Medellin is an incredible city that’s emerging as a must-visit destination if you are backpacking in Colombia! Medellin is successfully shedding its image as a “drug city” to one of innovation and creativity. With its warm weather year-round and locals (know as Paisas) who know how to have a good time, any itinerary to Colombia should definitely include a stop in “the city of eternal spring.”
There are tons of amazing hostels in Medellin, which can make it really difficult to choose one. That’s why I’ve created this list of best hostels in Medellin for 2021, broken down by your interests. You’ll be sure to find a hostel that fits your needs, saving you time and money!
Although more and more people are visiting Medellin, there are still some not-so-great areas. To make sure you stay safe while travelling, you’ll want to be sure you’re in one of the neighbourhoods that are popular with both expats and tourists.
Most of the nightlife, restaurants, and culture are centered around El Poblado and Laureles. Most of the hostels included in this post are located in or very near these two neighborhoods, but all of the hostels reviewed here are in very safe areas of this amazing city.
Quick answer: The best hostels in Medellin
- Overall Best Hostel in Medellin – Selina Medellin
- Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in Medellin – Purple Monkey Hostel
- Best Hostel for Couples in Medellin – Noah Hostel Medellin
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Medellin – Black Sheep Hostel Medellin
What to look for to find the best hostels in Medellin
- Location – Medellin is a massive, sprawling city with loads of little barrios (neighbourhoods) to explore. The public transportation is quite good. There are two metro lines – the only ones in all of Colombia – as well as a few cable cars to take you up the mountain into the local ‘hoods. As I mentioned above, the two most popular neighbourhoods for gringos are El Poblado and Laureles. That’s where you’ll find the best nightlife but don’t worry, the areas are big enough to get away from the party if you need some sleep.
- Price – Backpacking Medellin can be a bit on the pricier side. Your Southeast Asian shoe-string budget might not get you quite as far in South America, but it’s still much cheaper than travelling in the USA, Western Europe, and Japan. You can still find a meal for $2-3 and local beers for $2-3 in a bar. As far as hostels go, you can still find beds for as low as $8 per night in the best hostels in Medellin.
- Amenities – Most of the best hostels in Medellin include breakfast or they have an equipped kitchen. Many of the reviews of these hostels mention hot water for the showers, which is hard to find elsewhere in Colombia, especially on the coast. With Medellin quickly becoming a digital nomad hotspot, strong wifi is super easy to find.
The Best Hostels in Medellin
These are 20 of the highest reviewed hostels in Medellin, broken down into categories to help you find the one that’s perfect for you. You’ll be able to travel to Medellin without worrying about your accommodation.
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Overall Best Hostel in Medellin – Selina Medellín
- $$
- Cheap Social Dorms
- Unbelievable Bar
- Medellin’s Best Coworking
Selina isn’t technically a hostel – it’s something better. It has all the features of a hostel, like cheap dorms (with large lockers and a bed lamp) and a laid-back bar, but it offers loads of other amazing services!
Every Selina facility is designed to give you an experience depending on that location – and that’s what I got when I stayed here for New Years of 2019! I made a couple friends in the early hours of the New Years party and we hopped back and forth between the bar at Selina and Parque Lleras, the entertainment district just a few short blocks away.
Another guy from the Broke Backpacker team used their Coworking space religiously for a few months and had only awesome things to say! Seriously, he could have worked from anywhere in South America, but he was glued to his favorite workspace here in Medellin.
Best Overall Hostel in Medellin #2 – Los Patios Hostal Boutique
- $$
- Free towels
- Privacy curtains in dorms
This stylish and upscale hostel is beautifully decorated. Each floor represents a different region of Colombia from the jungle to the coast, each with a description meant to inspire and inform travelers. Each dorm bed has its own privacy curtain, fan, two plugs, and a light. Although breakfast isn’t included, there is a kitchen free for guests to use and there are many restaurants in the area.
Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in Medellin – Purple Monkey Hostel
- $
- Free Breakfast
- Lots of Activities
- Orthopedic Mattresses
Purple Monkey Hostel’s main focus is encouraging interaction between guests. Playing host to multiple weekly activities such as a pub crawl and free movie night on the rooftop terrace, you’re sure to meet like-minded travelers and forge long-lasting friendships. There’s a rooftop bar, two communal areas, a TV room, and a kitchen for you to cook your own meals. It’s certainly on of the best hostels in Colombia.
