Blessed with fine Caribbean beaches, towering mountains, endless jungle and hot, salsa-infused nightlife, the word is out — Colombia is the place to be. Don’t let that pesky, decades-long civil war deter you, either. Gobs of US military aid mean the guerrillas are on the run, and the country is safer than it’s been in a long, long time.

When you’re not calling home to scare the crap out of your parents with made-up stories of dodging bullets and the donkey you saw step on a land mine, you’re going to need a place to rest your wandering feet. There are some awesome hostels in Colombia, where you won’t pay more than $5-7 a night for a dorm bed. Here’s a taste.

Bogotá — Platypus
www.platypusbogota.com

Platypus is the must stay place in Colombia’s capital. Situated in the hip, historic Candelaria district, Platypus is close to student night life, the best museums, and the cable car up Monserrate. Owned by Germán the German, Platypus is so popular, it has expanded into two buildings across the street. Chill out with free coffee 24/7 and log in to the free wi-fi -- but bring a sweater, it gets cold at 8,900 feet.

Taganga — La Casa de Felipe
www.lacasadefelipe.com

Ah Taganga. There’s nothing quite like relaxing on Frenchman Phillipe’s patio with a beer while watching the sun go down over the hills. Originally just a tiny fishing village, Taganga has turned into a backpacker paradise, and people come for weeks and sometimes months at a time. La Casa de Felipe is the place to be, and you’ll do well to book in advance.

Medellin — Black Sheep Medellin
www.blacksheepmedellin.com

If you’ve traveled South America you’ve seen Black Sheep’s famous black-and-white T-shirts. Just steps from the mad Medellin nightlife, Black Sheep is a serious party pad! Run by New Zealander Kelvin (the “black sheep”), this hostel is hard to leave -- two TVs with a great DVD collection, the supermarket just a short walk away, and that wicked Sunday barbeque will work wonders on your hangover.

—Jens Porup