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A laid-back town between two major stop offs on the Colombia backpacking trail, there’s actually loads more to Salento than first meets the eye. Basically, it’s much, much more than its town and you could quite easily end up wanting to stay here for weeks.
Here you can learn loads about local life, about coffee, try out a lot (and we mean A LOT) of delicious food; there’s also ample opportunity for some AMAZING hiking in this area, especially in the otherworldly beauty of Los Nevados National Natural Park.
But being such a small town, are there many places for backpackers to stay here? And it depends what you want to do: do you want to be closer to town and its amenities, or do you wanna stay in the middle of some natural beauty?
Whatever you want, we’ve got you covered. Yep, we’ve sorted through the best hostels in Salento and put ’em into handy categories so you can easily find the hostel that suits you the most.
So what are you waiting for? Check out the top Salento backpacker hostels below!
Quick answer: The Best Hostels in Salento
- Best Overall Hostel in Salento – Yambolombia
- Best Cheap Hostel in Salento – Cattleya Trianae
- Best Hostel for Couples in Salento – Hostel Tralala Solento
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Salento – Coffee Tree Boutique Hostel
- Best Hostel with a Private Room in Salento – El Viajero
The Broke Backpacker is supported by you. Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more.
The Best Hostels in Salento
If you’re looking for a place to relax during your backpacking Colombia adventures, Salento is the right spot. Whether you’re a coffee-lover, a food-lover, a nature-lover, or just interested in seeing different parts of the country, you’ll definitely like the charming city. In order to have the best time, you’ll need a place to rest your head. We’ve listed our favorite hostels in Salento below.
Yambolombia – Best Overall Hostel in Salento
Why is it called Yambolombia? We don’t know actually, but we really like it. This place is an eco hostel, so if being kind to our planet plays on your mind then you might want to stay at this top hostel in Salento.
It’s a chilled out sorta place where you can look up at the stars at night, but there’s more to it than that, that makes this the best overall hostel in Salento. The vibe is strong here: super friendly atmosphere, very beautiful, fresh air, nice people, campfires… What more do you want?
Cattleya Trianae – Best Cheap Hostel in Salento
This is a lovely family run place that’s a little bit further out of town than other top hostels in Salento, but it IS located right opposite a bus stop so getting into town (or around the area) is relatively easy.
They serve up a big free breakfast here, which alongside the decent room rates easily makes this the best cheap hostel in Salento. The showers here are nice and hot too, which makes a change when you’re backpacking through Colombia.
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Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!
View on OspreyHostel Tralala Solento – Best Hostel for Couples in Salento
A traditional coffee house with rooms that overlook the coffee terraces themselves and windows with red shutters and hammocks to relax in… Sounds about right for the best hostel for couples in Salento so far, right?
But yeah, this place has a calm and comfortable vibe with a variety of rooms on offer so that you can find the one that’s best for you and your partner (and the third wheel: your budget). It’s also just a block away from town so you can easily get in and explore local restaurants, too.
Coffee Tree Boutique Hostel – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Salento
This top hostel in Salento really is nice. It’s a big, beautiful villa on the edge of town, with rooms that overlook the valley. It’s super nice – did we say that already? But it really is. There’s amazing spaces in the kitchen and on the veranda to get some work done on your laptop.
So yeah, being surrounded by beautiful nature and stylish modern design definitely helps this place earn the title of best hostel for digital nomads in Salento. Plus if you fancy getting out into that beautiful nature (not just staring it at from afar between emails) this is a great place for hiking, too.
El Viajero – Best Hostel with a Private Room in Salento
El Viajero is definitely home to the best private rooms in town. Set in an old house that’s been renovated to top-notch standards, the views of the mountains here are quite literally incredible. It’s also huge: there’s enough space here for 90 people to stay. 90!
But yeah, being the best hostel with a private room in Salento you can imagine that the rooms here are… well, they’re pretty dang dreamy. Just imagine waking up to those views, for a start – and the balconies are so cool. Everything’s kept super clean here and the staff are very friendly indeed.
