Just like deciding on where you want to go, how to choose a hostel for you depends on a whole bunch of factors. There are some obvious ones like budget and date availability, but there are other (maybe even more important) details to consider. Are you looking to make friends or keep to yourself? Are you more of a bougie backpacker or does roughing it a bit to save a buck not bother you? How old are you? How important is your personal space? I know- it’s a lot to think about. With more and more hostels popping up as backpacking gains popularity, your choices grow but your decision gets more difficult. This guide breaks down solo travelers into a few common “characters” (sort of like a video game!) and then gives some pointers on how to find a hostel that best matches those specific ~vibes~.
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Once you’ve decided on your hostel, check out my list of hostel essentials and how to pack for a solo backpacking trip!
Where to Find a Hostel
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves! You may be wondering where to book hostels in the first place. I had no idea where to look when I went on my first trip. The most popular place to search for hostels, read reviews, and book stays is Hostelworld! This is where I’ve booked all of my hostel stays over the years. Other popular methods are Booking.com and using the hostel’s website. Booking.com offers a points program and occasional deals that offer extra savings, and sometimes hostels will offer deals when you book straight through their website because they don’t have to pay fees to a third party. I still recommend looking up hostels on Hostelworld that you’re interested in because they have a great review section.
Hostel Green Flags
No matter what type of experience you’re hoping to have, there are some things you should always look for to pick out a good hostel!
Reviews
Specifically for Hostelworld, look for hostels in the 8 and 9 star ranges and make sure the hostel has a large number of reviews too! It doesn’t mean nearly as much if a hostel has a 9 star average if they only have 10 reviews. Hostelworld also allows you to sort through reviews by date. Check to see what the most recent reviews are saying. They also let you sort reviews by the age of the person that left it. This can sometimes come in handy when reading negative reviews. If a bunch of people are complaining that the hostel is “too noisy” but the age range of all the reviewers is 40+, it may be less of a hostel issue and more of a them issue.
Pictures
Take a look at the pictures used on the hostel’s listing and make sure that they actually show the different spaces in the hostel. Sometimes hostels will use “aesthetic” pictures that may look visually appealing but don’t actually give you any information about what the place actually looks like. Sure, the close up of their plants is nice, but what do the dorm rooms look like? Speaking of which, make sure you see pictures of the dorms and that they look like what’s being promised. I would also look into Google reviews and see if there are any with pictures. These are taken by actual patrons and haven’t been edited or chosen by the hostel. And, if there aren’t any pictures at all? Major red flag. (Check out other hostel red flags here!)
Location
Even if a hostel seems perfect and checks all your boxes, it’s location could make you reconsider. Do a quick Google search to find out which part of your destination you want to be staying in. Things to look for are safety, proximity to stuff you want to see, and general vibe of the neighborhood. This matters less the smaller your destination is and the fewer choices in hostels you have.
How to choose a Hostel for: The Social Butterfly
This backpacker is traveling solo but isn’t looking to stay that way. They think that the people they meet along the way are just as important as the journey, and they’re hoping to meet a lot of them. They don’t just want brief acquaintances though- they’re looking for connections that will last long after their trip is over.
What To Look For:
Gathering Spaces
In order to meet people, you need spaces where you can actually meet them. Look for comfy areas where people would be likely to want to hang out. Think tables where people could play games, comfy couches where people could sit around and talk, an area with hammocks or an outdoor space where people could go when they want the night to continue after everyone else has gone to bed.
Classes
Hostels that offer classes or other activities give people an easy way to start talking to one another. If you’ve both just taken the same salsa lesson or learned how to make the same cocktail, you’ve already got something in common. It’s also an easy jumping off point for plans after. Ask if anyone wants to get something to eat, explore the neighborhood, or if they know about anything going on later that night.
Family Style Meals
Family meals usually involve the hostel making a big batch of something for everyone to eat for either a good price or sometimes for free as a perk of staying with them. Because it’s a low cost option, there’s a lot of backpackers that will take the hostel up on the offer. A lot of times, people will all sit together at the same table or in the same area and that gives everybody the chance to get to know one another.