Best Hostel for Couples in Medellin – Noah Hostels Medellin
- $
- Breakfast and towels included
- Clean
Be Okay Hostel (as it was originally known before changing to Noah) was designed with comfort in mind. With bigger beds, amazing pillows, and individual reading lights you can be sure your stay will be as comfortable as possible. The rooftop terrace is a great place to mingle and meet other guests. Located in a quiet area near lots of delicious restaurants and bars, this is a great hostel for couples. It’s definitely one of the best hostels in Medellin for 2021.
Best Digital Nomad Hostel in Medellin – Black Sheep Hostel Medellin
- $$
- Spanish school onsite
- Sunday roast
The owner of Black Sheep Hostel has done a ton of traveling so he’s designed his hostel with travelers in mind. He can help you book tours within Medellin as well as the rest of Colombia. The hostel hosts many activities on site, most notably the Sunday roast where they make a massive feast on the Argentinian style grill, creating a very social atmosphere. They have invested heavily in their internet with a fiber optic line running directly to the hostel and three different Internet Service Providers. This makes it the best hostel for digital nomads, especially those traveling solo.
Best Cheap Hostel in Medellin – Hostal Casa Paraiso
- $
- Kitchen
- Quiet, Chill Hostel
With amazing decorations and comfy beds, this is one of the best cheap hostels in Medellin. There is a kitchen for you to cook your own meals, a cafe on site serving different coffees and local food, and although breakfast is not included, it’s very cheap. It’s located close to a metro station and a massive sports complex with swimming pools, tracks, and basketball courts.
Hostal Casa Paraiso is one of our favourites in Medellin 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.
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Want more deetz on why it’s so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!
View on Osprey View on REIBest Party Hostel in Medellin – Paisa City Hostel
- $
- Free welcome drink
- Great location
The best party hostel in Medellin, you’ll find it difficult to leave and actually see the city! Australian owned, this hostel has pool tables, ping pong tables, X-Box 360, and PlayStation 4. They even have salsa lessons on offer. As Medellin ranks as one of the best party cities in the world, why not stay where the action comes to you!
The hostel is located near the famous Carrera 70 with lots of bars and clubs where you can practice your new moves. As one reviewer wrote, “…I might not remember places I saw in Medellin but I definitely will remember the time I spent in Paisa Hostel. Best party hostel I have ever stayed at!!“
Paisa City Hostel is one of our favourites in Medellin 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 Hostel in Medellin Near the Airport – Casa Mosaico
- $$$
- Beautiful surroundings
- Free wifi
The Medellin international airport is quite far away from the city center – over an hour to be exact. Casa Mosaico is the only hostel located within 20 minutes. It’s a great place to stay if you have an early flight out. More of a boutique hotel, they have nice spa where you can get a massage and relax to end your Colombian travels. It’s also a great hotel for couples due to their romantic hosting plans.
Casa Mosaico is one of our favourites in Medellin 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.
Go for a Helicopter Ride Over Medellin!
For adventurous backpackers with a little more budget to work with, I highly recommend going on an aerial helicopter tour of Medellin with Fly Colombia City Tours. The prices vary depending on group size but expect to pay around $80 USD per person for a 15 minute / 40-kilometer flight. The views are exceptionally stunning, plus who doesn’t want to go for a ride in a helicopter at least once, right? Special thanks to Luisa from Fly Colombia City Tours for helping us organize this flight!
If you can get a group of 5-6 people together from the hostel, you can get a better per person price (maximum 6 people in the helicopter). Book in advance and let Fly Colombia City Tours know The Broke Backpacker sent you! Ask for a flight around sunset time for the best photography light!
More of the Best Hostels in Medellin
Hostel Rango Boutique
- $$$
- Free Breakfast
- Free Lockers
Hostel Rango Boutique has everything you could want in a hostel. There’s fast wifi from top to bottom, a free European style breakfast, plus they have a bar and a restaurant on site making it easy to meet new friends. Although the private rooms are a bit on the pricey side, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth, making it one of the best hostels in Medellin. Plus, it’s located in the heart of El Poblado – a top district in Medellin for eating, drinking, dancing, and socializing.
