A good hostel can become one of the best parts of a trip. A bad one can leave you sleep-deprived, uncomfortable, and counting the days until you leave.
After staying in hostels across Latin America, I’ve learned that choosing where to stay has very little to do with finding the cheapest bed. It’s about understanding what matters for the way you travel.
In this article, I’ll share what I look for before booking, the mistakes I try to avoid, and the small details that often make a much bigger difference than the hostel’s rating.
Table of Contents
Why I choose hostels
Although the obvious advantage is the price, a hostel is much more than a cheap bed for me.
I work from my laptop, and if I stayed in apartments or hotels, I could easily spend entire days without talking to anyone. In a hostel, on the other hand, it’s almost impossible not to meet people: locals, other travelers, people to explore the city with, join a day trip or simply grab a beer. If you’re interested in why hostels have become my preferred way to travel through Latin America, I wrote about it in more detail in Are hostels good for slow travel and nomad life?
Traveling solo doesn’t mean being isolated. Hostels create a sense of community effortlessly, and that adds a lot to the experience.
And if you want privacy without giving up the social side of traveling, there’s a great option: private rooms in hostels. You get your own space, a good night’s sleep, and you’re still part of the hostel environment.
How many nights should you book?
Even though I usually travel slowly and stay in places for weeks or even months, I never book more than two or three nights at first.
Why?
- If I don’t like the hostel, I can move somewhere else without losing money or dealing with cancellations.
- If I love it, I simply extend my stay. Hostels rarely book out completely, so that’s usually not a problem.
- For longer stays, many hostels offer better rates when you book directly.
- It keeps your trip flexible, which is essential if you travel slowly like I do.
A hostel’s vibe depends heavily on the people staying there at that particular moment. You can end up in a beautiful place, but if you don’t connect with the atmosphere, your stay can feel disappointing. And that’s something you can only discover once you’re there.
Booking through a platform (and why I recommend it)
Whenever I’m visiting a new city, I always start with Booking.
This isn’t an ad. It’s about security, flexibility and peace of mind.
Some real advantages:
- It helps you avoid scams and properties that don’t exist or don’t match their listing.
- Reviews come from verified guests.
- In most cases, you don’t pay until you arrive.
- You can often find better deals than booking directly with the hostel.
- As you move up through the Genius program, you unlock additional discounts.
Then, if you decide to stay longer, talk to the hostel in person. Many hostels offer better direct rates for weekly or monthly stays.
What to look for before booking a hostel
Location: the most important factor
If I don’t know the city, I open the map on Booking and look at where most of the hostels and hotels are concentrated. That usually gives me a good idea of:
- which neighborhoods are safer,
- which areas are better connected,
- where most travelers stay.
If you’re traveling solo, choosing the right neighborhood can make a huge difference. I wrote more about how I approach that—and why I think it’s one of the most important safety decisions you can make—in Is it safe to travel alone as a woman in Latin America?
Those neighborhoods are often a little more expensive, but for the extra safety and convenience, they’re worth every penny.
Prioritizing location isn’t about being picky. It’s about safety and practicality.
Price (and why it doesn’t always reflect quality)
Don’t assume that a more expensive hostel is automatically a better one.
Some hostels are worth every penny. Others aren’t. And sometimes the cheapest places end up being surprisingly good.
Price is a clue, not a guarantee.
Look beyond the pretty photos
Open the room options and check things like:
- how spacious the rooms are,
- whether the beds look sturdy and comfortable,
- what the lockers are like,
- whether there’s proper ventilation,
- whether you’ll need air conditioning (Brazil, I’m looking at you),
- whether each bed has its own light and power outlet.
A good night’s sleep matters far more than an Instagram-worthy reception area.
Honestly, at least half of my booking decisions are made with the sole purpose of avoiding waking up with a stiff neck.
Spaces to work
Since I travel while working, this is essential for me.
I look for:
- good lighting,
- comfortable tables,
- power outlets,
- a quiet environment.
Not every hostel is designed for remote work or works well as an improvised office. And that can completely change your experience if you’re staying for more than a couple of days.
Being a good guest matters too
A hostel is a shared space, not a budget hotel.
If you arrive with the wrong expectations, you’ll end up frustrating yourself—and everyone else.
A few basic rules:
- don’t turn the lights on at 3 a.m.,
- don’t take calls in the dorm,
- don’t take over the whole bathroom,
- keep your belongings reasonably organized,
- close doors quietly,
- don’t force your music or your mood on everyone else.
And just as importantly: remember that you’re sharing the space.
Sometimes someone needs to repack their backpack, and things get a little messy for a few minutes. Other times, someone arrives late or leaves early and inevitably makes a bit of noise. As long as it isn’t constant or inconsiderate, it’s just part of sharing a hostel with other people.
If you’re considerate and easy to be around, the whole experience flows much more naturally.
If you expect everything to revolve around you, a hostel probably isn’t for you.
Room types: how to avoid paying the “pink tax”
Something many women don’t realize is that you don’t always have to pay extra for a female dorm.
In my experience—especially in Brazil—I’ve often booked a standard dorm and still ended up sharing the room only with other women, even when mixed dorms had availability.
It depends on the country and the hostel, but it’s very common in Latin America.
So my advice is simple:
- book the standard dorm without worrying too much,
- if you’re assigned to a mixed dorm when you arrive and you don’t feel comfortable, ask if it’s possible to switch. Sometimes there’s an extra charge, sometimes there isn’t.
Being flexible can save you, too
I stay in hostels most of the time, but I always leave a little room in my budget to spend a few days in a hotel or an apartment if I need to rest.
Most of the time I don’t use it, but knowing I have that option helps me avoid frustration.
There isn’t a perfect hostel—only the right one for you
Everyone looks for something different:
- a party atmosphere,
- peace and quiet,
- coworking spaces,
- activities,
- a central location or a quieter neighborhood.
The important thing is to choose based on good information and your own travel style, not someone else’s.
Final thoughts
Choosing a hostel isn’t just about price. It’s about understanding the way you travel, your need for safety and rest, and the kind of experience you’re looking for.
When you get it right, a hostel becomes one of the best parts of the trip. You meet people, learn from other travelers, save money, and never really feel alone, especially when you’re traveling solo.
If you’re thinking about doing a hostel work exchange, I also put together a practical guide explaining how they work, where to find them, and what to expect before you apply.