In early 2023, after finishing the previous year with well, a lot less money than I’d hoped, and, a lot bigger of an urge for travel; I decided that to save some money and try a new experience, I’d stay at hostels for the first part of my trip to Central America. A few weeks later, and I was wondering why I’d ever done otherwise.
Hostels have a bad reputation, and understandably so. Staying in a room with random other people, for a fraction of the cost of a hotel, just sounds a little bit seedy. And the truth is; There are some seedy hostels out there, but once you start staying at them, you quickly realize just how few hostels are like that, and how easy they are to avoid.
When you stay at the right hostels, your trip can be enhanced tenfold! Besides for the obvious better value, good hostels have great atmosphere’s, services tailored for travelers, ways to meet new people, and are an overall blast in themselves.
So the main problem is finding the right hostels; which is where I come in. In this page, I’ll be breaking down each and every hostel I go/have gone to, and giving them a rating based on: Atmosphere, rooms, cleanliness, services, events, staff, and amenities. I’ll be leaving out value for money, as I think it can be extremely objective.
I’ll be constantly updating this page with each and every hostel I stay at, and sometimes even with those that I don’t sleep at but spend time at (many hostels have events open to all travelers and some, in more unique settings, have day passes to certain parts of their properties). I obviously haven’t stayed at every hostel out there, but be sure to save this page so you can see if there are any standout hostels, for negative or positive, before you book a place.
Happy reading! And safe travels!
Central America
Costa Rica
San Jose
Stray Cat Hostel – 5
My first ever hostel, I was only here for one night so my thoughts are quite limited. The four bed dorms were quite cramped but the beds were comfortable. My bedroom was right outside a busy road (a highway if I’m remembering right) so earplugs were necessary. The common space was cosy with games and books aplenty. There was a nice free breakfast with Galo pinto, eggs, and fruit. The staff were super friendly and resourceful in giving me great tips for my first time backpacking. The showers and bathrooms were decent but nothing to write home about. I can’t say much about the location because I was only there as a transit stop, besides that it was near the bus station which was great for us.
Jaco
La Hacienda – 5
As a place to stay, this place was near perfect; spacious dorms with ensuite bathrooms and good AC, a great free breakfast, great location, a restaurant, and a large patio overlooking the main street. So why just the 5? Well, it just didn’t feel like a hostel at all. Free breakfast aside (and that’s a push), there was absolutely nothing to help you meet people, which for me is the number one priority in a hostel. In fact, it was mostly American families/older couples staying at the property when I was there, none of whom were looking to talk to anyone. So, nine for accommodation but like a two for atmosphere. Also, the kitchen left a lot to be desired 🤷♂️
Monteverde
Hostel Cattleya – 8.5
If I’d have been writing this at the time of staying here Cattleya would have got an 9 or 10. The dorms are simple yet great with some of the most comfortable beds/pillows I’ve had in a hostel. The main social spaces are the kitchen/reception and the small entrance parking lot which is surrounded with Hammocks and small tables. I absolutely loved how the kitchen only had one, massive table, it really added to the social aspect. The kitchen was also easily the best self service kitchen I found in Central America! (Plus .5 in itself) The owner, Jonathan, and his family, are simply wonderful people and super helpful in booking and planning your time in Monteverde. The location feels like you’re away from all the noise and business of the touristy centre, but you’re really only a five minute walk! Perfect placement if there ever was one.
The only thing holding the hostel back is that it doesn’t really add anything to your trip, which I hadn’t realised many hostels do do at the time. A pool table, table tennis, and maybe one or two weekly events, and Cattleya would be in contention for a ten.
La Fortuna/Arenal
Arenal Hostel Resort – 7
(This hostel now comes up as Arenal Poshtel on sites such as booking.com and hostelworld.com)
One of the more colourful hostels I stayed at during my time in Central America, I loved the decor and aesthetic of this hostel as soon as I walked through the wooden jungle surrounding the entrance hall. The good, bad, and mediocre parts of this hostel were clear from the start.
The good: (actually the great), was the aforementioned aesthetic, the staff who were super helpful and friendly, and the amazing common space courtyard which had everything in the hostel besides the rooms; kitchen, hammocks, book exchange, an assortment of places to sit/lie and relax in/on, and the pool complete with waterfall decor and a bar.
The Bad: The rooms. While the dorms weren’t horrible by any means, they left a ton to be desired. Mattresses weren’t comfortable, no curtains, only six lockers for eight beds, no A/C, and no mosquito nets.
The mediocre: was the atmosphere, which I felt could have been far better with a bit more going on. Some games, events, or activities, even just a couple times a week, would’ve done this place absolute wonders. Especially with the already awesome common space.
All in all, not the best hostel, but one I’d have no issue recommending.
Nicaragua
San Juan del Sur
Hostel Los Chamos – 4
This small unassuming hostel in the heart of SJDS was exactly that: Small and unassuming. For what it was, it did its job well, but it wasn’t much. Staff were friendly but didn’t have a good enough English to chat with (Before you get upset, it’s completely fine that they don’t speak English, but with so many hostel staff speaking English fluently, it’s a disadvantage compared to other hostels.) The rooms were basic but comfy (no lockers though), the bathrooms were basic and not comfy (only one shower in the hostel and it was in one of only two bathroom stalls.), and there’s a small but perfectly usable kitchen. There wasn’t really any atmosphere at all during my stay although I got the vibe most people weren’t here for that.
Casa Oro – 5
I’ll be honest I think this hostel probably deserves a far better score, but my experience here was very skewed because I stayed at this hostel as a last minute thing after deciding not to travel on Sunday. Sunday nights in SJDS are always an inconsistent judge of a hostel because of Sunday Funday. Also, as I booked super last minute, I had to settle for a 12 person dorm, unlike the four to eight person rooms I usually go for.
If I had one word to describe this place it’d have to be: Chaotic! This place was abuzz from the minute I got there at 2pm, there’s a bar, a cafe, and a juice bar. A few different seating areas, lots of surfboards, a tree (yes, in the centre of the common area), a lot of surfboards, a lot of surfers, booze, a great tour desk, and a… a chocolate tasting table??
