Are you in search of the best hostels in Playa del Carmen? Welcome; this is the only guide you need. We have been here and tested these places in person! This Mexican coastal resort town is a hot spot for solo travellers and party animals.
If you’re travelling to Playa del Carmen soon, you NEED to read this guide!
Playa del Carmen is a lovely compact place, meaning everything is within walking distance – palm-lined beaches, coral reefs, dance clubs, you name it.
As for the hostels; expect refreshing pools, modern design and super comfortable rooms.
Your shortcut:
- Che Playa Hostel & Bar – top choice for female solo-traveller
- Red Panda Hostal – perfect for couples
- Why Not Rooftop Party Hostel – for party animals
In the area, we have also collected the best hostels in Cancún, the best hostels in Tulum, as well as the best hostels in Holbox.
Read: 40 Best Hostels in Mexico
Money-saving Tip: Before making your reservation, compare all prices on major booking platforms for hostels in Playa del Carmen with Hostelz.com, and save lots of money!
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There is a great collection of party hostels in Playa del Carmen. From budget to crazy events; there is something for everyone.
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
Over in the capital make sure you check out the beautiful Casa Pepe in Mexico City.
What we cover in this article?
- Introduction
- 3 best hostels in detail
- cheapest hostels in Playa del Carmen
- best hostels in Playa del Carmen for solo travellers
- best party hostels in Playa del Carmen
- 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 Playa del Carmen
Average price for a bed: Hostels in Playa del Carmen cost 8€ – 16€ per night for a bed in a dorm. Private rooms starts from 20€ up to 60€ per night. This is a rough average just to give you an idea.
Prices in Playa del Carmen are pretty affordable!
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.
Ferry to Cozumel Island: Consider taking a 40 minute ferry crossing to the island of Cozumel to discover the 3 best hostels in Cozumel and spend a night or two there. It’s superb for scuba diving.
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 Playa del Carmen
Let’s jump right into the boutique Playa del Carmen hostels.
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: | Why Not Rooftop Party Hostel |
| 🙎♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler: | Che Playa Hostel & Bar |
| 🥳 Party Hostel: | Hostel 3B Playa del Carmen |
| 👩❤️👨 Couple Hostel: | Red Panda Hostal |
| 👩💻 For Digital Nomads: | Red Panda Hostal |
| 🧘 Cozy Hostel: | Che Playa Hostel & Bar |
1. Che Playa Hostel & Bar
Are you ready to discover the best hostel Playa del Carmen has to offer?
Let’s up the pace right from the off and prepare you for a great party at Che Playa Hostel & Bar.
But don’t worry, this is not a crazy party hostel (see hostel #3 for wild vibes).
Start the day with a free breakfast and an organised trip to the beaches and cenotes. Head back to the hostel and relax on the rooftop, by the pool or grab a wee nap behind your privacy curtain.
“We create an exceptional atmosphere so that each day becomes an adventure that leaves you with the best stories to tell.”
By night, head to the bar for some live music, sip on a Margarita (or three) and tuck in to your complimentary pizza.
Just make sure you save enough energy to join in yoga, salsa and local parties!
What about the rooms?
- 6 and 10-bed mixed dorms
- 6-bed female dorm
- Twin, triple and quadruple rooms
- Standard double room
We consider this place the top choice for female solo-travellers.
It is a very safe hostel in Playa del Carmen with a good location, cool events, and a roof top terrace swimming pool. And yes, there is a hostel bar, too!
Location: 3-minutes from the beach and 200m from Playa del Carmen main square. Need we say more?!
Che Playa Hostel & Bar is one of the best hostels in Playa del Carmen for:
- Female solo travellers
- Party lovers
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
2. Red Panda Hostal
Next up is an amazing new hostel in the city centre of Playa del Carmen. Get ready to be wow-ed by Red Panda Hostal.
This is a self check-in hostel which is ideal for a range of travellers types, especially couples and backpackers in our opinion.
It means you can crash on your bed as soon as you arrive!
