The Best Hostels for Backpackers in Montevideo

La Tatucera is an authentic hostel, built on the principles hostels were originally based on. There are no televisions or even alcohol served anywhere on the premises – the owners designed it as such to try and promote human interaction and positive discourse. It has dorm rooms, a common area and a lovely rooftop terrace with unique Uruguayan paintings. The staff are friendly and always willing to help ensure your stay is above and beyond what you pay for.

Located fairly close to the promenade, the Old City and the city centre, this hostel is set in a completely renovated and refurbished old house and has a young, relaxed vibe. The hostel is decorated with beautiful murals and has a pool table. They offer bike rentals and tours inside and outside of the city.

This hostel is located in the city center, six blocks away from the bus station, so you can experience life in the busiest part of the city. There is a shared kitchen and a terrace, which is an ideal place to relax or meet other guests. Daily transfer services and excursions are offered so that you don’t miss anything the city has to offer, and you can also get excellent advice from the staff on good places to go. Che Lagarto is part of the largest chain of private hostels in South America, so if you’re traveling around the country or the continent, the staff can also help you make plans for your next destination.

Conveniently located less than five minutes’ walk from the beach and promenade, 20 minutes from the bus station, and 15 minutes to the city center, this hostel is at the heart of the city. You’ll share a large house with a huge backyard and barbecue, a kitchen, inner garden and two cozy fireplaces. The staff are always ready to suggest things to do during the day and night, and as it’s so central there will always be something new to discover.

“The Traveller,” in downtown Montevideo, is an impressively designed hostel, with paintings on almost every wall. Some feature the most famous buildings of Uruguayan cities, and others are colorful Candombe drums you’re sure to get to know closely. Where the walls aren’t painted, something else is that will make the room pop and create a wonderfully warm atmosphere. This hostel is safe and clean, close to the Old City district and great for making new friends!

The rooms in this hostel are spacious, clean and bright. Guests usually meet up in the common area to play their musical instruments by the fireplace. The hostel is located in one of the best neighborhoods in the city in terms of things to see and do: there are design shops, markets, handicraft shops, museums, cafés, bars and restaurants all within easy reach. It’s also a university area, so the nightlife is buzzing, and there are options for all tastes – you can find nightclubs, Irish pubs, bars hosting live music and restaurants. A fun option is to go barhopping; bars and clubs are open until anything from 4 a.m. to 9 a.m.

This hostel offers beautiful rooms in the modern neighborhood of Buceo. Walk around the big houses and tall skyscrapers, and don’t miss out on the promenade that leads to the beach for one of the most stunning views in the city. The hostel is an old refurbished house with an outdoor terrace, and a lot of instruments and games to share with other guests. The outdoor deck is also very cozy; it’s a great place to enjoy the sun during the day, and drink with other guests at night.

This classic house has many floors with huge, spacious rooms, an outdoor area and swimming pool for guests to enjoy. It’s located downtown, so you can visit the Ciudad Vieja (Old City), Parque Rodó, the city center and the promenade on foot. The Barrio Sur district is where candombe music originated, and on some days you will still see the comparsas, or parades, with people banging on drums and dancing. You can meet a lot of travelers in the hostel’s bar, which has a pleasant atmosphere in which to relax and socialize before a night out in the city, or at an asado, a typical communal barbecue.