In the past decade, Mexico has secured its position as one of the most fashionable spots for tourists and travelers. Its capital city was named best destination by The New York Times last year and business is booming in the beach resorts of Cancún and Puerto Vallarta. However, that doesn’t mean you should be paying an arm and a leg for accommodation. The country has a vibrant network of hostels catering to the many backpackers who flock there every year. Here are ten of the best hostels in the country, for those looking to experience Mexico on a budget.
Mezcal Hostel, Cancún
Hostel
Mezcal bottle | © Eneas De Troya / Flickr
Situated in an elegant building slap bang in the city center, this colorful Cancún spot is one of the liveliest hostels in Mexico. Staff are friendly, and a simple breakfast and dinner are included with the room. In the day, you’ll find guests lounging by the garden pool and at night the terrace becomes a hub of activity, with people chatting and drinking until around 11pm – when it’s time to hit the clubs. Lowest priced room: 8-bed mixed dorm for MXN$250 per night.
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Budget, City, RelaxedTribu, Isla Holbox
Hostel
Tribu Hostel, Tulum | © Charlie Marchant / Flickr
Laid-back and hip, Tribu truly embodies the spirit of Isla Holbox, a tropical paradise in Quintana Roo state. A stone’s throw from the beach, the wooden structures were built by hand, giving the complex an unorthodox but cheerful feel. Guests are free to cook in the communal kitchen, pull up a chair at the bar or spend the day lounging in the one of the many garden hammocks. Lowest priced room: 10-bed mixed dorm for MXN$270 per night.
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Budget, Beach, Remote, RelaxedPoc Na, Isla Mujeres
Hostel
Another destination that will win over beach bums, Poc Na Hostel is the best place for budget travelers to Islas Mujeres, a lush Caribbean island off the coast of Cancun. The hostel is next to a soothing beach, but the atmosphere is far livelier than you might first expect. At night the beach bar comes alive, with music played until late. The smaller, more expensive dorm rooms are positioned close to the bar and are best avoided if you’re not into late nights. Lowest priced room: 9-bed mixed dorm for $180 pesos per night.
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BudgetPacific Buddha Hostel - Brisas de Zicatela, Oaxaca
Hostel
With Hindu symbols painted on the garden walls and Indian cloth lanterns hanging from the rafters, this laid-back hostel wouldn’t look out of place in Goa. Smaller than most places you’ll find on the backpack trail, the cozy dimensions create a more personable atmosphere. The kitchen and dormitory rooms are kept clean and the pristine white beach is a just a short walk away. Lowest priced room: 8-bed mixed dorm for $150 pesos per night.
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Budget, BeachCasa Angel Youth Hostel, Oaxaca
Hostel
Simply put, you won’t find a better youth hostel in Mexico than the Casa Angel in Oaxaca. Located in a spacious building, the stylish guest house is walking distance from most of Oaxaca’s main attractions. Management and staff scrupulously tick all of the boxes for what you would expect for a comfortable stay. The hostel offers a free cooked breakfast, a good kitchen and stylish common areas with plasma screen TVs and Netflix. Lowest priced room: 12-bed mixed dorm for $190 pesos per night.
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Capsule Hostel, Mexico City
Hostel
Capsule Hostel, Mexico City Mexico’s answer to the pod hotels that have exploded in Japan, the Capsule Hostel doesn’t quite have the edgy sci-fi feel of its Asian counterparts. Still, it has an interesting minimalist vibe and the cube-shaped capsules are a pleasant change from bunk beds. A good option for travelers looking for a unique, yet inexpensive place to stay in the capital. Lowest priced room: 12-bed female, or 8-bed male dorm for MXN$240 per night.
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BudgetTuboHotel, Tepoztlán
Hostel
A night in a concrete drain tube might not sound like a tempting offer, but the TuboHotel in Tepoztlán is one of the country’s most original accommodation options. Inside each tube is a bed, a fan and a reading lamp, while the bathrooms are communal. The hostel also provides guests with breakfast. Lowest priced room: 1-bed for MXN$720 per night.
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Budget, UnusualCasa de Dante, Guanajuato
Hostel
Don’t be put off by the fact that there are other budget places to stay in Guanajuato closer to the main attractions, the Casa de Dante tops them all. The cozy hostel has clean rooms and welcoming staff, as well as a rooftop terrace that offers impressive views of its picturesque colonial surroundings. The establishment also offers a cooked traditional breakfast with fresh fruit and coffee. Lowest priced room: 8-bed mixed dorm for MXN$290 per night.
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BudgetHospedarte Chapultepec, Guadalajara
Hostel
Guadalajara cathedral by night | © Thomassin Mickael / Flickr
Located in one of Guadalajara’s most fashionable neighborhoods, Hospedarte Chapultepec offers a hostel experience that feels genuinely upscale. With its clean and modern interior, fully-equipped kitchen and large garden with hammocks, the hostel is a far cry from the dingy haunts so often associated with backpacking. Ten minutes’ drive from the historic center, the room and dorm rate also includes a continental breakfast. Lowest priced room: 8-bed mixed dorm for MXN$200 per night.
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Funky Monkey Hostel, Mazatlán
Hostel
This cheerful spot in the center of Mazatlán is a great place to unwind. With a swimming pool and hammocks on the rooftop terrace, the Funky Monkey Hostel seems determined to pamper its guests. The building also has air conditioning, two communal kitchens, laundry facilities and free breakfast. What more could you ask for? Lowest priced room: 7-bed mixed dorm for MXN$270 per night.
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