Medellin, or the City of Eternal Spring as the locals call it, is a vibrant place with fine dining, trendy bars, and world-class coffee. With a temperate climate and warm, welcoming locals, it has become an emerging must-visit destination, especially for solo travelers looking for an adventure packed with culture, excitement, and endless opportunities.
Since Medellin is slowly becoming a tourist hub in the region, you’ll come across many hostels, which means budget-friendly accommodation is easy to find. However, depending on where you stay, your experience in the second-largest city in Colombia can vary significantly.
Fortunately for you, this guide will go over the best hostels in Medellin. Read until the end, as we will help you explore some inexpensive hidden gems, ensuring that your stay in the Colombian city is nothing short of extraordinary.
1. Top Hostels in Medellin
Before we explore some of the best hostels in Medellin, here are the top budget-friendly accommodations in the City of Eternal Spring:
Viajero Hostel
Located in the El Poblado district, Viajero Hostel offers pod-style beds with black-out curtains in beautifully designed and immaculate rooms. It has an average rating of 4.5 out of five stars across over 1,000 Google reviews.
With Wi-Fi, an on-site bar, co-working spaces, and personal lockers, the Viajero Medellin hostel provides all the facilities you need for your solo adventures. It even has a ping-pong table where you can challenge other travelers and bond over a competitive game.
There are many types of accommodation options available in this hostel. From shared dormitories (four to 10 people) to private rooms with ensuite bathrooms, each living arrangement comes with all the comforts you need for an ideal rest in Medellin.
Guests can enjoy the live music played by local DJs, indulge in sweets at the Candy Tasting, and get a tour of the city. There is a lot to like about this hostel.
However, some solo adventurers might find the complex massive, which may make it difficult for them to interact with like-minded travelers.
When you’re here, remember to check out the panoramic views of the city from the hostel’s rooftop. It’s the perfect spot to unwind and soak in the beauty of Medellin’s skyline, especially during sunset.
Hostel Rango Boutique
Designed to offer a unique accommodation experience, Hostel Rango offers the best of both worlds, combining the social life of communal living with the sophisticated charm of a boutique hotel. It features an outdoor swimming pool, a lush garden, a terrace, an on-site bar, and a restaurant, making it easy to make new friends during your solo travels.
Whether you’re looking to get a private room or save money and stay in a dormitory, Hostel Rango Boutique offers many accommodation options. Whatever you decide to opt for, you’ll receive access to fast Wi-Fi, bedding services, towels, and more.
Guests can cool off in the plunge pool on a hot day, pamper themselves with delicious goodies from the on-site bakery, or relax on the rooftop terrace with a serene view of Medellin. You’ll definitely get your money’s worth while staying here.
What sets Hostel Rango Boutique apart from others is the free breakfast (European-style menu) and the stunning location. Located in the heart of El Poblado, it’s the perfect place to be in Medellin if you love eating, drinking, dancing, and socializing.
Sugar Cane Hostel
Sugar Cane Hostel is more than just a place to sleep. It’s situated in the El Poblado district of Medellin, right in the middle of where all of the action lies, making it the best accommodation for solo travelers.
Laureles Park, Plaza de Toros La Macarena, and Explora Park are all nearby attractions that you can visit while staying here.
Unlike the other options on our list, Sugar Cane Hostel does not offer private rooms. However, each dorm comes with a wide range of amenities, including a coffee machine, hair dryer, bed linen, and shared bathroom, making your entire stay a pleasant one.
Sugar Cane Hostel features a garden, shared lounge, and rooftop terrace. Guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi during their stay, and the nearby Poblado metro station connects you to the vibrant city of Medellin.
Casa Kiwi Hostel
Considered to be one of Medellin’s most popular hostels, Casa Kiwi Hostel is located in the Zona Rosa area in the El Poblado neighborhood. It features a shared lounge, a rooftop terrace with great views, an on-site bar for refreshing drinks, and free Wi-Fi.
While a private room with an ensuite bathroom can be expensive, you can stay in one of the dormitories. While you’re here, you can socialize in the shared areas or enjoy a movie at the mini theater.
What we love about the Casa Kiwi Hostel is the rooftop pool, which offers a perfect respite from the bustling city.
2. Discover the Best Hostel in Medellin – Los Patios Hostel Boutique
If you’re looking for stylish accommodation in the Antioquia Region, Los Patios Hostal Boutique may be the right choice for you. It provides everything you need for a memorable and seamless experience.
