Best Hostels in Mexico
Backpacking any country is an adventure, and Mexico is no exception!
As well as visiting new and unknown places, you’ll be staying in some hostels in Mexico plus a variety of other accommodations styles along the way.
Take it from us – where you stay has a BIG impact on the quality of your time!
From meeting like-minded and open people to keeping your things safe, choosing a good quality hostel is a must when in the backpacking groove.
Mexico Hostels
In this guide we’ll explore our top picks of hostels in Mexico you can stay at.
We’ve already spent a lot of time traveling in this beautiful country, so we’ll cover the one’s that gave us the best experience in each top destination.
Why Stay in a hostel in Mexico?
While ever backpacking Mexico we tend to stay in hostels because they offer a low-cost way of getting our heads down for the night.
But believe it or not, there are other reasons! Let’s start this EPIC list of hostel off by first reminding ourselves why we even stay in hostels:
Social Atmosphere
It’s true when they say that the people you meet will be a big factor in the experience you’ll have. And when backpacking you’ll meet tons of people.
The good thing about hostels is that there are lots of different kinds with different vibes, and they’ll each tend to attract the same kind of people as you.
As well as this, you’ll find it easy to make friends too with lots of communal spaces, dorm rooms, kitchens etc. Some also have activities and connections to the local community, so you can also meet locals easily too!
Setting a Good Home Base
Another key thing to get right is staying in a good area. By this we mean in a safe location, and preferably in a popular district close to attractions.
Another important reason for setting a good home base is so you don’t end up getting lost as easily. Many hostels, especially the most popular and well-branded, tend to be located in the best areas of any town or city.
So not only will you be safer, but you’ll probably be staying near a landmark or sight which makes getting acquainted with your surroundings much easier.
Very Affordable
Most travelers will have a budget they’ll need to stick to for their trip. Staying at hostels is an integral part of backpacking since they are very cheap, with some dorm beds being as little as $4.
Of course you can always splash out on a private room when you need, but in general staying at hostels is great as you’ll free up more of your finance for eating, drinking and other activities you’ll want to do during the day.
Some hostels even offer discounts if you stay longer too, so keep this in mind and ask if you end up loving a place and don’t want to leave!
Hostels in Mexico
Now let’s dive into our list for the best hostels to stay in Mexico.
Having spent time in these cities and towns, we’ve had experiences in the below hostels and others, and overall recommend the ones listed below:
Casa Pepe Mexico City
Hostel Features:
- Perfect Location
- Lots of Hosted Activities
- Spacious Rooms
One of the best located hostels in the capital, Casa Pepe is right in the heart of the Historic Centre, near all the action and top landmarks. As well as having spacious dorm and private rooms, this hostel also hosts many activities to give you the very best experience.
- 🏠 Address: República de Uruguay 86
- 🏘 Neighbourhood: Centro Histórico
- 🚈 Nearest Metro station: Pino Suarez
Mama’s Home Tulum
Hostel Features:
- Great Location
- Fantastic Breakfast Included
- Fun Social Atmosphere
Mama’s Home is located right in the heart of Tulum, and features an amazing included breakfast as well as a fun social atmosphere. It’s located close to the bus station too, which is great for quickly jumping on buses to explore the Yucatán region.
- 🏠 Address: C. Orión Sur, Tulum Centro
- 🏘 Neighbourhood: Tulum Centre
- 🚌 Nearest Bus station: ADO Terminal Tulum
Selina Puerto Escondido
Hostel Features:
- Lively Atmosphere
- On-Site Bar and Pools
- Close to Beach
Located along the bustling Brisas de Zicatela province, Selina is the ultimate place to stay in Puerto Escondido. With its bar and two swimming pools, it’s a lovely hostel with daily activities on. It’s also right on the beach and close to all the bars and restaurants.
- 🏠 Address: Av. Del Morro 4, Playa Zicatela
- 🏘 Neighbourhood: Brisas de Zicatela
- 🚌 Nearest Bus station: ADO Puerto Escondido
Posada del Abuelito San Cristobal
Hostel Features:
- Intimate feel
- Great Location
- Cheap Accommodation Option
Ranked as the 6th best small hostel worldwide in 2020, Posada del Abuelito really is an amazing hostel! Great for those who love a more intimate and relaxed feel, this hostel is also home to some really cheap yet high standard accommodation options.
- 🏠 Address: C. Tapachula 18, Barrio del Cerrillo
- 🏘 Neighbourhood: Barrio del Cerrillo
- 🚌 Nearest Bus station: ADO San Cristobal
Casa Pepe Puebla
Hostel Features:
- Perfect Location
- Beautiful Colonial House Setting
- Economical Accommodation Options
Casa Pepe is located in the heart of Puebla, close to all of the best landmarks of the city. As well as having economical accommodation options, the 18th century colonial house setting is what really sets this hostel apart!
