When you first think of Vancouver, your mind will probably conjure up images of a tall twinkling modern city on the Canadian west coast. In the small town of Tofino on Vancouver Island, however, you will find secluded beaches, ancient rain forests, and some of the best whale-watching spots on the planet. So grab your hiking boots or your surfboards, there is no better place to get in touch with the natural beauty of Vancouver than from Tofino!
Although Tofino is the perfect base to explore all of the secluded lakes and beaches of Vancouver Island, you will find an absence of backpacker’s hostels and budget-friendly options for places to rest your head. Does this mean that backpackers traveling on a shoestring can’t also explore all the wilderness and beauty of Tofino?
We put together all the best budget options in Tofino together in one place so you can find a stay that fits how you like to travel! From the best hostels in Tofino to budget guesthouses, you will be getting away from it all on Vancouver Island before you know it!
Just a few clicks away your adventure to Tofino is just one step closer to becoming a reality!
Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Tofino
- Overall Best Hostel in Tofino – Sienna’s Tree House
- Best Hostel for Couples in Tofino – Tofino Resort & Marina
- Best Party Hostel in Tofino – The Maq Hotel
The Best Hostels in Tofino
Before you know it you will be traveling into the unknown, exploring all of the wonders hidden within the Canadian wilderness and on its coast. First, you will have to pick that perfect guesthouse to set the tone for your trip!
Best Overall Hostel in Tofino – Sienna’s Tree House
- $$$
- Kitchen
- Barbeque Pit
- Terrace
Rather than having you pack into a dorm room, Sienna’s Tree House will have you moving into your very own apartment in Tofino just minutes away from the gorgeous beaches of Vancouver Island. Complete with their very own kitchen, TV, and private bathroom, you will be getting quite the upgrade when checking into one of the cozy and homey rooms at Sienna’s Tree House. With an outdoor terrace, you will find that there is no better place to crack open a beer and enjoy the evening that at your guesthouse. With tons of hiking trails nearby, this budget hotel makes for the perfect base in Tofino!
Best Hostel for Couples in Tofino – Tofino Resort & Marina
- $$$
- Bar
- Cafe
- Fitness Center
Although you will not find hardly any budget hostels in Tofino, what you will find are some of the most romantic resorts in Canada that won’t totally break the bank. Tofino Resort & Marina will have all you couples out there enjoying a glass of fine wine while overlooking the nearby harbor in Tofino!
You will get so much more than budget rooms and great views, however. Tofino Resort will also hook you and your boo up with an onsite bar, cafe, and even a fitness center. This budget resort will also help you get your adventure started with bear watching tours and fishing charters. No matter if it is exploring or romance, you will be able to find it at Tofino Resort and Marina.
Best Party Hostel in Tofino – The Maq Hotel
- $$$
- Bar
- Lounge
- Live Music
Let’s get a beer in your hand and your foot tapping. While in Tofino, you will find that the best party is always at The Maq Hotel! Although this budget hotel may be a little bit more expensive than the hostels you are used to, you will find that you will get a one of a kind experience when staying in this cheap hotel in Tofino.
Not only will you have views of the coast and hiking trails nearby, but you will also have access to your very own in house pub. The fun doesn’t stop there, The Maq Hotel will have you hitting the dance floor with their weekly live music events. From cheap rooms to a stellar party, The Maq Hotel is a place that will give you memories that will last a lifetime.
Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in Tofino – Surfs Inn Rainforest Cottages
- $$$
- Surf Lessons
- Shared Kitchen
- Bike Rentals
Located a bit down the coast from Tofino in the small town of Ucluelet, Surfs Inn Rainforest Cottages will not only hook you up with some of the cheapest rooms in the area, but they will also having you staying in a laid back atmosphere perfect for just kicking back and watching the world slowly pass by. With their surf lessons and bike rentals, they will give you everything you need to hit the trails and start exploring all the beauty of Canada’s rugged coast. On Surfs Inn’s outdoor terrace and garden, you will find no better place to hang out with the other guests and enjoy the nature of Vancouver Island.
Best Cheap Hostel in Tofino – West Coast Motel on the Harbour
- $$$
- Heated Pool
- Gym
- Barbeque Pit
At West Coast Motel, you will be getting so much more than just the cheapest rooms on all of Vancouver Island, this budget guesthouse will pamper you with its very own heated pool and even a gym. You will be enjoying all the perks of a 5-star hotel for the price of a budget hostel!
Complete with a barbeque pit and an inviting garden to hang out in, you will be finding yourself cracking a beer open every night after a long day of exploring the nearby hiking trails. Top it off with views of the nearby harbor from your hotel room, West Coast Motel tops the list of best places to stay in Tofino!
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Hide Yo’ Money!More of the Best Hostels in Tofino
Mackenzie Beach Resort
- $$$
- Convenience Store
- Barbeque Pit
- Beachfront
We know you came to Tofino to hit the beaches, so why would you settle for any place that doesn’t put you right next to the sea? Mackenzie Beach Resort will have you doing just that, putting you just a few minutes from sinking your toes into the sands of some of Tofino’s most gorgeous beaches. Plus, if you book quick enough you could grab space in one of their two on-site Airstream trailers. Fun!
This budget resort offers not only a great location, they will also pamper you with an onsite convenience store, a pit to cook up some barbeque, and tons of room to simply just kick back and relax in! Great ready to throw another log on the fire and stay a bit longer, Mackenzie Beach Resort is one place where you will never be wanting to leave!
Tofino Motel Harborview
- $$$
- Garden
- Balconies
- Harbor Views
Last but certainly not least on our list of some of the best backpacker-friendly stays in Tofino is Tofino Motel Harborview. Wake up every morning with a hot cup of coffee and pull the shades to reveal some absolutely gorgeous views of the nearby harbor and sea. Putting you right by some of the best hiking trails in all of Tofino, you will find that there is no other place that can top Tofino Motel Harborview when it comes to location. With its cozy rooms and stunning views, you will know that you are home.
What to Pack for your Tofino 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 Tofino
While Tofino has more than enough wildlife and natural beauty to have you planning your trip to Vancouver Island in a heartbeat, the lack of budget accommodation may throw a wrench in your plans. As a backpacker, you will have to move from your common hostels to cheap guesthouses and resorts. However, there is a third option: Tofino has numerous great cabins, each different and unique. If your budget allows it and you’re looking for a more private place to stay, cabins are the one for you.
Are you still unsure about which guesthouse in Tofino to book into? Let us help point you in the right direction. The one stay in Tofino that will give you a laid back backpacker’s atmosphere is Sienna’s Tree House, our pick for the top hostel in Tofino.
FAQ about Hostels in Tofino
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Tofino.
Travel Safety Tips for Tofino
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.
Over to you
Pull out your binoculars, you may be able to catch a whale along the coast or a bear poking its head out from the dense wilderness surrounding Tofino. With a kind of rustic beauty that you can only find in Canada, Tofino will have you driving along breathtaking coastal roads, hiking through untouched rainforests (yes, really!), and taking to the seas in search of adventure. Being far away from the crowds and noise of Vancouver, you will be truly getting away from it all in Tofino!
The seclusion and natural wonders of Tofino come at a price. With the lack of casual tourists, you will find a lack of hostels and budget hotels for your typical travelers. Although you may have to splurge a few extra dollars, you too can travel to Tofino on a budget and begin exploring all the mysteries and scenic beauty of the Canadian coast!
Have you ever traveled to Tofino? We would love to hear about your trip! Let us know what you think is the best hostel in Tofino in the comments below!
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!