Normally I’d love a place like this, but there were just too many people. It was so busy that it became surprisingly hard to make friends because everyone here… is already drunk.
To be fair to the place, the couple hours I was hanging around on Monday morning were really nice.
Saltwater Hostel – 6
My favourite of the three SJDS hostels I stayed at, SaltWater hostel is a well rounded hostel where I thought that nothing was great, but everything was good, and often that’s just what I’m looking for. The common space here is super chill and well set up to make friends with a little restaurant and bar at the front, board games, many books, and a patio overlooking the sea. I liked the ocean aesthetic of the place with everything being white, blue, and sandy brown.
The rooms here are a bit small but are quite comfortable and have a separate ensuite bathroom and shower, which is a big plus after the other two hostels I mentioned above (no waiting around when all you need is your toothbrush).
The hostel can arrange surf lessons or yoga for you and there is a laundry service (always a big W).
One thing that brings this hostel down an entire point is the short but steep hill between it and the town centre. It’s only a couple minutes but it sure is grueling in sandals.
Ometepe
Green Hostel – 7.5
This hostel is built like a regular house, just that some of the rooms have six beds. There’s a very homey kitchen and dining room, right next to a living room with a couple couches and a big map of the island on the wall. The entranceway to the hostel is where the fun’s at, with hammocks, a pool table, colourful rocking chairs, an abundance of games, and the best cat and dog duo since Garfield and Odie.
The owner is very helpful with planning and booking activities around Ometepe, and they do laundry for a decent price here. The dorm rooms are basic but adequate.
The hostel is in the port town Moyogalpa, but it’s a fifteen minute walk from the port itself. Getting around the island from here isn’t easy, but then again, it’s not easy from anywhere on the island.
(extra .5 for the beautiful injured toucan they were rehabilitating in the yard)
Granada
Oasis Granada – 10
I don’t have enough superlatives for this place! It’s the hostel that kickstarted my love for backpacking and solo travelling. The hostel that made me realise just how good a hostel can be. This is the hostel that set my gold standard. And boy, did it set it high. (well duh that’s why it’s called a gold standard).
Where to start? So for starters, every single pro you can think of about staying in hostels, Oasis has it. Every con? Not here.
| Pros | Cons | ||
| Comfy rooms? | Yes | Loud? | Common space is away from most rooms + 10pm quiet |
| Secure Lockers? | Yes | ||
| Bedlamp and fan? | Yes | Dinky? | Not in the slightest |
| Kitchen? | A great one! | Cramped? | Nope |
| Common areas? | Aplenty |  | |
| Book exchange? | Yup | ||
| Pool? | A stunning one! | ||
| Free Breakfast? | You bet | ||
| Free drinks? | Three a day!! | ||
| Events? | Amazing ones on the daily! | ||
| Gym | A small one | ||
| Food available to buy | A whole restaurant | ||
| Hammocks? | Many | ||
| Games? | A playstation, pool table, darts, and many board games | ||
| Location | Perfect | ||
| Style/Aesthetic? | The best I’ve stayed at so far! | ||
| Staff? | Some of the nicest staff I’ve come across | ||
| Security? | Key to get in hostel and another for the room. Plus there’s always security. | ||
Add to this a great and cheap laundry service, a bar, great Wi-Fi, a top notch information centre with discounts on local activities, luggage and bike storage, and the best volunteers in the world, it’s easy to see why I extended my original two night stay to a whopping eight nights!
Need I say any more? Oh… It was all for $10 a night (as of February 2023)
Leon
Hostal El Jardin – 5
Put simply, this hostel is very obviously made to be a guesthouse and just decided to lump a dorm in and call it a hostel. Now my rating of the hostel would probably be infinitely higher if I’d staying in a private room and this was an “accommodation log”, but I didn’t, and this is a hostel log, so it only gets a five.
Why? Well, the dorm is extremely cramped and the beds are not comfortable. It’s right by a window to the street (all the privates are away from the street) which lets in all the noise and didn’t have good light blocking curtains, meaning every car that drove by was both loud and its lights shined into the room. There’s no ensuite bathroom, which is perfectly fine but you had to walk through the kitchen, garden, and a couple private rooms to get to it.
The common space is a large courtyard (which as you can probably guess by now is the standard in Colonial towns), with places to sit, eat, and relax aplenty. On couches, rocking chairs, benches, and of course, hammocks. The kitchen is great and the staff are nice and helpful (though they only speak spanish so get that Google Translate ready). The location isn’t the best but you’re just a ten minute walk from the start of the action so it’s not too bad.
There was practically no atmosphere when I was here though, fitting with the more of a guesthouse than hostel vibe.
All in all, I’d actually highly recommend this place for families or anyone looking for a relaxed, quiet place and is prepared to spend a bit more on a private room. If, like me, you’re a solo traveller looking to meet people, or (also like me), you want to stay in a dorm, then this is not the place for you.
Hostal Lazybones – 5
Alright so this is one hostel I can’t really rate properly as I only stayed here for one night as part of a deal that included Volcano boarding, a shuttle to El Salvador, and one night here, at Lazybones. I was literally only here for like one hour in which I wasn’t asleep, but what I can say is that the rooms were good with very comfy beds though there was a lot of light coming from a window with no curtain. The shower was decent, and their were great hammocks lining the common courtyard (yup, another courtyard). There’s also a pool and pool table, as well as what looked like a little bar and cafe (I explored all this at like 11 pm so it was closed).
So while I can’t really recommend whether or not you should stay here, it was definitely fine for the single night which comes with the great deal (which I got from the awesome Volcano Day company)
El Salvador
El Tunco
La Tortuga – 5
(This hostel is now called Alojamiento Yolanda)
The problem with hostels in El Tunco is that many can’t be booked online, or so everyone had been telling me for weeks. So, I decided to wing it and try to find somewhere on the spot. Long story short, after wandering the beach town for around an hour of constant no vacancies, false hopes, and unserious prices, when I finally came upon La Tortuga and they offered me a bed in their dorm for $6 a night, I was happy to take it. Now, if this rating was based on value it’d definitely be a lot higher as El Tunco hostels are usually on the more expensive side and La Tortuga wasn’t horrible. That being said, although I honestly didn’t have a single problem with it, everything was at the bottom of the barrel in quality, the rooms were quite dingy and the showers weren’t good, there were only seven people in the hostel which wasn’t bad at all, but I guess they’re never expecting more because there was absolutely zero by way of entertainment, atmosphere, and style.
