A disclaimer:

But a few weeks ago a friend of mine, who was heading to Spain for a solo trip for the very first time, asked my advice about what to pack to stay in a hostel. My initial response was that I certainly wasn’t qualified to answer that question, but then I realized I actually had a bunch of advice on what to pack to stay in a hostel. If you, too, will be staying in a hostel for the very first time, here are a few things you should pack before you check in:

Sleep sack – Some hostels supply sheets, and some do not. In any case, it’s hard to say how clean the sheets might be, so I always pack a compact silk sleep sack, which I sleep in, and then I drape any available sheet over top. You can make your own sleep sack by sewing two twin size sheets together, but these are a bit bulky, so I suggest you invest in one of the compact ones. They’re light and warm, and they don’t take up much space.

Sarong or pashmina – I’ve written about why you should pack a sarong (even if you’re a guy), and staying in a hostel is no exception.In my experience, hostels tend to be a bit on the chilly side. Use your sarong as a blanket over your sleep sack.

Travel towel – You may not get a towel at your hostel either. I pack a small, quick-dry towel that I use after showering and if I need to dry dishes that I use. A dry towel can also be used as a second blanket.

Travel pillow – A small travel pillow isn’t an absolute necessity, but it can make a hostel stay a bit more comfortable. I have used a towel and a sweatshirt as pillows in the past, but I’ve since acquired a compact travel pillow that is worth carrying.

Eye mask – If you share a dorm-style room, people will come and go all night long. Enjoy a restful, dark night when you wear an eye mask.

Earplugs – All those people coming and going? They can be quite loud. Block out their noise with a pair of earplugs.

Lock – Good hostels offer lockers for travelers. How big the lockers are depends on the property, but chances are you’ll need to provide your own mechanism for securing your belongings. I suggest packing both a standard combination lock and a bicycle lock so you can secure the locker and then attach your bag to your bed as needed.

Shower shoes or flip flops – Hostel showers can be sketchy. Keep the fungus at bay by wearing pair of flip flops in the shower.

PacSafe – I’m not sold on the idea that you absolutely need to carry a PacSafe, but it’s worth mentioning that I have one of these and they can be advantageous in some situations. These are essentially metal nets that are secured around a backpack before attaching the pack to something solid like a heating pipe. If you don’t have a locker and you have to leave your backpack behind in a high-trafficked area, I recommend using one of these. They are fairly compact but they are heavy, so it’s a toss-up on whether it’s worth carrying one during your travels.

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9 Things to Pack for a Hostel Stay | Kaleidoscopic Wandering

Keep in mind that hotels that are eco-friendly aren’t always easy to spot from the outside. This is because many environmental concerns are managed behind-the-scenes so that guests can have care-free stays, regardless of the carbon footprint. Nonetheless, there are a few telltale signs for how green your hotel is simply by a few design features and service policies that have been put into place.

Many hotels claim to be eco-friendly to get your business because they know that environmental consciousness is an increasing concern with today’s consumers, but this façade (known as greenwashing) often only confuses people. As an eco-conscious consumer, the most important thing you can do is choosing a property that has made a commitment to go green, supporting that property by paying the (possibly) higher price that may be affiliated with it and sharing your findings with others. Only then will all hotels feel the need to take steps to help preserve the environment.

So what should you be looking for in a true eco-friendly hotel? Here are a few signs that your accommodations really are going green:

No straws allowed. The average person takes a straw, swirls it around her drink, uses it for all of 20 minutes and then disposes of it. What a waste, especially considering the fact that straws can not be recycled. Eco-friendly hotels realize this and do not hand out straws freely. In fact, some truly eco-friendly accommodations don’t even allow straws on the property because there is no good way to dispose of them.

Sensory-managed rooms. When no one is in the room, the air conditioning, electronics and lights are off. When someone enters a room, sensors realize this and lights and air conditioning can work once again. Similarly, some hotels require the key card to be entered into a slot in the room to manage the lights and air conditioning, which means they can’t be left on when you leave the room. Similarly, some balcony doors must be securely closed or locked in order for the air conditioning to be on.

Bottled water is kept to a minimum. Water should be safe to drink or run through a sanitation system on the property to ensure plastic bottles are not needed. Instead of plastic and Styrofoam cups in the guest rooms there are glasses and ceramic mugs for drinking. Filtered water may be available in glass bottles and drinking fountains can be found in fitness and public areas, but plastic water bottles should be hard to find.

Bath amenities are managed appropriately. I recently stayed at a hotel where, after two days of use, my bar of soap was replaced by an entirely new bar. I would never dream of doing this at home, so why should it be done at hotels? Those little plastic bottles of shampoo and body wash, and individually wrapped bars of soap are a huge hit on the environment if you’re only dipping in once or twice per stay. Some hotels have started providing these kinds of amenities in dispensers located in the shower and on the bathroom counter, and others are active participants in soap recycling programs. Inquire into what your hotel is doing with leftover bathroom products.

