Packed with action and adventure, El Nido has endless beaches, epic nightlife, cheap drinks, great food, and all of it comes at a super cheap price.

Ultimately, El Nido is nothing short of a backpacker’s paradise.

But as with any popular backpacker city, El Nido has a ton of bad hostels, which is the exact reason we put together this backpacker’s guide to the best hostels in El Nido.

There are a ton of hostels in El Nido, but many of them are poorly reviewed. So we took the highest reviewed hostels in El Nido, and put them together in this one list.

Then, to take it a step further, we’ve organized the best hostels in El Nido by different travel-categories. We know that everyone travels differently, so this list is a reflection of that! Whether you want to travel to El Nido to party, meet other travelers, or just save as much money as possible, our list of the top hostels in El Nido will get you exactly where you want to be.

Then you can focus on what matters – exploring this amazing island!

Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in El Nido

Best Hostels in El Nido
El Nido is a backpacker’s paradise – These are the best hostels in El Nido

The 10 Best Hostels in El Nido (and other cheap backpacker’s accommodation)

El Nido (and most of The Philippines) is already cheap, so finding an affordable hostel is never a challenge. The challenge lies in finding a quality affordable hostel to stay in when backpacking the Philippines. But don’t worry. We got you.

We’ve searched for the best hostels (and some budget hotels) in El Nido, making it easier for you to plan your perfect stay.

Looking for the cheapest El Nido hostel? Check. How about the best hostel for solo travelers in El Nido? Best party hostel in El Nido? We’ve got you covered. Have a look and book the best El Nido hostel for you.

Ille Cave
Ille Cave, El Nido

Outpost Beach Hostel – Best Hostel in El Nido

Outpost Beach Hostel best hostels in El Nido
Social vibes make Outpost Beach Hostel one of the best hostels in El Nido for solo travelers

The best hostel for solo travellers in El Nido, Outpost Beach Hostel has various dorms and private rooms right on Sunset Beach. Bask on the sands in the day and drink a beer with others in the onsite bar and games room, complete with foosball and board games, in the evenings. There are various common areas to suit all. Grab a book from the book exchange for some relaxation or veg out in front of the TV. Exploring is easy thanks to bike rentals and a range of tours. No need to worry about finding an El Nido hostel near the airport either—shuttle services are available.

Mad Monkey Nacpan Beach – Best Party Hostel in El Nido

Mad Monkey Nacpan Beach best hostels in El Nido
Mad Monkey is a great party hostel in El Nido and one of our top choices for best hostels in El Nido

Mad Monkey Nacpan Beach is a sociable and fun hostel right on the beach of Nacpan. It’s around half an hour from El Nido town. What makes this the best party hostel in El Nido are the onsite bar and restaurant, where you can always grab a cool beer or a fruity cocktail, beach BBQs, and a lively yet laid-back vibe. Join in with volleyball on the beach, go snorkelling, take an island hopping tour … there are many ways to have fun at this El Nido backpackers hostel. Living is basic here, with cold showers and fans (no A/C), no Wi-Fi, and simple but comfortable mixed dorms and tents for two.

Spin Designer Hostel – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in El Nido

Spin Designer Hostel best hostels in El Nido
Spin Designer is a great flashpacker hostel in El Nido for all types of travelers (Digital Nomads too!)

The award-winning Spin Designer Hostel is the best hostel for digital nomads in El Nido. In a place where Wi-Fi is often limited, Spin Designer’s free and relatively reliable Wi-Fi can be a godsend for those needing to work while exploring. This recommended hostel in El Nido has a range of other handy facilities too, including a tour desk, laundry facilities, and lockers. Hot showers and A/C add to your comfort while housekeeping services keep everywhere clean. There’s a communal kitchen and various common areas where you can work and mingle. Breakfast is free too!

Hakuna Matata – El Nido – Best Cheap Hostel in El Nido

Hakuna Matata – El Nido best hostels in El Nido
Hakuna Matata is our pick for best budget/cheap hostel in El Nido

Hakuna Matata – El Nido is a laid-back hostel that fully embraces the Swahili phrase of “No Worries”. The small and basic bamboo rooms offer a local experience in a great central location close to town and the beach. If you want to unplug and unwind this top hostel in El Nido could be an ideal place for you—there’s no Wi-Fi and the hostel doesn’t use generators when power cuts happen. The mixed dorms sleep six and the hostel has a chill-out area with hammocks, tables and chairs, and basic cooking facilities. Perfect for budget travellers, Hakuna Matata – El Nido is the best budget hostel in El Nido.

Hakuna Matata – El Nido is one of our favourites in El Nido but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Is This the Best Backpack EVER???
Aether Backpack

We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.

Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!

View on Osprey View on REI
Travel with peace of mind. Travel WITH a security belt.
Active Roots Security Belt

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 El Nido

Here are three more of the best hostels in El Nido…

Are you looking to stay in specific neighborhood? Check out our guide to El Nido’s best areas to stay.

Austria’s Guesthouse and Restaurant

Austria’s Guesthouse and Restaurant best hostels in El Nido
Another great budget option, Austria’s Guesthouse is one of the best options for El Nido backpackers accommodation

With cheap beds in mixed dorms for ten and a range of affordable private rooms for between one and six, Austria’s Guesthouse and Restaurant is a great youth hostel in El Nido for solos, couples, and groups. Wake up to a free breakfast and enjoy top-notch facilities like an onsite restaurant, tour desk, gift shop, laundry facilities, a chilled-out balcony, and a sociable common room. Wanna de-stress? Book a massage!