How to choose a Hostel For: The Homebody
This backpacker prefers a cozy game night to crazy parties. They still want to meet people on their trip, but they’re not willing to sacrifice a good night’s sleep for socializing. After a long day of exploring cultural sites and museums, they’re looking for a quiet and comfortable place to relax.
What To Look For:
Walking Tours
These are a great way to get to know the history of where you’re staying and get your bearings. There a fun way to see the major sites of where you’re staying and get to know the local culture a little better. Sometimes hostel staff will lead these or they’ll have someone they partner with that will lead the tour. Walking tours will also give you the opportunity to meet other people staying at your hostel.
Knowledgeable Staff
A lot of hostels make a point to hire staff that are knowledgeable about the area and backpacking in general. Many times these workers are travelers themselves exchanging free room and board for working jobs at the hostel. These people are the best to ask about what to see and do at your destination because they live, work, and play in the area! If you’re nervous about getting around or public transportation, they’ll be able to advise you on the best ways to get where you want to go. I’ve used the hostel front desk staff many times to ask about bus schedules, restaurant recommendations, and many other things! A big part of their job is to also make sure everyone at the hostel is having a good time, so they’ll be friendly and help you get involved in hostel activities.
Smaller Dorm Rooms
Hostel dorms come in all shapes and sizes! I’ve stayed in hostel dorms as small as 4 beds up to rooms as big as 12 beds. And they can get even bigger! Picking a smaller dorm room with fewer beds will give the space a cozier feel and help keep noise in your room down. It will also mean they’ll be less people you’ll need to interact with when you get back from a long day of exploring.
how to choose a Hostel For: The Party Animal
This backpacker doesn’t care what the dorm room looks like because they aren’t going to be spending much time in it anyway. However, they will be spending their time at the hostel’s social events and will be first in line for the hostel’s karaoke night. Drinking the local beer counts as a cultural experience, right?
What To Look For:
Theme Parties
You can’t be a party hostel if you aren’t throwing parties, right? The best party hostels will have something going on most nights of the week whether that’s a regular karaoke night or something involving costumes and decorations. A lot of times, places will share their themes for the week ahead of time on social media or have a schedule of regular standing events. This can help you decide where you think you’d have the most fun and what sorts of costumes you may need to pack.
Hostel Bar
A hostel bar gives everyone a place to get warmed up for the evening and find friends before a night out. Most will offer specials for the guests staying at the hostel or some kind of happy hour deal to get the night going. Sometimes they require something more than just paying for the drinks. For example, drinks were 2 for 1 at Che in Holbox during Bikini Time- an hour where anyone in a bikini top got 2 drinks for the price of 1. The boys took full advantage of the bikinis in the lost and found box.
Larger Dorm Rooms
Dorms with more beds give you more opportunities to meet people! More people mean more plans where you can make friends. You also don’t have to make up excuses to talk to people who are literally staying right next to you. Many of my most fun nights out started with conversations among bunk mates in dorm rooms.
How to choose a Hostel For: The Adrenaline Junky
This backpacker has their hiking boots attached to their backpack with carabiners. They’re looking for the best viewpoints and don’t mind the vertical distance or pre-dawn wake up it takes to get there. They may have a few bruises they don’t remember getting, but they’re totally worth the adventure stories.
What To Look For:
Organized Tours
Hostels in destinations where there’s a popular experience that attracts tourists will often organize tours or excursions for that experience. This is especially true when the experience requires expertise or equipment that many tourists won’t have. Examples of these in places I’ve been include the Acetenango hike in Antigua, Guatemala; volcano boarding in Leon, Nicaragua; and scuba diving in Utila, Honduras. This lets tourists enjoy all the excitement of the experience without worrying about buying expensive gear or getting lost.
