This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Tampa.
Tampa (often referred to as Tampa Bay) is a city in the state of Florida, USA. It has a population of over 340,000 people and is very well known for its sports teams (maybe the most famous being the NHL team, Tampa Bay Lightning, but the city does have teams in NFL the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Major League Baseball and the North American Soccer League).
Tampa has its own airport and is also served by a variety of bus and train companies. There are also ships that run between Tampa (the terminal being downtown, on Ybor channel) and Mexico and the Caribbean. Getting around the city from your Tampa hostel is easily done using the public transportation. In addition to buses and streetcars, there is a trolley that runs in the central city area. This being said, owning or renting a car while traveling in the US is a major advantage and you should seriously consider it, especially if you're not traveling alone. Renting a car is a viable and cost-effective option, not to mention the choice with most freedom.
There is a good selection of Tampa hostels, and the quality is generally very good. You should expect to pay about 20$ US and upwards for a dorm bed, and a bit more for doubles / twins.
One thing to definitely see while you're staying in a Tampa hostel is the Ybor City district. This historical part of the city a bit northeast of downtown area, is the bustling nightlife center of the city and if you're going out on the town, this is the place to go. There is a great selection of clubs, and bars in Ybor. During the daytime, the district is great for walking, shopping (you can find some great deals), and seeing the architecture and historical buildings.
Written by local enthusiast for Tampa hostels
Miika