A short flight away from the continental United States will take you to the tropical paradise of Puerto Rico. Located in the heart of the Caribbean, the capital, San Juan, has that perfect mix of urban comfort and seaside bliss. With beaches that are the envy of the entire world, you’ll want to spend most of your time soaking up the sun and hitting the waves.
But the fun doesn’t stop there. Once the sun sets, the party really gets started; San Juan is also home to some of the most lively clubs and bars in the region!
It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a lazy beach getaway or a party to remember for a lifetime – San Juan is a place where you can embark on a different adventure every day!
San Juan is no stranger to tourists, so don’t be surprised when you find dozens of great backpacker’s hostels. Your biggest challenge will be finding the perfect place that will set the tone for your holiday.
There’s no need to spend hours researching where to stay in San Juan. We’ve brought all the best hostels in San Juan to one place so you can book with ease! From party hostels to laid back terraces, you’re sure to find the perfect place to call home!
Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in San Juan
- Overall Best Hostel in San Juan – Mango Mansion
- Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in San Juan – Casa Santurce
- Best Cheap Hostel in San Juan – Hostel H1 Miramar
- Best Hostel for Couples in San Juan – Fortaleza Guest House
- Best Party Hostel in San Juan – Santurcia Hostels
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in San Juan – Nomada Urban Beach Hostel
The Best Hostels in San Juan
Since it’s so close to the United States, lots of backpackers that travelled through America consider this beautiful island as a little getaway paradise. We know you’re already packing your swimsuit and flip-flops, but before you hop on the plane, you need to choose where to stay in San Juan.
No two hostels on our list are exactly the same, so keep your eyes open for the one that’s best for you! As a rough guideline, always look for facilities, location and safety. Puerto Rico is pretty safe, but having a place to store your luggage securely is a must!
Best Overall Hostel in San Juan – Mango Mansion
- $$
- Breakfast Included
- Bike Hire
- Lounge
Most travelers visit San Juan to chill on the beach. So, while staying in Puerto Rico, make sure you choose a hostel nice and close to the water. Mango Mansion is a boutique hostel right on Condado Beach! Putting you on the doorsteps of all the best clubs and restaurants, as well as the ocean, guests couldn’t ask for a better location!
This award-winning hostel goes above and beyond to provide travelers with the best experience in San Juan. With games, spacious lounges, and delicious free breakfast served every morning, Mango Mansion is the kind of hostel you end up staying at for weeks!
Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in San Juan – Casa Santurce
- $$
- Pub Crawls
- Lounge
- Outdoor Terrace
One of the things that makes any backpacking trip great is the friends you meet while hanging out at the hostel. If you’re a solo traveler in San Juan, you’ll want to base yourself out of Casa Santurce. This youth hostel was specifically made to have you and the other guests kicking back sharing travel stories. With its spacious lounge and sunny terrace, you’ll have ample room to spread out and relax.
The free pub crawls will help you get close to the other travelers and immerse you in authentic Puerto Rican culture. What will really make you fall in love with Casa Santurce is its location in an authentic Puerto Rican barrio, a neighborhood teeming with bars, and the best food you can find on the island!
Best Cheap Hostel in San Juan – Hostel H1 Miramar
- $
- Bar
- Cafe
- Shared Kitchen
Puerto Rico is often just as expensive as the United States. As a budget traveler, you’re probably trying to save money to stay on the road as long as possible. Lucky for you, while staying in San Juan, Hostel H1 Miramar will hook you up with the cheapest beds in town! Not only will you get a deal on a dorm bed, but Hostel H1 Miramar is right nearby some of the most popular beaches, such as Condado and Escambrón Beach!
Once you’ve had your fill of hanging out by the water, make use of the bus stop a short walk away from the hostel. You’ll be able to get from the sea to downtown San Juan in a matter of minutes! After a long day of exploring, end each day with a bite and a drink at Hostel H1 Miramar’s cafe and bar.