Stay at an Award-winning Hostel
In 2020, Los Patios received an award for the best large hostel in the world. The two buildings provide vast living spaces where you can relax, play, dream, and inspire freely. We love how the themes vary across each floor, representing a different region of Colombia.
You can choose between a stylish, modern private room or a bed in a shared dormitory. Each comes with facilities and amenities for an incredible experience.
Within walking distance of El Poblado metro station, this accommodation is in a great location, allowing you to explore the city and start ticking off places on your itinerary.
Authentic Colombian Experiences
Since Los Patios is run by two Colombians, you can expect authentic local experiences when indulging in the city’s culinary delights or exploring the quaint little streets of Medellin.
At this hostel, you can meet people from all over the world, make friends, and enjoy a wide range of activities that showcase Colombian culture.
Highly Rated Accommodation
Los Patios has an average rating of 8.7 out of 10 stars across more than 1,800 reviews, making it the best hostel in Medellin. Guests have access to a wide range of facilities, including two pools, an on-site rooftop bar with amazing views, a gym, co-working rooms, chill-out lounges with gaming consoles, foosball tables, sun decks, and many more.
3. Affordable Accommodation in Medellin – Noah Boutique Hostel Medellín
If you’re looking for the best cheap hostel in Medellin, you can’t go wrong with Noah Boutique. This reasonably priced accommodation is located in a safe and cozy neighborhood in El Poblado.
A Wide Range of Facilities
Designed with comfort in mind, Noah Boutique Hostel is a fantastic place to stay if you’re on a budget. It features a rooftop bar, shared lounge, and garden where you can find fellow travelers to enjoy a drink together or strike up a conversation.
You can book tours or plan your itinerary at the concierge. The staff at the travel desk are friendly and can help you explore some of the hidden gems in Medellin.
Spacious Rooms and Superior Bedding
While Noah Boutique is an amazing hostel, it doesn’t offer private rooms. However, the double beds in the open four-person dormitories are massive and exceptionally comfortable. You can expect all of the standard facilities, such as hot water showers, comfy mattresses, personal lockers, and reading lights.
Free Breakfast with Your Stay
Noah Boutique provides a complimentary breakfast with every stay. However, if you want to make something for yourself, you can use the shared kitchen to prepare a quick meal or head over to the nearby restaurants or cafes for a taste of the local cuisine.
Local Attractions in Walking Distance
The best hostels are those that are in a convenient location, connecting you to popular attractions, vibrant neighborhoods, and cultural experiences. Noah Boutique is within walking distance of El Poblado Park, Happy City Éxito El Poblado, The Dancer’s Park, Medellin’s Museum of Modern Art, and Parque de la Conservación.
4. Unveiling Medellin’s Finest Hostel Options
Are you a digital nomad? Do you want to stay at a party hostel? Maybe you are looking to host a Medellin Bachelor party? Here are a couple of budget-friendly accommodation options that you can explore:
Black Sheep Hostel Medellin
If you’re looking for a chill hostel with a laid-back atmosphere in Medellin, look no further than Black Sheep Hostel. It’s perfect for travelers who are seeking to relax and unwind after a day of exploration.
On Sundays, you can indulge in the massive feast on the Argentinian-style grill and socialize with other backpackers.
Whether you’re looking for a private room or a bed in a shared dormitory, Black Sheep Hostel has got you covered. Due to its amazingly fast Wi-Fi, we highly recommend this place to digital nomads. Plus, it’s in a great location, allowing you to explore the streets of El Poblado on foot.
Purple Monkey Hostel
When it comes to the best hostel Medellin has to offer, there are many options that come to mind. Purple Monkey Hostel is a fantastic place to stay if you want to socialize, make new friends, and explore the city with like-minded travelers.
The owner of this budget-friendly accommodation organizes weekly pub crawls or movie nights to encourage guests to interact with each other. While sharing dormitories can be cheap, private rooms are also reasonably priced.
Masaya Medellin
This is not your ordinary hostel. Masaya Medellin is a seven-story building that offers private rooms and shared dormitories. The rooftop pool alongside the on-site bar is stunning.
At this accommodation, the management arranges events, activities, and concerts, ensuring that the guests have a memorable stay.
Masaya Medellin is a clean and modern hostel with good vibes. It’s great for socializing, and the cafe on the ground floor serves the best coffee in the city. Don’t take our word for it; experience it for yourself!
5. Choosing the Perfect Hostel in Medellin
Are you looking for a place with a rooftop bar? Do you want a dorm bed with free breakfast? When choosing a hostel to stay at during your solo adventures, it’s essential to consider many different factors, some of which include the following:
Facilities and Amenities
If you’re looking to stay in Medellin, hostels are a great way to get a feel for the city without breaking the bank. Make sure to check what the place has to offer before booking a night.
