Hostels in JOS, NIGERIA

City of Jos – A Cool Nigerian City with Natural Attractions

Located in the middle belt of Nigeria, Jos is the capital city of the Plateau State. Established as a tin mining centre, the city has evolved into a popular tourist and travel destination surrounded by hillocks, rivers and many other natural attractions.

Accommodation Options
Budget hotels are located near the airport and one may also prefer to stay in a guesthouse or hostel accommodation. The hotels located in the areas like Lasisi Makanju Street, Old Bukuru Road, Cementary Street and Zaria Road are safe accommodations offering all types of facilities. You may also look for bed and breakfast facilities in these areas.  

History
The area presently known as Jos was once inhabited by the skilled artisans called the Noks, who mysteriously vanished during the first millennium. Sen Luka Gwom Zangabadt was the name given to the area when it accommodated people from various tribes. It was under the British colonial rule that place gained importance as a tin mining centre. Gwash was the name of a small village located within the area, but the wrong pronunciation of the names gave the city its present day name of Jos. Known by the name of Tin City till date, Jos was made the capital of the Plateau State in 1975.

Popular Places
Jos has a number of popular places worth visiting. The National Museum Complex, consisting of four different museums and a zoo, is the most preferred site to visit. Within the complex, one can find the Pottery Hall that displays the collection of exceptionally crafted Nigerian pottery. The terracotta heads and artefacts designed by the Noks too are attractive displays in the museum. The Museum of Traditional Nigerian Architecture features replicas of various popular buildings. The Railroad and the Tin Mining Museums too are located in the complex.

The Jos Wildlife Park is another popular place for the tourists. Pygmy hippopotami, lions, pythons and other species of exotic animals live inside the park. The Jos Zoological Garden is the site to watch varieties of reptiles and birds. 

Getting Around
Taxi cabs are the important modes of getting around. Mini-buses and motorcycles known as ‘achaba’ (okada as its known in other parts of Nigeria) too are available. It is good to hire a professional guide for tours in and around the city.

Places of Entertainment
The rock formations and plateaus offer a number of picnic spots to the tourists. The Shere Hills serve as a picnic and camping site and is well-known for hiking opportunities. Kurra Falls and Assop Falls are two of the many small waterfalls around the city. Riyom Rock has an interesting pile of rocks that appear as a clown’s hat. The city has two golf courses and a polo club as well. Guided tours to the famous breweries of the city are other enjoyable activities for the city visitors.  

Currency
Nigerian Naira is the official currency of Jos and it is subdivided into 100 kobo. Learn about the exchange rates from the online currency news before starting the trip.