Simply put, Mexico City is awesome. Some media outlets would have you believe that it’s a dangerous place and you will surely be kidnapped if you merely step foot in the city. However, that’s just not true. Over the last few years, Mexico City has really cleaned up its act and cracked down on the drug wars. My husband and I have been there twice now and the worst thing that happened was some guy grabbed my butt on the metro. So I started travelling in the women’s only car. Problem solved!
Mexico City has become a cultural hub and it’s a great place to start your backpacking trip through Mexico. From concerts to museums to beautiful parks and a delectable culinary scene, there are plenty of things to do in Mexico City. Speaking of museums, did you know it has the most museums in the world? Visiting The Anthropology Museum is the #1 thing to do on TripAdvisor.
Although it’s perfectly safe to visit Mexico City, there are still some neighborhoods you should stay away from. It’s always best to stay in places with lots of tourists. The best areas to stay in Mexico City are the Zocalo (historic center), Zona Rosa, and La Condesa. All but one of these hostels are located in one of those places.
If nightlife is important to you, you should choose a place in Zona Roma or La Condesa. The Zocalo is great for convenient access to some of the most popular attractions but it completely shuts down at night. Like any big city, you tend to find some less than stellar characters in the city center after dark. All the hostels reviewed here are in very safe parts of this incredible city.
- Quick Answer: The best Hostels in Mexico City
- What to look for to find the best hostels in Mexico City
- The 14 Best Hostels in Mexico City
- What to Pack for your Mexico City Hostel
- Why you should travel to Mexico City
- FAQ about Hostels in Mexico City
- More Epic Hostels in Mexico and North America
- Buy Us a Coffee!
Quick Answer: The best Hostels in Mexico City
- Overall Best Hostel in Mexico City – Hostel Home
- Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in Mexico City – Suites DF Hostel
- Best Cheap Hostel in Mexico City – Massiosare El Hostel
- Best Hostel for Couples in Mexico City – Metro Hostal Boutique
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Mexico City – Casa Pancha
Photo: @amandaadraper
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What to look for to find the best hostels in Mexico City
- Location – Mexico City is huge! Not to worry, the public transportation is great. There are plenty of metro lines to get you anywhere you want to go. Just be wary of taking it during rush hour. There is also an expansive bus system. If neither of those is yourthing, Uber is readily available and it’s quite cheap. As I mentioned above, the best neighborhoods for gringos are Zona Rosa and La Condesa. That’s where you’ll find the best bars and restaurants.
- Price – By backpacking standards, Mexico City is cheap. You can stretch your budget pretty far by eating tacos from taco stands (omg, so good) for about $1-2 and beers aren’t much more expensive. You can also find hostel beds for as low as $8 per night. If you’re sticking with the budget hostels, you backpacking Mexico City adventure will be very affordable!
- Amenities – Most of the hostels have at least a continental breakfast included. Many of them have kitchens free for guests to use. Some of the reviews of some of these hostels complain of a lack of water pressure and hot water. Good wifi is also hard to find in Mexico City hostels. You have to understand that Mexico City wasn’t a popular travel destination until recently. Most of the hostels are old or located in older buildings. Perhaps now that more people are travelling there, they’ll start to improve them.
The 14 Best Hostels in Mexico City
Looking for the right hostel and actually finding one are two very different things. To make it easier for you, we’ve listed our absolute favorite hostels in Mexico City down below.
And as a side note: If you want to find even more epic hostels, have a look at HOSTELWORLD. You can also filter all of your personal travel needs and find the perfect place for you.
Hostel Home – Best Overall Hostel in Mexico City
- Dorm (mixed): 28$/night
- Private room: 59$/night
- Location: Tabasco 303, 06700 Mexico City, Mexico
With a great location, staff, and overall welcoming and friendly vibe, it’s no wonder Hostel Home is the best hostel in Mexico City. I mean, what more could you want from a hostel? It has a great atmosphere for socializing and making new friends and you’re still able to get a good night’s sleep thanks to the noise rules the hostel has in place. Hostel Home is in an old house so you truly feel like you’re staying in someone’s home. It’s also located in Zona Roma, one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Mexico City, so there are plenty of awesome bars and restaurants around the corner. This hostel simply can’t be beaten!