Our Melting Pot

Our Melting Pot best hostels in El Nido
Our Melting Pot is a solid choice for El Nido backpackers accommodation

Our Melting Pot was designed with travelers in mind, offering comfort, security, sociability, and affordability in the heart of El Nido. It’s our pick for the overall best hostel in El Nido in 2021. There’s free breakfast, round-the-clock reception, hot showers, lockers, and generators for emergency power backup. It manages to hold on to a rustic vibe while still offering modern comforts. Dorm beds have curtains for privacy and there are various common areas where you can make heaps of new traveling buddies or chillax. Other plus points include bike rentals, luggage storage, and Wi-Fi.

Our Melting Pot is one of our favourites in El Nido but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Amos Hostel El Nido

Amos Hostel El Nido best hostels in El Nido
Amos Hostel is cheap, making it a top choice for El Nido backpackers accommodation

A top hostel in El Nido for budget travellers, Amos Hostel El Nido is cheap as chips and comfortable. The staff members are friendly and helpful and there’s a decent sociable atmosphere. There are mixed dorms for six and eight, and the private double are great for couples and BFFs. There’s a restaurant/bar and the hostel is close to the night market and other places where you can eat and drink. Hop on a bus for a short ride to reach the beach and El Nido’s fun nightlife. It’s one of the best backpacker hostels in El Nido for people travelling on the cheap.

Amos Hostel El Nido is one of our favourites in El Nido but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Best Hotels for Budget Travelers in El Nido

With just a few El Nido hostels to choose between, maybe you’d prefer a hotel instead? We’ve sorted through the top choices here too, bringing you the best hotels in El Nido for all budgets.

David’s Guest House – Best Budget Hotel in El Nido

David's Guest House best hotel in El Nido

Located right on the beachfront, David’s Guest House is an awesome budget hotel in El Nido for people who like to be close to the action. Rooms are available for two and three. All rooms are en-suite with air conditioning and Wi-Fi. Airport shuttles can be arranged and the hotel can also help you to arrange various fun activities, including fishing, snorkelling, and massages.

Cabanas de Nacpan Resort – Best Mid-Range Hotel in El Nido

Cabanas de Nacpan Resort best hotel in El Nido

A fabulous place for adventurous couples and families, Cabanas de Nacpan Resort offers accommodation in luxury tents on a rustic farm. The beach is just a couple of kilometres away and parking is available at the resort. The rate includes the use of a scooter, making it easy to get around and explore. Breakfast is free and there are heaps of family-friendly amenities, including a play area, cots, family rooms, board games, and child-minding services. If you’re seeking a unique El Nido experience, this resort is ideal.

El Nido Coco Resort – Best Splurge Hotel in El Nido

El Nido Coco Resort best hostels in El Nido

A short stroll from the beach and surrounded by nature, the peaceful El Nido Coco Resort is great if you want to splash out and make your accommodation part of your overall El Nido experience. There’s an outdoor pool, a spacious sun terrace, an on-site restaurant, and a tour desk; whether you want to chill or explore, this El Nido hotel has you covered. Each room is en-suite with air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, a safe, a fridge, a kettle, and a hairdryer.

What to Pack for your El Nido 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.

Product
Description
Don’t Let Snorers Keep You Awake!
Don’t Let Snorers Keep You Awake!

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.

Keep your laundry organized and stink free
Keep your laundry organized and stink free

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.

Stay Dry With a Micro Towel
Stay Dry With a Micro Towel

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.

Make Some New Buddies…
Make Some New Buddies…

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.

Reduce Plastic – Bring a Water Bottle!
Reduce Plastic – Bring a Water Bottle!

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 El Nido

If you are heading to El Nido, prepare yourself to have an absolute blast. While not the most authentic Philippines experience, it’s a backpacker paradise with no shortage of good times. The only hard part about El Nido is leaving!

And with the help of this list, you might never have to leave! The best hostels in El Nido covers every type of traveler, making booking a hostel a piece of cake.

So, what’s it gunna be? Are you going to book the best hostel for solo travelers? Or maybe the best party hostel in El Nido?

If you can’t pick – stress not! Just book at Mad Monkey Nacpan Beach. It’s a solid party/fun hostel with great reviews, a good price and overall value that make it a no brainer for one of the top hostels in El Nido for 2024.

Mad Monkey Nacpan Beach best hostels in El Nido

FAQ about Hostels in El Nido

Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in El Nido.

How much does a hostel cost in El Nido?

The average price of hostels in El Nido can range from $14 – $15+ per night. Of course, the private rooms are on the higher end of the scale than the dorm beds.

What are the best hostels in El Nido for couples?

Outpost Beach Hostel is our best hostel for couples in El Nido. It’s located right on Sunset Beach.

What is the best hostel in El Nido near the airport?

Spin Designer Hostel, our best hostel for digital nomads, is 5.2 km from El Nido Airport. It has free and relatively reliable Wi-Fi.

Travel Safety Tips for El Nido

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.

More Epic Hostels in Philippines and Southeast Asia

Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to El Nido.

Planning an epic trip all across Philippines or even Southeast Asia itself?

Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!

For more cool hostel guides around Southeast Asia, check out:

Over to you

By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in El Nido has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure! After you’ve booked your favorite hostel, plan your trip using our El Nido itinerary!

If you think we’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit us up in the comments!

Looking for more info on travelling to El Nido and the Philippines?

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!