3 Best Hostels in Maui, Hawaii – Enjoy Free Pancakes, Join Daily Tours & Sleep by the Beach

3 Best Hostels in Maui, Hawaii
Photo by Peter Vanosdall

So, you’re keen to explore Hawaii and discover the best hostels in Maui. Welcome to the only guide you’re going to need!

Let’s just get this important detail clear first: Maui is the name of an island in Hawaii, not a city or town.

It’s the Hawaiian Island home to a high volcanic peak called Haleakala, plus 30 miles of beaches and beautiful pools and waterfalls. It’s the island to be for water sports!

As for the hostels in Maui? They’re ideal for backpackers, party people and sociable couples.

Good To Know: We have a detailed guide on the best yoga retreats in Hawaii.

Our favorite hostels in Maui are:

  1. Aloha Surf Hostel - best for backpackers
  2. Howzit Hostels - best for Digital Nomads
  3. Hakuna Matata Hostel - best for female solo travellers

Any questions about hostels in Maui?

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Money-saving tip: Compare hostel prices with Hostelz.com. They compare prices from Hostelworld, Booking.com and others with 1 click.

Make sure you also have a look at our guide to the best hostels in Hawaii. This guide includes hostels on the Big Island and Honolulu.

Good To Know: We have our detailed guide to the best hostels in Honolulu.

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

Here are all 45 best hostels in USA.

What we cover in this article?

  • cheapest hostels in Maui
  • best hostels in Maui for solo travellers
  • fun party hostels in Maui
  • 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 Maui

    Average price for a bed: Hostels in Maui cost 34€ – 48€ per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room starts from 70€ up to 125€ 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.

    How to travel to Maui on a budget? Simple tips for saving money include travelling there on the off-season, booking a hostel with a communal kitchen, staying in a dorm room and packing snacks for days out. It’s not a cheap destination, so be aware of this!

    🎁 New to Hostels? Read our guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. We especially recommend reading:

    The 3 Best Hostels in Maui are …

    Let’s jump right into the coolest hostels in Maui.

    1. Aloha Surf Hostel – best for backpackers
    2. Howzit Hostels – best for Digital Nomads
    3. Hakuna Matata Hostel – best for female solo travellers

    These are our favorite hostels in Maui. We want to make your life even easier, so we put all accommodations on a map for you. We even added our own tips for favorite restaurants, things to see, and more.

    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: Aloha Surf Hostel
    🙎‍♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler: Hakuna Matata Maui
    🥳 Party Hostel:Banana Bungalow Maui Hostel
    👩‍❤️‍👨Couple Hostel: Howzit Hostels
    👩‍💻 For Digital Nomads: Howzit Hostels
    🧘 Cozy Hostel: Hakuna Matata Maui
    🎒 For Backpackers:Aloha Surf Hostel

    1. Aloha Surf Hostel

    Located on Maui’s North shore in a beautiful place called Paia, Aloha Surf Hostel has done well to create a homely hostel.

    This hostel is located right between the two major surf sports – Ho’okipa and Kanaha (kite) beach.

    Hands down the best thing about Aloha is the daily free tours to the best destinations on the island. The hostel has its very own 14-seater van, with a minimum sign-up of 4 people.

    As there is a tour happening every day of the week, you’ll never miss out!

    From beach trips and breathtaking hikes, to historical sights and snorkelling – there’s something for everyone.

    What else? How about…

    • Free pancake breakfast
    • Free hot tub
    • Free parking & luggage storage
    • HD TV with cable/movies
    • Outdoor BBQ

    If you like to cook, you’ll certainly appreciate the fully stocked kitchen.

    Aloha Surf Hostel offers both private and dorm accommodation for the budget-minded traveller. Dorms come with 6-beds, and privates have either two twin beds or one queen bed.

    When you’re keen to hang around the hostel you can enjoy ping pong, a pool table and tea/coffee facilities.

