Ah yes, the Philippines; a beautiful part of the world. It’s time to discover the best hostels in Cebu City.
Did you know? Cebu is the name of an island, AND the name of the oldest city in the Philippines.
Whilst the 3 main hostels in this collection focus on Cebu City, we’re also going to look at hostels around Cebu Island.
Three hotspots around the island include Oslob, Boljoon and Moalboal.
We’ve included a cool hostel for each location so you can get the most out of your time on Cebu Island.
Your shortcut:
- Murals Hostel and Cafe – top pick for digital nomads
- HappyNest Hostel Cebu – perfect for female solo travelers
- Shejoje Poshtel Hostel – great for backpackers
Any questions about hostels in Cebu City?
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Expect to also discover a great party hostel and modern, hip design.
This guide is perfect for YOU, when …
- tired of bad and crappy hostels
- want to avoid the “young party kids”
- happy to spend 1-2€ for a better experience
Planning to island hop? Check out our ultimate guides to the best hostels in the Philippines or the best hostels in Siargao.
Spin Designer Hostel in El Nido is our one and only 5 Star Hostel in the country.
What we cover in this article?
- Introduction
- 3 best hostels in detail
- cheapest hostels in Cebu City
- best hostels in Cebu City for solo travellers
- fun party hostels in Cebu City
- more cool hostels in Cebu City
- hostels around Cebu Island
- discounts and promo codes
- How to book?
- all hostel and sights on a map
- Flights
- FAQ
You can find all 5 Star Hostels here with Hostelgeeks and all guides to “Best Hostels In” here.
Quick Introduction to Cebu City
Average price for a bed: Hostels in Cebu City cost 7€ – 11€ per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room starts from 16€ up to 40€ per night. This is a rough average just to give you an idea.
Prices always depend on season and holidays. Please always check exact rates on Hostelworld.com or Booking.com.
Check-In and Check Out: The average check-in time is from 15:00 (3pm), while the Check Out time is before 11:00 (11am). Hostels usually offer luggage storage in case you arrive earlier or leave later. Make sure you check if luggage storage is free or if there is an extra cost.
Reaching Cebu City: Cebu City is the first place to arrive to on Cebu Island, most easily by plane.From here, it’s easier to explore further places such a Moalboal and Oslob.
It’s a 1 hour flight from Manila (or take the ferry), and international flights can be taken from Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea. Here’s a guide to Cebu City worth checking out.
Getting around Cebu Island: Travelling around Cebu City and to other cities on the island can be confusing. As always, Asian traffic is a little crazy! Check out this useful guide to getting around cities in Cebu.
New to Hostels? Read our full hostel starter guide here. We especially recommend reading:
- how to book hostels (and websites to use)
- 23 items for the hostel packing list
- Are hostels safe? 13 safety tips for hostels
The 3 Best Hostels in Cebu City
Let’s jump right into the boutique hostels in Cebu City.
We put all three accommodation on the map, you will find the map at the end of the article.
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | Shejoje Poshtel Hostel |
| 🙎♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler: | HappyNest Hostel Cebu |
| 🥳 Party Hostel: | Mad Monkey Cebu City |
| 👩❤️👨 Couple Hostel: | Murals Hostel and Cafe |
| 👨👩👦 Family Hostel: | Tropical Breeze Hostel |
| 👩💻 For Digital Nomads: | Murals Hostel and Cafe |
| 🧘 Cozy Hostel: | HappyNest Hostel Cebu |
1. Murals Hostel and Cafe
It’s no exaggeration when we say that Murals Hostel and Cafe has everything you can expect under one roof.
That is, if you’re looking for a comfortable, fun and memorable stay. We will assume that you are.
This is easily the best place to stay in Cebu Philippines.
Beautiful boutique design and cheerful staff will have you feeling like you’ve stumbled in to a homely hotel, yet with added social vibes and shared spaces!
It’s the ideal location if you’re a digital nomad slash location independent worker.
Check out the many dedicated work spaces!
Mixed in with fast, reliable – and free – WiFi, plus an unlimited flow of barista style coffee; work will be an easy breeze here.
There are even office services such as printing and scanning available.
And when it comes to rooms, it just gets better and better.
First, choose your preferred type:
- 6-8 bed mixed dorm
- 6-bed female dorm
- Quadruple room
- Queen private (shared bathroom)
Bunks are sturdy and built with privacy in mind. Enjoy a curtain, big locker and little shelf to keep your essentials.
We enjoy the little quotes written around the place – feel inspired in luxurious comfort!
For those social vibes, head to the cafe and rooftop bar.