Suites DF Hostel – Best Hostels for Solo Travellers in Mexico City
- Dorm (mixed): 17$/night
- Private room: 51$/night
- Location: Jesus Teran 38, Colonia Tabacalera, Mexico City
This super social hostel is the best hostel for solo travellers in Mexico City. Although the wifi isn’t that good, it’s very centrally located near Av. Reforma and the Monumento a la Revolucion.
They have a ton of activities such as a Lucha Libre tour every Tuesday and Friday. Breakfast, towels, and a locker are all included. When you’re travelling solo and trying to socialize, you don’t want to be glued to your phone anyway!
Massiosare El Hostel – Best Cheap Hostel in Mexico City
- Dorm (mixed): 14$/night
- Private room: 34$/night
- Location: 47 Revillagigedo PH, 06000 Mexico City, Mexico
Massiosarse El Hostel has so many perks. The dorm beds start at a very cheap price and there’s not one, but two kitchens! One of the kitchens is vegetarian only. Even better! Cooking definitely helps you save some dough. This is why Massiosarse is the best cheap hostel in Mexico City. Be aware that it’s located on the 4th floor with no elevator. However, there is an awesome rooftop with amazing views.
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View on Osprey View on REIMetro Hostal Boutique – Best Hostel for Couples in Mexico City
- Dorm (mixed): 13$/night
- Private room: 44$/night
- Location: 84 Guanajuato Col. Roma norte, 06700 Mexico City, Mexico
Located in Zona Rosa, this new boutique hostel is the best hostel for couples in Mexico City. With a nice rooftop terrace, beautiful decor, and free towels, it feels more like a hotel than a hostel. The staff is awesome and they can organize tours for you from the front desk. The wifi doesn’t reach the rooms so you’ll just have to go out in the brightly lit common areas to do your interneting!
Casa Pancha – Best Digital Nomad Hostel in Mexico City
Casa Pancha strikes the perfect balance between quiet workspaces and a social atmosphere, making it ideal for solo travelers and digital nomads. The place is clean, modern, and has a welcoming community vibe. They serve a nice little breakfast each morning and organize group events that are always a good time. Located in Condesa, the city’s best area, the top floor offers a lovely, relaxed spot to meet people. Everything you need to knock out a few hours of work as a nomad is right here – definitely a solid choice.
Hostel Amigo Suites Downtown – Best Party Hostel in Mexico City
- Private room: 51$/night
- Location: Luis González Obregón #14, 06300 Mexico City, Mexico
If you’re looking to have a good time, this is the best party hostel in Mexico City. With an amazing rooftop bar and terrace and the best bartender in town, Hostel Amigo Suites Downtown certainly won’t disappoint. They have rooms of all types from dorm beds to suites with kitchenettes. It’s conveniently located near the Zocalo – the historic center which is where you’ll find a lot of Mexico City’s hotspots. Staying here will help you save even more money thanks to the free breakfast and dinner. A solid choice in the Mexican capital.
Casa Pepe Hostal Boutique Ciudad de México
This place is a solo traveler’s dream, with a rooftop bar and hostel events that make meeting other travelers a breeze. The food and drinks are absolutely banging. The rooms are soundproofed, so you’ll sleep like a log even with the city buzzing right outside. The beds are cozy, and the bathrooms get a daily scrub down. Power hour is a must – killer cocktails at insane prices to get the party rolling!
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Hide Yo’ Money!More of the Best Hostels in Mexico City
Still not quite satisfied with the options? Don’t worry, we’ve got even more epic hostels in Mexico city for you!
Hostel Mundo Joven Catedral
- Dorm (mixed): 29$/night
- Private room: 43$/night
- Location: República de Guatemala No 4 Colonia Centro, 06020 Mexico City, Mexico
Hostel Mundo Joven translates to “young world” which is why this is one of the coolest hostels in Mexico City. The rooftop terrace offers incredible views of the Cathedral and Zocalo. They have free breakfast as well as a restaurant downstairs ensuring you don’t have to go far for a good meal. Although the staff doesn’t get rave reviews, it’s a great place to stay if you only have a short amount of time and want easy access to all the historic sites.
