This is a comprehensive list of the best hostels around Colombia by city. After backpacking Colombia for a month and a half and staying exclusively in hostels, I’ve realized that Colombia is an incredibly budget friendly and female solo travel friendly country to travel.
All of these hostels are ones that I’ve stayed at or I was recommended by friends while I stayed there and I would’ve stayed there if I had enough time. The majority of the hostels are under $20. The average I paid for a night in a hostel in Colombia was around $14. Many of my suggestions also include breakfast which makes them even more budget friendly.
I also try to recommend boutique/non chain hostels, however, Viajero is a chain that I really like and I’ve stayed at many of them and they are very consistent in their quality. I typically don’t like chain hostels such as Selina because they’re just not as budget or backpacker friendly. I put these together so you don’t have to spend hours searching for good hostels to stay in!
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Cartagena
Casa Movida
Casa Movida is in a great location in the center of the walled city of Cartagena. The beds are really nice and they’re secluded in capsules. They also have a pool and good breakfast that is included. 
Casa Zahri
Casa Zahri is one of my favorite hostels in Colombia. It’s in Getsemani, which is the very artsy part of Cartagena. They also have a pool and nightly activities. Their breakfasts are amazing with different options and is included. They also have a free welcome drink at the bar. They also have many bathrooms and they’re all very clean. 
Viajero Hostel
Viajero is also in Getsemani and although I didn’t stay there, it looked very nice. They do not have breakfast included.
Islands near Cartagena
Casa en el agua
Casa en el agua is a famous hostel that is an island. Although I never visited, this was highly recommended and a boat ride from Cartagena. This is a party hostel and you can wake up and jump into the water. When I come back to Cartagena, I’ll have to stay here.
Secreto Hostel on Isla Rosario
Secreto Hostel was one of my favorite hostels in Colombia. It’s on Isla Rosario which was the vibe I was looking for with perfect Carribbean blue waters and beaches. They also have amazing food and you can easily stay at the hostel without leaving since they have a private beach and activities. However, they add everything to your tab so things can add up if you’re not careful. It was so worth it and I loved my time there. They also provide transportation to and from the island. 
Medellin
Viajero Hostel
Viajero hostel is where I stayed in Medellin. It’s in a very touristy area, Poblado, and the neighborhood is filled with great restaurants and cafes. Viajero had super comfortable beds and an amazing rain shower. They also have a beautiful rooftop with a bar and hot tubs. It was super social and easy to meet people there. They also have a large co-working space and kitchen. Unfortunately, breakfast isn’t included but there is free coffee. 
Los Patios
Los Patios is right across from Viajero. It’s one of the most famous hostels in Medellin. They have a good walking tour and nightly activities. There is a rooftop with a really nice pool but it closes early. It’s a little more expensive than Viajero.
Masaya Hostel
Masaya Hostel is a pretty boujee hostel in this area. It’s absolutely beautiful with a pool and pool bar. It’s also in the Poblado area and very clean. It doesn’t include breakfast.
Salento
Coffee Tree Hostel
Coffee Tree is a beautiful boutique hostel on the edge of town. It’s a super relaxing place to stay for a few days in Salento. They have yoga in the morning and nightly activities. The reception also has so many good recommendations for restaurants and coffee tours. They also have 2 adorable st. bernards. 
Viajero Hostel
Viajero Hostel is very close to Coffee Tree and it’s a similar vibe with yoga and a view of the mountains. I think they are very comparable but Viajero is a little more expensive.
Guatape
Lake View Hostel
Lake View Hostel is one of the best hostels to meet people. They have a very fun happy hour and delicious cocktails as well as an amazing Thai restaurant on their top floor. They have games and I met so many other solo travelers there that I ended up staying for a few extra days. You can also rent kayaks and plan paragliding through them which I did both. 
Jardin
Sgt Pepper’s Hostel
Sgt Pepper’s is super friendly and has very comfortable rooms. It’s right near the center of Jardin. Jardin is a super cute town with amazing viewpoints and hikes. Would definitely recommend staying here a few nights. This was the only hostel that I got a private room since they were only $15. Breakfast is also included.
Bogota
Viajero Hostel
Although I never visited Bogota, I heard the Viajero Hostel in Bogota is one of the nicest. They even have a spa inside. The hostel has a lot of chill areas and is very social and backpacker friendly. Like most Viajeros, breakfast isn’t included.
Arche Noah Hostel
Arche Noah is a super cute boutique hostel located in a great neighborhood, Candelaria. Their beds are really comfortable and their shared rooms have a lot of space. They also have a beautiful rooftop and breakfast included in their price.
