Michael Gingold of "Fangoria" called the film "a better and scarier film than "Hostel"" and compared it to survival thriller films, adding: "it’ll have you thinking that a nice safe movie theater is a better place to be this winter than a tropical “paradise.”" Owen Gleiberman of "Entertainment Weekly" awarded the film a "C-" rating, referring to it as ""Hostel" without sadistic thrills." Steve Barton of "Dread Central" wrote: ""Turistas" may not be the dud we all expected (which will no doubt earn it a heap of praise), but it’s a wholly unremarkable movie. If you’re looking for a cheap ninety minutes of routine suspense, this may very well be your cup of tea. If you’re looking for something more, take the poster’s advice and go home."