Best Hostels in Latin America 2026: Where Solo Travelers Actually Stay

The hostel scene in Latin America has matured dramatically. Gone are the days of questionable mattresses and broken locks. Today's top hostels rival boutique hotels — with social atmospheres no hotel can match.

Medellín

• Selina Medellín — Coworking + hostel hybrid in Laureles. Pool, rooftop, daily events. Dorms $12-18
• Los Patios — Poblado institution. Great bar, social events, walking distance to everything. Dorms $10-15
• Masaya Medellín — Chain with consistently high quality. Laureles location is best. Dorms $14-20

Bogotá

• Masaya Bogotá — In La Candelaria. Beautiful colonial building. Rooftop with city views. Dorms $10-14
• Cranky Croc — Budget-friendly backpacker vibe. Great common areas. Dorms $8-12

Cartagena

• Media Luna Hostel — In Getsemaní. Pool, hammocks, daily activities. The most social hostel in Cartagena. Dorms $12-18
• Life is Good Cartagena — Party hostel with a purpose. Pool parties, pub crawls. Dorms $14-20

Buenos Aires

• Milhouse Hostel — The legendary BA hostel. Two locations (Hipo and Avenue). Nightly parties, tango nights. Dorms $8-12
• Recoleta Hostel — Quieter, in upscale Recoleta. Beautiful building. Dorms $10-15

Santo Domingo

• Island Life Hostel — In Zona Colonial. Rooftop bar, walking tours included. Dorms $10-15

The Local Friend Alternative

Hostels are great for meeting other travelers. But for meeting locals, you need Roavi. The combination of hostel social life + a Local Friend who shows you the city = the perfect solo travel setup.

Browse Local Friends on Roavi.