In short, if you need a cheap place to sleep in El Tunco, this isn’t the worst idea as it is the cheapest spot, just be ready for an extremely basic stay.
Santa Ana
Hostal Sole – 7.5
Definitely the hostel that surprised me the most over my time in Central America (positively). I only ended up at Sole because I had to book somewhere a couple hours before arrival (after a last minute change of route) and it was the only reasonable option available. First off, the comfort of their dorm really blew me away. Where else do you get a six person dorm with queen size beds and tempurpedic mattresses?! Plus a night stand, multiple outlets by each bed, great A/C, good quality lockers, and three pillows? It might sound more like a hotel than a hostel and that’s because it actually feels like a blend.
The kitchen here is superb with tons of spices and condiments to use. Every morning they have the best free breakfast I’ve ever had at a hostel by a mile! When I explained to the staff the first morning about kosher and why I couldn’t eat most of the food, they decided to go out of their way to make me a kosher breakfast! Getting me fruit and granola, and even using my own pot and pan to make me kosher food with me as a kashruth supervisor! If that’s not hospitality I don’t know what is.
The hostel doesn’t have any events and there aren’t many games or a pool table etc.. but there’s a cute courtyard, a small terrace, and a very homey living room. The location is good too.
As a hostel I can’t give this place over a 7.5 because of the lack of events or things to do which I really value in a hostel, but as accommodation I’d give this place an easy 9!
Juayua
Dona Mercedes – 7.5
A super cosy hostel in Juayua which like a couple others on this list is a bit more like a guesthouse than a hostel. In fact, though booking a dorm, they actually gave me a free upgrade to a private two person room which was a pleasant surprise. Unlike some of the other guesthouse-like hostels though, this place had a nice amount of entertainment with a large array of games to play throughout the two main common spaces; a large couch lined living room, and a great little courtyard. The owner and staff are friendly and helpful, especially with booking the epic seven waterfall trail. There’s also a decent kitchen, and a hand wash station if you need to do laundry. The location is great as it’s on a quiet block but just a three minute walk from the town centre (to be fair it’s quite a small town).
Guatemala
Xela
Casa Seibel – 7
A hostel that made a great impression on me in a really short time, I only stayed at Seibel one night and I already know which hostel I’ll go to when I’m next in Xela. Right when I came in, the staff at the reception were chatting with me and telling me how to make the most of one afternoon there as well as preparing me for my three day hike to Atitlan. The property is quite unique in that it has the classic common space courtyard surrounded by the dorms and rooms, but in the middle of the courtyard there’s a small building with a living room, dining room, and kitchen. I thought that set up was really cute and accessible. The entranceway is plastered with ideas of things to do, discount coupons, and hikes you can book from the desk (Xela is a hikers paradise).
The rooms are basic but spacious and the bathrooms are quite small, but the location is phenomenal; on a quiet street but within a couple minutes of the main square, night market, and all the action.
I’d probably give this hostel a higher rating if I’d stayed longer so let me know if you’ve stayed here and what your thoughts were in the comments at the bottom of the page.
Antigua
Yes Please! – 7
This recently opened hostel (at the time anyway) was one I really happened upon by chance. I was on the bus from Juayua in El Salvador to Xela in Guatemala when I realised that the bus journey would go into the night and through some “less safe” areas unless I split it up. So I decided to spend Shabbat in Antigua before heading to Xela (I had to be there for a hike on Monday). Being so last minute (literally like two hours), and Antigua being one of the most popular backpacking stops, there were very few hostels available on booking.com or hostelworld.com, but after my experience in El Tunco, I didn’t want to just wander around asking for vacancies. So, I booked a hostel with only four ratings and not a single review, which normally is a big no no for me. Luckily it turns out it was just a newly opened spot and my stay was actually really good!
The rooms aren’t the best; They’re very basic. But they are also very well set up and clean so I’d give the rooms like a 6. But the bathrooms, showers, kitchen/living room, and especially both the front and back lawns, were all superb. There’s a pool, bar, and cafe in the back with tons of funky floats including a floating beer pong table. One potentially annoying thing is that the bar is also completely open to the public which is common in many hostels, but it can get quite loud at night. Thankfully the rooms are on the other side of the property so you can’t really hear anything.
They’re some specials by the bar but besides that there weren’t any events or activities when I was there. The location is decent though not as central as some of the more popular hostels.
San Pedro la Laguna
Hostel Amigos – 8
Okay off the bat this place gets bonus points for its magnificent views and perfect location. That perfect location should be taken with a grain of salt as Amigos is smack in the middle of San Pedro’s main street (the one with all the tuktuks, bars, and Hebrew signs) so it’s not a quiet spot. Normally that would make it imperfect for me but I feel like if there’s one place in Central America you want to be in the action it’s San Pedro. The hostel rooms are really pleasant though the beds themselves are really basic. The dorms even have terraces with hammocks overlooking the lake! *Mwah! Perfection! (insert chef’s kiss). They’re a few common spaces including the entrance courtyard, the third story terrace, and the terrace with the kitchen and eating space… on the sixth floor. Yeah, there’re a lot of stairs. Luckily for me, the dorms are on the first floor!
There aren’t any hostel events but you’re literally right across the street from supreme bar (when you go, you’ll know), a minute from the lakefront and boat terminal, and block away from the infamous Mr. Mullet’s and their insane events.
The lack of stuff to do in the hostel itself, and the lack of lacking stairs (the kitchen’s on the fifth floor, no lift), mean I can only give this hostel an 8, but between my visits to other hostels in San Pedro, and the “reports” of my roomates who switched from neighbouring hostels, this is the place to be.
