5 of the Best Hostels You Don’t Want to Miss
If you’re new to staying in hostels, meeting and staying with other travelers is really not as overwhelming as it may first seem. I have stayed in hostels in several states and countries around the world and am looking forward to more this summer! I’ve highlighted my five best hostel experiences from around the world.
Like any accommodations, all hostels are not created equally, so read reviews before booking your stay.
Not going to any of these locations? Still, go on and give it a read to learn the top features of these hostels that put them above the rest and use that to guide your hostel choices!
I love staying at hostels! Why?
- It’s a great way to meet like-minded travelers to explore new areas.
- Hostels tend to be in popular areas in order to attract the most guests, which means fantastic proximity to popular sites.
- Finally, hostels save you money! Who doesn’t love that?
The cost of a hotel in the same prime location is unaffordable on a teacher salary. However, you don’t have to miss out on anything when you can have the best hostel experiences.
Pro Tip: Search HostelWorld or hostels.com to find hostel options, but check the hostel’s actual website for a better deal. You can avoid paying the hidden fees charged by HostelWorld and hostels.com.
Disclaimer: All prices are subject to change. Confirm prices with the website before booking. All prices in USD$.
Best Hostel for FREE Island Excursions
Banana Bungalow – Maui, Hawaii
PROS
Hands down the best hostel experience for excursions goes to Banana Bungalow for their FREE! daily tours of Maui. I’ve never seen anything like this offered at a hostel before. Each day of the week guides will take you on a unique island adventure.
How does snorkeling with sea turtles sound? That was my first tour with Banana Bungalow and swimming with sea turtles, the size of a small table, validated my entire trip to Hawaii. That wasn’t even the end of the tour, though. We visited a small beach town for seafood, beach volleyball, and an epic Hawaiian sunset over the Pacific Ocean. We did need to rent our own snorkeling gear (~$10) and they request you tip the driver (who is also your guide) at the end of the day.
The tours are limited to the number of seats in the van (it’s a big van) and sign-up is on a first-come, first-served basis. The sign-up list goes up the day before the tour and I never had a problem booking a tour that I was interested in.
If you’re visiting Maui, you’re obviously flying in and Banana Bungalow offers FREE airport pick-up three times a day. Since transportation to the hostel is free and you can join the daily tours, save money and don’t rent a car.
Wake-up every morning to a make-your-own pancake breakfast. Enjoy your pancakes with guests from around the world in the open-air communal room. There’s plenty of space in the kitchen to whip up a good meal whenever you’re hungry.
Don’t miss how to plan Epic Teacher Travel
CONS
All of Maui doesn’t look like the Hawaii you see in pictures. I always felt safe while staying at and walking the streets around Banana Bungalow. It isn’t the most picturesque area of Maui but is within walking distance to groceries and a cafe. Do not let this deter you from staying here because you have so many opportunities to explore the entire island. That’s it, that’s my only con.
OVERVIEW
Hawaii is expensive. It is a series of islands that imports nearly everything and that is reflected in the prices. Banana Bungalow is comparable in price to other Maui hostels AND you’re accessing free tours. When you take all of the extras into consideration, Banana Bungalow is a steal of a deal. I’d go back in a heartbeat.
Best Hostel for Day Relaxing and Night Socializing
Selina – Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Selina has numerous locations throughout Mexico, Central America, and South America. Personally, I have stayed at two of the Costa Rica locations, Santa Teresa North and Manuel Antonio, and loved them both! In fact, I was so happy with my first stay at Selina (Santa Teresa North), that I skipped out on a less-than-stellar hostel in Manuel Antonio to stay at that Selina location. After experiencing Selina’s standard of guest care, I would feel comfortable booking at any of their locations. Selina in Santa Teresa is fantastic, but I prefer the Manuel Antonio location because of the access to Manuel Antonio National Park (you can see sloths, how cool!). Read on to learn why Selina in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica is the best hostel experience for relaxing during the day and socializing at night.
PROS
If you’re new to hostels or traveling with some who is, Selina is a perfect transition to hostel accommodations. It’s a bit more upscale than most hostels and has more of a boutique hotel feel. I had been fast traveling for over a week when I got to Manuel Antonio and needed a day to chill and soak up some sun. The swimming pool and lounge area were much appreciated and quiet during the day while most people were out exploring.
After a day of relaxation, hop on a bus, which stops just across from the hostel and ride to Manuel Antonio National Park. You can’t visit Manuel Antonio without visiting the park to see spectacular rainforest animals such as sloths, vultures, and toucans!
Selina is within walking distance to several restaurants and there is a restaurant/bar in the hostel. I only ate breakfast at the restaurant, but the drink selection is good and a pretty standard cost. There is always the budget option to bring your own drinks and food to cook in the communal kitchen.
At night, the place transforms from a tranquil paradise to a hopping party with live music or a DJ. If that’s not your scene, the rooms are far enough from the party that you can hang out in peace and your sleep won’t be disturbed.
Something is always happening at Selina. Check the events board to join a yoga or surf class, a tour of Manuel Antonio National Park, go white water rafting on Rio Naranjo, and more. All of these extras aren’t included with your stay, so budget accordingly.
Pack for TWO Weeks in a Carry-On
CONS
You get what you pay for at a Selina, so the extra perks and comfort mean that Selina rooms are a little more pricey than most near-by hostels. The good news is that hostels in Costa Rica are extraordinarily affordable, so the extra money is worth the additional amenities, particularly the swimming pool.
Breakfast is not included, but there is a restaurant (with a bar) in the hostel. It’s not super cheap, but the buffet-style breakfast is delicious and worth the splurge at least once.