Equipment Rentals
If you’re the type of traveler that would rather explore solo or in a smaller group, hostels will also rent out equipment for popular local activities. Examples of this are hostels in Amsterdam that rent bicycles and beach hostels that rent out snorkel gear and surfboards. Whether you choose to take part in a guided tour or design your own itinerary, you won’t have to worrying about purchasing expensive gear or lugging it around.
Experience PAckages
Some hostels will even give you a deal if you go ahead and book your accommodations and experience with them at the same time. Not only does this save you money, but it will also save you the time and headache of trying to coordinate doing a tour with one hostel but staying at another. People in your tour group will more than likely be staying at your hostel too which gives you the opportunity to get closer with the people you’ll be staying with!
How to Choose a Hostel For: The Foodie
This backpacker doesn’t have a list of monuments they want to see- they have a list of restaurants they want to visit. That doesn’t mean they’re opposed to street food, it’s actually quite the opposite. All culinary experiences are beautiful in their own way. They also spend a good deal of time in the kitchen themselves and wouldn’t mind the opportunity to impress their new friends with some of their favorite dishes from home.
What To Look For:
Hostel Restaurant
If you want the closest food available to you to be decent, remember to look at the reviews of your hostel’s restaurant too! Some hostels will even include meals or deals to their restaurant for guests staying at the hostel. Having a free breakfast at the hostel restaurant can be a great way to save some money and a relaxing way to start the day. On the flipside, it can be a convenient place for the last meal of the night.
Kitchen
Hostels with kitchens give you the freedom to cook your own food while you’re traveling. This can be a great way to save some money, accommodate food allergies, and make friends! Offer to cook a meal from home or to try cooking a local dish for your new friends or the people in your dorm. Remember though- not all hostel kitchens are created equal. Make sure your hostel’s kitchen lives up to your expectations before you book. Some have restaurant level prep kitchens and others have 2 coolers and a microwave.
Proximity to Markets
Markets are some of the best places to try local food, and if you’re wanting to eat like a local, you’ll want to have some in walking distance of your hostel. Sometimes people think that if you want to avoid food poisoning, you can’t eat street food, but there’s more to it than that. Look for places that are popular with locals, and you should be fine. Local people don’t want to get sick either! If you want to take it a step further, only eat foods served hot.
How to Choose a Hostel For: The Bougie Backpacker
This backpacker has champagne tastes on a beer budget. Yes, they’re staying in hostels but that doesn’t mean they’re lowering their standards anytime soon. They’ve got a carefully curated outfit for each day of the trip, and they’ve already scouted the best places for photoshoots. The bathroom better have a shelf big enough for their skincare routine.
What To Look For:
Private Rooms
Private rooms are going to cost you a bit more than a dorm room, but that can totally be worth it for your sleep and sanity! And in some countries, private rooms may cost what you’re used to paying for dorm beds in other parts of the world. There’s usually little difference between a hostel private room and a hotel room and you get all the benefits of staying in a hostel. Groups traveling together can also sometimes book their own “mini” dorm room with 3-6 beds just for the group.
En Suite Bathroom
En suite bathrooms connect to the room you’re staying in versus sharing a bathroom that only opens up into the hallway or another common space. This adds a bit more convenience to your stay whether you’re in a dorm or a private room. If looking cute is important to you on your travels, an en suite gives you a dedicated space to get ready too. You may assume that a private room would come with a private en suite bathroom, but that isn’t always the case so double check!
Hotel Aesthetics
Hostel doesn’t mean the place looks cheap and dirty. Hostels have come a long way with how they decorate and the aesthetics they’re trying to achieve. Think beautiful local art, tropical gardens, infinity pools, and insane views. When I show pictures of the places I stay to friends at home, the response I get most often now is “Wait, that’s a hostel??”. There’s a hostel for every aesthetic you can think of and if you’re wanting killer pictures to post, you can find some great photo opportunities without even leaving your accommodations.
What do you look for when you’re choosing a hostel? Let me know if the comments!