Hostels are great, inexpensive places to stay while traveling and provide a friendly, laid-back and minimalist atmosphere. If you're planning on staying in hostels on your next trip, there are a few things to remember.

While hostels have an 'anything goes' attitude and provide you the opportunity to meet and get to know travelers from all over the world, safety is an important aspect to think about. 95% of the time, you won't even have to think about having something stolen or having your personal safety threatened, but because hostels are cheap and generally all areas are open access, safety should not be overlooked.

Protect your identity.
Some hostels have lockers or other secure areas for you to store your things. Take advantage of it. Either lock up your passport or purchase a passport holder - it's almost like a purse, but you can keep it around you and, if you want, it can fit under some of your clothes to keep it away from pickpockets.

Protect your stuff.
Again, if the hostel has lockers, use them. Otherwise, I've found the best way to feel secure about my things while at a hostel is to keep them as close to me as possible. If this means sleeping with your giant backpack, so be it. Not having shoes in the morning will not be a good memory on your trip.

Protect yourself.
Everything you've learned about personal safety applies here. Just because you are in what seems like an extremely friendly environment doesn't mean that it's completely safe. Be wary, be alert, and be smart. Many hostels don't have curfews (which is a perk!) but can also mean some other guests can come home fairly intoxicated. Incidences of violence in hostels is EXTREMELY rare, but it doesn't hurt to be careful!

In addition, it's always a brilliant idea to have the address of the hostel with you - especially in a country where you're not fluent in the native language. If you're out and you lose your passport, it's vital that you can find your way back to your hostel (where you'll have photocopies of your passport if you're a savvy traveler!).

Bring the extras.
While most hostels provide bed linens, it doesn't hurt to be prepared. Bring a small blanket. In addition, towels are usually not offered, and unless you want to drip dry each morning, bring a towel on your journey. Lastly, if you've ever showered in a dormitory, you'll remember that flip flops for the shower are akin to boots in the snow. You'll be happy you have them.

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