Santiago is Chile’s capital and largest city, and for many travelers, it is the gateway to this often underrated South American destination.
But by South American standards, Santiago is expensive and traveling on a budget there can be a challenge. Which is exactly why we made this list of the best hostels in Santiago.
Santiago is a modern, European-esque, but still completely retains its own unique qualities.
With the help of this no BS guide, you’ll be able to book your Santiago hostel quickly and with confidence.
Our list was put together with one thing in mind – get you matched up with the hostel that best suits YOUR travel needs.
So whether you wanna party, chill, make some friends, or just find a cheap bed and get some sleep, our ultimate list of the 20 best hostels in Santiago has got you covered.
Quick answer: Best Hostels in Santiago
- Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Santiago – Hostal Forestal
- Best Party Hostel in Santiago – Hostal Providencia
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The 20 Best Hostels in Santiago
Remember, the point of this no BS list is to show you the highest reviewed hostels in Santiago and get you to the one that matches your travel needs. Make sure you know where you want to stay in Santiago. You don’t want to end up far away from the things you want to see!
In other words? We did the research so you don’t have to!
Hostal Forestal | Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Santiago
The best hostel for solo travellers in Santiago is Hostal Forestal as they’re always super busy! As a highly recommended hostel in Santiago, Forestal is always buzzing and full of travellers of every kind; those backpacking solo, those with their crew and as they offer private double too, Forestal is popular with couples. Solo travellers have plenty of opportunities to mix, meet and mingle with their hostel buddies in the cafe or in the cosy lounge area. If you’re keen on cooking there’s one easy way to traveller’s hearts and that’s food as Forestal has a great guest kitchen.
Hostal Providencia | Best Party Hostel in Santiago
Hostal Providencia is the best party hostel in Santiago without a doubt. They have their own hostel bar that’s always pumping and serving up a cracking selection of beers and brews. You don’t wanna miss out on their Terremotto nights, they’re quite the experience! Terremotto is the traditional Chilean cocktail; suffice to say you HAVE to try it during your time in Chile! Hostal Providencia is one of the coolest hostels in Santiago not only for their bar but their friendly and attentive service.
La Chimba
La Chimba is a multi-award winning youth hostel in Santiago and they’re bossing hostel life! They have a great party vibe here and the team are always up for a good time. The outdoor garden and patio area is the favourite hangout spot for backpackers from across the world. La Chimba is a great all-rounder, especially for digital nomads; they have consistently fast WiFi and plenty of comfy spots to work from throughout the hostel.
La Casa Roja
La Casa Roja is the best budget hostel in Santiago, they even have a swimming pool! You won’t find a cheaper hostel in Santiago with a pool, that’s for sure. La Casa Roja has its own bar too. If you’re looking for a cheap party hostel in Santiago La Casa Roja is where you need to head! The team are eco-conscious and encourage their guests to recycle where possible. They can arrange bicycles hire to save riding in taxis, they even have their own bike parking spots!
Guanako Hostel
Everything you need is within walking distance, and a buzzing atmosphere and a bed for less than £20—what more could you want? Guanako is located in the beating heart of Santiago, steps away from the best nightlife, restaurants, and tourist attractions.
With a friendly, fun social atmosphere, you won’t struggle to meet new travel buddies and have some wild nights out. Guanako is raising the bar and bringing comfort with memory foam mattresses, comfy pillows, personal lockers, and heating and air conditioning.
Merced 88
If you’re looking for a friendly hostel with a chilled social vibe, Merced 88 is the place for you. Enjoy a couple of cold beers on their rooftop terrace after a busy day exploring or a game of pool in the chillout space. They have comfy beds for a bargain of price and to top it all off, they are in an ideal location. And for you digital nomads out there, they have a co-working space with a desk, comfy chairs and decent wifi.
Atacama Backpackers
Atacama Backpackers will make you feel at home as soon as you step your Birkenstocks inside. This hostel has a warm and welcoming atmosphere, with super comfy beds and close to the bus station which is super handy. You can save some dolla’ and enjoy cooking up some meals in the shared kitchen, overall a top hostel for an even better price.
Happy House Hostel | Best Cheap Hostel in Santiago
Alright backpackers, listen up. If you’re searching for a hostel in a safe part of town that will make you feel at home Happy House is the place for you. Nestled in Moneda Street Happy House Hostel is the heart of the old part of the city, steps away from the government palace, the main square and heaps of tourist attractions. Fuel up before a day of exploring with a decent breakfast and you’ve even got an outdoor pool if you fancy a lazy day in the sun
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 REIHostal Vitalia | Best Hostel for Couples in Santiago
Hostal Vitalia has embodied the true backpacker spirit with beds for a bargain and a bloody great atmosphere. They have heaps of chill-out spaces so meeting new travel buddies is a breeze. They also have a shared kitchen so you can whip up some tasty meals and save some dolla’, true broke backpacker style.
Hostal Casa Aborigen | Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Santiago
If you’re searching for a chill hostel within walking distance from everything you need then buckle up as this one is perfect for you. Hostal Casa Aborigen is nestled in a quieter neighbourhood whilst being close to bars, restaurants and tourist attractions. They have created a fun and friendly atmosphere and is the perfect place for backpackers to perch up and get a good night’s rest.