Mexiqui Zocalo
- Dorm (mixed): 13$/night
- Private room: 56$/night
- Location: República de Guatemala Centro, no.30, Cuauhtemoc, Mexico City
Mexiqui Hostel has the highest rated rooftop bar and terrace that hosts a DJ on Sundays. Not only that, it’s in a really cool renovated building from the 1950s. The location is great – in Zocalo right across from the Templo Mayor. They have a delicious restaurant downstairs. The price is totally worth the view and location.
Capsule Hostel Mexico City
- Dorm (mixed): 12$/night
- Private room: 35$/night
- Location: Hamburgo 41, 06600 Mexico City, Mexico
Although there isn’t a great area for socializing at Capsule Hostel Mexico City, the dorm beds are very private thanks to the solid wall between them. They offer a simple breakfast and the wifi has been reported as decent, a step up from many hostels in Mexico City. The location is very central and they have a pizza restaurant on site.
Mexico City Hostel
- Dorm (mixed): 16$/night
- Private room: 48$/night
- Location: Republica de Brasil, 11, 06010 Mexico City, Mexico
This is the cheapest hostel near the Zocalo (historic center of Mexico City). They have free breakfast and towels. One of the downsides is that there are many floors in the hostel and the bathrooms are only on one, so if you’re not staying on that floor, you’ll have to go up and down stairs. However, the building itself is really cool and the murals on the walls are beautiful.
Hostel Amigo
- Dorm (mixed): 16$/night
- Private room: 48$/night
- Location: Isabel la Catolica 61-A, 06000 Mexico City, Mexico
Hostel Amigo is one of the oldest backpacker hostels in Mexico City. There’s a nice bar and sitting areas where you can socialize with other guests. They can also arrange tours to different locations around the city. It’s also a gay-friendly location. There are mixed reviews on the cleanliness and staff but overall the location and price are quite good.
Hostel Zocalo
Hostel Zocalo is in a great location nearby all the attractions in the city center. However, it may be a little hard to find. The front door is always locked which helps with security but if you’re returning late at night, you may have to ring the bell and wait for someone to let you in. The outdoor terrace has a nice view as it’s up on the 6th floor of the building. The internet room is great for people travelling without a computer.
Hostel St Llorenc Inn
- Dorm (mixed): 21$/night
- Private room: 27$/night
- Location: Manuel Villalongin No. 90 Col. Cuauhtemoc, 06500 Mexico City, Mexico
Hostel St Llorenc has a great staff that will go out of their way to make sure you have a good stay. Conveniently located between Chapultepec Park and the Zocalo, seeing all the sites is quite easy. Although the hostel has an odd setup, they do have several freebies, helping you stick to your budget.
What to Pack for your Mexico City 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 Mexico City
So, what’s the best hostel in Mexcio City? Hostel Home has it all. Located in a great neighborhood with a fun atmosphere and social vibe, your stay is sure to be nothing short of amazing here!
And remember, if you are having a tough time deciding which hostel to book, our highest recommendation is Hostel Home.
Photo: @amandaadraper
FAQ about Hostels in Mexico City
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Mexico City.
How much does a hostel cost in Mexico City?
Mexico City hostel’s average price range is around $8-$14 for a dorm bed, while private rooms start at $21 per night.
What are the best hostels in Mexico City for couples?
Metro Hostal Boutique is our best hostel for couples in Mexico City. It has a rooftop terrace and is in an excellent location.
Travel Safety Tips for Mexico City
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.
Want to know how safe to travel in Mexico? Read out insider’s safety guide here if you need any convincing.
More Epic Hostels in Mexico and North America
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Mexico City.
Planning an epic trip all across Mexico or even North America itself?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
For more cool hostel guides around North America, check out:
- Best hostels in Cancun
- Best hostels in Oaxaca
- Best hostels in Mexico
- Best hostels in Sayulita
- Best designed hostels in the world
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Mexico City has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!
Photo: @audyscala
If you think we’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit us up in the comments!
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Mexico for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the best places to visit in Mexico City covered.
- Check out the best places to stay in Mexico City before you arrive.
- Remember to grab yourself an international sim card for Mexico to avoid any issues.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate Central America backpacking guide.
Buy Us a Coffee!
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