Situated on Ecuador’s Santa Elena Peninsula, the once small-time village of Montanita is now famed for pretty much one thing: being an awesome beach destination. Once the home of pioneering hippies and surfers, today the popularity of Montanita is enjoyed by basically everyone. Here, it’s all about sun, sea, sand, surf and nightlife.
The scenery is stunning, too. Even in the town itself the La Punta bluff makes for a dramatic coastline. Further up the coast you can also get to grips with cloud forests and nature reserves, if you’ve had enough of learning how to surf for a few days.
Depending on what you want to do, your budget, and how you like to travel, finding a hostel in Montanita can be tricky. It’s all about pinpoiting exactly what your trip to Costa Rica is about and going from there… into a huge list of accommodation options. Not fun.
So we have decided to help you out with our guide to the very best hostels that Montanita has to offer. You’ll be able to choose your perfect hostel from our cherry-picked categories that will definitely be the one for you.
What are you waiting for? See below for details on Montanita’s best backpacker hostels!
Quick answer: The Best Hostels in Montanita
- Best Overall Hostel Montanita – Esperanto B&B Surf & Backpacker Hostel
- Best Hostel for in Montanita for Solo Travellers – My Little House Surf & Backpacker Hostel
- Best Cheap Hostel in Montanita – Iguana Surf Lodge
- Best Hostel for Couples in Montanita – Hostal Casa del Sol
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Montanita – Hostal Kundalini
- Best Hostel with a Private Room in Montanita – Kiwi Hostel Montanita
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Best Hostels in Montanita
With so many stunning beaches, it’s no surprise that Montanita is on top of the backpacking Ecuador list for lots of young travellers and surfers. From sun and clear water to awesome bars and great nightlife, you’ll find it hard to leave this little paradise. In case you want to stay a bit longer, check out these awesome backpacker hostels in Montanita.
Esperanto B&B Surf & Backpacker Hostel – Best Overall Hostel in Montanita
If you’re in Montanita to surf – or even if you’re not – we really, REALLY recommend checking out Esperanto B&B Surf & Backpacker Hostel. It’s got an awesome social atmosphere, a super tasty free breakfast, an insane rooftop terrace, and also a perfect location right near to a load of beach bars and restaurants.
It already sounds like the best overall hostel in Montanita, right? But there’s more! The staff sometimes cook up amazing family meals for everyone, which is the perfect time to get to know people – or get a bit merry before a night out. This place is literally incredible.
My Little House Surf & Backpacker Hostel – Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in Montanita
Easily THE best hostel for solo travellers in Montanita, My Little House Surf & Backpacker Hostel is run by a super friendly owner who seriously goes above and beyond to make sure everyone’s having a good time, and stoking up a great atmosphere as he does so.
There’s a small terrace here, which basically makes socialising easy, as well as a bar with good drinks deals (again, makes for good socialising!) – and sometimes an empanada guy shows up and sells snacks to everybody. And all of this just a stone’s throw from the beach. Does it get much better?
Iguana Surfer’s Lodge – Best Cheap Hostel in Montanita
If you’re on a shoestring budget, then you’ll obviously be on the look out for the best cheap hostel in Montanita. But don’t worry: you’ve just found it. Iguana Surfer’s Lodge just happens to be probably the best value for money hostel and one of the cheapest in town.
There’s cheap drinks, a top location right near the beach, and nice staff who make sure everything’s clean and well looked after. On top of that, it’s a surfer place, which means good, laid back vibes – and likeminded people to kick back with if you happen to be a surfer. And if you don’t surf, there’s surf lessons. Great vibes for chilling the heck out.
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View on Osprey View on REIHostal Casa del Sol – Best Hostel for Couples in Montanita
Hostal Casa del Sol is definitely the best hostel for couples in Montanita. It’s the nicest place to stay if you’re visiting Montanita with your other half and you’re looking for somewhere that’s close to the beach without being in the middle of all the madness of the main town.
It’s the kind of chilled out place that puts on free yoga classes; there’s a cute bar to have a couple of drinks in; and a nice lounge where you can read a book or something. The private rooms here are calm spaces, perfect for relaxing in as a couple and having a little siesta after a beach day before hitting the town.
Hostal Kundalini – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Montanita
Surrounded by lush gardens, this Montanita backpackers hostel is just a minute from the beach. Nice. In fact it’s set ON the beach and has it’s very own private slice of sand – a great place for a remote worker to get some work done with a sea view, right? And if you’re quick enough with your daily errands you’ll get to see an awesome sunset.