Hostal Sublime – 2
Stayed in a six person private room here so maybe I shouldn’t judge the hostel as a whole, but the room was the most cramped I’ve had, the shared bathroom was and felt like an out-house you’d find at the start of a remote hike, and I don’t think I saw a single person who wasn’t staff here. Another problem was that it was hard to get in after 10 pm, which is really inconvenient in a place like San Pedro.
The location is great though so I guess that counts for something?
Mexico
San Cristobal de las Casas
La Casa de Paco – 7
My first hostel in Mexico started off on the wrong foot, as for a split second I thought I’d been plunged into a horror movie (see more here), but after those first two minutes it was really quite a pleasant stay. The hostel is quite basic, but is spacious and comfy. A big plus were the volunteers (who seemed to be the only staff), who were super friendly and helpful from the very start. The location is good but a little bit further out of the old town than the more popular hostels.
A full point for having a decent basketball hoop and space to have a 3v3 (maybe even a 4v4)! I mean how many hostels can boast that!?
Hotel Yu – 7
Okay so this is not a hostel. But, since I thought it was when I booked it, I’ve included it here. For those looking for a hotel stay, this place is perfect for you; Very clean, calm, and central, without all the noise of a hostel. Even if you normally stay in hostels, this would be a great place to rest up a bit. Even though I was staying in a six person dorm, I was literally the only one there for 11 out of the 12 nights I stayed here! And even that one night with someone else was because I had recommended it to him and we were travelling from here together to Guatemala the next day. The dorm itself was one of the most comfy and classy I’ve stayed in, with only Hostal Sole coming close (so far).
I got a great value deal when I stayed here, where I paid $10 a night and got a free breakfast at the local Chabad’s restaurant around the corner, which would have cost me like $7 anyway and was great. I don’t know if that deal is still around but if it is it’s an absolute steal. The hotel’s biggest downside, the lack of atmosphere, is cancelled out by its location near the city’s most buzzing areas, as well as San Cristobal’s things to do, mostly being active adventures that’ll leave you too tired to care about the atmosphere.
South America
Ecuador
Montanita
My Little House – 8
A small but busy hostel in an excellent location, the vibe at My Little House is simple; Home.
From the moment I arrived, I was made to feel welcome by the owner Nico and an amazing team of staff. There were activities every night, and always things to do in the common area, a small entry courtyard off of the street. The rooms were basic but with comfy beds and curtains for privacy (surprisingly rare in South America), but the bathrooms were a bit messy, though that’s much less of an issue in a surf town.
There’s a small but manageable kitchen which is open until 11pm, and a bar in the common area. I really liked the driftwood style the hostel uses.
One thing that docs points from the hostel for me is that when I was there one of the private rooms had bedbugs (as two of my friends unfortunately found out). Nico and David dealt with it right away and there weren’t any other cases while I was there, but I still feel like I have to take away a point.
Banos
Erupcion Art Hostel – 8
A simple but great hostel in the heart of town, Erupcion is so good because of the incredible staff. Shout-Out Michel! The rooms are clean, comfortable, and relatively spacious. Many of the dorms have vista windows overlooking pretty Parque Central. The hostel has a solid free breakfast, served in one of two on-site restaurants. The other restaurant is the rooftop bar, a standout of features at the hostel. The bar hosts activities every evening, including free dance classes (Salsa and Bachata), as well as hostel classics like a pub quiz.
One thing that I wasn’t super up on was the lack of common area besides for the bar and restaurant. There are a couple and one hammock scattered through the hostels halls, but no real place for people to sit and talk/play cards/down beers besides for the bar upstairs: Which, although great, can get a bit too busy, and has quite a boring set up in my opinion.
The hostel unfortunately doesn’t have a kitchen for guests. 😕
All in all this is a great hostel that I can wholeheartedly recommend.
Quito
Secret Garden Quito – 10
The moment I passed through Secret Gardens thick wooden entrance, I knew I was going to enjoy my stay. Right from the threshold, this hostel exudes an air of “welcome to our secret little oasis”. The entire hostel is decorated with these amazing, colourful murals and art, and gorgeous greenery covers the walls, banisters, and window ledges.
The dorms were great. I actually stayed here three different times (Quito is a good base to do two/three day trips from.), each time staying in a different size dorm, and each room was great. There are solid privacy curtains, outlets and lights by each bed, and comfy beds/pillows/mattress. I had a good amount of space in each room, and there are of course lockers for your valuables. I really liked the design on the bunk beds, which made each bed seem almost like its own little private cubicle. Also, while some of the rooms are named for colours, some are named as fruit; so… let’s go Banana Room!!!
Secret Garden has tons of activities! Including a daily walking tour, daily trip to the Mercad del Mundo, and day trips to Mindo, Otavalo, Quilotoa, and Cotapaxi. Family dinner is available every night from the rooftop resteraunt, which serves food throughout the day and is 50% off for hostel guests (The restaurant is quite overpriced so the 50% off just brings it down to regular prices.) Talking about the rooftop; The Views!!!! Wow!!
Cotapaxi
Secret Garden Cotapaxi – 10*
Ten/Ten is too low a rating for this slice of paradise on the foothills of Ecuador’s most recognisable mountain. I could try to describe how much I enjoyed this hostel to you in words, but that wouldn’t be doing it justice. Still, I’d be remiss no to at least try to sell you on one of my favourite places on earth, wouldn’t I?
First off; there’s no service at the hostel, and the WiFi is only on for an hour a day (and it’s exreeeeemely slow) so you’re really forced to disconnect. But, if there’s one place in the world that makes it easy to disconnect, it’s right here. The hostel is made up of a collection of smaller houses and structures scattered on the side of a rolling hill. Coming out of your room, you’ll find yourself facing an epic view of the Avenue of Volcanoes, with Cotapaxi looming large in the centre (when it’s not shrouded in cloud). A few steps down from the rooms, are the: Giant Hammock Nets, Flower Garden, Yoga Room, and a giant swing facing Cotapaxi. Oh, and don’t forget the steamy jacuzzi, which gets its water straight from a nearby stream.
In the centre of the property is the indoor common area, which consists of a living room large dining area for the communal meals, fireplace, multiple hammocks, the kitchen with its unlimited banana cake (YES! You read that correctly!!), books, games, and usually, at least a couple of the hostels cutie-pie dogs.