    Oh and of course, free Wifi!

    This is one of the best hostels in Maui for

    • Backpackers
    • Solo travellers
    Book Aloha Surf Hostel here

    Check prices at:
    Hostelworld | Hostelz.com

    Aloha Surf Hostel is one of the best hostels in Maui, Hawaii Aloha Surf Hostel is one of the best hostels in Maui, Hawaii Aloha Surf Hostel is one of the best hostels in Maui, Hawaii Aloha Surf Hostel is one of the best hostels in Maui, Hawaii

    2. Howzit Hostels

    Howzit Hostels is one of our favorite picks on Maui for groups of friends, couples, and digital nomads.

    Here, you’ll find:

    • Air-conditioned rooms
    • A garden (with a huge banyan tree)
    • A shared lounge
    • A terrace (with views of the Haleakalā Volcano)
    • A shared kitchen (with free pancakes)
    • 24/7 reception

    Our favorite part about this Maui Hostel is that they organize free tours and activities for their guests across the island.

    We think these are great for travelers who don’t want to rent a car or who want to discover the island on a budget. Excursions include anything from heading out to different beaches, snorkeling, hiking, or checking out national parks.

    These are a great way to meet fellow travelers and make new friends, and there are also BBQ nights and game nights organized on hostel grounds.

    Although the activities are labeled as free, keep in mind that it’s custom to tip the hostel staff’s guides and that you’ll need to register for them as the space in their van is limited.

    LocationIn the sleepy village of Wailuku, which translates as “water of destruction”. It’s busy by day and quiet by night. There is a bus stop nearby that can take you up to Lahaina or down to Kahului. The Kahului airport is a 15-minute ride away from this hostel.

    A great choice for

    • Digital Nomads
    • Groups
    • Couples
    Book Howzit Hostels here

    Check prices at:
    Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com

    Howzit Hostels Outdoor Howzit Hostels Dorms Howzit Hostels Common Space

    3. Hakuna Matata Hostel

    Let’s face it, the hostel name caught your attention, right?! Hakuna Matata Hostel  is an “epic little place” right next to the beach in Lahaina.

    To help you really enjoy the surroundings, this hostel offers bicycles, kayaks and beach equipment to enjoy for FREE during your stay!

    When it comes to rooms, there are three choices:

    • Twin/double private
    • 4-bed female dorms
    • Mixed dorm rooms

    You’ll be happy to know that all of the rooms come with air conditioning!

    There are both indoor and outdoor social areas. Play some board games, read a book or simply enjoy the company of other travellers. There’s also a great ocean view from the backyard gardens.

    It is actually the location of Hakuna Matata which is the best bit.

    It happens to be located on the most popular street full of shops, restaurants and fun activities. The beach is literally 1-minute from the front door.

    Note: This hostel suggests an age of 18-35yrs to stay here, though there is no strict rule about this.

    This is one of the best hostels in Maui for

    • Female solo travelers
    Book Hakuna Matata Hostel here

    Check prices at:
    Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com

    Hakuna Matata Hostel is one of the best hostels in Maui, Hawaii Hakuna Matata Hostel is one of the best hostels in Maui, Hawaii Hakuna Matata Hostel is one of the best hostels in Maui, Hawaii

    What about cheapest hostels in Maui?

    Of course, there are always cheap hostels. Forget hotels in Maui!

    We think, it’s not worth it to go with the cheapest hostel out there.

    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.

    However, if you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you wanna save every penny, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Maui.

    1. Open Hostelworld with full list of budget places to stay in Maui
    2. Order the listing by price

    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.

    What about Maui Central Hostel in Wailuku? We had a look and we think there are better hostels to consider. It’s an affordable hostel, yet it lacks the social atmosphere and perks of the other hostels mentioned in this guide.

    Best Hostels in Maui for Solo Travellers?

    What is seriously the best hostel in Maui for solo-travellers?

