Help
Frequently asked questions
What travellers ask most, answered from what the platforms say. If something isn’t confirmed, we tell you.
30 questions
Booking
how, where and what happens next
How do I book directly with Tinto?
Pick your dates, room and number of guests in the booking form. It writes a WhatsApp message (or an email) with those details, and you send it yourself.
Sending it doesn’t book anything yet. Your stay is booked once Tinto confirms availability, the total rate and how to pay.
To be confirmed with Tinto
Can I book through Booking.com or Hostelworld?
Yes, Tinto is listed on both. If you book through a platform, its own terms apply: rate, deposit, payment and cancellation can differ between them.
Check what the platform says for your dates before you confirm.
What’s the cancellation policy?
It depends on where you book. On Booking.com and Hostelworld, the policy for that platform and rate applies, and it’s shown before you pay.
For a direct booking, ask Tinto on WhatsApp what the terms are before you confirm.
To be confirmed with Tinto
Where can I see prices?
This site doesn’t publish rates: they change with the dates, the room and where you book.
Message Tinto on WhatsApp with your dates for a total price, or check Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Arrival
times and finding the house
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is from 2 pm to 10 pm, and check-out is by 11 am.
Let Tinto know your arrival time in advance, and bring photo ID. Hostelworld shows check-in until 11 pm, so if you’ll arrive after 10 pm, confirm with Tinto first.
The sources don’t agree
What if I arrive late?
Message Tinto on WhatsApp before you travel, and again if your bus runs late. The platforms ask you to share your arrival time, and the published cut-off is 10 pm.
Unless Tinto has confirmed a later arrival, don’t assume one is possible.
The sources don’t agree
How do I find the hostel?
Tinto is at Carrera 4 No. 5-39, about a 5-minute walk from the Parque Principal, the main square.
Hostelworld’s directions: from the square, walk two blocks downhill along Calle 5 and turn left. Coming back is uphill, because Barichara is steep and the stone streets are uneven.
How do I get to Barichara by bus or from the airport?
Most people come via San Gil and take a bus from there to Barichara. The hostel’s Hostelworld listing says the ride takes about 45 minutes.
We don’t list timetables because they change, so ask at the terminal on the day. The nearest airport mentioned by the listings is Palonegro (Bucaramanga), about 120 km away.
From an older source
Is there parking?
Booking.com says the hostel has no parking.
If you’re driving, message Tinto on WhatsApp before you arrive to ask where to leave the car.
The sources don’t agree
Rooms
beds, bathrooms and stairs
What rooms does Tinto have?
There are four published room types:
Double: 1 double bed and a private bathroom, about 9 m².
Small double: 1 double bed and a private bathroom, about 6 m².
Bed in a 4-bed mixed dorm: bunk bed and shared bathroom.
Economy triple: up to 3 people, with 1 double and 1 single bed. It’s listed “with shared bathroom” (see the question on bathrooms).
How does the dorm work?
You book one bunk bed in a mixed room of 4, so you may share it with other travellers of any gender.
The bathroom is shared. The listings mention a fan, towels, bed linen and a socket by the bed.
Which rooms have a private bathroom?
The Double and the Small double have a private bathroom with a shower. The dorm uses a shared bathroom.
The Economy triple is listed “with shared bathroom”, although some platform text calls it private. If it matters to you, message Tinto on WhatsApp to confirm before you book.
The sources don’t agree
Do the rooms have air conditioning?
None of the listings mention air conditioning. The rooms whose equipment is listed include a fan.
Are there stairs, or a lift?
There’s no lift, and the upper floors can only be reached by stairs. If you have limited mobility or heavy luggage, let Tinto know before you arrive.
Are towels and bed linen included?
Yes, the listings include towels and bed linen. For the Economy triple only towels are mentioned, so if you book it, confirm on WhatsApp.
The house
water, kitchen, pool, cats
Is there hot water?
It isn’t guaranteed. Hostelworld says there’s no hot water and Booking.com says it isn’t always available, so best not to count on it.
Barichara is warm, which helps: 19–28 °C according to the municipality.
The sources don’t agree
Is breakfast included?
No. You can make your own in the shared kitchen, or walk a few minutes into town for one of the cafés.
Can I cook?
Yes, there’s a shared kitchen for guests. People who’ve stayed describe it as open-air and well equipped.
What’s the pool like?
It’s a small outdoor plunge pool with a shallow end, good for cooling off after a walk rather than swimming laps.
Is there Wi‑Fi?
Yes, free Wi‑Fi throughout. Some guests say it drops now and then, so have a backup if you need to work online.
Can I bring my pet?
Guests’ pets aren’t allowed. The cats in the photos live there.
Can children stay?
No. Tinto doesn’t take children: check-in is for guests aged 18 to 60 only, and there are no cots or extra beds.
Can I smoke?
Not in the rooms. There’s a designated smoking area; ask where it is when you arrive.
Can I leave my luggage after check-out?
Some guests say they left their bags after check-out, but no listing offers it as a service. Message Tinto on WhatsApp to confirm.
To be confirmed with Tinto
Payment
depends on how you book
How do I pay?
It depends on the channel. Hostelworld says you pay in cash on arrival and takes an online deposit when you book. Booking.com says “cash only”, but also mentions a bank transfer before arrival.
For direct bookings, Tinto confirms the current payment method on WhatsApp. Don’t assume cards are accepted.
The sources don’t agree
Do they take cards?
Best not to count on it, since the listings mention cash or bank transfer. Ask Tinto on WhatsApp before you travel, and bring some cash just in case.
To be confirmed with Tinto
Another question?
Message Tinto on WhatsApp and they’ll get back to you.
WhatsApp: +57 310 280 0218