The Cranky Croc Hostel
The Cranky Croc Hostel is the place to be if you’re looking for a party hostel in Bogota. It’s a little pricier but for the cleanliness and social vibes, it’s worth it if this is what you’re looking for. It does not include breakfast.
Masaya Hostel
Masaya Hostel is really nice and it’s also in Candelaria. It’s a quieter hostel to chill at and it would be good for digital nomads to work. It’s very affordable and relaxing.
Near Tayrona Park
Journey Hostel
Journey Hostel is the most popular hostel to stay in if you’re visiting Tayrona Park because it’s right near the entrance. They have a beautiful pool overlooking the jungle. I wanted to stay here but it was booked up so I would recommend booking this hostel at least a week in advance.
Origen Hostel
Origen Hostel is a fairly new hostel that just reopened but I loved it so much. The owner, Will, was super welcoming and it’s very close to Tayrona Park. It is also very nature and green and serene. During breakfast, they feed monkeys so you can watch them eat while you’re eating. They also have mosquitos nets over the beds and good wifi. 
Viajero Hostel
Viajero Hostel near Tayrona Park is one of their nicest hostels. They are right on the beach and have a pool and beach bar. It looks very fun and backpacker friendly.
Palomino
Rio Hostel
Rio Hostel is a famous hostel in between Santa Marta and Palomino that’s known for being a party hostel. Every day, you can go tubing down to the beach with the hostel and they bring you back up. They host a festival in February.
El Zoo
El Zoo is a very chill hostel with super cute animals and a fun pool. They have good breakfast included and a nice bar with happy hour deals. They also have parties on the weekend. They have a co-working space and really good wifi. 
Dreamer Hostel
Dreamer Hostel has a similar vibe to El Zoo and it’s very backpacker friendly. They have a pool and is very close to the beach. It’s very popular for backpackers in Palomino.
Santa Marta
La Brisa Loca
La Brisa Loca is the ultimate party hostel. I stayed here for 1 night and it was very fun, but plenty for 1 night. They have 2 rooftops with 2 different DJs and the rooftops are open until 3 am. They also have a really good restaurant and cocktails. It’s located in a great area but they start blasting music around 10 am which is exhausting. Very fun for young backpackers.
Viajero Hostel
Viajero in Santa Marta is very nice and centrally located. They have a rooftop pool which is perfect for cooling down in the city.
Taganga
Divanga Hostel
Divanga Hostel is a very comfortable hostel in Taganga. They have an amazing restaurant and I had food poisoning before arriving but felt so much better after eating there. The owner is super nice and they have a lot of common areas and a pool. Their included breakfast is delicious. They have an amazing lava cake.
Minca
Finca Carpe Diem Ecolodge
Finca Carpe Diem Ecolodge is a beautiful hostel with a pool overlooking the jungle in Minca. It’s the perfect getaway from Santa Marta, just 40 minutes outside the city. The food looks amazing and super fresh and it looks super relaxing.
Casa Loma
Casa Loma is the most backpacker friendly and social hostel in the Minca area. So many people recommended it to be. It also has beautiful views of the jungle and an all around great environment.
Mundo Nuevo Eco Lodge
Mundo Nuevo has everything an ecolodge needs: animals, nature, and beautiful flora and fauna. It seriously looks so relaxing and has so much to offer. They also do their own permaculture.
Riohacha
LagunaSala Hostel
LagunaSala Hostel is the perfect place to stay before/after doing the desert tour in La Guajira. It’s very comfortable with great wifi and a rooftop pool. It also has breakfast included and great curtains on the beds. 
Cali
La Vaina Hostel
La Vaina has everything you want in a hostel in a city: a pool, lots of room to chill out, free breakfast, and salsa lessons. The hostel is also in a great area with very affordable prices. This is one of the best hostels to stay at in Cali and really good for backpackers on a budget.
Viajero Hostel
Another Viajero recommendation. The one in Cali also has a pool and salsa lessons but they do not offer free breakfast. Since Cali is the capital of salsa, most hostels you find will offer free salsa lessons.
La Sucursal Hostel
La Sucursal Hostel looks like a very home-y and comfortable place to stay but also has a party vibe. They offer free salsa lessons every day as well. They do not provide breakfast.
Beach Hostels
Costeño Beach Hostel
Costeño Beach Hostel is a beautiful hostel right on the beach near Santa Marta. It’s an amazing hostel to stay at if you want to relax on the beach for a few days. There aren’t many beach hostels in the area so I would take advantage of this one.
Pacifico Hostel
Pacifico Hostel was one of the most recommended hostels to me but unfortunately, I wasn’t able to make it. It’s a few hours from Cali and you arrive by boat. You’re completely engulfed by nature there with lakes, waterfalls, and the Pacific Ocean. It’s the perfect getaway and they have breakfast included.