Secret Garden Cotapaxi isn’t really a hostel though; it’s an experience!
Every meal is served as a communal dinner, with options for all dietary restrictions available in abundance (Supposedly including Kosher, though it’s more like glorified vegan. If you keep kosher, you should call the hostel in advance and either try and arrange that they’ll let you use your own pot to cook (usually the kitchen is staff only) or, more simply, ask for fridge space and bring basics such as tuna, sandwiches, etc…). Besides for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, don’t forget the hot snack every afternoon.
There are excursions every morning, including hikes up each of the local volcanoes and horse riding. You chose which excursion you want to go on the night at snack time the day before. Though the excursions cost extra, some are included in the stay packages the hostel offers. This is how 99% of guests book the hostel. Once you’re back from your trip, the rest of the day is yours to do with as you please, resting, reading, sipping beers, playing cards with new friends, soaking in the jacuzzi, or my favourite, doing all of the above… at once.
The best bit of all is that the communal meals, lack of wifi (distractions), and group excursions make it a great place to make friends. For me personally, after coming down in a van from Quito, we all (all nine of us from the van) sat down for lunch, got talking, and… three days later, had done everything together, and formed an awesome little friend group. I’m happy to say, I’m still in touch with the group, and look forward to reading their silly comments 🤪 [P.S: I’m still working on that guide to English pop culture guys!]
Europe
Scotland
Edinburgh
High Street Hostel – 9
This amazingly social hostel in the heart of Edinburgh had a really good reputation when I booked it and it fully lived up to the hype. With events every night, outgoing volunteers, a cosy common room with dining space and self catering facilities, an array of games, and a nice outdoors area to chill in, this hostel is perfect for solo travellers looking to make some friends. The rooms are nothing special but are clean and spacious, there are more than enough shared bathrooms with good showers (towels included), and the location is perfect.
There’s a great breakfast in the morning for three pounds, or… you can just do what I did and earn free breakfasts from the weekly pub quiz.
England
Bath
Bath Backpackers – 8
A simple but stylish hostel superbly located just a ten minute walk from the train/bus station and even closer to the historical town centre (Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths). The hostels dorms are decidedly basic though not uncomfortable (the lack of curtains is always annoying), but its common spaces are absolutely class! There’s a well stocked kitchen, a homey dining/living room, and best of all; an underground hub called “the cellars” fully stocked with board/card games, books, sofas, and plenty of desk space. The cellar is a perfect spot to get some work done or talk late into the night (the kitchen and living room close at 11 pm).
Although when I visited there wasn’t much going on in the hostel itself by way of events, the super friendly volunteers at this hostel are great at getting things going quite often using the hostels WhatsApp chat.
Spain
Seville
Onefam Catedral – 9
One of if not my favourite hostel in Europe, Onefam Catedral has the perfect mix of being social without being wild and crazy. There are activities every afternoon, evening, and night, all led by the absolutely incredible team of volunteers who really made my stay special. There’s an excellent kitchen, two cosy indoor common rooms, and a rooftop terrace.
The rooms themselves are decent but I would recommend making sure you book a room with an en-suite bathroom as the shared bathrooms are clean but quite cramped. The location of the hostel is also incredible, being situated in the heart of the old Jewish Quarter.
Hungary
Budapest
Unity Hostel – 5
If I was including value in my criteria of ratings I’d have to give Unity a 6. But I’m not, so I can’t. Though there’s nothing bad about the hostel, besides arguably the noise (the hostel rooms are literally right above a frickin ruin pub), there’s nothing good enough to make me give this place any more than a bang average rating. Rooms are basic but fine, beds are so-so, location is very good but that’s only enough to cancel out the noise, and each room has self catering facilities which is actually quite cool. The atmosphere is definitely lacking, which can be excused by the fact that there’s a bucket load of atmosphere just down the stairs in the ruin pub, but in my opinion the hostel still felt very bland.
Also, the hostel has two locations which can be a bit confusing so make sure to check which one you’re staying at on your booking confirmation and don’t just search for Unity Hostel on Google Maps (as I stupidly did).
Lithuania
Kaunas
Monks Bunk – 8
Well, on the standards of Kaunas hostels, the Monk is an easy 10, for the simple reason that when I was looking for somewhere to stay, this was the only hostel I could find online. That being said, it doesn’t abuse it’s position and is actually great. The hostel is really small, being made up of just three rooms, dorms of four, six, and eight. Along with the dorms, there’s a nice living room complete with a large sofa, cards, board games, an assortment of books, and a TV. There’s also a self service kitchen with all the basics and a few small tables to eat by.
When I visited there was only one staff member around, an amazing guy named Victor who knew the city like the palm of his hand and was eager to make our stay as comfortable and memorable as possible. There aren’t any social events, though being the only hostel in the town, you’re bound to meet other backpackers, provided they’re any in town at all.
The only issue I had with the hostel was that there were only two bathrooms, both with showers in them, meaning that there may be some waiting involved.
South East Asia
Thailand
Chiang Mai
Family Home – 8
My first hostel in South East Asia and it did not disappoint! A very laid back hostel where it was still really easy to meet people and be sociable without ever being loud and dirty (like the many party hostels which sacrifice quality for fun).
With events organized every night together with Family Home 2, (which is just down the road), daily trips to the sticky waterfalls, free coffee and filtered water, a common room with books, a tv, console, and games, and access to Family Home 2’s similar but larger and more “happening common space”, Family Home is the perfect spot for anyone looking to have a good time while still in a peaceful and calm setting.
The dorms are great and kept sparkling clean. The beds are firm but spacious comfy (as long as you like them firm), and they’re well sized lockers to keep your valuables in, as well as personal lights, curtains, and wall sockets.
Revolution Chiang Mai – 8.5
My first experience in a South East Asian “party hostel” was at this hostels old location, just months before they moved. On a whole, the hostel had a lot going for it; Great staff, fun events (including a pub quiz which was won by yours truly), good location, and free family dinners. Buuuuuuut… the rooms and bathrooms were not great. Now though, they’ve moved to their new premises, which are cleaner and comfier. So I’ve given them a rating based on my experience with the great atmosphere, decor, and staff. I can’t give them a 9 or higher simply because I haven’t stayed at the new hostel yet.
