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Many of you have probably dreamed of laying out a towel on white-sand beaches, soaking up the sun, swimming in crystal clear water, and having a drink under a palm tree. Heaven exists on earth, and you can find it in Aruba!
Paradise comes with a price, Aruba as well known as a hot spot for luxury tourists and cruise ships. With a lack of hostels and budget hotels, backpackers would usually rethink their trip to Aruba.
That’s exactly why we made this guide! From the top backpacker’s hostels to cheap guesthouses, you can now find that perfect stay to suit how you like to travel!
You don’t have to shell out an arm and a leg to enjoy this tropical island. So we brought all the trendiest and cheapest hostels in Aruba to one place!
Quick answer: The Best Hostels in Aruba
- Overall Best Hostel in Aruba – Pista Q
- Best Cheap Hostel in Aruba – Aruba Harmony
- Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in Aruba – Hostel Room Aruba
The Broke Backpacker is supported by you. Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more.
The Best Hostels in Aruba
Here is a list of all the top hostels in Aruba. They are divided into different categories, so you can choose where to stay in Aruba based on your style, needs, and vibe!
Pista Q – Best Overall Hostel in Aruba
Fair warning, Aruba is expensive, and in Aruba, you do not have a whole lot of backpackers hostels to choose from. Fortunately, Pista Q provides weary budget travelers with a relaxing tropical experience and a laid back atmosphere. With its very own swimming pool, shared kitchen, and lounge, this hostel is perfect for mixing with other travelers before hitting the beach!
Aruba Harmony – Best Cheap Hostel in Aruba
You may not be exactly swinging from the rafters every night at this backpackers hostel, but you will be found most days spent around the table cracking open a cold beer and chatting over delicious food. With its very own swimming pool and garden, being social is a big part of Aruba Harmony.
The relaxing laid back vibe of the hostel makes Aruba Harmony one of the best places on the island to just kick back make friends and meet other travelers! Top it off with excursions and car rentals, you will have an amazing experience both inside and outside your hostel!
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Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!
View on OspreyHostel Room Aruba – Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in Aruba
Another one of the few places where you can find dorm beds in Aruba is the unassuming Hostel Room Aruba. Although the name is not very imaginative, this backpackers hostel makes for the perfect place to base yourself out of in Aruba!
Putting you in a laid back atmosphere with the backpackers vibes of hostel living, this is one of the only places in Aruba where a traveler will truly feel at home! With its bicycle rentals, garden, and location in the heart of Oranjestad, this hostel will put you just minutes away from all the best bars in restaurants in Aruba!
Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.
It looks exactly like a normal belt except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)
Hide Yo’ Money!More of the Best Hostels in Aruba
Kamerlingh Villa
For just a couple of dollars more, you can upgrade from your dorm bed to a luxurious private room in your very own villa! Perfect for all you romantic travelers, this hotel will have you staying in one of the most relaxing and cheapest hotels on Airbnb in Aruba.
Looking to escape from the villa for a day? You will find that some of the most stunning beaches in Aruba are just a few minutes away! With a shared kitchen and a swimming pool, couples won’t be able to find a better place to cozy up for such a low price!
Mammaloe
Unique, vibrant, and tucked off the beaten path, Mammaloe is a dream budget spot for backpackers. It’s peaceful yet full of life, with Eddie the cat and Simba the dog always ready for a cuddle. Though it’s all private rooms, the charm and vibe more than make up for the usual hostel buzz.
The design is pure joy—walking around here will keep a smile on your face. The staff are lovely, and the owner, Larissa, is an absolute gem. Don’t skip breakfast while you’re here; Larissa whips up something delicious for just $10 USD. Bargain and bliss in one!
Desiree’s BnB
Aruba is not only luxury condos and lavash resorts. You can get a touch of the real-life on the island by staying at this boutique-style BnB on a farm in the countryside. Both quirky and trendy, this artsy stay off the beaten path will have you experiencing a totally different side of Aruba! Surrounded by all kinds of barn animals, your studio apartment is both cute and artsy. Putting you just 15 minutes away from the closest beach, this is one BnB stay on Aruba that you will dream of coming back to!
Kudawecha 40
If you are a bit strapped on cash, this stay is one of the top budget hotels in Aruba! With its very own swimming pool and terrace, you will be having all the comfort of a luxury resort but for a fraction of the price! The owners will even bend over backward to make sure you have the time of your life at this guesthouse! With its cozy rooms and a location near several restaurants and markets, you could not ask for a better place to call home in Aruba!
Jade’s Oasis
If you are wanting to splurge a little for a private room but still wanting to save some money, Jade’s Oasis is a guesthouse that will give you a luxury experience while still providing you will a backpacker’s atmosphere. Complete with a fully equipped kitchen and coffee maker, you will have all the comforts of home right at your guesthouse! Although the beach is only 20 minutes away, you will find that Jade’s Oasis has its very own garden, swimming pool, and barbeque pit, giving travelers everything they need to truly enjoy island living!
Boat and Breakfast Aruba
Boat and Breakfast is everything you would imagine it would be. Putting you right in the harbor in Oranjestad, this homey and cozy boat will give you one of the most unique bed and breakfast stays in your life! With all the best bars and restaurants nearby, you will literally be staying in the heart of the city from your nautical home away from home! Looking for a little extra adventure? This BnB can also hook you up with snorkeling tours and hikes taking you to some of the most breathtaking parts of Aruba!
Posada Sanbarbola
This guesthouse will give you the same price as a budget backpackers hostel in Aruba, but with all the comfort of a hotel! What will really win you over is the spacious yet cozy rooms, complete with thoughtful touches that turn the house into a warm home. Located right by a bus stop and several markets, you will have all of the island laid out before your feet. While chilling at the hotel, you will feel right at home with the colorful decor and laid back vibes at this residential guesthouse!
What to Pack for your Aruba Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out our definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!
Why you should travel to Aruba
Although there are tons of great hostels in Aruba, Pista Q is the one stay that outshines them all with its price, comfort, and overall experience! With its dorm rooms and youth hostel vibes, there is no better for backpackers to stay in Aruba!
Travel Safety Tips for Aruba
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Over to you
From the poolside to the beach, you have tons of places to choose from when to comes to traveling Aruba on a budget! Although you only have a few hostels to choose from on the island, you still have tons of great guesthouses and BnBs that will make you vacation in Aruba truly one to remember!
Did we forget any great backpackers hostels in Aruba? Let us know in the comments below!
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Airbnb in Aruba if you’re feeling fancy!
- Check out the best places to stay in Aruba before you arrive.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate South America backpacking guide.
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