Five hostels are open this summer in the Cape Cod area. Each will provide travelers of all ages with clean, safe beds for $9 a night per person; $12 for non-hostel members.
The Cape Cod area, known for its white sand beaches, has 300 miles of coastline, much of it served by bicycle paths. It draws visitors interested in fishing, boating, diving and whale watching.
Three of the summer hostels are on the cape itself. One is on Nantucket Island and another is on the island of Martha`s Vineyard. The hostels offer dormitory accommodation, with separate men`s and women`s rooms, plus fully equipped, self-service kitchens.
Guests must bring (or rent) linens. Blankets, mattresses and pillows are provided.
Some hostels have rental bikes available; at the others the staff can provide directions to nearby areas where one can rent bikes or mopeds.
The Cape Cod National Seashore was established in 1961 to protect a 46-mile ribbon of land from development.
– The Little American Hostel in Truro (508-349-3889) is within the Seashore Park. The 48-bed facility was a Coast Guard station. You can reach it by car, bike, bus or the ferry from Boston to Provincetown. The hostel closes for the season on Sept. 7.
– The Mid-Cape Hostel at Eastham is a 15-minute walk from the Bay of Cape Cod, and a short bike ride from ocean beaches. Accommodation is available in cabins accommodating 6 to 8 persons. The hostel (508-255-2785) remains open until Sept. 15.
– Hyannis, a popular spot for whale watching and known as the location of the Kennedy family compound, has a youth hostel at 465 Falmouth Rd.
(508-775-2970). Bicycles can be rented at this 48-bed, year-round hostel. Rooms for couples and families are available.
– The Manter Memorial Hostel (508-693-2665) is on the island of Martha`s Vineyard, five miles inland from Edgartown. The 85-bed building was the first ”purpose built” youth hostel in the United States. It`s accessible by bike path. It will be open until Nov. 30.
– The Star of the Sea Hostel on Nantucket (508-228-0433) is in what was the first life-saving station on the island. It`s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The 72-bed hostel is three miles from the village of Nantucket at Surfside Beach. It can be reached by paved bicycle path. It will remain open until Oct. 9.
The least-crowded months to visit are June or September. If do go in the summer, try to work around weekends. Beds at youth hostels can be reserved upon receipt of a 50 percent deposit. If you`re a first-time hosteler, you should know that hostels close from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., and you`ll be expected to clean up after yourself.
The cape hostels are part of the American Youth Hostel, Inc. Membership information is available from American Youth Hostels, 3036 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60657; 312-327-8114.