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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 Santiago
Ventana Sur Hostal
Ventana Sur Hostel is easily the joint best hostel in Santiago as they have a swimming pool, a nice treat! It’s not just the pool that makes Ventana Sur the coolest hostel in Santiago but their awesome staff, great free breakfast and fast WiFi. It’s not unheard of for hostel owner Ivan to rally the troops and have a hostel BBQ for an evening. The perfect opportunity to share a bottle of wine..or two, and get to know your hostel buddies.
Poker Hostel
Poker Hostel is a highly recommended hostel in Santiago but is often overlooked by travellers in favour of more party orientated venues. Poker Hostel is a chilled out and friendly hostel less than 30-minutes away from the Arturo Merino Benitez Airport. It is the best hostel in Santiago close to the airport, bear that in mind if you’re due to fly out after you’ve finished exploring the Chilean capital.
AJI Santiago
AJI is the best hostel in Santiago if you are a stickler for value for money. Although not the cheapest AJI is a great budget hostel in Santiago as they offer a free breakfast and a free dinner every night. This is a really sociable hostel and they crew love their food. If you can, make sure you stay on a Friday night to get in on the BBQ action! The dorms are colourful, clean and spacious.
H Rado Hostel
One of the overall best hostel in Santiago is H Rado as they’ve got everything you could ask for from a hostel and then a little bit more! As the best hostel in Santiago in 2021 H Rado not only offers a free breakfast, free bed linen and towels but a free city tour too! This city tour is not only the perfect way to get to grips with Santiago but to also meet other travellers in the area. There is a low key party vibe here, perfect for travellers who are around for a good time and a few drinks!
Casa Roble Hostal
Casa Roble is a cute and cosy youth hostel in Santiago ideal for travellers who like a good nights sleep and a friendly welcome. That’s all of us, right?! As a boutique hostel, Casa Roble has a strong focus on design and comfort. Although there is no guest kitchen Casa Roble is just a few steps away from a great selection of Chilean restaurants and diners. Be sure to ask the Casa Roble team for directions or for their insider knowledge as to what Santiago hotspots to hit up and when.
Salvador Hostel y Cafe
Salvador is a great Santiago backpackers hostel for digital nomads, their cafe is the perfect place to work and drink tonnes of coffee to keep focused! If you’re travelling long term you’ll definitely need a hostel day on your journey and Salvador is ideal for those kinda days. They have a cosy common room complete with Smart TV with Netflix, what a treat! Salvador Hostel y Cafe is located in the heart of Providencia, the go-to neighbourhood for backpackers.
Kombi Hostel
Kombi Hostel is a great backpacker hangout in Santiago. Offering everything the modern backpacker could ask for from a hostel. Free WiFi, free breakfast, a guest kitchen and cute outdoor terrace. As a top hostel in Santiago Kombi has their own tours and travel desk to help you and your buddies make the most of every minute of your time in Chile. Kombi is a laid back kinda hostel who love to organise activities and fun nights for their guests. Don’t be shy, dive right in!
Don Santiago
Don Santiago is a great youth hostel in Santiago if you’re looking for value for money. As one of the best budget hostels in Santiago Don Santiago offers an amazing free breakfast at their cafe in town. We’re not talking rubbish toast and jam, we’re talking sautéed tomatoes, carrots and zucchini, omelette sprinkled with oregano and smoked chilli and fresh bread. Amen.
Chile Lindo
If you know you’re gonna be knackered from the bus journey when you arrive in Santiago or are leaving the city early in the morning be sure to book a bed at Chile Lindo. As a great Santiago backpackers hostel, Chile Lindo is just a 10-minute walk from the main bus terminal and only 15-minutes from Santiago city centre. They are just 4-blocks away from the historic neighbourhood of Concha y Toro. Chile Lindo is a brilliantly located youth hostel in Santiago.
Happy House Hostel
Happy House Hostel is one of the coolest hostels in Santiago. They have everything you could think of and more; cracking hostel vibe, their own bar, a free breakfast and a free city tour. Happy House is the best hostel in Santiago in many people’s eyes and rightly so. The Happy House team have created a brilliant hostel environment and everyone leaves with a smile. They even have their own swimming pool! Happy House is becoming more and more popular so you’ll want tobook your bed ASAP.
What to Pack for your Santiago 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 our definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!
Why you should travel to Santiago
There you have it – The Broke Backpacker’s No BS guide to the best hostels in Santiago.
I know this list will be of great help and save you some serious travel-research time. And remember, if you are having a difficult time making a selection, go for H Rado Hostel. With free towels, breakfast, and a city tour at a reasonable price – you can’t go wrong!
FAQ about Hostels in Santiago
Here are some quick answers to common questions about safety in Santiago.
How much does a hostel cost in Santiago?
A dorm bed can cost anything between $4-$29. A private room will set you back a bit more, costing between $8-$72 (most of them are around $30).
What are the best hostels in Santiago for couples?
Hostal Vitalia is our top pick for families visiting Santiago. It offers cosy private rooms, as well as a free breakfast each morning. It’s right in the city centre and is surrounded by bars and restaurants.
What are the best hostels in Santiago near the airport?
Poker Hostel is our best hostel close to the airport. This friendly hostel is less than 30 minutes from the Arturo Merino Benitez Airport.
Travel Safety Tips for Santiago
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.
More Epic Hostels in Chile and South America
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Santiago.
Planning an epic trip all across Chile or even South America itself?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
For more cool hostel guides around South America, check out:
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Santiago has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your backpacking Chile adventure!
If you think we’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit us up in the comments!
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Chile for a wealth of info!
- Check out the best places to stay in Santiago before you arrive.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate South America backpacking guide.
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