Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca Private Room

Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca in San Salvador

In El Salvador by Erik @ DIY Travel HQ28 Comments

Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca is the 2nd hostel in San Salvador for owner Malcolm – find out his winning recipe for making backpackers leave with a smile!

Contents

Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca: Location

Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca has a central location with easy access to public transportation.

We here at DIY Travel HQ found it very convenient as there is a bus that literally stops in front of the mansion to go downtown, and many other locations.

Just ask at reception for any bus numbers since we chose to explore San Salvador on foot.

Another option is to consult the 26 page information guide that includes everything you want to know about San Salvador, and how to get around.

You can also check out our 1 Month El Salvador Travel Itinerary here.

Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca Armed Guard & Bus Stop

Transportation couldn’t get any easier from Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca.

For longer journeys, you can catch 101A/B from the north side of Parque Cuscatlan to go to Santa Tecla, or bus #102 that goes to La Libertad from the southeast corner.

Both are 5 minutes away on foot. The useful Terminal Occidente is less than 2 km away as well.

Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanco Map

Take a look at the map for a quick reference to your surroundings.

Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca: History & Décor

Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca used to be known as the Lopez Mansion. It was built in 1950, and furnished in 1951.

You can still see some of the fine wood furniture in the house today.

The remainder of the decor was selected to complement the history of the mansion.

Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca Wood Furniture Decor

Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca combines the elegance of a mansion with the usability of a hostel.

Malcolm purchased the Lopez Mansion in 2015, and did extensive repairs to bring the property up to standards and customize it for travelers.

He officially welcomed guests in May 2016, six years after opening the original Hostal Cumbres del Volcan in San Salvador.

Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca

Welcome to your sanctuary from the hustle & bustle of San Salvador.

Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca Common Areas

The common areas at Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca really shine, and are setup perfectly for mingling among guests.

No matter where you turn, there is a different place to sit with a unique function.

Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca Common Areas

There are plenty of spaces to meet other travelers at Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca if you so desire.

  • Outdoor Lounge & Balcony

The exterior courtyard is adjacent to the dorm bathrooms and features a few tables with chairs.

This setting is perfect for chatting under the night sky, and knocking back a few cold ones.

There is also an upstairs balcony with a hammock if you want to lounge for a bit and turn a few pages during the day.

Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca Exterior Courtyard

Take a breath of fresh air in the outside courtyard, and enjoy the skies above.

  • Kitchen

The kitchen is the highlight of Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca.

Everyone has heard of his & her sinks, but now you have his & her kitchens.

A breakfast bar island divides two identical kitchens.

Each side has a fridge, stove, sink, and drying rack. In the drawers along the window you will find all the cooking accessories, with a few spices on the counter tops.

Grab some ingredients while exploring San Salvador, and have a feast upon your return.

Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca Kitchen

You will enjoy the thought behind the kitchen layout and accessories.

  • Dining Room & Courtyard

Just outside the kitchen is the dining room and courtyard.

Grab your meal and take a seat at the wooden dining table or bar stand against the wall.

The surrounding courtyard is filled with natural light and plants to create a pleasant ambiance.

Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca Dining Room & Courtyard

When was the last time you were able to enjoy a sit down meal that you cooked yourself while traveling?

  • Reception Area

Take a load off in the Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca reception area.

Whether you are waiting to complete check-in registration, or just want a comfortable place to surf the net there is ample wicker seating to relax near reception.

This is also a great place to learn from the staff what is on offer in San Salvador, and how to get there.

Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca Reception Area

Whether you want to research your stay in San Salvador online or in person, the reception area is a great place to do so.

  • Entertainment Room

The entertainment room at Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca is right when you walk in.

You can watch TV, listen to music, or make your own at the piano or with the guitar.

This is another great place to read and enjoy a cup o’ joe with seating around a coffee table.

Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca Entertainment Room

Pick your instrument & start playing some tunes. If you aren’t musically gifted, then listen to some on the radio or TV.

  • Second Floor Lounge

If you are looking for something more comfortable & less confining, then consider the upstairs lounge.

There is a futon lined with pillows that makes reading or doing work on a laptop luxurious with light originating from the two windows.

Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca Upstairs Lounge

You have excellent ambient light coming in from the windows for reading, or working on a laptop.

Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca: Room & Dorm Options

Inside Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca there are four private rooms ($30-35), and a handful of dorms ($8/person).

All dorm rooms have metal bunk beds with comfy mattresses.

Most dorms consist of a max of 4 people, but there is an 8 bed dorm upstairs. The perk there is access to your own balcony.

Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca Dorm Bunk Beds

Sleep well with a comfy mattress and only 3 other people in most dorm rooms.

Private rooms generally consist of two double beds, with the best room in the house being the Volcan Chichontepec room.

This large room has a double bed, and access to their own private balcony complete with rocking chairs.

Crack the windows for a cooling breeze, or turn on the powerful mini-fan to be blown away.

Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca Private Room for Four

You can really spread out in the spacious private rooms.

Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca: Bathrooms

The main bathrooms for the dorms are adjacent to the outside courtyard.

There are four colorful toilet and shower compartments, with two shared sinks.

You shouldn’t have to wait to use one at any time of day.

Enjoy the hot water after a long day exploring San Salvador.

Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca Dorm Bathroom

Choose the temperature you want, and have a shower caddy to put all your toiletries.

From what we saw, there are at least two private bathrooms that adjoin rooms.

They come complete with your normal fixtures, but we especially loved the raised faucet so you don’t have to run your hands against the sink while washing them.

Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca Private Bathroom

The private bathrooms are very spacious, and have little touches to make you feel at home.

Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca: Amenities

Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca has your usual staples for accommodation, and then some.

The Wi-Fi is fast, and reaches all corners of the house despite thick walls.

There is also the option to do laundry at $2.50 per wash and dry, respectively.

This is a nice option since El Salvador does not have many laundromats.

Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca Playing Piano

There are some awesome, unique perks to staying at Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca.

Some of the rare extras are Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca is pet-friendly, and there is free on-site parking.

How many places offer those options in San Salvador?

Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca Pet Friendly

Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca is pet friendly, a rarity among hostels.

Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca: Security

Security in San Salvador is a concern, even though we felt safe our entire visit.

A lot of precautions at Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca may not be necessary, but the owner has taken the extra step to prevent any problems.

The excellent exterior security features include:

  • Perimeter gate and wall lined with barbwire at the top
  • Barred windows and courtyard
  • Locked main door with access granted by hostel receptionist
  • An armed security guard
Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca Security Bars

You are well protected from the outside world at Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca.

Know Before You Go

Address: 6-10 Avenida Sur #1937; Colonia Flor Blanca, San Salvador, El Salvador

Prices: Dorms are $8, Private Rooms with Shared Bath are $30, and Private Rooms with Ensuites are $35

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Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca is the 2nd hostel iteration in San Salvador for owner Malcolm. Find out his winning recipe for making backpackers leave with a smile. The hostel has a central location with easy access to public transportation. Meanwhile, the common areas at Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca really shine, and are setup perfectly for mingling among guests. No matter where you turn, there is a different place to sit with a unique function.

***The Final Word – Hostal Cumbres del Volcan has two great locations to choose from, but both offer a secure environment & social atmosphere for backpackers.***

What amenities are most important to you when deciding which hostel to stay at?

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* Thank you to Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca for hosting us!

October 2016

Comments

    1. Yes we did. I’m guessing the owner, Malcolm learned what works and doesn’t in his original hostel in San Salvador so that he could start his new one off on the right foot.

  1. I’m assuming the prices are very cheap since it’s a hostal? I don’t usually stay in hostals but it looks nicer than some…

    1. The dorms are $8, private rooms with shared bath are $30, and private ensuites are $35. You should give hostels a try more often. Most have private rooms so you can enjoy meeting new people, and then retreat to your own room when you want. They also save you a bit of money with little to no sacrifice in quality.

    1. It is. A lot of ‘hostals’ in El Salvador are really just budget accommodation with very little thought going into the social aspect. We are glad to have found Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca.

  2. What a fantastic and detailed review! This hostel looks like a great place to stay in San Salvador. I am flying into San Salvador later this week for a short connection but unfortunately won’t have any time to stay longer.

    I will definitely have to plan to explore El Salvador in the future though and stay here! Thanks for sharing.

    1. Thanks, Brittany. We really liked our stay there. El Salvador is great for a variety of attractions in a small amount of space. On your next trip consider getting three other friends together and renting a car for here. You can cover so much more in a week that way…plus you can probably convince friends to take off for that amount of time. 🙂

      I’m surprised San Salvador is your connecting flight location for your Guatemala trip.

    1. Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca does have all your bases and price points covered. You can tell the owner put a lot of thought into the layout and how to make the space work for travelers and backpackers.

  3. Looks like a great place to stay. seems to have everything one would need and a kitchen for even the most serious cook.

    1. The kitchen does have everything you need. We were surprised the ovens work if you want to bake some dishes as well. Hidden in the drawers was a wine opener too so we could enjoy a bottle we bought for our meal!

  4. This is quite thorough review! I just love all the colors! But most of all, what I’d be most excited about is – they have a piano! I miss playing so much while traveling…

  5. Looks like a lovely place and great for budget travellers. I love the his and hers kitchen idea. Never heard about it before. Great overview of the place, thanks 🙂

    1. You heard it here first as I’m coining the phrase. I don’t expect too many kitchens will have this feature. Maybe the better reference might be Master Chef where you can have a cook-off. I’m sure the staff wouldn’t mind being the judges. 🙂

  6. What a beautiful place to stay. I love all of the colorful walls! The common areas look really nice, too.

    1. The common areas are what differentiate Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca from the other hostels in San Salvador. There is a space for whatever you want to do, and makes meeting people super easy!

  7. We’re traveling to Cambodia next week and we booked a villa, not a hotel. Love these kinds of accommodation because it feels like you have a home away from home. love the interior decor too!

    1. You can tell when someone put a lot of thought into decorating a place. It’s important to keep the end user in mind, and not let your personal tastes detract from that. Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca accomplishes that well.

  8. This definitely sounds and looks like a place I would stay! Really need to get to Central America at some point!

  9. Seems like the owner has put in a lot of effort to customize this hostel for backpackers and it looks like it’s worth every penny you pay for to stay there. Thanks for the detailed review and the shots.

    1. No problem, Johann. It is a nice hostel, and retreat from San Salvador. It is a steal at $8 per night for the dorms. We are currently paying more than that in a small town in El Salvador with no hot water, and internet that fades every other minute.

  10. The Hostel sure looks like a home away from home. Pretty comfortable and convenient. I liked the way the kitchen has been designed and equipped. I am sure it is a great hit with the occupants.

    1. I can’t speak for other guests, but we had a few good meals there. Sadly we had already bought all our ingredients before realizing the oven worked. Otherwise we would have made lasagna. Usually, the oven is just for show or storage at other places.

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