Here are a few things that you should consider when looking for a Medellin hostel:
- Pool: It’s important to stay at an accommodation with a plunge pool, as you need to cool down due to the hot weather.
- Communal spaces: Most hostels in Medellin have shared living areas where you can interact with other travelers. This is a great way to make friends during your solo adventures.
- Shared kitchen: With free breakfast not guaranteed everywhere, having access to a kitchen can significantly cut down on food expenses, allowing you to prepare and cook your own meals.
- Other facilities and amenities: While the best hostel in Medellin is the one that is in a great location, it’s also important to consider other facilities and amenities, such as a 24-hour reception, easy check-in/check-out, concierge services, and laundry, among many others.
Location
Whether you’re interested in the bustling nightlife of El Poblado or the cultural richness of Laureles, it’s important to choose a hostel that is in a great location, as it can reduce your travel time since most amenities are within walking distance.
Budget
While there are many great budget-friendly accommodations that you can explore, you may need to pay extra if you’re looking for some privacy. Los Patios Hostal Boutique, for example, provides private rooms along with shared ones, while Casa Kiwi Hostel only has dormitories.
Hostel Culture
The best hostel in Medellin may vary from one person to another, depending on their preferences. Masaya Medellin, for example, is known as a party hostel, while Hostel Rango Boutique offers a laid-back environment.
6. Medellin’s Hidden Gem Hostels
Although we’ve gone over some of the best hostels in Medellin, there are some hidden gems for those seeking unique experiences. While these accommodations might not be as popular as those discussed in this guide, each of them offers something special.
Here are a few hidden gem hostels in Medellin that are worth exploring:
- Yellow House Hostel for rafting and paragliding trips
- Yolo Hostel Medellin for free bikes to tour the city
- The Wandering Paisa for exploring the upscale area of Laureles
- Cloud9 Hostel for staying near the Olaya Herrera Airport
7. Exploring Medellin’s Hostel Scene
Backpacking across Colombia is a great way to experience incredible adventures, rich cultures, and tasty local treats. Medellin, considered to be the gateway to South America, is a fantastic place to start your journey.
While it can be challenging to roam around the city without local assistance, solo travelers can stay at some of the best hostels in Medellin, mingle with each other, and explore the vibrant neighborhoods together.
Like many other places, backpacking in the City of Eternal Spring can be costly. However, it’s still cheaper than traveling across the United States, Western Europe, and Japan. That said, there are many hostels where you can stay, with dorm beds costing as low as $8 per night and private rooms for around $30. The pricing may vary depending on the time of the year.
While there are many platforms that you can use to check out reviews and learn more about customer experiences, our guide provides information on the best budget-friendly hostels in Medellin, ensuring a pleasant stay in the City of Eternal Spring.
8. Where to Stay: Best Hostels in Medellin
During your solo travels, it’s a must to stay in a neighborhood within walking distance of popular local attractions. While the city offers a good public transportation system, you can save a lot of money by booking a private room or dorm in a happening neighborhood.
El Poblado is a vibrant place that is right in the middle of everything. It’s the perfect neighborhood to stay in if you’re in Medellin for two to three days, as it’s well-connected to most parts of the city and offers many dining options, rustic bars, and cultural attractions.
Noah Boutique, Viajero Hostel, and Hostel Rango are some of the best and most affordable accommodations. However, if you’re looking for a private room, the upscale and modern Los Patios may be the right choice for you.
Laureles is another neighborhood that’s worth exploring. It gives you a more authentic glimpse into everyday life in Medellin. However, it’s a little low-key compared to El Poblado, and you’ll need to walk for a bit to reach a metro station.
Final Thoughts on the Best Hostel Medellin Has to Offer
It’s time for you to pack your bags and experience the unique cultural events and festivals in Medellin. Whether you’re looking for a party hostel or a place where you can relax and unwind, there are many budget-friendly options catering to the different needs and preferences of all types of travelers.
Hostel Rango Boutique, Los Patios Hostal, and Viajero Hostel, among many others, offer a wide range of experiences, allowing you to make the most out of your trip in the City of Eternal Spring. Cool off in the rooftop pool or head deep into El Poblado for an adventure-filled exploration of the vibrant local scene!
About Peter C.
Peter is a digital nomad who largely writes from Asia, Europe, and South America. Always following the "vibe," he sets up shop in hostels and AirBNB's and continues to entertain us with wild stories from life abroad. Ask him anything in our community forum.