Easily the top hostel for digital nomads in Montanita, this place is KIND of more like a hotel, with a chilled out vibe and private rooms that feel pretty boutique. But if you need to blow off some steam after a stressful day, it’s just a short walk to the party side of town!
Kiwi Hostel Montanita – Best Hostel with a Private Room in Montanita
Wow. When it comes to hostels with a private room in Montanita, Kiwi is definitely the top of the pile. The spacious private rooms at this Montanita backpackers hostel are more like something you’d find at some upmarket, boutique eco lodge – not a hostel!
Aside from the nicely designed, calm, comfortable and airy rooms, this place boasts an amazing location. It’s not in the loud part of town, meaning you will always have a laid back oasis of a place to return to – so if you feel like partaking in a few drinks (and maybe a dance) yourself, you get to have a peaceful night’s sleep. Sunsets from the terrace are also a mega bonus.
Kamala Surf & Backpacker Hostel – Best Party Hostel in Montanita
Looking for atmosphere? Then without a doubt, Kamala Surf & Backpacker Hostel is the place to stay if you want a party. You will honestly make friends immediately, or at least when you’re all tucking into the tasty food served up here, or the fresh cocktails!
There’s always something going on here, people to chat to, make plans to visit one of the awesome hotspots in Montanita – anything. It’s the best party hostel in Montanita and those who like drinking, games, drinking games and meeting new people in a tangle of fun and crazy vibes will literally love it here. No question.
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Hide Yo’ Money!More Best Hostels in Montanita
Hidden House Hostel Montanita
Hidden House Hostel Montanita, true to its name, definitely FEELS like a hidden paradise. This place is all about the rustic feels, with a big sense of indoor-outdoor living. Think iguanas wandering around, hammocks, table tennis and – of course – a bar with a good happy hour.
If you want to chill out away from nature, don’t worry – there’s a big TV with Netflix so you can spend some time vegging out to your favourite series (great if you’re hungover). Warning: this can turn into a one of Montanita’s infamous party hostels, so be prepared!
Hostel Moai B&B Surfcamp
Hostel Moai B&B Surfcamp is basically the definition of laid back. Located along the river and pretty close to the beach, this top hostel in Montanita attracts all sorts and is a good place to meet a selection of different people from all over the world. A lot of them like surfing and chilling out. That sounds fine to us.
If sitting around smoking weed, doing some yoga, admiring the views from the rooftop, or melting into a hammock, sounds good to you, then we’d recommend this Montanita backpackers hostel. It’s also close to where the party’s at, but far enough away that you can actually sleep.
Eco Ventura
Eco Ventura is an eco-friendly hostel (duh) where you can relax and enjoy your time in nature. Much less about being on the beach, drinking copious amounts, and smoking weed with surfers, staying at the historic building that is Eco Ventura is about hanging out with jungle views and enjoying a slow pace of life in a hammock.
That said, the beach isn’t too far away (just a block), so if you are staying at this Montanita backpackers hostel and you DO feel like partying and hitting the sun, sea and sand to be had here, it’s very easily do-able.
What to Pack for your Montanita 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!
FAQ about Hostels in Montanita
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Montanita.
How much does a hostel cost in Montanita?
Depending on the location and type of room, on average, the price starts at $9 – $13+ per night.
What are the best hostels in Montanita for couples?
Hostal Casa del Sol has private rooms that are calm spaces, perfect for relaxing in as a couple and having a little siesta after a beach day.
What is the best hostel in Montanita near the airport?
The airport is far from Montanita, so it is better to find the best place in a great location. I recommend the best party hostel in Montanita, Kamala Surf & Backpacker Hostel.
Travel Safety Tips for Montanita
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!
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Conclusion
That’s the end of our list of the best hostels in Montanita. There sure are a lot of genuinely amazing hostels in this surfers’ paradise!
With so much choice, it’s safe to say that you’re going to be able to find something to make your trip go with a bang.
We made sure to cherry-pick only the best: things that will suit everyone from solo travellers to couples, budgeteers to digital nomads. Our guide to the best Montanita backpackers hostels pretty much has you covered.
If narrowing it down to just one hostel for you is proving difficult, then we say just go for the best overall hostel in Montanita: Esperanto B&B Surf & Backpacker Hostel – you can’t go wrong!
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Ecuador for a wealth of info!
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate South America backpacking guide.
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