Valparaíso to Chile is like what Cinque Terre is to Italy. Well, kinda. Roll with me here.
Colorful hilltop homes of every shade perch in scattered rows and mingling port-side neighborhoods make up Valparaíso’s distinctive landscape flavor.
Valparaíso might just be the most colorful town on earth!
Chile is fast becoming one of South America’s most heavily backpacked countries. Now for the most part, Valparaíso and Chile as a whole is relatively safe to travel in.
That said, there are some sketchy areas of Valparaíso where I would NOT book a hostel.
That is exactly why I wrote this no-stress guide to the best hostels in Valparaíso for 2024!
Get all the insider tips you need to find the best-priced hostels in the safest areas of the flamboyant Chilean city.
By the end of this hostel guide, you will know exactly which budget options are best suited to your own individual tastes.
You can book with confidence knowing that we have put in the research to help you stay safe and save some cash whilst you are traveling in Valparaíso!
Now let’s get right to it…
Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Valparaíso
- Overall Best Hostel in Valparaíso – Maki Hostel Valparaiso
- Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Valparaíso – Nómada Eco-Hostel
- Best Hostel for Couples in Valparaíso – La Joya Hostel
- Best Hostel with a Private Room in Valparaíso – Hostal Po
The 10 Best Hostels in Valparaíso
If Valparaiso isn’t on your backpacking Chile list yet, you’ll definitely miss out. The charming and unique city is a little hidden gem! To be able to start exploring, you’ll need to be well-rested. The best way to recharge is to stay at one of these amazing hostels.
Maki Hostel Valparaiso – Overall Best Hostel in Valparaíso
This is a strong contender for best hostel in the WORLD let alone best hostel in Valparaíso. 2024 could be the year you visit this absolute gem of a hostel, with its great location, huge lockers (it’s a big deal), very high standards of cleanliness as well as a great selection of common areas – there’s a bar, and a lounge, and a rooftop terrace with some pretty amazing views. Back to that cleanliness though, seriously: the beds and showers, everything, it’s all super clean. And that makes a big difference. What also makes a big difference though is the team who run it, not only are they V friendly, like-minded people, they’ve also created one hell of a base for you in Valparaíso.
Nómada Eco-Hostel – Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Valparaíso
This is a recommended hostel in Valparaíso for people travelling on their own. Nómada Eco-Hostel is famed for its barbecues, V social affairs which are always a great time for chatting to fellow guests and staff – especially when there’s a few beers chucked into the mix for good measure. The other common area at this Valparaíso backpackers hostel is the dining room, a cosy space where you can chat to new friends over the FREE breakfast that gets served up at Nómada. It’s a tad pricey, but feels like it’s for a good cause: they’ve got an International Sustainability Certification having reduced their carbon footprint by 5% in 2015.
Escarabajo Hostel – Best Cheap Hostel in Valparaíso #3
A chilled atmosphere, comfy rooms, nice location up in the hills – there aren’t many bad things to say about this youth hostel in Valparaíso. Escarabajo a great place to stay, and it’s even more worth it when you discover the price, which is a right bargain. Actually that location is make or break for some people: it’s on one of Valparaíso’s hills – Cerro Bellavista – and the atmosphere here is calm and unhurried, with plenty of traditional bars, restaurants and cafes to check out in the local area. This is one for those who wanna get lost in the real life of a place.
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View on Osprey View on REILa Joya Hostel – Best Hostel for Couples in Valparaíso
Well, La Joya Hostel is cool, stylish, hip, trendy, modern – all the words that describe a thought-out, really well designed hostel. Staying here feels more like staying in a boutique hotel (and is sorta expensive, though that’s relative to other hostels in town), but because of that it’s probably the top hostel in Valparaíso for couples – some of the rooms are even designed with couples in mind. But yeah, it’s all so well done. Possibly the coolest hostel in Valparaíso, if not South America (really). As if it wasn’t sick enough there’s a free breakfast involved – feat. freshly baked bread might we add.
Hostal Po – Best Hostel with a Private Room in Valparaíso
Nice and central, Hostal Po sits in a great location (minutes away from Plaza Anibal Pinto), but is also a recommended hostel in Valparaíso because it’s like, a ‘classic’ hostel. It’s got nice communal areas, spacious rooms, a rooftop terrace, and a decent little free breakfast that includes fruit, eggs, marraquetas (Chilean bread), jam and butter. To be honest, there’s nothing immediately outstanding about Hostal Po, but one thing does shine: private rooms in Valparaíso backpackers hostels are relatively expensive, but at Po these are really good. It’s also painted by local artists, which is actually a really nice touch. An added benefit is that is close enough to some of the city’s main attractions anyway.