La Casa Hostel De Lili – Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Salento
Kind, warm and welcoming – that’s just the sort of thing you want out of the best hostel for solo travellers in Salento, ain’t it? But other than that, staying at this place means learning more about Colombian culture.
The cheerful owner of this Salento backpackers hostel is so friendly that it’ll feel like coming home every time you return here – she’ll practice Spanish with you, watch movies with the guests, share recipes, and tell you everything you need to know about Salento.
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It looks exactly like a normal belt except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)
Hide Yo’ Money!More Best Hostels In Salento
Refugio Puente de la Explanacion
Billing themselves as an eco lodge, this Salento backpackers hostel is 3km outside of the town itself and is set along a private stretch of riverfront. Yep, this one’s a bit of a natural getaway. They’ve even limited their number of beds for people to have a more ‘intimate experience’…
You can do yoga here, there are healing ceremonies and massages on offer, plus campfires, birdwatching and even a spot of live music. It’s the place to come if you fancy being social and getting to know some (probably) likeminded people.
Luciérnaga Salento Food Drinks Music Hostel – Best Party Hostel in Salento
Well, let’s be honest, it’s all in the name. Food Drinks is just our kinda vibe, gotta be honest. But yeah, it’s the best party hostel in Salento because of the fun atmosphere that bubbles around in this place. The onsite bar and restaurant definitely help with that feeling.
But it’s never gonna be a super mad party vibe in this sorta town, so bear that in mind. Aside from partying, the views from this place are pretty cool too. And the beds are very, very comfortable, so you can easily sink into ’em after a few beers in the evening.
Estrella Sin Fronteras
A coffee farmhouse turned into a backpacker hostel, this recommended hostel in Salento has amazing grounds surrounded by nature. It’s not too far from the city, but far enough that it’s a good place to start some great hiking in the area.
There’s a kitchen here so you can make yourself snacks, but this Salento backpackers hostel also has a load of fun stuff to keep you entertained: think ping pong tables, hammocks to chill out in, a book exchange and things like that. Needless to say, the coffee here is pretty amazing.
La Serrana
Pretty dang luxurious, this is like a hotel and a hostel all rolled into one and it’s definitely one of the coolest hostels in Salento. Yep, this is a big ol’ Colombian hacienda (house) that you can now stay in and it’s all pretty stylish.
The incredible views and chilled spaces with comfy sofas are cool, sure. But this top hostel in Salento also features the opportunity to do a load of cool outdoorsy stuff like horseriding and trekking and mountain biking and trekking… all that fun stuff.
What to Pack for your Salento 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 Salento
Now you know a lot more about all the best hostels in Salento.
And wow – what a selection! We reckon you’ll easily find something that’s right for you.
Some of these hostels are more like cosy homestays run by families, where you can easily get into the town itself for some good food.
Other top hostels in Salento are set in amazing old coffee farmhouses and haciendas, making for incredible places to stay out in the depths of the town’s beautiful nearby nature.
So we can totally understand if you can’t decide on hostel – they’re all amazing!
And if you can’t decide, no worries. We’d recommend Yambolombia, the best overall hostel in Salento and a great choice for anybody.
Pack your hiking boots and prepare your tummy for tasty food – Salento awaits!
FAQ about Hostels in Salento
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Salento.
How much does a hostel cost in Salento?
The average price of hostels in Salento starts from $13 – $15+ per night. Of course, the private rooms are on the higher end of the scale than the dorm beds.
What are the best hostels in Salento for couples?
A couple will love staying at Hostel Tralala – a cosy getaway in the heart of Salento!
What are the best hostels in Salento near the airport?
The airport is quite far from Salento, so it is better to find the best place in a great location. If you fancy a natural getaway yet social, I recommend Refugio Puente de la Explanacion, just a 49-minute drive from the airport.
Travel Safety Tips for Salento
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 Colombia and Latin America
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Salento.
Planning an epic trip all across Colombia or even Latin America itself?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
For more cool hostel guides around Europe, check out:
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Salento 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.
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 Colombia 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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Great article, however the picture use for the “pin me” section is in Salento, Puglia, Italy! That’s my city 🙂
O dio! Hai ragione! We’ll get that changed. Thanks for that 🙂