OVERVIEW
With so many options for relaxing, socializing, drinking, exploring, and eating, you can’t go wrong staying at Selina. Be sure to book more than one night in Manuel Antonio so you have a day to soak up the sun by the pool and a day to explore Manuel Antonio National Park. This is a can’t miss stop in Costa Rica.
Best Hostel for Art and Culture
The Freezer Hostel – Rif, Iceland
The Freezer Hostel is located on the Snæffellsnes peninsula in a small, quaint fishing village called Rif. You’ll only find it if you rent a car while in Iceland. The hostel is in a converted fish factory, so it has a unique past. Don’t worry, it doesn’t currently smell like fish! Although Rif doesn’t have a lot going on and the hostel is set outside of the town, The Freezer has so much going on that it’s worth posting up here for a night. Rif is near the beautiful scenery and hiking at Snæfellsjökull Glacier and National Park.
PROS
The Snæffellsnes peninsula is a must-do Iceland road trip and The Freezer is the ideal mid-way stopping point. Icelandic art and culture are at the forefront of this super hip hostel, which doubles as a professional theatre. When you pull up to the hostel, it just looks so cool. A huge mural is painted on one side of the building and there’s no mistaking the unique vibe of this place.
Each room is painted aligning to a unique theme. You can’t skip the opportunity to stay in the Time Machine room. No spot in this hostel lacks an intentional artistic touch. The Freezer also has the most inviting and eclectic common room of any hostel I’ve ever seen.
During the summer, there is a different FREE! event every evening. Grab a beer from the bar, meet travelers from around the world, and settle in for a fun night.
I was lucky to stay on a Thursday night and joined the Pub-Quiz. As a solo traveler, pub-quiz is a great opportunity to form a team with people from around the world. It’s free to play and the prize is a free beer from the bar, which is actually a generous prize considering a beer easily costs USD$10.
CONS
Most hostels around the world are in bustling cities and towns, but not The Freezer. You must have your own transportation to make it out to Rif, which really isn’t much of a con since you’ll have the freedom to drive the entire Snæffellsnes peninsula. Plan ahead and bring groceries with you since you’re a bit away from the town and there isn’t much there.
OVERVIEW
There’s no other hostel like The Freezer, so if you’re out on the Snæffellsnes peninsula make sure you plan a night in Rif. Plan your stay so you experience the evening activity that appeals to you the most. I highly recommend Thursday for Pub-Quiz night! The location is difficult, if not impossible, to access without a car. If you’re not planning to spend money on a car rental, you’ll have to skip this hostel.
Best Hostel for Location
City House Hostel – New Orleans, Louisiana
I stayed at City House Hostel shortly after they first opened and thought it was a sleek, clean hostel that I would highly recommend to friends and family. Since then, the white walls have been replaced with brightly colored, vibrant murals and they now offer nightly activities.
PROS
Location, location, location! City House Hostel is right on the edge of the French Quarter and a block away from Bourbon Street. There’s no need to rent a car if you stay at City House Hostel since it is so close to the hot spots of New Orleans. You can literally walk to all of the main attractions: Cafe du Monde, cemetery tours, World War II Museum, Bourbon Street, Jean Lafitte National Historic Park, and endless options for Cajun food.
The hostel has a massive kitchen and cozy community area. People were always mingling in these areas, so it’s easy to find an exploration buddy. City House Hostel was comfortable and clean, but it really comes down to the ideal location. New Orleans is a city where you want to get out and explore, so a hostel with too many extra bells and whistles isn’t necessary.
CONS
Breakfast isn’t included with your stay here, so make sure you stop at a grocery store when you get into town. Honestly, the food is so unique in New Orleans it’s worth spending the extra money to eat at local restaurants.
OVERVIEW
City House Hostel has evolved so much since first opening and I want to go back again to see the improvements. The prime location in the French Quarter is enough to stay here on its own, everything else is a bonus.
Best Hostel for Proximity to Popular Sites
City Hostel Seattle- Seattle, Washington
Don’t forget your umbrella while you check out the top sites in Seattle. You can see the top five attractions at a discounted price with a Seattle CityPASS.
PROS
City Hostel (no relation to City House Hostel) is clean, comfortable, and most importantly located in close proximity to all of Seattle’s must-see sites. All of the attractions included with the Seattle CityPass, the famous Pike Place Market, Olympic Sculpture Park, and the original Starbucks are all within 10-15 minutes walking distance of City Hostel.
Spend one day walking around the Space Needle, MoPOP, and Pacific Science Center; they are all located super close together. Seattle Aquarium, Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour and Pike Place Market are in opposite directions, so plan those stops for a different day. The original Starbucks is across from Pike Place Market and seems to always have a line way out the door.
A light breakfast is included with your stay every morning from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and coffee/tea are available 24 hours a day. Breakfast options include whole-wheat toast, cereal, and assorted fresh fruits, so you can start your day with a full stomach before you go explore. The kitchen is also available for you to cook meals.
The beds were comfortable and the rooms are cutely painted. I stayed in a 4-person dorm with an ensuite bathroom. Some of the dorm rooms have shared bathrooms, but the ensuite was extra nice.
CONS
During the day, I felt very safe walking solo around the hostel and to and from the major attractions. At night, the street felt a little sketchy, so I avoided walking by myself after dark. To be honest, I follow that rule any time I solo travel and would feel comfortable enough to stay there again. There was a restaurant/bar right across the street, so you still have access to food and drinks without needing to walk in the dark.
Note: I ALWAYS felt safe inside the hostel.
OVERVIEW
You come to Seattle to see the sites, so stay at City Hostel and you have access to everything you want. Seattle is an incredibly walkable city and City Hostel is the mid-point between the top attractions.
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