Compared to the other hostels in this guide, Red Panda offers more of a quiet laid-back vibe. Perfect if you’re not overly keen on the party scene.
For sure the most obvious thing when you walk in is the incredible artwork around the place. These murals were painted by local artisans and really add so much to the character!
Let’s jump in and show you the other perks:
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Tranquil garden
- Lounge & library area
- Lots of board games + ping pong
The range of rooms here is also really good, including shared dorms and deluxe private rooms which are large, clean and air conditioned.
Make sure you also find out if there is a pub crawl happening during your stay. The staff can set you up with tickets to all clubs on 12th street!
Location: Red Panda Hostal is four blocks from the beautiful Caribbean sea. Next door is Marzan’s Fruteria and a 5-minute walk from the local supermarket. The beach is also only four blocks away!
Red Panda Hostal is one of the best hostels in Playa del Carmen for:
- Couples
- Backpackers
- Digital nomads
- Solo travellers
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
3. Why Not Rooftop Party Hostel
Alright party lovers, we couldn’t resist adding Why Not Rooftop Party Hostel into our top three.
Afterall, Playa del Carmen is well known for parties, so it seems fitting that we include the best party hostel Playa del Carmen has to offer!
“Our Motto is WHY NOT, party harder, live louder, adventure more, and most importantly sleep later… we won’t kick you out at 10am.”
Ok so you already saw the rooftop swimming pool right?!
This is obviously where you’ll be spending most of your time enjoying a game of beerpong or people watching on the street below.
The other awesome thing about Why Not is that they have their very own onsite restaurant called HANGRY.
Fill up your rumbly tums on wood fired pizzas, burgers, smoothie bowls, smashed avo on toast… yum!
When (if) you’re ready to sleep, the pod-style beds are an absolute life saver.
Mixed dorms with will as little as 4-beds and a maximum of 10, so choose according to your social tolerance. There is also a single private room up for grabs.
Either way you can simply climb in and draw your privacy curtain et voila!
Not all party hostels offer this kind of balance so we consider this a huge win during your stay at Playa del Carmen.
Location: Just one block from the beach right on Playa’s 5th Avenue amongst the best bars & restaurants in town.
Why Not Hostel Playa del Carmen is one of the best hostels for:
- Party animals
- Solo travellers
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
What about cheapest hostels in Playa del Carmen?
Of course, there are always cheap hostels. Forget cheap Playa del Carmen hotels!
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 Playa del Carmen.
- Open Hostelworld with full list of budget places to stay in Playa del Carmen
- 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.
Best Hostels in Playa del Carmen for Solo Travellers?
Here’s a quick recap of our top 3 hostels:
- Best hostel for female solo travellers: Che Playa Hostel & Bar
- Best hostel for sociable solo travellers: Why Not Rooftop Party Hostel
- Best hostel for solo backpackers: Che Playa Hostel & Bar
Still keen for more?
May we suggest having a look at Tres Mundos Hostel.
This is a local, laid back friendly hostel with a colourful Caribbean theme.
Enjoy the abundant communal space including rooftop terrace, hammocks and BBQ area.
The team offer tours to local sights at affordable prices – it’s a great way to meet other travellers.
It’s a top choice for older travellers and adults seeking a quieter hostel which is still sociable.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
One other option is Sayab Hostel.
It’s especially appealing for scuba diving enthusiasts. “Good Vibes Diving” is the name of their private school.
There is an awesome outdoor pool and deck area. Hopefully there will be some live music during your time here!
Have a break from tacos and use the fully-fitted kitchen.
Rooms are basic, with dorm and private options available.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Party Hostels in Playa del Carmen
It’s no secret that Playa del Carmen is a hotspot for partying.
We’ve discovered some impressive Playa del Carmen party hostels for you to choose from.
Hostel 3B Playa del Carmen
All day pool parties, international DJ’s and tequila?
Only at 3B Hostel Playa del Carmen!
This is the ultimate party hostel Playa del Carmen has to offer, there’s no doubt about it.
