Terribly underrated, Miami is one of the most unique cities in the entire US. Turquoise waters, palm trees, and some of the best nightlife in the US can be found here, as can some truly delicious Cuban food.
But with over 14 million tourists a year and thousands of expensive properties, it can be overwhelming to know exactly where to stay.
Which is exactly why I made this list of the best hostels in Miami!
I’ve separated the different hostels into different categories. So you can find whatever is important to you (low price, space to work, a private room, etc.) and use it to weed through all of the amazing hostels Miami has to offer.
This will allow you to spend less time searching for a hostel, and more time eating as many Cuban sandwiches as you possibly can.
So let’s get to it: these are the aboslute best hostels in Miami, Florida’s craziest and most cultured city!
Quick answer: The Best Hostels in Miami
- Overall Best Hostel in Miami – Generator Miami
- Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in Miami – Freehand Miami
- Best Cheap Hostel in Miami – South Beach Rooms and Hostel
- Best Party Hostel in Miami – Viajero Miami
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Miami – Selina Gold Dust
What to Expect from Hostels in Miami
Backpacking the USA is expensive. This is a hard fact. But staying at one of the best hostels in Miami will help you save some money, and give you a chance to see the very best of this crazy city without breaking the bank. Aside from saving you literally hundreds of dollars, staying in Miami hostels will allow you to meet other travelers to explore this crazy city with.
When traveling in Miami, you’ll find an assortment of hostels, though almost all of them are in the famous Miami Beach neighborhood. It’s no secret that this city is a haven for debauchery, so you can certainly expect to find quite a few party hostels in the 305. Not all of the hostels in Miami are for nightlife though–chiller options more suitable for digital nomads are also on the menu.
Staying in dorms is a particularly cheap way to explore the city, though even private rooms in hostels are often cheaper than competing hotel options. I did some research and listed the average price that you can expect to pay for a hostel in Miami:
- Private Rooms: $68-$161
- Dorms (mixed or female only): $15-$35
When looking for a hostel, you’ll find most Miami hostels on HOSTELWORLD. It’s where you can check out all your options in one place, and more importantly, get to see reviews from actual travelers! The platform is filled with honest opinions, so do read as many as you can to get a good idea of what awaits.
In general, most hostels in Miami can be found in Miami Beach, with many being steps away from the ocean or other essential Miami tourist attractions. Unlike other cities, hostels in the 305 are mostly confined to this one location, though there are numerous neighborhoods.
- SoBe – Miami’s hottest beach destination
- Mid-Beach – Peace amongst the chaos
The 5 Best Hostels in Miami
Need help deciding where to stay in Miami? Organized by YOUR needs, these are the best hostels in Miami. Vamos!
1. Overall Best Hostel in Miami – Generator Miami
Generator Hostel is undoubtedly the best hostel in the 305. Located right near the Mid-Beach neighborhood, the hostel features a spacious and modern design along with epic common spaces perfect for getting to know other travelers. Highly reviewed, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better Miami Beach hostel.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Quiet location
- Epic outdoor pool
- Right next to the beach
What really makes Generator stand out is its outdoor pool and beach access. Unlike other hostel pools which tend to be a bit cramped, Generator’s is large and features a deck that’s ideal for tanning. The hostel also features an on-site bar and options of both private rooms and comfy dorms. Common rooms were designed with travelers in mind, so you’ll have plenty of space to get some work done or catch up with fellow hostel mates with a game of pool.
Travelers especially love how clean Generator is–whether you choose to stay in one of the trendy 4-person dorms or a spacious private room, you’ll get to relax in complete comfort after executing your Miami itinerary. Each bunk bed comes complete with a locker and a charging station, and towels and toiletries are provided to each guest.
2. Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in Miami – Freehand Miami
Located only a block from the beach, Freehand is the best Miami hostel for solo travelers. Why? Not only does it have an epic location and an amazing pool, but Freehand really makes an effort to connect travelers with numerous events both on and off-site.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Bar and restaurant
- 1 block from the beach
- Outdoor pool
Expect a chilled-out hostel vibe with luxury hotel extras like free breakfast, a swimming pool, and a complimentary morning yoga class.
Take a Florida road trip or visit the top places in Miami on two wheels thanks with their free cycle rental, or at the very least, you can head straight to the beach at any time as it’s only moments away.
The pool area is huge and somewhere you can easily spend an entire day at, cocktail in hand of course. Speaking of cocktails, be sure to grab some from the on-location bar, which makes for a super lively evening atmosphere. While lockers are available, locks come at an extra fee, so bring your own if you plan to stay in one of the dorms. You’ll be able to choose between 4, 6, or 8-bed options.
3. Best Cheap Hostel in Miami – South Beach Rooms and Hostel
If you’re looking to explore Miami on a budget, there’s no better place to stay than South Beach Rooms and Hostel. Aside from having the lowest nightly rates in the city, this SoBe hostel serves up free breakfast and is centrally located near some of the best things to do in Miami.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Colorful wall art
- Close to the beach and nightlife
- Cheapest place to stay in Miami
This isn’t just the best cheap hostel in Miami, but it’s actually THE cheapest place to stay in the entire city. While you shouldn’t expect luxury, you can count on common areas complete with lovely murals and a chance to meet other travelers. As it’s only a few minutes’ walk from the beach, you can easily spend your entire stay tanning and swimming in the Atlantic Ocean.
South Beach Rooms is also close to top nightlife and restaurants, but Ubers/public transport are both readily available if you feel like exploring other parts of the city. The hostel might not be as fancy as some of the other top hostels in Miami, but if you’re just looking for a place to rest your head, you can’t beat the price and location combination.