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View on Osprey View on REIBest Hostel for Couples in San Juan – Fortaleza Guest House
- $$
- Lounge
- Outdoor Terrace
- Shared Kitchen
Are you a couple looking to take a break from your average backpacker’s hostel? Although Fortaleza Guest House has cheap dorm rooms available, you and your special someone might want to mix things up by cozying up in your very own private room.
This guesthouse has the prices of a youth hostel, but all the charm and comfort of a homestay. Putting you in an old-style Puerto Rican house, you’ll be staying in a part of local history. With all the best sights of the old city and tons of restaurants located around the guesthouse, you couldn’t ask for a better location in the heart of San Juan!
Best Party Hostel in San Juan – Santurcia Hostels
- $$$
- Bar
- Rooftop Terrace
- Cafe
We know some of you are traveling to Puerto Rico in search of a party! While in San Juan, Santurcia Hostel will give you all the best of the local bar scene just a few steps away from your dorm bed. But don’t expect your average party hostel experience at this stay. With its bohemian boutique style, guests will be delighted to have a dash of style while they’re dancing and drinking the night away!
Located in the heart of San Juan, right by the old city and the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, you’ll have all the best sights of the city just outside your door. Top it off with an onsite cafe cooking up delicious meals every day, and Santurcia Hostel secures its spot as one of the top backpacker’s hostels in San Juan!
Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in San Juan – Nomada Urban Beach Hostel
- $$
- Cafe
- Outdoor Terrace
- Shared Kitchen
If you’re a digital nomad, you can’t just book yourself into any old backpackers hostel. Not only do you need a stable internet connection, but you also need a quiet environment where you can get your work done. Nomada Urban Beach Hostel will have you working in style in its spacious lounge or on the stylish rooftop deck.
With ample room to spread out, you can work in peace. When you finally find time to close your laptop, Nomada Urban Beach Hostel has all the best sights of San Juan right on the doorstep. Ocean Park Beach and Parque Barbosa are just a short walk away, making this hostel one of the best places to stay in San Juan!
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Hide Yo’ Money!More of the Best Hostels in San Juan
Villa Eshta
- $
- Outdoor Terrace
- Cafe
- Bar
Villa Eshta may be pulling up the rear of our list, but they still pack quite a punch with their one of a kind atmosphere! This budget hostel has some of the cheapest beds you can find in San Juan and is sure to be the life of the party! You can go out and drink at one of the nearby clubs or bars, but you’ll quickly find that the time of your life can be had at Villa Eshta’s own onsite bar.
Complete with an onsite cafe cooking up the best of Middle Eastern and Caribbean cuisine, you’re sure to be sending your tastebuds to heaven! With its laid back vibe and chill outdoor terrace, Villa Eshta has made a name for itself as one of the most social hostels in San Juan!
What to Pack for Your San Juan 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.
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 San Juan
Are you ready to stroll down the old city wall and lax out on Ocean Park Beach? From the old city to the coast, tourists will find limitless ways to explore the beauty of San Juan. With days spent exploring the forts and nights dining under the stars, this is one holiday you won’t easily forget!
Still a bit unsure of where to stay in San Juan? Let us help you choose between some of the great hostels San Juan has to offer. If you’re a backpacker, you’ll want to book yourself into Mango Mansion, our pick for the best hostel in San Juan.
FAQ about Hostels in San Juan
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in San Juan.
Travel Safety Tips for San Juan
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Over to you
We hope you’re ready to work on your tan, because the beaches of San Juan await you! With so much to do, you’ll need more than just a few days to enjoy everything this diverse city has to offer. Other than hitting the beaches, the history captured in the museums, old city, and the forts will have you out exploring for weeks. And once you discover Puerto Rican cuisine, you’ll always be thinking about where to grab your next meal. With its stunning beaches and diverse culture, one can’t help but fall in love with San Juan!
Will you be spending most of your trip soaking up some rays or out at the club in San Juan? Depending on how you like to travel, you’ll want to stay at a different kind of backpacker’s hostel. With our list of the top hostels in San Juan, finding the perfect stay has never been easier.
Have you ever traveled to San Juan? We want to hear about your trip! Let us know in the comments below if there are any great hostels we may have missed!
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!
