The high-altitude Bolivian city of La Paz – officially titled Nuestra Señora de La Paz – is, in fact, the highest capital city of any country in the world. To properly get to grips with just what this looks like (a city literally perched in the mountains) it’s a good idea to get the recent cable car, Mi Teleférico, for some awesome views.
Complete with markets – such as the kooky Witches’ Market – a historical centre to explore (complete with imposing 19th century Metropolitan Cathedral), and nearby natural sights like the Valle de la Luna, La Paz, there’s a lot to do here.
The best way to do it all on a budget, obviously, is to stay at a hostel! Finding the best hostel for you can be difficult, however; there’s a lot of factors to take in, from your budget to the location and even how much partying you feel like doing.
Don’t worry though. We’ve made sure to take all that into consideration with our epic guide to the best hostels in La Paz, helping to make finding the perfect place for you (and your budget) a breeze.
Let’s see what’s going on in the La Paz hostel scene!
Quick answer: The Best Hostels in La Paz
- Best Overall Hostel La Paz – The Adventure Brew Hostel
- Best Party Hostel in La Paz – Wild Rover Hostel La Paz
- Best Cheap Hostel in La Paz – The Adventure Brew Down Town
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in La Paz – Selina La Paz
Best Hostels in La Paz
The Adventure Brew Hostel – Best Overall Hostel in La Paz
For a pretty much no-brainer of a stay in La Paz, we’d recommend The Adventure Brew Hostel. It’s the best overall hostel in La Paz because it’s basically got everything going for it, not least an awesome location that’s just 5 minutes from the bus terminal and a 15 minute stroll to the centre of town with all its markets.
There’s a bar downstairs where you can grab a few drinks (and snacks) and get chatting to fellow guests staying at the hostel; there’s also a rooftop, both of these spaces helping the social vibe of this place. Clean, comfy, welcoming: an all-round great place to stay.
Wild Rover Hostel La Paz – Best Party Hostel in La Paz
Wild Rover Hostel La Paz really IS the best party hostel in La Paz. If you’re travelling around Bolivia looking for wherever the party might be, here’s where you’ll find it. There is literally something going on here every single night; and complete with its fun bar, it’s no wonder that this La Paz backpackers hostel is THE place to party.
You should definitely go expecting a party though. If you don’t, you’re likely going to be in for a pretty loud surprise! If what you want is good times though, you’ll love it. Themed nights, open mic nights, ladies nights, quiz nights, karaoke nights, it’s all happening at this place. All with a cheap happy hour on top of that.
The Adventure Brew Down Town – Best Cheap Hostel in La Paz
The Adventure Brew Down Town is cheap and centrally located, so if you’re looking for value for money… here’s the place for you. The atmosphere here lies somewhere between party and chill, which strikes a nice sort of balance if you ask us. Don’t expect boutique level quality, but it does have clean rooms and nice bathrooms.
We said it had a good location and we weren’t lying: it’s on a pedestrianised street with awesome food options just nearby, plus only a few minutes’ walk from San Francisco Square. Bonus – there’s a hostel cat called Gin. All in all the best cheap hostel in La Paz.
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View on Osprey View on REISelina La Paz – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in La Paz
Are you a remote worker? Do you need to get some work done in La Paz? Have a few projects going on? Then honestly you really CANNOT get much better than this place – the best hostel for digital nomads in La Paz. For starters, this place has its very own workstations, people! To get you in the mood for working up a storm, the coworking space here is amazing.
Being as good as it is, Selina La Paz is a good place to meet fellow digital nomads – can’t beat a bit of networking, right? And when the day’s all done and dusted, the on-site bar is the place to be, with its extensive selection of tasty (and good quality) cocktails. Bonus: The internet connection here is actually reliable!
Loki La Paz – Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in La Paz
An amazing hostel where the staff go above and beyond to make sure that everybody staying here is comfortable and enjoying themselves. We’d say that’s a good start when it comes to the best hostel in La Paz for solo travellers, don’t you think? On top of that, there’s some awesome social vibes going on here, meaning plenty of opportunities to make some new travel buddies.
What definitely helps is the bar on the top floor of this La Paz backpackers hostel. Not just because socialising is always great after a few drinks, but also because it’s located far enough away from the dorms that you’re going to be able to sleep. It’s not a crazy party hostel, but it’s also not boring – and definitely not quiet!
Hostel Journey – Best Hostel for Couples in La Paz
Pretty fancy when it comes to the selection of La Paz backpackers hostels on offer, Hostel Journey is definitely our top choice if you’re visiting the Bolivian capital with your other half. Cosy, set in an “Alpine style” building and with nice private rooms to boot, it’s easily the best hostel for couples in La Paz.
The location also couldn’t be better. It’s right in the middle of all the action of the city, so if you and your partner like to be in the thick of it all and properly explore a city, using Hostel Journey as a base is a great idea.
Loki Boutique – Best Hostel with a Private Room in La Paz
The private rooms at this chic place are more like boutique hotel rooms. Well, you can kind of tell from the name. It’s set in a historic building with a whole lot of luxury and comfort. And if what you’re looking for is privacy and space to chill out in, you honestly should consider booking this cool hostel in La Paz.
Super stylish, and with its very own bar and restaurant – where you can enjoy delicious dishes and drinks – as well as regular events being put on, it’s, without doubt, the best hostel with a private room in La Paz. It really doesn’t get any better than this for private rooms in La Paz backpackers hostels.