Pai
Happy House Backpackers – 9
Very similar to the above mentioned Family Home, Happy House has super laid back vibes with a distinctively cool quirky design. The hostel is run by outgoing friendly Icelandic expat Gummy and his Thai wife. Together they really make you feel at home at their hostel and help you have a great time. Though there aren’t any events (yet) they’re always travelers hanging out in the common area whether they’re watching a movie on the tv, using the many card and board games available, playing pool/ping pong, or just talking on the comfy sofas.
The rooms are comfy with large beds and are decently spacious, though they have no curtains. The bathrooms are clean and large, though very far from bougee.
The location stops the hostel being a ten, with it being a ten minute walk from walking street.
Cha Li Hotel – 5
Quite a simple rating this; 10 for comfort, 0 for atmosphere.
It’s literally a hotel with a dorm. The beds are superb, and they’re lockers large enough for all your bags. The bathroom is spic spac clean, and there’s a nice pool in the back.
There is absolutely zero going on though.
Chiang Rai
Mercy Hostel – 9
This modern hostel is by far the most popular in Chiang Rai and for good reason. With tons to do in their great common areas, sleek design, and very comfortable rooms. The hostel even has a damn massage chair! I mean come on!
The location is stellar, there’s free self service breakfast, and the hostel has a cheap self service laundry machine in the back. They also rent bicycles and scooters as well as organise slow boat trips to Luang Prabang (the main reason people go to Chiang Rai in the first place).
Bangkok
Khao San Social Capsule Hostel – 8
A hostel I really didn’t get to experience the best of as I stayed here over Passover so I was literally just sleeping here and nothing else. But… Though I didn’t attend any of them, the hostel arranges a boatload of trips, events, and activities daily! The rooms are nice, though the A/C doesn’t properly reach the capsule beds so unless you leave you shutter partially open through the night, you’re going to wake up quite hot and sticky.
The location is great, being just a couple minutes from Khao San Road but far enough that it’s not loud at night. The staff are really nice and very informative about Bangkok, and I really liked the hostel’s simple but energetic design.
Koh Tao
Hostel 248 – 4
A distinctly average hostel. Rooms were decent, bathrooms were spacious and clean (at least when I was there, I’ve seen many people complaining online), the staff were friendly but often weren’t around, and the location was great but LOUD. Like really loud, because of a loud bar open until late right across the street. For me this wasn’t an issue as I chose to come to this part of Koh Tao with that in mind and I have great earplugs, but I can see the noise being a major problem if you have trouble falling asleep with noise and are planning on going to bed anytime before 3am.
Nirvana Guest House and Hostel – 6
A very simple but comfy hostel, I’d recommend Nirvana for those looking to catch up on some shut eye. The entire hostel is sparkling clean, the beds are very comfortable, the A/C works well, and the location is just a five minute walk from the pier.
There isn’t much in terms of atmosphere here though, as I think most guests are either here to catch up on some much needed sleep, or to be near to the pier for the next mornings ferry.
khao Sok
Painting Family Hostel – 7
A calm hostel perfectly located in the heart of Khao Sok Village, I’m really not sure what “painting” has to do with anything. The family who run the hostel are quiet but kind, and always available to tell you about the many ways you can explore and experience the incredible Khao Sok National Park.
The rooms are clean and quite spacious, with small balconies and filtered water (nothing that crazy but better than having to go downstairs to get a drink at night). The common area is cozy and they sell both food and drink. You can also book any tours and excursions you want to make through the hostel at the reception.
Laos
Luang Prabang
Sunrise Hostel – 9
One of my favourites, it was at Sunset that I feel like my trip truly hit lift-off. Though there are tons of people staying there, it never felt busy to a point of being overwhelming as some other large hostels tend to do, rather like you’d be sure to find someone to chill and hang out with. It’s got cool activities on every night but I’d call it a party Hostel on Laos standards only. Not all of the events are drinking based (as some hostels in Thailand seem to do), with movie night, quiz night, and karaoke all feature. The volunteers were absolutely amazingly welcoming and really enhanced my stay! I’m still keeping tabs with a few of them!
The rooms weren’t the biggest but my bed was comfortable, I had an ensuite shower and bathroom (separately, which is surprisingly rare in South East Asia), and like most hostels in Laos had a no shoe policy which I’m always a big fan of. There’re also plenty showers and bathrooms in the common area if you can’t wait for that roommate who takes an age.
The hostel also has a great pool, a bar and restaurant, and an amazing sundeck with bean bags and card decks aplenty.
One thing that could be improved is that there’s nowhere to refill water bottles, but there is hot water, tea, and coffee always available. All in all, one of if not the favourite hostel on my trip
Vang Vieng
Freedom View – 5
A hostel with great ratings online but honestly I’m not sure why. There’s nothing especially bad about the place but everything was really mediocre for me. The rooms were spacious and the beds comfy, but the shared bathrooms weren’t the best and there wasn’t much to do. It felt like a very basic “you’re just here to sleep” kind of place, the problem being that it was the same price as Nana’s (see next) and other faaarrr superior hostels.
I don’t really have anything else to say about Freedom View though I should mention that it is in a perfect location.
Nana’s – 9
UPDATE: As of November 2024, Nana’s is temporarily closed after a tragic incident of Methanol poisoning resulted in the deaths of six travellers.
The most popular hostel in a backpackers haven like Vang Vieng for a reason. Nana’s strikes a perfect balance between fun and comfort. The rooms and beds are amongst the best I’ve had in a hostel, there’s a pool with volleyball and many deckchairs, a bar and restaurant, pool table, table football, and amazing staff!
Nana’s is the closest thing to a party Hostel in Laos but honestly somehow still suuuuuper chill. How it balances out like that? I’m honestly not sure, but it just works. Every night from 8 to 10 pm there’s free vodka and whiskey, and you don’t even need to be staying at the hostel! I think this made Nana’s a great place to meet people every evening, and I actually made some friends for life at those free drink evenings.
