats and 1 dog reside at this property
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Access methods
Front desk (limited hours)
Pets
Pets stay for free
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are available for MXN 200.0 per day.
Cots (infant beds) are not available
Payment types at the property
Important information
Optional extras
Fee for cooked-to-order breakfast: from approximately MXN 150 per person
Rollaway bed fee: MXN 200.0 per day
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.
You need to know
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or 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
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards and cash
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a security system, a first aid kit and outdoor lighting
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.
We should mention
This property does not have any lifts
Property is also known as
The Octopus's Cruz Huanacaxtle
The Octopus's Garden La Cruz de Huanacaxtle
The Octopus's Garden Hostel/Backpacker accommodation
Frequently asked questions
Is The Octopus's Garden pet-friendly?
Yes, pets are allowed at this property.
How much is parking at The Octopus's Garden?
Self-parking is free at this property.
What time is check-in at The Octopus's Garden?
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: 8:00 PM. Late check-in is available during limited hours.
What time is check-out at The Octopus's Garden?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is The Octopus's Garden located?
Located in Downtown La Cruz, this hostel is within 1 mi (2 km) of La Cruz Square and Bay of Banderas. La Cruz Sunday Market and Playa la Manzanilla are also within 15 minutes.
Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?
Yes, this property offers free cancellation on selected room rates because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.
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Reviews
The Octopus's Garden 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.More informationOpens in a new window
The staff were very friendly and helpful when I had questions. The room was nice, it had a comfortable bed and the host brought in a fan. There are lots of hangout spaces at the hostel. I had a great stay!
For a solo traveler on a budget this is a shangra la...friendly family like atmosphere with coffee shop and pizza in the same location and many smiles! Im going back its a great place!
I was very impressed with my stay here. As an American who speaks little Spanish, the fact that there was always a core group of English-speakers with whom I could speak with around the kitchen and living room areas made my stay very “easy” and pleasurable.
Many nice amenities here besides, including a regularly available fitness area with classes taught upstairs — and downstairs a patio with espresso coffee, a restaurant and live music on some evenings. A bright spot to hang out for a while in a small, charming seaside town.
David
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Marjorie
17 Jan 2025
This hostel is magic for the soul. The staff are all happy and helpful. The restaurant has amazing food. They have live music some days. And it attracts a great mix of travellers both young and older. Stay a while and make new friendships. Aruna the owner is a very special woman who does her best to help with all your needs I highly recommend it.
Great hostel close to bus stop and just six blocks to Marina and town square. Well organized with each room having a shelf space in kitchen. Entire place is open and spacious. Private and Shared rooms. My private room was double bed with AC and a fan. Never needed the AC. Ability to do wash and hang clothes if needed. Quiet and safe. Great pizzeria in garden area for evening meal. Beer, wine and limited spirits available. Fantastic gift shop that should be visited even if not staying here. Definitely will come again if in town.
After 6 days at Octopus Garden, I did not ever want to leave, but with a sweet wife, two sons and four grandkids under 6 years of age at home, I realized that it was time after a full month in Mexico.
The room, while basic, was spotlessly clean, the bed comfortable, and unfailingly quiet.
The young volunteers from Europe, South Ameria and other parts were exceptionally well-mannered and friendly and hard working.
The kitchen produced terrific salads and meals; a wood fired pizza oven turned out great pies. Coffee drinks made to order, a gallery of native art and crafts.
Good restaurants, a fine marina, pickleball courts and good swimming beaches nearby, and with easy access to PV by bus, La Cruz has it all.
Yoga classes, Tai Chi, dancing, goodbye parties, and an eclectic mix of quiet dogs and cats rounded out a beautiful human experience.
Aruna, the proprietress, is a study in calmness, confidence, and skill in hosting guests at the Octopus Garden! I will be back next year for sure!