- 🏠 Address: Calle 3 Ote. No.627, Centro histórico de Puebla
- 🏘 Neighbourhood: El Carmen
- 🚌 Nearest Bus station: Paseo Bravo
Che Nomadas Merida
Hostel Features:
- Perfect Location
- Awesome Ecological Feel
- Swimming Pool On-Site
Located in one of the best areas of Merida, Che Nomadas Hostel is perfect for those looking for a great base to explore the city. It’s also got a great pool to chill in when it’s gets hot, and a great ecological feel with lots of exotic plants when walking around the hostel.
- 🏠 Address: C. 62 433, Parque Santa Lucia
- 🏘 Neighbourhood: Centro
- 🚌 Nearest Bus station: Parada Komchén-Dzitya-Chablekal
Oasis Hostel Puerta Vallarta
Hostel Features:
- PEconomical Accommodation Option
- Authentic Location
- Free Breakfast Included
Oasis is located in a very authentic Mexican neighborhood of Puerto Vallarta, which is different from most in the more touristy parts of town. Here you can enjoy free breakfast, very cheap accommodation options as well as an awesome fourth floor terrace.
- 🏠 Address: Av.Luis Donaldo Colosio #222 Col
- 🏘 Neighbourhood: Benito Juárez
- 🚌 Nearest Bus station: Amado Nervo y Calle Libramiento
Casa Angel Hostel Oaxaca
Hostel Features:
- Perfect Atmosphere
- Hosts Authentic Activities
- Great Location
Named as Lonely Planet’s top choice for 2020, Casa Angel is a fantastic hostel to stay at! With daily activities such as mezcal tasting, salsa dancing and more, you’ll enjoy it lots here. It’s also situated in a great location in the heart of Oaxaca City too.
- 🏠 Address: Calle de Tinoco y Palacios 610
- 🏘 Neighbourhood: Centro
- 🚌 Nearest Bus station: Parada Llano 1
Amigos Hostel Cozumel
Hostel Features:
- Perfect Location
- Affordable Accommodation
- Tropical Design & Pool
Amigos Hostel is a perfect place to relax with its awesome pool and tropical surroundings, whilst also a step away from the bustle of Cozumel’s centre. It also has affordable dorm beds making it a great place to stay whilst on the island.
- 🏠 Address: ???
- 🏘 Neighbourhood: Cozumel Centro
- 🛥 Nearest Port station: Cozumel – Playa del Carmen Ferry Dock
Casa Janaab Palenque
Hostel Features:
- Great Design and Layout
- Relaxing Atmosphere
- Good Central Location
Casa Janaab is the perfect place to stay if you want a relaxing atmosphere, whilst close to everything in the centre of Palenque. The best feature is the style and design of the hostel, along with its high-quality dorm and private rooms.
- 🏠 Address: 2a. Avenida Nte
- 🏘 Neighbourhood: La Cañada
- 🚌 Nearest Bus station: ADO Bus Terminal Palenque
Che Playa del Carmen
Hostel Features:
- Perfect Location
- Good for Social Atmosphere
- Range of Accommodation Options
If you want a lively hostel and to get well-connected, then Che is your place! Located just off the beating heart of the Quinta Avenida, this hostel is perfect for meeting people and relaxing by the pool. It’s close to the beach, and also offers a range of accommodation options from shared rooms to cheaper dorm beds.
- 🏠 Address: Calle 6 Nte s/n, Centro
- 🏘 Neighbourhood: Near Quinta Avenida
- 🚌 Nearest Bus station: ADO Bus Terminal on the Quinta Avenida
Nomads Hostel Cancun
Hostel Features:
- Perfect Social Atmosphere
- On-Site Bar and Pool
- Close to Transport Hubs
Located in the heart of Cancun, Nomads Hostel has a great social vibe and is the perfect place to meet people with daily activities organized by the hostel. With an on-site bar and pool, it’s the perfect place to relax and kick back after a long day in the Mexican Sun.
- 🏠 Address: Av Carlos Nader, 2A
- 🏘 Neighbourhood: SuperManzana 2A
- 🚌 Nearest Bus station: ADO Bus Station Cancún
Hostels in Mexico
And that’s all for our guide to hostels in Mexico!
In this snappy guide we’ve looked at 12 of the best hostels to stay in Mexico.
Having spent the night (among others in the same areas), we recommend these in each of these popular Mexican destinations for the best experience.
We’ve also covered some important points regarding hostels, including why you should use them, as well as their advantages over other options.
While you’re still here, why not take a look at this page on our most favourite things to do in Mexico to get yourself up to speed on what to see and do?
👉🏽 P.S. If you’ve found this guide helpful, buy us a coffee here to say thanks! Or, support us by downloading our South America Travel Bible to get our best content.
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