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View on Osprey View on REI4. Best Party Hostel in Miami – Viajero Miami
Viajero is not only the best party hostel in Miami but one of the best overall places to stay in the entire city. You simply cannot beat its value for the price–where else will you find not one but THREE pools, a bar, a restaurant, and a beachy location?
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Incredible location
- Chic design
- On-site bar
Viajero is relatively new to the Miami Beach hostel scene, yet it already boasts a plethora of stellar reviews. Sip cocktails and party with new friends by the pool, or spend an entire night at one of the many nearby nightlife options. Only a block from the beach, you can easily fit everything you desire into your day while staying here.
You’ll find numerous swimming pools, and a co-working space to work or recharge during the day. Located in the Art Deco district of South Beach, you’ll get to choose between dorms or spacious private rooms, the latter of which can even include a private balcony. The social atmosphere makes it easy to meet new friends from all over the world, and even the larger dorms are reviewed as being super clean.
5. Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Miami – Selina Gold Dust
Selina Gold Dust is the absolute best choice for digital nomads looking for a place to stay in the Magic City. Located in the MiMo district, you’ll be staying in a safe part of Miami that’s right in between the best beaches and top Downtown attractions.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Great location
- Large pool
- Perfect workspaces
Digital nomads will find themselves right at home at Selina Gold Dust thanks to a design scheme that kept remote workers in mind. You can easily get whatever you need done poolside or in one of the well-lit coworking rooms, thanks to free wifi and unbeatable prices. This cozy hostel is actually inside of a renovated Miami motel, and its character still shines through its newly modernized design.
While you won’t be steps from the beach, the large, sunny pool makes up for it and public transport is just a short walk away. You’ll also be closer to metro Miami hotspots like Wynwood and Little Havana, AND the Miami International Airport.
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Hide Yo’ Money!More Epic Hostels in Miami
Haven’t found your ideal place to stay yet? Don’t worry–more Miami hostels are coming at ya!
Best Hostel with a Private Room in Miami – The Tropics Hotel & Hostel
The Tropics Hotel & Hostel offers travelers the chance to mix and match; stay in a dorm for a few nights and splash out on a private room for the rest of your stay. If you’re looking to stay fit on the road The Tropics is the place to come–you’ll get to make the most of their Olympic-size swimming pool!
Being only a few steps away from the beach makes The Tropics a brilliant Miami backpackers hostel. Rooms are cozy and in keeping with the Art Deco theme of this part of Miami.
Posh South Beach
Posh by name and by nature, Posh South Beach is one of the coolest hostels in Miami, and the ONLY hostel in Miami with a rooftop infinity pool! Expect a comfy sleep thanks to memory foam bunk beds, which come complete with under-the-bed storage and personal lights.
If you’re up for mingling be sure to join the nightly happy hour from 7pm-8pm and claim your free drinks right on-site. Towels are included and Posh is only a short walk from the sandy shores of South Beach.
Beds&Drinks
Beds&Drinks is the complete package, thanks to its award-winning cocktail bar. They host a 3-hour long happy hour each and every night serving free drinks! It doesn’t get much better than this.
This is definitely a party hostel but it doesn’t get offensively crazy, everyone who stays leaves happy, smiling, and all partied out! If you want VIP access to the hottest clubs and bars in Miami, Beds n Drinks is definitely the place for you.
Island House South Beach
Island House South Beach is a basic guesthouse with rooms that overlook Collins Avenue, meaning you’ll be close to the ocean, restaurants, and nightlife. The free breakfast at Island House is the perfect way to start a day of exploring this seaside city.
Although Island House is a guesthouse rather than a full-on Miami backpackers hostel, it’s definitely worth considering if you arrive in the city last minute and find the big hostels are full. This happens particularly over Spring Break and New Years Eve, so be sure to book in advance if you have your heart set on a classic hostel!
What to Pack for your Miami 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
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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 even more top hostel packing tips!
FAQs on Miami’s Hostels
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Miami.
How much does a hostel cost in Miami?
The average price of hostels in Miami varies on the room type. The price is around $15-$35 for dorms (mixed or female only), while a private room costs $68-$161.
What are the best hostels in Miami for couples?
Island House South Beach is an ideal hostel for couples on a budget in Miami. It’s comfy and close to the ocean, restaurants, and nightlife.
What are the best hostels in Miami near the airport?
Selina Gold Dust, our best hostel for digital nomads, is 9.5 miles from Miami International Airport. It’s not close to the beach but has a sunny pool, and public transportation is just a short walk away.
Travel Safety Tips for Miami
If you want to make sure you stay safe (and who doesn’t?) then good travel insurance is essential.
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 the USA
Hopefully, you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Miami. if not, you can always consider a Miami Airbnb or even a Miami vacation rental. The possibilities are just about endless in this city of forever summer.
But just in case you’re planning an epic trip all across the States, you should be thrilled to learn there are loads and loads of great American hostels!
Over to You
You’ve now gotten to know 5 (plus some more) of the greatest hostels in Miami! I hope you now have a good idea of where to stay in the 305, a city that will undoubtedly be one of the most memorable stops on any Florida road trip.
If you still can’t decide, I feel you’re almost guaranteed to have a good time with either Generator Miami or Viajero Miami, both of which are epic hostels that have everything a globetrotting traveler could want at a backpacker-friendly price!
Updated May 2022 by Samantha Shea
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in USA for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the best places to visit in Miami covered.
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Airbnb in Miami if you’re feeling fancy!
- Check out the best places to stay in Miami before you arrive.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
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!
