I stayed at Che Hostels in Tulum, Bacalar, and Mérida, so this wasn't a one-off experience. While the facilities are decent and the hostels are undoubtedly popular, there is a side of the culture that I found genuinely uncomfortable. I understand that Che markets itself as a party hostel. That's fine. What isn't fine is the way some of the organised activities seem to revolve around encouraging women to sexualise themselves for the entertainment of others. The "spin the wheel" games were a particular low point. Challenges included encouraging women to share topless photos in hostel WhatsApp groups or take part in increasingly sexualised dares in exchange for free shots and drinks. Meanwhile, groups of men would gather around cheering, shouting, and calling for women to take part. Rather than shutting this behaviour down, staff were often actively involved in running the games, encouraging participation, and pushing more drinks into the mix. The whole thing felt seedy, immature, and frankly quite grim to watch. What bothered me most was that this wasn't just the behaviour of a few drunken guests. These activities appeared to be embedded within the hostel's entertainment culture itself. The message seemed to be that women are rewarded for putting their bodies on display, while men are encouraged to watch, cheer, and egg it on. It creates a toxic atmosphere that reinforces exactly the kind of gender dynamics many people are trying to move away from. It's 2026. Hospitality venues should be capable of creating a fun, social, and energetic atmosphere without resorting to activities that encourage the objectification of women for free drinks and cheap entertainment. This sort of culture feels outdated, embarrassing, and completely out of step with the values of respect and inclusivity that modern businesses claim to champion. There is a huge difference between creating a fun party environment and creating one that relies on objectification for laughs and alcohol-fuelled entertainment. Plenty of party hostels manage the former without resorting to the latter. If you're comfortable with an environment where staff and guests alike actively encourage sexualised dares and behaviour as part of the entertainment, then Che may be for you. For me, it left a sour taste and was by far the worst aspect of my stay.