All Nana’s needs to deserve a 10 would be some events, which besides for the free alcohol they don’t have.
Pakse
Pakse Backpacker Hostel – 8
$3 a night for a decent cute place including free breakfast?! What more must I say? Rooms are really spacious, location is decent, there’s a cafe next door (actually there’re cafes next door on either side), and the staff are super helpful with planning your time and activities in the city. They also rent motorbikes and scooters for a good price and in my case even gave me a crash course on how to ride!
It’s a too basic a place for me to give it more than an 8, but if these ratings included value for money, it would earn an easy 11 out of 10.
Cambodia
Siem Reap
White Rabbit – 4
Sooooo much potential! White Rabbit, logistically, was on of the best hostels I stayed in. The design, based off Alice in Wonderland, is fabulous. The rooms are spacious with super comfortable beds. There’s a nice pool, lots of outdoor common space around it, a restaurant, bar, helpful staff, daily Angkor Wat tours, and nightly events.
So why does it only get a four? Put simply; The people.
Yes, this is completely unfair because it’s not the hostels fault that there was a bad crowd when I was staying there. But… I can’t in good conscious recommend this hostel to people after my stay there feeling like all the worst stereotypes of backpackers, and all the fears of first time hostel stayers, were concentrated right there, in my damn room. I’ll spare you the details, but when people talk about disrespectful, entitled, rude, drunken, and frankly, boring, people; Don’t worry, they’re all stuck at White Rabbit!
Oh, it didn’t help that though clean, three out the four men’s toilet stalls were broken at one point, and that I got more mosquito bites from one night in my room here then the average month in South East Asia.
Noni Tree – 7
After escaping the Rabbit Hole (see above), I got myself a bed in this quieter, simpler hostel, and turns out, it was actually surprisingly pleasant! (So not all Siem Reap hostels are bad after all).
Hotel level cleanliness, super eager to help staff, a cute indoor pool area, and a crowd much to my liking (not that that was hard), made Noni Tree a comfortable (and extremely cost-efficient) stay.
Oh, and the bathrooms worked
Phnom Penh
Villa Papillon – 4
A simple, cheap, and clean hostel that ticks all the boxes you want for a place to crash for a night, but not many of a place to enjoy your backpacking trip.
I really don’t have much to say on this hostel as I was only here for a night and I left first thing in the morning. What stood out to me was how clean the place was, they even have a rule where they clean the outside of your backpacks before taking them past the reception, which was new to me but kind of cool.
The reason I’m only giving it a six is because A; There didn’t seem to be any kind of opportunities for socializing there and…
B; When I wanted to go out for dinner after dropping my stuff off, the gate was locked from the outside and the receptionist was fast asleep (this was only like 10 btw), there was a guard dog that didn’t let me come within touching distance of the staff member asleep at the desk and he wasn’t waking up to me calling him (I couldn’t yell because it was late and a residential area). . I tried to ring the bell by sticking my hand through the gate, but each time I tried the guard dog tried to take my hand off! It took me calling the hostel phone three times for him to wake up and let my hungry butt out in search for food by which time Chabad (Phnom Penh’s kosher restaurant) had just closed. Actually, for that experience I’m changing my rating to a four.
Mad Monkey Phnom Penh – 9
My first time staying at one of the notorious Mad Monkey hostels was actually surprisingly pleasant. The parties were no where near as raunchy and raucous as I’d been told they were (turns out they’re only as bad as I’d been told in Pai, which makes sense based off of who goes there.), and the hostel itself was one of the most “bougee” places I had the chance to stay at and for a great price.
The rooms were amazing, bathrooms probably the nicest I’ve had in a hostel (looked like a four start hotel), the events were amazing but didn’t feel forced like I’d been afraid of, there’s a pool, a bar, cafe/restaurant, co-working space, quiet room with a library, and a super helpful tours and information desk!
A near perfect hostel for me with the only thing holding it back being that I had to climb four stories each time I needed to go to my room. Tiresome.
Kampot
Arcadia – 8
A very basic hostel when it comes to comfort, but with the most fun amenities of any hostel I’ve ever stayed in.
I mean, they have a waterpark!
Need I say more?
If you want to hear a bit more, the rooms are very basic, and the cleanliness is very, em, beachy? Besides the waterpark there’re fun events every night, awesome staff who always bring the vibes, ping pong, pool, darts, an outdoor gym, and a daily boat BBQ which is an absolute blast!
Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City
City Backpackers – 5
Maybe the most middle of the pack hostel I’ve ever stayed in, Central Backpackers has nothing going against it, but only one thing really going for it; that it’s central.
Rooms are decent, staff are nice and helpful but there’s nothing going on, and there’s barely a common area.
Really don’t have any other comments on this place even though I spent four nights here. Simple, good place to rest up in the busy city, decent I guess. (shrugs indifferently)
Da Lat
Da Lat Backpackers Alley – 9
What a small family run hostel should be! With there are only a couple dorms and few private rooms, this cozy little hostel located on the top of an (annoyingly steep) hill hits all the right notes. When I arrived from my sleeper bus at 7am, three hours earlier than I’d expected, the kind staff made me a free breakfast even though I hadn’t stayed the night before (there’s free breakfast for all guests). Over breakfast I met a group of solo travelers who were going on the hostels motorbike tour of Da Lat (highly recommended to do, either with the hostel or by yourself). Though I was too tired to join them, over the next couple days, the common room kept outdoing itself as the solo travelers best friend. It helps when the staff are as awesome as Backpacker Alley’s are and teach you Vietnam’s national sport; Du Cau (a kind of badminton with your feet).
The hostel’s rooms are basic but very comfortable, and the bathrooms spotlessly clean with an epic view over the city. One problem was that two of the shower walls showed quite revealing silhouettes, a problem easily solved with a hanged towel and not usually a problem (with so few people around), but definitely not ideal at all.
The hostels near perfect family dinners, with a ton of veggie options, and super cheap cocktails, is the cherry on top! They even offer a free shuttle to Maze Bar come the night.