Everyone is welcome to a free drink, and mingling is encouraged with regular quiz nights and live music.
The cafe offers an all-day free breakfast, and coffee is always in flow. Perfect!
Good to know: smoking is not permitted in the co-working space. There is a dedicated outside area.
Location: It’s just 12km from Cebu International Airport, and less than 2km from Ayala Center Cebu, a large and useful mall in the city. It’s the best place to stay in Cebu City.
This is one of the best hostels in Cebu City for
- Digital nomads
- Couples
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
2. HappyNest Hostel Cebu
Happy location, happy price and happy stay; all you can expect at HappyNest Hostel Cebu.
This is a fabulous Cebu travellers hostel!
The design screams modern and homey, offering a refreshing tropical feel that will get you in the holiday mood.
It’s not the kind of hostel that arranges many activities or events.
Instead, it provides a relaxed space for travellers to wind down, enjoy alone time and choose for themselves to strike up conversation with others.
There is a lovely living room area near reception acting as a social space.
This also connects to a small bar and seating that looks out on to the street – both are a good option for socialising.
Good to know: reception is open 24/7 and there is no curfew.
Other great inclusions:
- Restaurant & snack bar
- Movie nights & walking tours
The rooms are certainly a highlight!
Spread over dorms with 4-8 beds, there are no private rooms available here.
Female solo travellers can book a bed in a ladies only dorm.
Each bed comes with a privacy curtain and the design means no annoying squeaking or shaking from your neighbour.
FREE Wifi FREE Wifi!
You’ll be happy to know what each room is air-conditioned and the unlimited free Wifi will follow you throughout the building.
Location: Just a 5-minute walk from Pier 1 Cebu City, with easy access to Bohol, Ormoc and Dumaguete. It’s also close to Colon Street.
This is one of the best hostels in Cebu City for
- Female solo travellers
- Older travellers
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
3. Shejoje Poshtel Hostel
Alright readers, let’s wander over to Shejoje Poshtel Hostel and jump into one of their cool capsule beds.
It’s the first of its kind in Cebu City – colourful, budget friendly and well, posh!
Come on, let’s have a closer look at the capsule beds. They come with:
- A fan
- A cute and unique view (wall print)
- Plug socket & light
- Towel & ready-made bed
When you’re keen to sleep or have some alone time, simply side the shutter across – simple.
Note: there are no private rooms here.
However!
There is a deluxe capsule which is designed for two people. It is in the same room as single capsules.
There is only a small common area, so this is a great choice for those that want to spend their time exploring the city.
Breakfast isn’t included, but it’s possible to order some food for a few extra coins.
Location: There’s a handy 7/11 next door, with food places and some malls nearby.
This is one of the best hostels in Cebu City for
- Backpackers
- Solo travellers
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
What about cheapest hostels in Cebu City?
Are you looking for cheap accommodation in Cebu Philippines?
Of course, there are always cheap hostels – forget hotels.
We think, it’s not worth it to go with cheap places to stay in Cebu.
Why?
The difference is usually 1-2€ ($1-2) per night, and a lot of amenities are not included. This can be breakfast or linen – the value drops.
However, if you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you wanna save every penny, there are ways to find the cheapest inn in Cebu City.
- Open Hostelworld with full list of cheap inns in Cebu City
- Order the listing by price
- Check availability for your dates
Simple as that.
Read: 15 hacks for booking hostels
Make sure you use then the other filters and rank per price.
Also keep a close eye on the ratings, especially the “extreme ratings”. Meaning, the best and worst. These ratings can give great insight on what to expect.
Best Hostels in Cebu City for Solo Travellers?
What is seriously the best hostel in Cebu City for solo-travellers?
As always, it depends on what kind of solo traveller you happen to be.
For female solo travellers, we easily recommend our #2 in this guide, HappyNest Hostel. The female dorm here is well-designed, private and not too big.
Travelling and working at the same time? The dedicated work spaces and free coffee at Murals Hostel and Cafe is perfect for digital nomads. It’s social too, for when you’re not working.
If you prefer your own space, book your stay with Shejoje Poshtel Hostel. It’s all about capsule beds and a quiet, relaxed atmosphere.
Party Hostel Cebu Style
Hands up if you’re keen for an awesome party hostel in Cebu City!
For sure, the only place worth staying for a super fun time is Mad Monkey Cebu City.
The upbeat social vibe is unbeatable, in our opinion.
This Filipino fusion hostel will have you smiling the entire time thanks to the:
- Infinity pool & sundeck
- On-site restaurant
- 150 people capacity
Evenings are set aside for epic DJ sets and partying – made easy with the bar and beer pong tournaments.
