The Best Budget Hostels in Cozumel, Mexico

Centrally located Hostelito Cozumel is perfect for budget travelers craving a hint of boutique. Yes, it’s simple but nonetheless comfortable, clean and as colorful as Cozumel itself with kaleidoscopic murals and bright textiles. The hostel offers spacious dorms with orthopedic beds and more secluded private rooms, too. The sundeck is slung with hammocks, the kitchen fully kitted out and the centerpiece pool is the perfect spot for cooling off in the midday heat.

Basic but cheery rooms and comfortable communal areas make this well-placed hostel in Cozumel a great bet. The impressive fruit garden has a large pool – perfect for soaking up the sun surrounded by tropical plants and palms – and there’s even an outdoor barbecue to put your Mexican cooking skills to the test. The communal palapa hut has a kitchen, free tea and coffee, and cable TV. As its name suggests, Amigos is a great place to make new friends, and scuba diving and snorkeling trips can be arranged from the property – including to the island’s Great Mayan Reef and neighboring Isla Holbox for whale-shark diving in season (May to September).

This cozy homestay-style B&B in Cozumel, run by Alicia and Chuco (plus their dogs), offers five simple but spacious rooms in downtown. Ticking all the amenity boxes, it has air conditioning, Wi-Fi and a breakfast of fresh fruits, eggs, waffles, tortillas and guacamole, cooked by Chuco each morning – who also doubles as a dive pro, pointing you to the island’s best spots. A convenient location just a 1mi (1.6km) from the beach, 2mi (3.2km) from the airport and close to great restaurants confirms its broad appeal.

Expect a warm welcome from husband and wife owners, Alex and Jimena, at this homey B&B, four blocks from the oceanfront in Zona Centro. Established 20 years ago, Tamarindo was taken over by the couple in 2017 and has been a mainstay on the Cozumel hotel scene ever since – thanks to its pool, exotic gardens, yoga and massage room, and rooftop terrace crowned by a bar. Tamarindo prides itself on top-notch service and traditional Mexican breakfasts. The couple lives on-site, so they’re always on hand for questions, and grown-ups are guaranteed a quiet stay, as only children over 10 are accepted.

This budget hostel in Cozumel puts an emphasis on the basics done right. Situated in San Miguel de Cozumel, it’s spotless and popular and just off the Plaza Central with ideal transport links to the rest of the island. Also down the road is the Punta Langosta Pier, a jumping-off point for boat trips and tours, and one of Cozumel’s main ferry terminals. Within easy reach are a range of restaurants, including Amparo’s Breakfast Bistro, which serves hearty brunches until 3pm, and local-favorite El Gato Negro Cantina for live music and ice-cold beers.

With over 40 years of experience, Hotel Mary Carmen is legendary in Cozumel. Just 3mi (5km) from the airport and less than a five-minute stroll from the pier, it attracts visitors with its convenient location, next to the market and clock tower. For single guests on a tight budget, the simple rooms are just the ticket – double beds with wall-mounted TVs, USB connectors and private bathrooms with showers. Rooms extend to doubles, triples and study rooms, each with its own quirks and colorful walls, all surrounding a sanctuary-like tiled courtyard plotted with tropical plants. One of the best finds on the island.

Great for couples with children (they have bunk beds), the Safari Inn is a quiet hotel that’s very much still on the beaten track. In fact, being on Avenue Rafael Melgar, you can take in the sigh-worthy views of the shoreline and be within reach of most of the island’s attractions in minutes. Situated above the Aqua Safari Dive Shop, guests have the opportunity to hire equipment and explore the island’s coral reefs on the sea-style safaris of the hotel’s name before returning to one of the 12 rooms – all with air conditioning, some with king-size beds.

Instantly recognizable by its quirky zigzag façade, Hotel Plaza is set just off Avenue Rafael Melgar, and its proximity to the pier and the sculptural, fountain-like Coral Reefs Monument makes it an attractive choice for travelers. The standard double rooms have two beds – perfect for a group of four who like to keep costs down – and they come with flat-screen TVs with cable channels, city views, air conditioning, free toiletries and a handy wake-up service if you’re using the nearby ferry.