Hoi An
Bedstation – 8
A very large hostel which falls victim to it’s popularity, Bedstation has five rather large stories often booked out with backpackers of all sorts. Being near the old town, with a fun atmosphere and quite cheap, its popularity is understandable. Still, I found the sheer number of people staying here a bit too much to meet people. When they’re like 100 people eating breakfast at any given hour of the morning, it can be hard to start conversation. That being said, you may end up having to find a table with other soloers which is a surefire way to meet new people.
The hostels rooms are nice but can get a bit dirty, which is more the nature of people staying there than the hostel. The shared bathrooms are clean and modern but I felt their weren’t enough showers.
The hostel has events every single evening, as well as having their own tours from the hostel for the most popular attractions such as the Ba Na Hills, a cooking class/basket boat combo, and the Hai Van pass. But the best thing about the hostel has to be the massive breakfast buffet included in your already cheap stay.
Hue
Hue Melody – 7
Update: While searching for the link to book this hostel, I couldn’t seem to find the hostel no matter how hard I looked, leading me to assume the hostel has closed. If anyone knows anything about the situation, please lmk, because Melody was a damn great hostel.
A very simple hostel which would be distinctly average (though in Hue that’s actually good) if not for its absolutely awesome owner!
Seriously, this guy single-handedly elevates this place from a 5 to a 7 for me. He was not only super welcoming and helpful, he even took the time to introduce me and my roommates to each other (we had all come that same evening but were scattered around the hostel, one he even waved in from a store next door), and sat us down with free beers, tea, and fruit! It was a small gesture but led to an amazing night out and next morning exploring Hue, and later to three of us meeting up for a two day trek in Sapa.
The hostel is also well located and the owner can rent you one way motorbikes to ride the Hai Van Pass and drop off in Hoi An.
Phong Nha
Green River Homestay – 9
Officially a homestay but with all the pluses of a hostel, Green River fits the adventurous vibe of Phong Nha to a tee. The rooms are simple but comfy and spacious, there’s a great terrace looking over the river, solid free breakfast, and the best family dinner every evening (prepared by the owners stepmom who just might be the best chef in the country!).
Best of all is the owner and her family, who are just next-level in how helpful they are, and who also make you feel like you’re part of their family after just a single day at the homestay.
Hanoi
Musketeers – 7
A hostel which values comfort far over atmosphere and aesthetic, Musketeers does indeed make for somewhat of a luxury stay (on hostel standards). The dorms are at the top of the range in both style and comfort, and to this day remain the only hostel bathrooms I’ve ever seen with baths 😂.
The location is great for anyone not looking to stay in a super touristy area, with it being in Westlake, an full of expats, chic cafes, and hidden bars (yes it sounds like it should be quite touristy, but it’s not.). It’s a 15 minute drive from the old town without traffic, but that unfortunately is practically, em, never. So it’s a 30 minute drive from the old town.
Unfortunately, perhaps because it attracts a slightly older crowd as well as soon-to-be expats needing a short term place to stay while they find an apartment, the hostel doesn’t have anything going on. Like, nothing at all.
It’s also quite expensive on hostel standards, not that that’s included in the rating but you should keep that in mind.
Little Charm Hanoi – 8
I’m glad to report that Little Charm has more than a little charm, it lives up to it’s name and then some! Located in the heart of old Hanoi, this charming hostel may just be the most beautiful hostel I’ve stayed in at the time of writing. It’s Viet French aesthetic is effortlessly stylish, and is in itself a reason to stay.
The hostel has many great amenities including but not limited to a great cafe and bar, a pool, reading/quiet room, and tour desk (with their own tours).
The immense style points, comfy rooms, and perfect location, are enough to push this hostel to a high 8. (It could use some events and perhaps some board/card/table games)
Hanoi Backpackers and Rooftop Hostel – 6
I didn’t stay here long enough to give a higher rating, but from my one night stay, this hostel seemed quite good. The reception staff were really helpful in telling me the different ways to get to the airport and planning it with me, and the free breakfast over the rooftop view was exceptional. The rooms were decent but nothing worth writing home about, and thank god there was a lift!
(Location was perfect too)
Sapa
Mega View Homestay – 4
I really like this hostel when I entered, the lobby was pretty and really gave off a trekking vibe, which really hyped me up for my upcoming hike. The rooms weren’t as promising, but weren’t bad either, if quite cramped. The problem came at night, with the quilt being the heaviest, warmest, most stifling thing I’ve ever had. This may not sound too bad, but I simply couldn’t sleep with it on, and the A/C was far too low to sleep with it off .(It was set from outside the room and had no remote that I could find.) After like three hours of sleep, I woke up the next day with a massive headache and a cold, which completely ruined my homestay trekking experience, the main reason I had come to Sapa.
All in all it’s probably a decent hostel, but I have a personal vendetta against it 😅.
Sapa Capsule Hotel – 6
A really cool but perhaps kind of out of place hostel in Sapa, I came to the capsule hostel hoping to rest up from my cold (which had progressed into a bad fever too). Unfortunately, the thing I needed most, A/C, was not in each capsule as it showed on the pictures online. Still, besides for that, the capsule hostel was a great place to rest up, and with it being the one time in my entire trip I didn’t want to socialise, it fit that requirement well (it’s a capsule hotel after all).
One qualm I have is that the road between the hostel and the town centre was impossibly steep. Not good for someone with a headache and fever. Unlimited free tea made up for it though!
Cat Ba
Hostel Napoli – 7
A Hostel I only came upon by chance, I’d showed up to Cat Ba with a booking at the Oversleep Hostel (which I’d also heard good thing about), only to realise I’d booked for the wrong month and that there were no available beds for that night. So, I went for a walk around the area, looking for a place to sleep, and found Hostel Napoli tucked between a fancy hotel (I forget the name), and a pizzeria named, you guessed it, Napoli Pizza.
The owners were a super friendly family, who’s kids practiced their English with me while I practiced my pool skills against them (they destroyed me game after game). Their mother, who I believe was in charge of the place, was just so nice and helpful with everything.
The rooms were basic, not good, not bad. The hostel was newly opened so I was the only one in the six person dorm my first night, with only one person joining on my second.
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