Finish the night in either a mixed dorm or private room, the choice is yours.
Location: Mad Monkey Hostel Cebu is situated in Queen City in the South, 15-minutes from the best tourist spots around the city.
Important: You can purchase a so-called Golden Ticket by Mad Monkey. Stay 30, 60 or 90 days in their hostels at a super low rate and one-time payment. Check more info about Golden Ticket here.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
More Hostels in Cebu City
Honestly, we were quite blown away by the awesome Cebu City hostels on offer.
Whilst we’re here, let us show off even more hostels worth a mention!
Tropical Hostel Cebu
Also known as Tropical Breeze Hostel, this is a handy central hostel very close to malls, bars and top sights of the city.
You can literally walk to everywhere worth visiting!
The large 6 and 10-bed family rooms are perfect for travelling families, as well as groups.
There are also options for couples and solo travellers, as well as a triple room for friends.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Food District Hostel Cebu Central
Did the name give it away as to where this hostel is located?
Food District Hostel Cebu Central is actually not too close to the city centre itself. Instead, you’ll be surrounded by great food and a pub district.
Have a chat with the lovely staff and find out local tips and tricks.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Garden Pod Hostel Cebu
GardenPod Hostel & Cafe is another accommodation offering cute capsule beds.
There is a restaurant onsite, plus free parking and a shared lounge and garden. Halo Halo cafe is a must try!
It’s a great stopover choice if you’re on the way to further afield, such as Moalboal.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com
Best Hostels in Cebu Island
Just in case you missed it; Cebu is the name of the island, and the major city on the island.
As well as Cebu City, many travellers like to visit other areas on the island.
Three of the main destinations include:
- Oslob
- Boljoon
- Moalboal
Let’s have a look at some hostels in these areas that we think are definitely worth checking out.
1. Sharky Hostel Oslob (Oslob)
Oslob is the place to go if you’re keen for whale shark watching, beach life and waterfalls.
Sharky Hostel Oslob is aptly named – this is the best place to stay if you want to see whale sharks!
It’s no wonder really when you’ll be sleeping 50 metres from the beach.
Super cool: Sharky Hostel is the first boat to hit the water in the morning to look for sharks.
The hostel itself is beautiful, with a native bamboo house and concrete dorm rooms.
There is Wifi free for everyone and check out is not until 12 noon – bonus.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
2. Noordzee Beach Hostel (Boljoon)
Update: Noordzee has permanently closed.
Just up the road from Oslob, is Boljoon. This area is also great for waterfalls, sharks and beaches.
In fact, Noordzee Beach Hostel is quite literally on the beach!
Not only can you swim in the sea, there is a swimming pool to jump in to as well.
On the rooftop you’ll come across a pretty cool restaurant and bar. There are weekly specials on food and delicious cocktails awaiting you.
There are budget, standard, deluxe and superior dorms to choose from. Private rooms are also available.
Relax in a beach hammock, beach table, terrace, watch a movie or admire the stars all night long.
See you there.
3. Moalboal Backpacker Lodge (Moalboal)
The Moalboal Backpacker Lodge is located by Panagsama, just a few metres from a colourful coral reef.
It’s another top destination for exploring the underwater wonders of the Philippines!
This is a great backpackers inn Cebu has to offer.
All rooms – dorms, single & private – come with hammocks and sea-view decks to relax on.
As for that pretty cool looking VW bus?
That’s where you can enjoy unlimited free coffee!
There is a small guest kitchen, plus meals available if you’d prefer not to cook.
It’s great for budget travellers looking to enjoy a cheap beer by the sea.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
How to book?
We recommend using Booking.com or Hostelworld for your reservations.
Hostelworld is the most popular website when it comes to hostel bookings.
Read: step-by-step guide on how to book with Hostelworld
On both platforms your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.
We included the handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.
Here is the overview:
- Murals Hostel and Cafe: Booking.com | Hostelworld
- HappyNest Hostel: Booking.com | Hostelworld
- Shejoje Poshtel Hostel: Booking.com | Hostelworld
We recommend booking your hostel as early as possible!
All of Cebu City best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish hostels, secure your room or bed as soon as you have your travel dates fix.
Any Discounts?
Currently, we have no special hostel discounts in Cebu City. I know, it’s a pity. You can subscribe to our newsletter to receive our newest hostel discounts always to your inbox.
You can find all our hostel discounts worldwide here.