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Hide Yo’ Money!More Best Hostels in La Paz
Paititi Hostel
If you’re looking for good value for money, Paititi Hostel would be a good option. Set in an old house in a residential area, this budget hostel in La Paz makes for a good few nights’ stay whilst you rest up before the next leg of your adventure in Bolivia – or South America as a whole.
Though it may be a little far from the centre of town, it’s no trouble catching a taxi to get around, or even using the city’s bus system. What you definitely DO get to see is a slice of local life, with cheap shops and markets nearby to keep costs low. If that sounds like you, then book away.
3600 Hostel
We’re guessing the name of this top hostel in La Paz is to do with the high-altitude nature of the city. It makes sense. Other than what it’s called, though, this friendly hostel is a comfortable and clean place to stay – a good NON party hostel in La Paz, actually. You’re far enough away from the noise of the streets that won’t hear any of it.
This La Paz backpackers hostel also boasts a free breakfast, which we always LOVE as a bonus. There’s also a decent, old fashioned courtyard to hang out in – read a book or plan your onward journey. The house this hostel is set in is over 100 years old, and with only 18 beds, it feels more like an intimate B&B than a budget hostel in La Paz.
Estrella Andina Hostel
A good option for a high end hostel in La Paz, Estrella Andina is a family-run affair; the owner is a friendly local lady who’ll make sure you have an enjoyable, welcoming stay in the city. As you might have expected, the rooms here are super cosy, nicely decorated, comfy and very clean.
There’s a bonus of a tour agency in the lobby of this youth hostel in La Paz, meaning you can book tours from the hostel – often at late notice too, which is great if you happen to be an indecisive person. It’s relaxing, it feels secure, there’s a free breakfast… It’s awesome.
El Prado Capsule Hostel
As you might be able to tell from the name, this La Paz backpackers hostel is full of super modern capsules that look like futuristic beds from some weird spaceship. If you’ve been travelling in hostels for a LONG time and you’ve just been staying in regular bunk beds, these pods will make your journey. They’re private, that’s for sure.
Don’t come here expecting loads of social atmosphere: there isn’t that much. But if you DO want your own space for a while and a very, um, different sort of way to sleep at night, then we’d recommend considering this unique youth hostel in La Paz. Definitely not your run of the mill dorms. Bit pricey though.
Bunkie Hostel
Bunkie Hostel is located between San Francisco Square and the bus station, meaning you get the best of both worlds: convenient for arrivals and departures, but also nicely located to soak up all of the central energy of La Paz.
At this place you’ll be welcomed by friendly, helpful staff, have access to (actually good) hot showers, get to sleep in comfortable beds, and all for a pretty good price. This budget hostel in La Paz is actually pretty good value for money. Alongside a free breakfast in the morning (winner), it’s a big hostel where you’ll get the chance to socialise with fellow guests.
The Cathedral
It isn’t ACTUALLY a cathedral. It’s 200 metres to the cathedral. We don’t know why that warrants the name, but we do know that this youth hostel in La Paz is cl0se to a cable car station, too, making getting some awesome views of the city from above pretty convenient indeed.
There are some good common areas here to chill out in, cook yourself some food, veg out in front of some Netflix if the weather is bad. It may not be a party hostel, or even very social, but if you got the right group of people staying here it could be pretty fun. Another good thing is it’s set in a cool area of town, not a touristy one.
Llama’s House
Providing comfortable beds in a safe neighbourhood in the suburbs, Llama’s House is a low key spot to spend a night or two in La Paz. The best part about this hostel is its pretty cool rooftop, complete with views of the surrounding mountains and the cable car. A great spot to get away from the madness of the centre of the city.
There’s a huge kitchen to us at this La Paz backpackers hostel (even though breakfast is included), but another bonus is the staff themselves. They’ll help you book the next stage of your trip, help you out with things to do in the city, and generally give you any tips and advice you may need.
Hostal Sol Andino
Hostal San Andino is not so much a hostel, it’s more like a hotel, but it definitely makes for a great option for budget backpacker accommodation in La Paz. So we can’t complain much. The rooms are clean, comfortable and reasonable; the staff are welcoming and friendly; there’s a free breakfast buffet on the top floor, complete with views of La Paz. Pretty amazing actually.
It’s a good location for getting around, just off the main street leading to the Witches Market, so there are naturally loads of great restaurants, cafes and bars to try out nearby. Though it’s not super cheap it’d suit a couple, a digital nomad looking for space, or even a family. A solid option.
What to Pack for your La Paz Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from us, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straight forward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art we 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!
FAQ about Hostels in La Paz
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in La Paz.
Travel Safety Tips for La Paz
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SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
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Conclusion
There you have it folks. We’ve come to the end of our guide to the best hostels in La Paz. There’s a surprising amount of choice in this high-altitude city. Be sure to put La Paz on your backpacking Bolivia list, it’s definitely worth the visit!
But whatever you’re on the look-out for, whatever your budget or itinerary, we’re sure you’ll find something to suit you.
Our list of the best La Paz backpackers hostels has it all. From boutique hostels with some of the nicest private rooms going in the city to crazy party hostels where you’ll never, ever get bored, there’s a lot of choice – that’s for sure.
But if all of that pressure to make a decision is too much, that’s ok! Just make life easy for yourself and go for The Adventure Brew Hostel – it’s our top pick for the best overall hostel in La Paz and features the best of just about everything that makes hostels amazing.
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!
