Last Updated: 9/13/23 | September 13th, 2023
Over the past several years, Mexico City has become a hot spot for travelers as cheap flights and a burgeoning food scene have made this an ideal destination for travelers who wish to discover its temples, museums, and restaurants while sticking to a budget.
As such, the choices of hostels have exploded in number and have become a lot more luxurious, offering better accommodations than before.
But they are still cheap!
Beds generally cost 220-430 MXN per night. Plus, many hostels offer tours, free breakfast, and common areas for meeting other travelers.
I’ve been visiting Mexico City for a decade and have stayed in dozens upon dozens of places. There are a lot of things to consider when selecting a hostel.
To help you plan your trip, here is my list of the hostels in Mexico City that I like the most. If you don’t want to read the longer list below, the following hostels are the best in each category:
Want the specifics of each hostel? Here’s my comprehensive list of the best hostels in Mexico City:
Price Legend (per night)
- $ = Under 300 MXN
- $$ = 300-400 MXN
- $$$ = Over 400 MXN
1. Casa Pepe
Hands-down the best hostel in Mexico City, Casa Pepe is equal parts cultural hub and boutique hostel. It offers a plethora of activities for travelers like in-house concerts, wrestling trips, tequila tastings, traditional dishes for breakfast, and free daily walking tours in different areas of town.
The rooms are clean, spacious, and come with private lockers. The dorm beds are cubby-like and covered by a curtain, so you can have your own private space, which makes sleeping a lot easier. They also come with their own light and USB charger port. You can enjoy yoga in the morning and relax on the rooftop terrace in the evening (there’s a rooftop swimming pool too!).
If you’re looking for a social hostel that makes it easy to meet people, this is it! It’s also located in a great part of the historic center of the city, near the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Zócalo.
Casa Pepe at a glance:
- $
- Organizes tons of activities and events
- Female-only dorms for extra privacy and security
- Great place to meet other travelers
Beds from 280 MXN, private rooms from 1,187 MXN.
2. Massiosare El Hostel
Towering over Mexico City, Massiosare El Hostel is located in the penthouse of a beautiful historic building. There’s no elevator up to the hostel (which is on the 4th floor), but it more than compensates with cozy dorm rooms and a super chill rooftop. The views from the roof are incredible, and it’s a fun place to relax at night and listen to music with other travelers.
There are two kitchens (one for vegetarians and one for meat eaters) as well as a free breakfast every morning. It’s another great social hostel where it’s super easy to meet people. Just make sure to bring earplugs since it’s an old building and sounds tend to carry.
Massiosare El Hostel at a glance:
- $
- Laid-back rooftop for hanging out and mingling
- Free breakfast
- Social atmosphere so it’s easy to meet people
Beds from 270 MXN, privates from 540 MXN.
3. Hostel Home
Hostel Home is Mexico City’s first hostel. Located in the Roma district, this place feels super homey. It’s small, with colorful paintings on the walls and tons of potted plants. There are comfortable beds, free drinking water, and good Wi-Fi.
The rooms are a little cramped, but each dorm bed has its own locker and power socket. There’s a large common area in which to socialize and a guest kitchen too. The staff are also super helpful and can provide information about the surrounding area and things to do nearby. If you want a more “old school” hostel feel, this place is it.
Hostel Home at a glance:
- $$
- Laid-back, homey vibe
- Great location near lots of bars and restaurants
- Guest kitchen
Beds from 400 MXN, private rooms from 900 MXN.
4. Suites DF Hostel
Suites DF Hostel is located in the hustle and bustle of downtown near tons of bars, restaurants, and cafés. Even so, it’s a bit quieter than other hostels, so if you want to avoid a party hostel, stay here.
Overall, the rooms are clean and simple, and the bedsheets have bright, funky designs that brighten up the place. All the dorms have en suite bathrooms, and there is a personal light and power socket for each bed. There are multiple common rooms to hang out in, a cool terrace for relaxing, and free breakfast every morning.
The hostel also offers a lot of awesome tours to see the sights and meet other people. They also arrange trips to the Teotihuacán Pyramids, the Xochimilco Canals, and lucha libre wrestling matches.
Suites DF Hostel at a glance:
- $
- Central downtown location near lots of bars and restaurants
- Lots of common areas so it’s easy to meet people
- Organizes lots of events and activities
Beds from 260 MXN, private rooms from 703 MXN.
5. Wanderlust District
Wanderlust District is a social — but not a party — hostel, so it’s the perfect place if you want to meet people but not rage all night. The owners really go out of their way to make everyone feel welcome. There are all kinds of organized activities and even a group WhatsApp chat so that you can always know what’s going on and connect with other guests. There’s an incredible free breakfast (including veg options) every morning too.
The Wi-Fi is fast and there’s a coworking space (so a lot of digital nomads and remote workers stay here) and there are both private rooms as well as a few small dorm rooms (max 6 beds), all with pod-style bunk beds that have privacy curtains and individual reading lights.
Wanderlust District at a glance:
- $$$
- Free breakfast
- Rooftop terrace
- Organized social activities
Beds from 500 MXN, private rooms from 800 MXN.
Mexico City and the hostel scene here is fast becoming one of the best in the region. Whether you’re looking for a quiet place to stay or want to party the nights away, Mexico City will have a hostel for you. The prices are incredibly reasonable too, making it an affordable destination for backpackers and budget travelers alike.
Book Your Trip to Mexico City: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned!
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- Safety Wing (best for everyone)
- Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
- Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
Want More Information on Mexico City?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide to Mexico City for even more planning tips!