Did we forget to mention the swimming pool is on the rooftop? Now you know.
Breakfast is free and the beach is just one block away.
There’s a dedicated beer pong table and an Xbox to challenge your friends. From Wednesday through until Sunday, there is a free dinner for everyone!
See you there, party animals.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
More hostels worth a mention
It does’t stop there! Here’s one more option for you (if it wasn’t already hard enough to choose!)
Selina Playa Del Carmen
Health freaks, location independent workers; Selina Hostel Playa Del Carmen is calling your name!
Update: Ratings have dropped lately but we still think this is an excellent hostel well worth consideration.
If you like the sound of…
- Daily yoga lessons
- An on-site bar on the rooftop
- Swimming pool and
- A common area filled with games
…this hostel is most likely going to become your heaven on earth.
It’s a superb place for digital nomads to meet and work. The designated workspace is well thought out and will do everything to inspire you to sit and power through.
Remember to
take a break to jump in the pool, grab some food from the restaurant and sign up for an evening social event.
Free WiFi? Of course.
There is a vast selection of rooms, all of which have been beautifully designed with bright colours and tons of space.
Choose from:
- 4, 6, 8, 10 and 20-bed mixed dorms
- 2 person privates: micro, standard, suite, loft
- Standard triple
- Standard quadruple
Just have a look at the photos. They speak for themselves, right? In case you’d like to save money, there is also a self-catering kitchen here.
Super cool: Selina is both pet-friendly and child friendly. Whilst kids (under 5) are free, pets incur a $10 per night/per pet fee.
Reception is open 24/7, there is no curfew and breakfast can be enjoyed for 5 USD.
Location: In the heart of Rivera Maya. It’s surrounded by restaurants, bars, and local boutiques and close-by to the bus station. Quinta Avenida is one of Playa Del Carmen’s trendiest hotspots. Of course, the beach is just a short walk away.
We wrote up more information about Selina Hostels here.
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:
- Hostel Che Playa del Carmen: Booking.com | Hostelworld
- Red Panda Hostel: Booking.com | Hostelworld
- Why Not Rooftop Party Hostel: Booking.com | Hostelworld
We recommend booking your hostel as early as possible!
All of Playa del Carmen 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 a special hostel discount in Playa del Carmen for Selina Hostel.
You can subscribe to our newsletter to receive our newest hostel discounts always to your inbox.
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 Playa del Carmen 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:
- Fifth Avenue
- Los Fundadores Park
- Playacar
- 3D Museum of Wonders
- Xcaret Park
Everything Playa Del Carmen is a wonderful resource website going in to depth about, well… everything you could wonder about Playa del Carmen!
Update: 3. The Yak Hostel closed in 2020
Due to the pandemic in 2020, The Yak Hostel unfortunately closed. We moved our review of the Yak Tulum to here and selected our new #1 hostel above, the Che Playa Hostel & Bar.
Here is their full statement:
Hi everyone,
We’re sorry it took so long to communicate this difficult message. We’re sad to announce that The Yak Hostel in Playa del Carmen has closed its doors and will not be reopening.
The past year and a half hasn’t been easy for businesses in Playa and the rise of the Covid-19 pandemic has created a situation that made it no longer possible to continue operating the hostel.
This decision was made with a heavy heart after months of consideration and debate. In the 7+ years of hosting guests from every part of the globe, we laughed, learned, and enjoyed amazing times together. Life-long friendships were made, people met their future husbands/wives, and together we had some crazy days and nights that will never be forgotten. The Yak is embedded in our hearts and even tattooed on some people’s skin.
All we have left to say is . We’re grateful to every single person who took part in turning an ordinary building in Playa into a home; a place where people from all over the world met and found common interests, shared good company, and just enjoyed life. The Yak was built with thousands of hands—workers, volunteers, and just plain good people who left their mark. Every person who walked through the gate contributed to The Yak experience and formed a part of our family. ❤️
Even though The Yak will no longer be there physically, we believe that we’re the owners of our memories and that they stay with us forever. So share your memories of The Yak with us! Upload photos, videos, or just the story of your experience so that we can take this opportunity to connect and look back at the fun we had together.
