The Best Hostels in
Latin America
For Backpackers & Travelers
The Host Bed & Meeting
Puerto Iguazu
Hostelworld
Patagonia House
El Chalten
Hostelworld
America del Sur Hostel
El Calafate
Hostelworld
Argentina has some pretty nice hostels, especially down in Patagonia where you find gorgeous lodges to house you for your adventures as you head southbound.
Starting in Buenos Aires, there are two standout hostels for you to pick between. Number one is Viajero Hostel, which is a really vibey hostel with TWO pools and a bar restaurant. They have daily social activities, and great rooms and common areas. Your other option is Che Juan Hostel, a very modern, high quality hostel in a good area. The kitchen is exceptionally good, the rooms are very very clean with comfy spacious beds, and the common room has a TV and Netflix. In Cordoba, the options aren’t as good as Buenos Aires, but Aldea Hostel is definitely going to suffice for your stay. It’s a social hostel for sure, with everyone hanging out up on the terrace/patio. The bar here is really really good and it’s overall just a buzzing, social hostel with solid amenities. Now, we move down further to the Patagonia section. El Chalten is a popular stop, and Patagonia House is one of the coolest hostels in the country. It is very very spacious and makes you feel like you’re in a cabin (quite a modern one though). Further down in El Calafate, stay in America del Sur Hostel. The view here is really nice and my favorite part is the kitchen area right by the big windows. The rooms are cozy enough and it is a bit out of town but that’s the sacrifice you make for that view. Lastly, if you do go up to Iguazu Falls and stay a night or two in Puerto Iguazu, definitely stay in The Host Bed & Meeting, it is a very interesting hostel to say the least. When I say that, I mean the fact that it literally has a slide down into the ball pit in the middle of the hostel interior. Overall it’s really nice and comfortable and the staff are lovely people.
2) Stone City Hostel - Gjirokaster
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Argentina
Che Juan
Buenos Aires
Hostelworld
Viajero
Buenos Aires
Hostelworld
Aldea Hostel
Cordoba
Hostelworld
Beachfront Hostel
Ambergris Caye
Hostelworld
Belize
2) Stone City Hostel - Gjirokaster
Belize has a few really nice hostels which are actually a great opportunity to meet people, so here are my recommendations.
Firstly is Bella’s Backpackers in Caye Caulker, 100& the best choice. It’s the most popular and the most vibrant and atmospheric especially round the beach. No other contenders here. Over to San Ignacio, I would pick The Old House Hostel, which is a cozy little hostel which makes it easier to connect with people especially thanks to the lovely staff. Lastly, in Ambergris Caye (San Pedro specifically), the Sandbar Beachfront Hostel is such a class hostel, located right on the beach with a rooftop pool to top it off. It’s like a resort mixed with a hostel.
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The Old House
San Ignacio
Hostelworld
Bella’s Backpackers
Caye Caulker
Hostelworld
Hostal Eucalyptus
Potosi
Hostelworld
Bolivia
Bolivia is another decent country when it comes to hostel life, luckily for most of the main locations there is a standout which is easy to recommend.
In La Paz, the best hostel is Wild Rover Hostel by a landslide. It is a party hostel, so if that isn’t for you I don’t recommend it, but the parties here are so good and it is for sure the best way to make friends in La Paz if solo traveling. Amenities and common spaces here are also amazing. In Sucre, Holis is a very popular hostel and still my choice for here. It’s pretty chill, and they have some really nice hangout spots, especially the patio. They’ve got a bar too, and the location is perfect. Lastly, out in the highest city in the world, Hostal Eucalyptus is my pick because the view from the roof terrace is one of a kind, and facilities are solid.
Holis
Sucre
Hostelworld
Wild Rover
La Paz
Hostelworld
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Balaio Hostel
Ilha Grande
Hostelworld
Brazil is the place for partying and feeling the energy of the country, so we are blessed with some incredible hostels across the country.
In RDJ, there is 2 great hostels to pick between - the first being Book’s Hostel which has such amazing vibes and a very family like feel thanks to the awesome owner. It has all you need for fun activities and socializing. The second is Discovery Hostel which has been consistently voted top hostel in Brazil, and is another social place with great facilities. In Sao Paulo, I picked O de casa Hostel Bar, and for many good reasons. It’s in a trendy cool neighborhood, it has incredible energy every day thanks to the bar, pool, and daily activities, and finally the staff is really friendly. Geckos Hostel in Lagoa de Conceicao is in a great location and the pool area is very nice in the hot summer months. For the price, it’s really good and you will meet lots of people to have beach days with. Balaio Hostel is my choice in Ilha Grande, and it is by far the most aesthetic hostel on the list. It’s literally like living in a big treehouse with all their bamboo structures and hammocks nestled away in the trees - great pick. Finally is Hostel da Vila in Ilhabela, which is another unique rainforest hostel complete with a banging social pool area.
Brazil
Discovery Hostel
Rio de Janeiro
Hostelworld
Geckos Hostel
Florianopolis
Hostelworld
Book’s Hostel
Rio de Janeiro
Hostelworld
O de Casa Hostel Bar
Sao Paulo
Hostelworld
Hostel da Vila
Ilhabela
Hostelworld
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Chile
2) Stone City Hostel - Gjirokaster
Hostal Lili-Patagonicos
Puerto Natales
Hostelworld
Guanako Rooftop Hostel
Santiago
Hostelworld
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Hostels in Chile are pretty similar to Argentina, where you have some really good options but out in the wilderness you may find tents or campsites are more beneficial.