All 3 Hostels put on a Map + Sights
Let us have a look on the map. Below we list all three best Cebu City hostels on a map.
Looking for things to do in city Cebu?
Personally, we love to plan our trips with a map having all sights and potential hostels on it. We thought this map will help you with planning your trip too.
We also included the main tourist attractions you’ve to know in this list:
- Fort San Pedro
- Cebu Taoist Temple
- Magellan’s Cross
- Tops Lookout
- Mactan – a good hostel here is 1521 Hostel Mactan Cebu
- Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu
- Grand Convention Centre
Flights to Cebu City?
We enjoy Skyscanner, Omio.com and Kiwi.com to find cheap flights all over Cebu City.
This new website has super cool features like a so-called radius search. Just draw a circle over Asia and find the cheapest rates for the area.
Here is our review of Kiwi.
FAQ
Alright, you should have found your accommodation already. Below we list all the frequently asked questions. Have a look.
What are the top things to do and visit in Cebu?
There are plenty of things you must see and do in Cebu. Here’s a short list of places you can visit.
- Kawasan Falls – Canyoneering (Something extreme and FUN!)
- Oslob – Swim with Whale Sharks
- Temple of Leah – The Taj Mahal of Cebu
- Sirao Garden – Instagramable Garden
- Mainit Hot Spring in Malabuyoc (less than $1 from D’Allegre)
- Palm Tree Roads near Ginatilan – Up for epic photos
- Freediving with Sardine Balls in Moalboal
What is the main transportation in Cebu?
The basic transportation in the Philippines are the jeepneys. However, some routes are for specific jeepneys only. Nevertheless, taxis are also available for you.
What are the things to consider in taking taxis?
- Be sure to use the meters. Sad as it sounds but taxi drivers can be greedy and ask you for contracts instead and that would cost much more.
- There’s also Grab taxis available but there are not much.
What are things to consider when commuting?
- Bus terminals are always packed. Be sure that you arrive before your scheduled time.
- Don’t fall for those guys who call for a ride. You might think it’s free but they would ask you for money.
What are the best beaches in Southern Cebu?
Most certainly the beaches off Oslob and Boljoon are fantastic – there are whale sharks, scuba diving and beautiful corals to explore.
What are some affordable restaurants in Cebu? What about newly opened restaurants in Cebu?
Before arrving in Cebu City, it’s worth checking out restaurants on Zomato.
Otherwise, the best way to discover great restaurants is to speak with hostel staff – they know their stuff!
Are there any good hostels around Cebu Bohol and the Philippines?
We’re so glad you asked!
We put together an epic guide to the 21 best hostels in the Philippines which covers Cebu, Bohol and all other major destinations in the country.
More guides
Alright, this is your answer to where to stay in Cebu City and the best hostels in Cebu Philippines.
It’s part of our ultimate guide to the best hostels in the Philippines.
We did the leg work for you and bring you more hostel guides to destinations:
- best hostels in Puerto Princesa
- best hostels in Manila
- best hostels in Palawan
- best hostels in El Nido
- best hostels in Boracay
- best hostels in Siargao
- best hostels in La Union
- best hostels in Coron
- best hostels in Moalboal
- best hostels in Bohol
- 27 best hostels in Vietnam
- best hostels in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
You can find all our new and updates articles for Best Hostels in here.
We also created a huge guide to hostels. Here we cover how to build lifetime friendships in hostels, the perfect packing list and more.
Over to you
Yippee! You now have access to awesome accommodation Cebu Philippines has on offer.
Was this useful? Do you have any questions, doubts?
Then please please leave us a comment. This list of awesome Cebu hostels should be as informative and useful as possible.
Your question will help me to understand what I have missed to mention.
Therefore, drop us a comment, we are keen to help you!
Last note: Our commitment
This is a genuine article to help you travel a bit smarter and find the best place on a budget! We ONLY recommend places we know you will enjoy, no matter what.
We will never recommend you any place we haven’t evaluated or are not convinced by. We only share with you places we also recommend to our best friends and family!
Enjoy this fine hostel selection and all 5 Star Hostels.
Have fun!
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How to find cheaper Flights ✈️
The first websites we always check are Skyscanner and Google Flights.
Find our step-by-step process in our review about Skyscanner.
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We are currently using Safetywing and Hey Mondo. We wrote detailed guides about these insurances:
- Our review of Safetywing, compared to others
- a detailed review of HeyMondo Travel Insurance
Smartest Travel Tools you need to know 🤓
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- Get Your Guide - for activities and sightseeing tickets
- Omio.com - for all types of transport
Find all our recommended travel tools and websites here.
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