Some of our very first guests said it best:
There are no strangers here, only friends we haven’t met.
Much love ❤
The Yak Team
PS: For those who still want a chance to join The Yak Family, see our next post with information about The Yak Lake House in Bacalar.
The philosophy at The Yak, which we know you will relate to, is:
“there are no strangers, just friends we haven’t met yet.”
When you decide to join The Yak tribe, you’ll be welcomed with open arms into a chilled and social atmosphere.
In fact, you can choose to spend the day relaxing in a hammock.
OR, sign up to daily activities and join the fun vibes floating around.
Be aware that this hostel does enjoy a good party and is close-by to nightclubs and a noisy nightlife scene.
Here’s an overview of what to expect:
- Rooftop terrace w/ sunbathing space
- Hostel bar (cheap drinks)
- Fully-fitted kitchen
- TV Lounge + movie nights
There are a ton of freebies at this place, including breakfast and Wifi.
As for rooms? We like that there is a variety of dorms, from small to large. It just depends on how sociable you’re feeling.
Tip: bunks are basic so opt for a 4 or 6-bed if you prefer peace and quiet.
The 12-bed mixed dorm is great if you want to meet people!
If you’re travelling with friends or fancy some luxury, there is also twin, double and quad rooms on offer.
(Out of this collection, we’d say this is the closest to a Playa del Carmen youth hostel).
Location: Just 5 minutes from the beach, surrounded by restaurants, bars and shopping arcades. Coco Bongos nightclub is just 130m from the door. The main ADO station is just a 10 minute walk.
This is one of the best hostels in Playa del Carmen for
- Backpackers
- Small groups
Flights to Playa del Carmen?
Cozumel is the closest airport to Playa del Carmen (12 miles), but Cancun International Airport is another option (31 miles).
We enjoy Skyscanner, Omio.com and Kiwi.com to find cheap flights all over Playa del Carmen.
This new website has super cool features like a so-called radius search. Just draw a circle over Central America and find the cheapest rates for the area.
Here is our review of Kiwi.
FAQ
What is the best hostel in Playa del Carmen?
Of course we’re going to stick with our #1 hostel in this guide: Hostel Che Playa.
This is your chance to enjoy an outdoor swimming pool, rooftop terrace and seriously yummy food such as complimentary pizza. See you there!
Where can I get a quality pair of Huaraches in Playa del Carmen?
Head to well known Fifth Avenue and you’re sure to come across a good pair of Huaraches.
Is it safe to stay in Playa del Carmen?
Overall yes, this is a safe destination but as always we recommend to take your usua safety protocalls no matter where you travel in the world.
Does Playa del Carmen have good nightlife? Are there clubs in Playa del Carmen?
Yes and yes! There are at least 12 clubs in the area plus many bars and of course, party hostels. We recommend asking reception about the local nightlife and what is happening during the time you are in the area.
More Guides
Alright, this is your answer to where to stay in Playa del Carmen.
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You can find all our new and updated 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
There you have it; the best hostels Playa del Carmen has to offer!
Which hostel in Playa del Carmen will you choose?
Was this useful? Do you have any questions, doubts?
Then please please leave us a comment. This list of awesome Playa del Carmen 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.
At Hostelgeeks we will never recommend you any place we haven’t evaluated or are not convinced by. Our promise is to 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 and safe travels!
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(Fresh Update 2023)
Booking Hostels and Discounts 👏👏👏
As a user of Hostelgeeks, you also have access to exclusive hostel discounts. For booking hostels, we use:
- Hostelz.com - hostel price comparison
- Hostelworld
We recommend installing the Hostelworld App. It is very useful!
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.
Travel Insurance made easy 🤒
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 🤓
- Onward Ticket - get a proof for onward travel
- iVisa - get your visa online fast
- 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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