If you’re in California, it couldn’t be easier to hop over the border to Tijuana for a taste of all things Mexican. Situated around 20 miles from San Diego, this multicultural city is edged by the Pacific Ocean and boasts lively bars, modern cultural centres and plenty of history.
It’s a fun city to enjoy a weekend getaway in Mexico, with all the colour (and sun) on offer here. It can be tricky to find a good place to stay though, which is why we’ve created this list of awesome hostels in Tijuana.
Whether you’re stauing for a couple of days or a couple of weeks, you’re bound to find something to suit you and your budget. Let’s see what’s on offer…
Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Tijuana
- Overall Best Hostel in Tijuana – Paris Hostel and Hotel
- Best Cheap Hostel in Tijuana – Central Tijuana Homestay
- Best Party Hostel in Tijuana – Stylish King Size Room
- Top Hostel with a Private Room in Tijuana – Central Private Room
- Best Hostel for Couples in Tijuana – Modern Central Home
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Tijuana – Private Room with Desk
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The Best Hostels in Tijuana
Paris Hostel and Hotel – Overall Best Hostel in Tijuana
Paris? Not quite. This is Tijuana. Names aside though, this place is definitely our top pick for hostels in Tijuana. The hostel is clean and colourful throughout. The dorms boast chunky bunks and large windows, letting in plenty of natural light.
Away from the rooms, Paris Hostel and Hotel easily keeps visitors entertained thanks to its rooftop patio. Here you’ll find games, music, and even an exercise area – all with views of the surrounding city to soak up.
Central Tijuana Homestay – Best Cheap Hostel in Tijuana
Offering fantastic value for money, this homestay provides clean and safe accommodation for travelers visiting Mexico on a budget. The room comes with its own full en-suite bathroom, as well as a mini-fridge, a coffee maker, microwave and toaster. Plus your own smart TV!
Guests staying here can also relax in the communal garden. The owners will make you feel comfortable and be on hand to help out with tips about the city. What’s not to like?
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View on Osprey View on REIStylish King Size Room – Best Party Hostel in Tijuana
If you want to enjoy the nightlife of Tijuana, this is a great place to stay. The apartment is situated in the heart of the city, with a load of bars and other nightlife spots on the doorstep.
The house itself is super cool, spacious, and modern. You’ll feel like you’ve bagged the best homestay here, and the room itself is the perfect place to get a good night’s sleep. There’s also a terrace for when you want to catch some rays.
Central Private Room – Best Hostel with a Private Room in Tijuana
Fancy your own space on your trip to Tijuana? This comfortable, spacious private room is for you. The friendly hosts are there to help you out if you need anything and can provide tips on the best things to do in Tijuana. Don’t worry though – this place is big on privacy. As well as having your own entrance, you’ll even have your own private patio here too!
Location-wise, it’s great – there are coffee shops, restaurants, and bars within easy walking distance.
Modern Central Home – Best Hostel for Couples in Tijuana
You’ll find this place in a quiet local neighbourhood that feels safe and relaxed, but is just five minutes from cinemas, restaurants and parks. The room itself is situated in a private family home – it’s modern and stylishly decorated, and comes with its own bathroom.
One of the best things about this place is the garden space, which has tables and chairs for socialising with your hosts, or just kicking back on a sunny afternoon. It’s also affordable and offers great value for money for couples staying in Mexico.
Private Room with Desk – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Tijuana
This guesthouse is a top place for digital nomads visiting Tijuana. It provides a comfortable, relaxing environment to get some work done. Rooms here are spacious, contemporary, and come complete with a workspace.
In terms of facilities, there’s a kitchen where you can cook yourself up some meals, as well as a patio to relax in. Overall, it’s clean, quiet, and is well-kept throughout.
Clean and Stylish Home – Top Hostel for Solo Travellers in Tijuana
This top Airbnb in Tijuana may not be a hostel, but it’s ideal for solo travellers. That’s partly down to the location – it’s close to numerous restaurants, shops and other sights of the city. It’s an all-around awesome location.
Staying here also means you get to sleep in your own private bedroom in a safe area of Tijuana. The hosts here can help with any problems or queries, and will make you feel right at home in this clean and comfortable accommodation.
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Hide Yo’ Money!What to Pack for your Tijuana 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!
Tijuana Hostels FAQs
How much does a hostel cost in Tijuana?
Tijuana doesn’t have much hostel but the dorm is usually just around $26 per bed. There are however a lot of affordable private rooms that starts at $40.
What are the best hostels in Tijuana for couples?
My favorite accommodation in Tijuana for couples is Central Tijuana Homestay. Aside from the cheap private room, it’s located near the beach and there are a lot of great restaurants around the area.
What are the best hostels in Tijuana near the airport?
Just 20 mins ride away from the nearest airport is Paris Hostel and Hotel. It’s a great hostel located right at the city center with a rooftop with great views. And the icing to the top is that breakfast is included!
Travel Safety Tips for Tijuana
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!
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Final Thoughts on the Best Hostels in Tijuana
There are plenty of hostels and guesthouses in Tijuana that make traveling on a budget very possible indeed. From your private room in a family home all the way to hostels with a rooftop patio, there’s something for everyone.
If you’re still unsure where to stay, we highly recommend Paris Hostel and Hotel. It’s affordable and has everything you need, ideal for anyone looking to discover this vibrant city.
Whether you opt for this gem or go for something else, we want to know about it – let us know where you stay in the comments below!
Travelling around Mexico? Check out the hostels in Sayulita too!
- 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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