I love staying in Hostels and this was the best experience I have ever enjoyed. I had a private room and so had the luxury of an AC unit but rarely needed to turn it on. The Dorm rooms were all equipped with fans. The shared kitchen had everything you could need in the way of cooking utensils. I shared many a great meal with other guests. The staff there was so helpful and accommodating. Ruben even found a yoga mat for me to use and cleaned it for me. Aruna, the owner was so gracious and welcoming. She had run this Hostel for some 30 or 40 years and was beloved by everyone in the town. There was a beautiful studio upstairs that offered Yoga classes, Tai Chi, Salsa Lessons and many other community events so you could stay entertained without leaving the Hostel. There was also an Italian restaurant attached with the best Pizza I've ever had.
They even roasted and ground their own coffee right on the premises, so it was a popular coffee spot in the morning. It felt like home because of the amazing staff there. I have already rebooked for a month next year!
Glaeshia
Stayed 14 nights in Dec 2024
Verified
4/10 Poor
jacqueline
31 Jan 2025
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Lovely greeting from owner upon arrival but hardly saw her again.Nice fresh air (though no glass in large bedroom window;big lovely sounding fountain, wonderful scented towels, not many bugs, large common area, fully equipped kitchen, though microwave was filthy .
DO NOT EAT IN THE RESTAURANT, in the hostel. Way WAY overpriced (we would never pay this price in Canada, for the worst lasagna I’ve eaten in my life); spinach salad didn’t have much on it, tasted good, but was also way way overpriced for what it was. owner hostel highly recommended this restaurant! No mirror in bedroom; no walls in so called private bedroom, it was like office cubicles with partial walls and no ceiling. You could hear every conversation outside of the bedroom and in the kitchen. confusion of quiet times as three different times were posted and not fixed after two requests. Zero night staff. You are on your own. BLARING TV from owner’s apartment, right above the rooms, even after apology from owner and repeated the next night. TV on very late into the night. Owner has lived there for decades and didn’t even know this!Nuisance dogs in restaurant. Really stinky docile dog outside of bedrooms.
jacqueline
Verified
6/10 Okay
Verified traveller
1 Dec 2025
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities
My 3rd stay in a private room at Octopus Garden. Almost empty and the place seems to be struggling to keep going. The new live music cantina across the street keeps it noisy until 10:30. The men's shower was disgusting- hasn't been cleaned in ages. My bedsheets were stained so i used my travel blanket. After 3 visits, i will look elsewhere next time.
Didn't receive any information at check-in on how the hostel worked, restaurant, activities or where the hostel facilities were vs private areas. Booked a private room, but there's no ceiling and all the rooms are connected from above so you could hear everything going on in all the the other rooms. Kids yelling, people slamming doors, talking on FaceTime till late.
Firstly, the owner, Aruna, charged my credit card multiple times and then charged me cash for the full stay, insisting she was not supposed to refund anything so I had to deal with that for about 1 week. Secondly, the hostel is the most filthy, disgusting place I have ever stayed at. There is no true housekeeping. The toilets are disgusting and smelly and the garbage where the toilet paper is disposed of overflows all over the floor. The showers appear to have never been cleaned. The garbage in kitchen is not often changed and sits in the sunny patio and overflows with maggots that run rampant in the hostel. There are local families that rent out the hostel and take over the kitchen and common areas and their children run and scream everywhere. Young children are allowed to stay in dorm rooms with other guests. The hostel kitchen overlooks a dog kennel of sorts with about 15 dogs that bark all day and go to the bathroom in the open courtyard so the smell throughout the hostel is stomach-turning, esp in the kitchen. There are no ceilings in the rooms or glass windows so noise from the establishment across the street, which blasts music on loud speakers late into the night is unbearable. It is a very loud hostel and area with dogs barking all the time, music playing and cars/motorbikes racing past. I will never stay at another hostel again after this experience as it ruined my trip,
Muy comodo y social para el Año Nuevo.
Muy diverso de clientes en edad y circumstancias.
Restaurante italiana con excelente pizza.
Centro de cultura, clases, etc.
Venta de cafe orgánica.