13 Best Hostels in Medellin for a All Types of Travelers

Medellin is the city of Eternal Spring. There are many reasons to visit this city, as it has grown massively amongst the digital nomad community. When I visited in 2022, I stayed for around 5 weeks, mainly in the El Poblado and Laureles districts. I did plenty of research before coming to find the best hostels because there are a ton!

We did many hikes, visited Pueblito Paisa, took a day trip to visit Guatape Rock, and ate plenty of amazing food. Colombia wasn’t high on my list before I traveled there and I’m shocked it wasn’t.

In this article, I will go over not only the best hostels in Medellin but specifically, the best for solo travelers and backpackers.

Where is Medellin Located?

Medellin is the 2nd largest city in Colombia and is the capital of the Antioquia department. This city is located in the Northwestern part of Colombia.

It is fairly easy to get here as Medellin has a big international airport that is normally pretty cheap to fly into. The cost of travel in Colombia is what makes this area so appealing as well.

Quick Overview: The Best Hostels in Medellin

• Best Party Hostel: Black Sheep
• Best Cheap Hostel: Centro Hostel
• Best Hostel for Solo Travellers: Viajero Medellin Hostel
• Best Overall Hostel: Los Patios Hostel

Best Hostels in Medellin, Colombia

Medellin has it all. This country is one of the most biodiverse in the world. That means, along with the great partying and coffee, there are also a lot of hikes.

If you want more freedom to look at hostels in El Paredon, then you can always visit Hostelworld’s website.

All the prices of the hostels in this article have been updated to the current 2026 prices.

Best Party Hostel in Medellin

Black Sheep Hostel is one of the most well-known in the entire city. This party hostel has been around for over 17 years and for good reason.

The staff is amazing as well as the atmosphere. You won’t have trouble meeting anyone here during your stay.

This hostel includes a kitchen for use, multiple hammocks, a tv room, and cheap beer! Don’t come here if you’re trying to get your beauty sleep.

• Modern Kitchen
• Easy to Meet People
• ~$22 USD
• Located in El Poblado

Best Cheap Hostel: Centro Hostel

Centro Hostel is just as its name suggests. This centrally located hostel is near popular sites such as Casa del la Memoria, Plazita de Flores, and Plazuala de San Ignacio. Get a different feel for the city than those located in El Poblado. There is even free breakfast!

This is the best value you will be able to find in all of the hostels here.

• ~$15 USD
• Free Breakfast
• Centrally Located
• Clean & Friendly Staff
• Laid Back Compared to El Poblado

Best Hostel in Medellin for Solo Travelers

Viajero Medellin Hostel is one of many Viajero hostels in Colombia. This chain is known for its amazing rooftops and party scene. Along with this, they offer a slightly more luxurious comfort than those of the big backpacking party hostels. It is very easy to meet people as many travelers visit from other hostels.

If you don’t mind chain hostels, then this is one of the best ones on this list.

• ~$19 USD
• Amazing in-house Restaurant
• Comfortable Beds
• Top Rooftop

Best Overall Hostel in Medellin

Los Patios was ranked ‘Best Large Hostel Worldwide’ in 2020 and you will see why. The art style here is picturesque and modern. The rooftop here might not be as big as some other hostels but the skyline is amazing. This hostel contains 2 rooftop bars, a coworking space, a gym, a cafe, and you name it. Los Patios has it all.

You will only be 2 blocks away from the metro station in El Poblado as well as the market.

• ~$23 USD
• Located in El Poblado
• Rooftop Pool
• Many Amenities

Best Hostels in El Poblado

El Poblado is where a majority of travelers go when visiting Medellin (Especially if you’re a digital nomad). This is because of the combination of accommodations, restaurants, coffee shops, and party scenes.

If you are looking for more of a longer-term stay, then I would suggest looking into the area of Laureles. But other than that, El Poblado should be on your list of places to stay.

Below are the hostels I already went over that are located in El Poblado:

• Black Sheep Hostel
• Los Patios
• Viajero Hostel

Hostels in this area are increasing in price due to how popular they are becoming. So the prices may be different when you book these yourself.

Some of the other popular hostels are:

Purple Monkey Hostel

Purple Monkey Hostel is a very close 2nd to the best party hostel. Some might even say it is THE best one. They have one of the coziest rooftop bars in El Poblado. You’ll be able to meet some fantastic like-minded travelers as well.

The staff is excellent at the Purple Monkey and everything is kept in tip-top shape. The price for what you get is an excellent deal in the heart of El Poblado.

• ~$10 USD
• Large Rooftop Bar
• Social Atmosphere
• Great Staff
• Centrally located in El Poblado
• Free Breakfast

Arcadia Hostel

Arcadia Hostel is the one I personally stayed at, twice in fact. I chose this one at first because it was the cheapest hostel with free breakfast at the time (and also had good reviews).

Unfortunately, this hostel has shut down and is no longer taking guests.

• ~$15 USD
• Free Breakfast
• Sunday BBQ
• Quiet Location
• Great Staff

Masaya Medellin

Masaya Medellin Hostel has one of, if not the largest, rooftop pools on this list. It’s a little bit pricier than others but the artwork is absolutely stunning. The way they set up their bar area gives you the feel of being outside but still the comfort of the shade.