Mitico Hostel – Best Cheap Hostel in Valparaíso #1
Mitico Hostel is cool because it’s in this renovated 100-year-old building with all the fixtures and fittings that make it feel like the sort of place you should definitely be staying – big windows, hardwood floors, high ceilings, you know. But it just so happens to be the cheapest hostel in town, making it a prime choice for a budget hostel in Valparaíso. The modern but basic decor of this place doesn’t quite match up to how it probably looked in its heyday, but that was then and this is now – and Mitico is still a great find.
Mitico Hostel is one of our favourites in Valparaíso but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
Hostal Casa Aventura – Best Cheap Hostel in Valparaíso #2
Another top hostel in Valparaíso, another heritage building, amiright? But Hostal Casa Aventura does it with more of a… let’s say rustic air. The rooms look the part, but they’re pretty spartan. That’s ok though – and in fact some people will love the minimalism at work in this Valparaíso backpackers hostel. However it doesn’t feel very backpackery – there aren’t really any common areas to speak of (except where you eat breakfast), and the dorms are intimate 4-bed affairs, but if you want a private room experience in a basic but solidly decent setting, this is where to go.
Hostal Casa Aventura is one of our favourites in Valparaíso but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
Guesthouse Espacio 420 – Best Party Hostel in Valparaíso
*airhorns!* It would be the hostel that put ‘420’ in its name that ends up being the best one for a party, wouldn’t it? But seriously the brilliantly named Guesthouse Espacio 420 is a youth hostel in Valparaíso that, whilst not in the best area, is still a fun place to stay. There’s a ping pong table here that gets a lot of use, as well as a rooftop terrace where you can meet other international guests and have a good time. That’s sorta what you’re here for, isn’t it? Other than that: clean, cool art, nice vibe. And the staff are awesome, too.
Guesthouse Espacio 420 is one of our favourites in Valparaíso but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
Casa Lastra Hostel – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Valparaíso
As far as a Valparaíso backpackers hostel goes, Casa Lastra Hostel is a slice of luxury. Sure, that may be reflected in the price, but when you’re on the road for lord knows how many months or years you could do with NOT staying in grubby surroundings. Plus as a digital nomad you’re earning, so you can afford to splash out a little, right? At Casa Lastra the environment is both fresh and historical – we’re talking a building from 1909, here. Add to that cleanliness, good Wi-Fi (it works in bed – major plus), free breakfast, and other goodies, and we got another contender for best hostel in Valparaíso on our hands.
Casa Lastra Hostel is one of our favourites in Valparaíso but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
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Hide Yo’ Money!More Best Hostels in Valparaíso
Muffin Hostel
Why is it called Muffin Hostel? Not entirely sure to be honest. If it helps, allegedly this building housed a brothel back in the day. Which of course has no bearing on it now: today this is a Valparaíso backpackers hostel that’s highly recommended. It’s all great inside, with a rooftop terrace (there are four cats and a BUNNY to make friends with here) and common room, and a place to make your own food too. That’s called a kitchen. The sea is just a few blocks away, where you’ll find a pier and a small beach, and maybe catch sight of sea lions. There’s also an authentic street market very close by. Remember that Valparaíso is a UNESCO city so be sure to take in all of the lovely cultural treasures that make this city what it is.
Muffin Hostel is one of our favourites in Valparaíso but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
What to Pack for your Valparaiso 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 Valparaíso
Well my friends, that’s all I got: we have come to the end of my guide to the best hostels in Valparaíso for 2024!
Now that all of the options are on the table, you can book your hostel with the certainty of knowing exactly what to expect. That was the goal of this hostel guide anyway!
Valparaíso is a cool city with plenty of fun to get into. It really has some of the most epic graffiti and street art to be found anywhere on earth.
I hope this guide has given you the ability to book your hostel stress-free so you can spend more time planning awesome things to do, and less time thinking about where you’re going to stay.
Still feeling unsure about which hostel is right for you? Too many options on hand?
The advice I typically give is to just book my top pick for the best overall hostel in Valparaiso: Maki Hostel Valparaiso. Can’t go wrong with that choice eh? Sorted.
I hope your Valparaíso backpacking adventure is an awesome experience! See you down the road…
FAQ about Hostels in Valparaiso
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Valparaiso.
How much does a hostel cost in Valparaíso?
The average price of hostels in Valparaiso can range from $11 – $31+ 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 Valparaíso for couples?
La Joya Hostel is the coolest hostel for couples in Valparaiso. It’s close to the bus terminal and has a rooftop terrace.
What is the best hostel in Valparaíso near the airport?
Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport is quite far from Valparaiso, so it is usually better to find the best place that offers airport transfer. Once you’re in the city, check these amazing hostels:
Mitico Hostel
Casa Lastra Hostel
Casa Volante Hostal
Travel Safety Tips for Valparaíso
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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More Epic Hostels in Chile and South America
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Valparaíso.
Planning an epic trip all across Chile or even South America itself?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
For more cool hostel guides around South America, check out:
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Valparaíso has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your backpacking adventure.
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 Chile 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.
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!