Spraying is kept to a minimum. Management at some all-inclusive resorts knows that people don’t want to deal with sand fleas, mosquitoes or other creepy crawlies so vegetation is cut back and the beach and public areas are sprayed to keep critters away. This might make for a nice outing to the beach, but trying to “manage” the vegetation in this way is not good for the environment. The best hotels will work within the natural landscape and setting.

An opt-out program is available. Look for a hotel that offers green cleaning options. Many hotels now have placards that can be placed on the bed or counters to indicate you don’t need sheets and towels cleaned. If no such placards exist, leave a note for the housekeeper with your cleaning preferences. If all else fails, use your do-not-disturb sign to deter unnecessary waste and cleaning in your hotel room.

Eco-policies are clearly stated. Properties that practice environmentally sound policies are generally proud to tell their customers. Don’t be afraid to call ahead and find out where the hotel stands on certain eco-issues. Does the chef have his own garden? What percentage of the property is green space? How does the property give back to the local community? Many hotels are also starting to list their green certifications and policies online as well.

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What Makes a Hotel Eco-Friendly? | Kaleidoscopic Wandering

Just like other areas of Mexico, it is unique in its geographic location and local history, and the efforts in retaining its natural beauty make it a worthwhile stop on a trip to Mexico. However, this uniqueness also means that traveling to the Riviera Maya requires some special consideration and planning. If you are planning a trip to the Riviera Maya, here are a few tips to make your travels easier and more enjoyable:

Expect warm, humid weather.

The Riviera Maya lies in a pocket of Mexico that receives a fair amount of rainfall and can therefore be quite warm. December, January and February are the coolest months with an average high of about 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and the summer months can easily reach an average high of 90 degrees. The rain and oceanfront location also mean that the Riviera Maya is fairly humid, so anticipate not only high temperatures but high humidity as well.

Carry cash.

Mexico pesos are the standard currency, and American dollars may be okay to use for small purchases in tourist areas, but there is no guarantee that your credit card will be accepted. If you do use a credit card, you may be socked with a surcharge of up to 5% of the purchase price.

Pack eco-friendly body products.

The sun is intense in the Riviera Maya, so you’ll need to wear sunscreen. However, protecting the environment is the top priority here, so your sunscreen needs to be environmentally safe for coral reefs. This can be a bit harder to find, and some hotels may provide it for you in your room, but plan on bringing your own if at all possible. There are some attractions that forbid non-biodegradable sunscreen, plus it really is better for the environment to wear something organic, so make an effort to buy some in advance of your trip. You will need to reapply it every time you get out of the water.

Also, don’t forget there are creepy crawly critters, and the mosquitoes really can be relentless, so you’ll need bug repellant. However, that, too, should be biodegradable. You can buy this before you leave for your trip, but some hotels also supply this for their guests. Check with your hotel to determine what you’ll need to buy beforehand and what it provides.

Look beyond Tulum.

Tulum is the most famous Mayan archeological site in the Riviera Maya, and it’s also the one most heavily promoted by the tourism board. Travelers will find more than 60 well-preserved structures here, but they’ll also find hordes of other tourists. Instead of Tulum, consider visiting Cobá instead. At Cobá, many architectural structures have been uncovered including the Grand Pyramid with an impressive 120 stairs. If you visit early in the morning, you’re likely to see birds, butterflies and other animals in the surrounding jungle.

Pick and choose your tourist destinations.

There are several “amusement” parks in the Riviera Maya that cater to different aspects of the area’s strengths. Xplor is very family friendly and encourage exploration of the Riviera Maya with zip lines, underground rafts and other adventure activities. Xcaret is an archeological park that emphasizes the country’s history, folklore and traditions. Xel-Ha is billed as a natural aquarium park with river floating, natural pool access and other fun water-related activities.

Though these parks have something to offer, they can feel a bit like Disney World, so don’t try to cram your whole vacation into them. If you don’t spend a day at Xcaret, I do recommend you at least make the time to see Mexico Espectacular, which is a massive performance that takes visitors through the history of Mexico in just over two hours.

Get back to nature.

The Riviera Maya is definitely a worthwhile destination for people who like to be immersed in the natural world. Because of the environmental consciousness of the area, it is a bit wild and no one is trying to hide it. In fact, that’s the real appeal. So if you’re a person who needs a cement sidewalk guiding your way from your hotel room to a beach that’s been sprayed for sand fleas, this may be a rough destination for you. Many resorts have been built back from the ocean to provide space for the natural mangroves, and swimming is prohibited in many cenotes just because the earth takes priority over tourists. For those who truly appreciate what has been done to protect the environment, though, the Riviera Maya is a truly rewarding destination.

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Tips for Traveling to the Riviera Maya, Mexico | Kaleidoscopic Wandering