Starting in Patagonia, Puerto Natales specifically, Hostal Lili-Patagonicos is a nice hostel, really comfy, and most importantly they prepare you perfectly for winter trekking and just hiking in general. They organise everything and have all the information for the main trails. To the capital, pick either between Guanako Rooftop Hostel (More Social, more party, great balcony views), or Ventana Sur Hostal (More chill, still social but way more comfortable). Finally, in SPdA, there is some really good hostels. I would say pick between Casa Voyage Hostel or Aji Verde Hostel. Both are really really good and easy to meet new people, and their tours are really well organised.
Casa Voyage Hostel
San Pedro de Atacama
Hostelworld
Ventana Sur Hostal
Santiago
Hostelworld
Aji Verde Hostel
San Pedro de Atacama
Hostelworld
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Viajero Centro
Cartagena
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Journey Hostel
Santa Marta
Hostelworld
The Cranky Croc
Bogota
Hostelworld
Colombia may be the best country in the continent for hostels. You can get some seriously incredible stays here, especially in Tayrona National Park.
Let’s start in the city of Medellin, I’d pick Viajero Medellin purely on a social vibes basis. It is the best hostel for meeting people in Medellin and the rooftop terrace is class. Now, let’s talk about Santa Marta in Tayrona National Park. Pick either The Valley or Journey Hostel and you will have the best time, sitting out by the pool or on hanging nets overlooking the jungle. Both super social and you should even stay in both to experience it. Rio Hostel in Buritaca (east of Santa Marta) is maybe the most social hostel in the entire country, with the best activities no doubt. Enough said really. In Cartagena, Viajero Centro is a branch of the one in Medellin so it’s also real nice and it has really friendly staff too. Finally, in Colombia’s capital you should stay in the Cranky Croc Hostel, as it’s in a great location with some pretty awesome facilities.
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Colombia
The Valley
Santa Marta
Hostelworld
Viajero
Medellin
Hostelworld
Rio Hostel
Buritaca
Hostelworld
Costa Rica is often known to be a pretty expensive country, but there are actually a good number of really nice hostels to make your trip affordable.
Stray Cat Hostel is my pick for the capital since the free breakfast is really good and the owners are really nice. Once you get out to La Fortuna, check in to another Viajero hostel because the one here is of course the most social in the city with a great pool. Lost Boyz in Santa Teresa is one of the best hostels in the country, they have everything you want in a hostel from surf lessons to free breakfast, and the whole social beach tree cabin vibe is amazing. Lastly, Outbox Inn in Monteverde is a great pick for out here as it’s in a great location and the facilities are of very high quality and comfort levels are top notch.
Viajero
La Fortuna
Hostelworld
Costa Rica
Lost Boyz
Santa Teresa
Hostelworld
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Stray Cat Hostel
San Jose
Hostelworld
OutBox Inn
Monteverde
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Secret Garden
Quito
Hostelworld
Mama Tungu
Banos
Hostelworld
Ecuador is pretty small compared to its neighbors, but that doesn’t take away from the hostels because the 3 I’ve picked are some of the best on the continent.
Firstly, Quito, and the obvious choice for vibes is Secret Garden. It’s the most social and the view of the city is genuinely so sick. They haven’t been crowned best hostel in SA twice for no reason is all I really need to say. Next, in Banos stay in Mama Tungu. The appeal of this hostel is that it’s slightly outside the main city area, so you feel like you’re in some forest paradise. The whole hostel is layed out so beautifully and they have multiple dogs!! The last hostel on the list isn’t even on Hostelworld, but it is so beautiful with some of the best views from a hostel EVER overlooking Cotopaxi National Park. Check out the website for Secret Garden Cotopaxi, the options for this place are incredible.
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Ecuador
Secret Garden
Cotopaxi
Website
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El Salvador
The Hostel scene in El Salvador is growing for sure, and for now I have 2 great recommendations for you.
In Santa Ana, Casa Coco is a family owned hostel which is really lovely all around, and the people who work there are really really nice. The standout of this hostel is the tours though, they have really good activity and tour options daily. And in El Tunco, check out The Salty Dogs Hostel, which really immerses you into the beach lifestyle and has a really chill vibe, plus a pool and cozy rooms.
The Salty Dogs
El Tunco
Hostelworld
Casa Coco
Santa Ana
Hostelworld
In Guatemala there are some hostels which have very good reputations amongst backpackers, and the culture here is great, so here is my 4 favorite.
Starting off in Lanquin, Zephyr Lodge feels like a jungle resort but inside a hostel. The location is amazing and the infinity pool view is incredible. Over to the very popular Antigua, check out , the best hostel for booking an Acatenango Hike, and the vibes here just great in general, 100% recommend. In San Pedro La Laguna, Mr. Mullet’s is the number one place for meeting new travelers, making friends, and getting a comfy sleep at the same time. And lastly, Free Cerveza in Santa Cruz La Laguna has some of the most stunning lakeside views you’ll ever get in a hostel worldwide, worth booking just for these hammock views alone.
Tropicana Hostel
Antigua
Hostelworld
Guatemala
Mr. Mullet’s
San Pedro La Laguna
Hostelworld
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Zephyr Lodge
Lanquin
Hostelworld
Free Cerveza
Santa Cruz La Laguna
Hostelworld
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Roatan Backpackers
Roatan
Hostelworld
Honduras
Iguana Azul
Copan Ruinas
Hostelworld
Jungle River Lodge
La Ceiba
Hostelworld
Honduras hostels are so good for getting out in the jungle and getting a true experience with the wildlife.
Roatan backpackers is a solid place to begin, they’ve got a communal pool and patio area so they feel very homely and the rooms are good enough for your stay. Jungle River Lodge in La Ceiba however is one of the coolest hostels in the whole country tucked deep into the rainforest, so it’s not directly in the town but that is an easy sacrifice for the atmosphere. And lastly, Iguana Azul out in Copan Ruinas is much the same, with lovely hammocks and a great atmosphere.
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