Sugar Cane Hostel
- $
- Free breakfast
- Great location
Super clean hostel located very close to the metro station, Sugar Cane hostel is great for travelers who love to socialize but also like to sleep. The owners are very knowledgable about Medellin and can offer great advice. The rooftop terrace is a great place to chill out and enjoy a beer. They also have a BBQ every Sunday, making it one of the best hostels in Medellin.
Casa Kiwi Hostel
- $$
- Rooftop plunge pool
- Pool table lounge
Daytime can be quite warm in the city so the plunge pool on the roof at Casa Kiwi Hostel makes it one of the top hostels in Medellin. It’s a great place to meet people as it’s very social but you won’t be kept up at night. The bar and cinema room are just the icing on the cake. This hostel comes highly recommended!
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What to Pack for your Medellin 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.
Check out our definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!
Why you should travel to Medellin
Get ready, because Medellin is a wild and exciting ride. Remember, while Colombia as a whole is getting safer, it’s always best to book accommodation in areas that are popular with tourists. That’s why my number one recommendation is Hostel Rango Boutique…
Hopefully, with the help of this article, you’ll find the best hostels in Medellin, so you can focus on the whole reason we do what we do – experiencing a new place and its culture!
FAQ about Hostels in Medellin
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Medellin.
Travel Safety Tips for Medellin
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If you’re concerned about your safety in Medellin, then be sure to check out our in-depth safety guide, which is full of realworld adivce and useful information.
More Epic Hostels in Colombia and South America
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Medellin.
Planning an epic trip all across Colombia or even South America itself?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
For more cool hostel guides around South America, check out:
- Best hostels in Bogota
- Best hostels in Cartagena
- Best hostels in Cali
- Best designed hostels in the world
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Medellin has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!
If you’re planning on travelling further, you can be sure that you’ll always find a place to rest your head. There are amazing hostels all over Colombia, each offering a safe home-away-from-home, a chance to meet like-minded travellers and an affordable price for the night.
Still not convinced that hostels are the right thing for you? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back! Check out our absolute favorite Airbnbs in Medellin. They offer a bit more privacy for just as little money as hostels.
If you think we’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit us up in the comments!
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!
Hey !
It’s a long article about hostels in Medellin! I’m sure it’s a lot of research, good job 😉 – I didn’t know the Paisa City Hostel – I should have a look next time.
In my opinion, it’s better to pick up a hostel in Laureles District. Yes, Poblado is more lovely with parks and trendy cafes, but there are many reasons to choose Laureles:
– You have a better chance to be near a Metro Station
– It’s more authentic
– Your daily life will be cheaper
– There are great Thursday parties (salsa, bachata, etc.)
– you’re close to everything: Bus terminal, center, Comuna 13.
And if you want to go out on Poblado Friday or Saturday night, take a cab or an Uber! It’s cheap, and there are loads of them. Last time, we took three cabs, it was like organizing a school trip – with drunk adults. Hilarious.
Check the hostel Wandering Paisa Backpacker if you have the occasion. The staff is great, their internet is not perfect, and there is an event every night (salsa, Colombian students, etc.) – And there is Mario Kart, Best Game Ever.
And nope, I’m not working there, but I fell in love with the vibe!
Ps: You don’t like happy buddha?
Hi, Thomas! I personally prefer Laureles to Poblado. Laureles definitely has a more authentic vibe to it. I included several hostels located in Laureles such as Paisa City Hostel, Palm Tree Hostel, and Hostal Cattleya.
The walk up the hill from the metro to Parque Lleras can be pretty uncomfortable and long on hot days, but the Manila neighborhood isn’t that far. That being said, Poblado is a lot of fun and definitely a better nightlife spot, IMO.
I have no problem with Happy Buddha. I even mention that you should head there when the party dies down at La Playa. There are a ton of amazing hostels in Medellin. It would be impossible to include them all. This list is based on the top rated hostels and Happy Buddha just doesn’t make the cut.
Thanks for reading and sharing your opinions! I’m sure it’ll help some people make their decision 🙂