Step back into the past and get in touch with the true beating heart of Mexico in San Cristobal! In this charming city, the cobbled streets, centuries-old architecture, gorgeous cathedrals, and lively city squares are just a few of the things that top the list of what makes San Cristobal a pilgrimage site for travelers around the world! Blending all the convenience of the city and the idyllic charm of the countryside, San Cristobal is the perfect base for learning about indigenous cultures in Central America, and witnessing a more authentic side of Mexico!
San Cristobal is no stranger to tourists and for a good reason. The gorgeous city streets and more candid look at a normal life in Mexico are more than enough to have you adding this city to your itinerary! When you start looking up backpacker’s hostels, however, you may find yourself overwhelmed with the sheer number of stays found in this city!
Booking into that perfect backpacker’s hostel has never been easier! We have compiled a list of all the best hostels in San Cristobal to save you both time and money!
The museums, historic streets, and villas are waiting, all you have to do is scroll down to the top hostels in San Cristobal!
Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in San Cristobal
- Overall Best Hostel in San Cristobal – Posada del Abuelito
- Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in San Cristobal – Hostel La Isla
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in San Cristobal – 13 Cielos Hostel
- Best Party Hostel in San Cristobal – Puerta Vieja Hostel
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The Best Hostels in San Cristobal
We know you can’t wait to head down to all the beauty and history of San Cristobal, but before you can pull your cameras out you will first have to book yourself into that hostel that will set the tone for your trip! With each stay a little different from the next, keep your eyes open for that hostel perfect for you!
Photo: @sebagvivas
Posada del Abuelito – Best Overall Hostel in San Cristobal
Posada del Abuelito is so much more than just a cheap place to rest your head in San Cristobal, this backpackers hostel will have you staying right by the old Zócalo, close to all the best boutique shops and handicraft stores in town! It’s not just the sights of the downtown that are close by, this youth hostel also will hook you up with tours that will take you out to the countryside to explore coffee plantations and hiking trails! When you are back at the hostel, you will also find plenty of things to make you feel right at home. With a shared kitchen, lounge, and a cafe serving up free breakfast, you will have everything you need to make memories in An Cristobal that will last a lifetime!
Hostel La Isla – Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in San Cristobal
In Mexico, you can crack open a beer at practically any hostel you go to, but there are not that many stays that are like Hosta La Isla! What makes this hostel stand apart from the rest is the fact that it will have you up and mixing with the other travelers every night with their events! You can always exchange travel stories in the lounge or terrace, but there is no better place to truly get to meet the other guests than over a shared meal or barbeque! The yoga classes and movie nights are what really makes this hostel special, giving you the chance to hang out and become part of the Hostal La Isla family!
13 Cielos Hostel – Best Cheap Hostel in San Cristobal
13 Cielos Hostel is a dream for digital nomads chasing that perfect mix of productivity and laid-back hostel vibes. With speedy Wi-Fi, a cosy coworking area, and an in-house vegan restaurant serving up amazing food, it’s got everything you need to work, chill, or both. You even get free coffee all day—what more could you want as a nomad?!
The vibe is spot on, with great people, comfy rooms, and plenty of space to hang out—whether you’re flying solo or socialising. Add in an amazing breakfast by Veganer, next-level vegan burgers, a friendly staff, and even a hostel cat and dog, and you’ve got yourself a winner.
We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.
Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!
View on Osprey View on REIPuerta Vieja Hostel – Best Party Hostel in San Cristobal
I love Puerta Vieja Hostel! It’s a hostel to kick back and meet some seriously cool people, plus it’s the place to go if you’re looking to party. With over three lounges, this youth hostel makes for the perfect place to kick back, relax and simply hang out. Other than being one of the most social hostels in all of San Cristobal, Puerta Vieja Hostel is also home to many daily events with everything from dance classes to movie nights! There’s even free cocktails on Tuesday and Friday nights.
Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.