The vibe here is more relaxed than in others and you can tell that pretty easily by the photos. The dorm rooms are equipped with some of the largest lockers I have ever seen. That is a huge plus for me as well as many others I know.

Masaya has 7 floors full of art that will keep your curiosity running.

• ~$20 USD
• Large Open Room Rooftop Bar Scene
• Great Staff
• Blackout Curtains
• Coworking Space

Rango Boutique

Hostel Rango Boutique is one of the most uniquely styled hostels you’ll find in the city. It feels like you have gone back in time to when everything was simpler. They offer a great coworking environment and the restaurant is top-notch.

This is again another one that is more on the expensive side but you won’t be disappointed with your stay. It is run by the Rango family, so you still get the homey feel to it.

• ~$27 USD
• Great Coworking Space
• Excellent Restaurant
• Rooftop Pool

Noah Boutique

Noah Boutique Hostel Medellín is the last hostel on this list that is located in El Poblado. Breakfast is included here as well as an excellent rooftop bar. It tends to be a more middle-aged crowd compared to the younger party ones.

I’ve heard the breakfast is excellent and the staff is wonderful. So for the price, it is hard to beat!

• $13 with no breakfast & $16 with breakfast
• Rooftop Terrace with Bar
• Chilled out Vibe

Other Best Hostels in Medellin

There are other districts than just El Poblado that are worth visiting. It is very easy to get either a taxi or Uber from these locations to El Poblado, too, if you want to visit the area instead of sleeping there.

Below are some of the other best hostels that aren’t in El Poblado.

The Wandering Paisa Backpackers Hostel

The Wandering Paisa Hostel is located in the upscale neighborhood of Laurales. This is where I spent an entire month during my time in Medellin and it was an excellent place to stay.

Staying in this area can offer a deeper Colombian experience than in other places. The Wandering Paisa offers many activities, including free salsa classes, language exchange, karaoke, standup comedy, and open mic night.

Conveniently located next to the metro, you can get anywhere in minutes.

• ~$14USD
• Located in Laurales
• 5 mins to the Metro
• 5 mins to the Antanasio Stadium

BackPacker Hostel

True to its name, Medellin Backpacker Hostel is a great budget option closer to the city center. Located near this accommodation are the famous Botanical Gardens, Explorer Park, and Park of the Wishes. If you like to rent cars when traveling, then fear not, as they also offer a parking lot.

A huge plus for Backpacker is that the private rooms are very affordable when compared to some others around the city.

• ~$13 USD
• Parking Lot
• Close to a Gym
• Cheap Private Rooms

Gaston Coliving

Gaston Coliving is located in a quiet neighborhood, especially when compared to El Poblado. They offer you a chance to live a different experience here in the city.

The neighborhood it’s in is La Floresta and there are many restaurants, cafes, and places to learn salsa near here. For the price, it offers a great experience of Colombian culture.

Private rooms here are also very affordable if you’re looking for that.

• ~$8 USD
• Cheap Private Rooms
• True Colombian Experience
• In a Great Neighborhood

Hotel Coliving 78a

Hotel Coliving 78a is the perfect spot for a digital nomad looking for a cheap private room and a place to work. Located in the district of Rosales, you will feel like a local. There is a great terrace for you to relax on and take a break from work as well as blackout curtains. It is very hard to pass up a deal for a private room like this!

• ~$28 USD for Private
• Own Bathroom
• Rooftop Terrace
• Clean Rooms

Other Things to Know

How to Get to Medellin

Below, I will go over a few frequently asked ways of traveling from popular destinations.

Jose Maria airport to Medellin

This is the international airport that you will most likely be flying into if you’re going straight to Medellin. It is around 35 to 45 minutes outside of Downtown.

• White Cab: These unique cabs are specifically for airport transport. They have a flat rate between $110,000 COP and $120,000 COP. This price has been updated with current information but things can change quickly.
• Local Bus: This is the option I chose because I was on a super budget. It costs $20,000 COP to get to the San Diego Mall. From here, you will then have to get a cab to your accommodation.
• Uber: While it may be “technically” illegal, Uber does exist here and can be a great way to get around.

Salento to Medellin

When visiting Colombia, you will see many travelers talk about the tall palm trees in the south. This area is called Valle de Cocora (Cocora Valley) and is next to Salento.

• Head to the Terminal de Buses en Salento. This is where you can buy tickets to any location. Buses from Salento to Medellin will take one day. Prices on Redbus range around $89,000 COP.
• We decided to stop by the town of Jardin. This was a long day of 2 separate buses but La Cueva Del Esplendor Hike made it all worth it.

FAQs

Is Medellin Safe for Tourists?

Absolutely. Medellin is growing fast in popularity but it is the same as any big city in the entire world. There are places that you shouldn’t go to and places that are perfectly fine to hang out at. Laurales and El Poblado are two great places you can stay that are safe. If you have any questions regarding this, then your host at your accommodation can answer any questions.

Below are some fun and safe activities you can do:

• Visit Arvi Park
• Hike Cerro Quitasol
• Salto Del Angel Waterfall
• Hike Cerro Tres Cruces

Final Thoughts

Medellin is a dream location for all kinds of travelers. Adventure enthusiasts like myself will fall in love with the city like they never thought they could. With that being said there are a ton of amazing hostels here. I highly suggest that you visit here and check out my other guides on things to do in Colombia.