    As we’ve already mentioned, we reckon our #1 hostel Aloha Surf Hostel is the best option for solo travellers. In case you missed it, they offer free tours every day of the week. This is a perfect way to meet new people.

    For those looking for midday naps and cute hangouts to get lost in a book, we also recommend Tiki Beach Hostel.

    The backyard is spacious and peaceful. You’ll be sleeping less than a minute from Lahaina beach, and the inclusive vibe makes it easy to meet people if you want to.

    Staff are fantastic and the hostel attracts a wide age range of people.

    Book Tiki Beach Hostel here

    Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld

    Tiki Beach Hostel is one of the best hostels in Maui, Hawaii

    After another relaxed and less social hostel as a solo traveller?

    Directly by the beach with an additional garden and terrace, The Lahaina Beach House is a top choice if you want lazy days and homely vibes.

    If you’re lucky, there might be a potluck dinner happening during your stay.

    It’s one of the hostels that’s designed for various traveller types. Small families, older travellers and surf nuts will feel at home here.

    It’s located on Front Street of Lahaina, close to all the major attractions and yummy eateries.

    Book Lahaina Beach House here

    Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com

    Lahaina Beach House is one of the best hostels in Maui, Hawaii

    Party Hostels in Maui

    Looking to have some fun on the island of Maui? Sure, we understand. Which is why we did our research and found you a fun party hostel to consider.

    Banana Bungalow Maui Hostel is the kind of place that likes to entertain from the moment you wake up until you can no longer keep your eyes open.

    Yep, start the day with a free pancake breakfast and then sign up to join an awesome free tour. They happen everyday! From whale watching to hiking the Haleakalā Crater.

    Add a dash of outdoor jacuzzi in the afternoon and prepare yourself for:

    • Happy Hour every Monday
    • Keg parties on Fridays
    • Beers & BBQ in the garden

    Other social activities include beer pong, movie nights and a good old fashioned game of pool. The question is, do you have the energy for what Banana Bungalow has to offer?!

    Book Banana Bungalow Hostel here

    Compare prices and read reviews at: Hostelworld

    Banana Bungalow Hostel is one of the best hostels in Maui, Hawaii Banana Bungalow Hostel is one of the best hostels in Maui, Hawaii

    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:

    1. Aloha Surf Hostel: Hostelworld
    2. The Northshore Hostel: Booking.com | Hostelworld
    3. Hakuna Matata Hostel: Booking.com | Hostelworld

    We recommend booking your hostel as early as possible!

    All of Maui 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 Maui. 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.

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    Our Favorite Hostels in Maui put on a map + sights

    Let us have a look on the map. Below we list all three best Maui hostels on a map.

    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:

    • Haleakalā National Park
    • Hana Highway
    • Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii
    • Iao Valley
    • The Pools at ‘Ohe’o
    • Kaanapali Beach

    Any questions about hostels in Maui? 🤔

    Join our Facebook Group!

    Ask all your questions and connect with like-minded wanderers 🔥

    FAQ

    Alright, you should have found your accommodation already. Below we list all the frequently asked questions. Have a look.

    Flights to Maui?

    We use Skyscanner and Omio.com to find cheap flights and good connections all over the globe.

    Skyscanner has a bunch of cool features like Multi-City Trip. Instead of doing this research step-by-step, Skyscanner offers this flight planning tool.

    Our Step-by-Step Guide to Skyscanner

    review of Skyscanner flight searches

    More guides

    Alright, this is your answer to where to stay in Maui.

    Here are all our US Hostel Guides:

    Party hostels in the US:

    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

    Do you have any questions left, maybe doubts? Then please leave it in the comment below. We are very keen to help you - and actually you would even do us a favor!

    Your question will help us to improve this Maui guide.

    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 will never recommend you any place we haven’t evaluated or are not convinced by. We are constantly updating all our guides to keep them as fresh and accurate as possible.

    Safe travels,
    The Hostelgeeks

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