It looks exactly like a normal belt except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)
Hide Yo’ Money!More of the Best Hostels in San Cristobal
La Abuelita Hostel & Terraza
While traveling you may find it difficult to give your boyfriend or girlfriend the attention they deserve. Maybe it is because you are so busy or maybe because private rooms are out of your price range, no matter what the reason might be, La Abuelita Hostel is here to put you up in some of the cheapest rooms in all of San Cristobal! After reigniting the romance, you can then start to explore everything else this backpackers hostel has to offer! With lounges and a terrace, you can still hang out and chat with other backpackers! Top it all off with tours taking you to so of the most beautiful places around San Cristobal and even movie nights, La Abuelita Hostal will be your home away from home before you know it!
Snail Hostel
Are you a digital nomad living out of your backpack and are needing a spacious and quiet hostel to call home for a few days? There is no better place in San Cristobal to open up your laptop and get back to work than Snail Hostal! With all the laid back vibes of a youth hostel and the charm of a bed and breakfast, you will be getting back to editing and writing before you know it! When you finally are able to close your laptop, you will find that Snail Hostel will have tours that will take you to some of the most gorgeous places around San Cristobal! With its lounges, cafe, and free breakfast, this is one stay that you will find yourself never wanting to check out of!
Frida Kerida
Located just a few blocks from the San Cristobal city square right smack in the downtown, you will find the Frida Kerida Hostel. Although they are last on our list of top hostels in San Cristobal, that does not mean they don’t pack quite a punch! With its trendy atmosphere, rooftop terrace, and relaxing lounges, this is one hostel where you could easily see yourself extending your stay night after night! What will really have you jumping out of bed every morning is the free breakfast that will get your day started off on the right foot!
What to Pack for your San Cristobal Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out my definitive Hostel Packing list for even more top hostel packing tips!
Why you should travel to San Cristobal
Stuck in a time-warp, San Cristobal will have you immersed in everything from traditional indigenous culture to colonial architecture. With all of its museums, history, and charm, it won’t take much to have you dead set on traveling to this center of culture and relaxation!
With so many great hostels to choose from, we can totally understand if you are still unsure of where to stay in San Cristobal. Let us help you get one step closer to traveling to south Mexico by giving you our recommendation! For that one stay that will have you enjoying Mexico to the fullest, bet sure to stay in Posada del Abuelito, our pick for the best hostel in San Cristobal!
FAQ about Hostels in San Cristobal
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in San Cristobal.
How much does a hostel cost in San Cristobal?
You can rent a dorm in the city for as low as $5. There’s also a lot of private rooms, they go for as low as $9 to $35 per night.
What are the best hostels in San Cristobal for couples?
My favorite hostel in San Cristobal is La Abuelita Hostel & Terraza. It’s close to the city center, on top of that they have large rooms and it has a great value for money.
What are the best hostels in San Cristobal near the airport?
The nearest airport in San Cristobal is an hour away from the city center. But I highly recommend Posada del Abuelito. Not only are they affordable and great, they even have free airport shuttle service!
Travel Safety Tips for San Cristobal
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Over to you
With markets full of local artisans making handicrafts, centuries-old buildings, and a history stretching back to the dawn of civilization, San Cristobal is a city that will have you constantly finding new things to discover! From the massive museums that will deepen your knowledge of indigenous cultures to the nearby villages that allow visitors to witness ancient traditions first hands, you are in for the adventure of a lifetime in San Cristobal!
What will really set the tone for your trip in San Cristobal is the backpacker’s hostel you end up calling home. Will you be staying in a youth hostel that will have you partying until the crack of dawn or a hostel where you can simply kick back, relax, and chat with other backpackers? In San Cristobal, you will have plenty of places to choose from!
If you have traveled to San Cristobal we would love to hear about your trip! Let us know in the comments below if there are any great backpacker’s hostels we may have missed!
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Mexico for a wealth of info!
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Airbnb in Mexico if you’re feeling fancy!
- Check out the best places to stay in Mexico before you arrive.
- Remember to grab yourself an international sim card for Mexico to avoid any issues.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate Central America backpacking guide.
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A couple of you lovely readers suggested we set up a tip jar for direct support as an alternative to booking through our links. So we created one!
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