Quito may be the capital, but Guayaquil is the biggest city in Ecuador. Right on the coast, it’s the hub of the country’s commercial activity. All flights to and from the Galapagos Islands stop in Guayaquil, but there are loads more to the city than just a few hours in the airport.
In fact, there’s a lot to seduce backpackers! Whether it’s strolling along the Malecón, exploring the colourful favelas, or enjoying the legendary nightlife, you’ll find something in Guayaquil for you!
We’ve decided to help you out by creating a guide to the best hostels in Guayaquil. This post considers your interests, travel style, and budget to help you find the best place to stay, and to properly experience Guayaquil!
To really enjoy this sprawling South American city, you need to make sure that you get a great location, fantastic facilities, all at a price that won’t cut short your South American adventure. So, let’s take a closer look at the best hostels in Guayaquil!
Quick Answer – Best Hostels in Guayaquil
- Overall Best Hostel in Guayaquil – Villa Maria
- Best Cheap Hostel in Guayaquil – Casa Michael
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Guayaquil – Hostel Dreamkapture
- Best Hostel with a Private Room in Guayaquil – Hostel Nucapacha
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Best Hostels in Guayaquil
Since the possibility of ending up in Guayaquil during your backpacking Ecuador adventure is pretty high, we’ve listed the best hostels we could find to make the search a bit easier for you.
Villa Maria – Overall Best Hostel in Guayaquil
Let’s kick off with the top hostel in Guayaquil. Villa Maria is an affordable Guayaquil hostel that offers a range of dormitories and private rooms. So, it’s perfect for solo travellers, couples, and even small groups of family and friends! You’ll be delighted with the quiet and safe area, and there are public transport links to take you to all the tourist hotspots in Guayaquil! If you’d prefer a night at the hostel there’s plenty to keep you entertained too. You can chat to other travellers in the common room and get competitive over a board game, or head back to your room for some me-time with something from the book exchange!
Casa Michael – Best Cheap Hostel in Guayaquil
If you’re travelling on a shoestring, you might sometimes be disappointed in a new place by a substandard hostel. However, that’s not the case here! Casa Michael may be a budget hostel in Guayaquil, but you wouldn’t know! There’s so much here to keep you entertained, including a 50 inch TV, superfast Wi-Fi, and even a piano! So what’s the catch? You’re compromising on location? No! It’s close to the airport and the bus terminal. If you’re travelling on a budget, there’s no higher recommended hostel in Guayaquil!
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View on Osprey View on REIDreamkapture Hostel – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Guayaquil
Digital nomads don’t expect a lot from their hostels, but Wi-Fi is a must. And happily, this place won’t let you down in that respect! When you want to take a break from emails, head out to the dipping pool or chill on the patio with a book and top up your tan! Breakfast isn’t complimentary, but it’s definitely affordable and it’s a great way to fuel up before a day of work or getting to know Ecuador’s second city. And should you have any problems you can’t sort yourself, the English speaking staff will be happy to help you!
Hostel Nucapacha – Best Hostel with a Private Room in Guayaquil
We could have put Hostel Nucapacha in several of the categories above! But thanks to its extensive range of private rooms on offer, it’s in here. One of the best backpackers hostels in Guayaquil, it’s affordable, friendly, and there’s a swimming pool. If you’ve been missing your pet from back home, there’s even a dog… and we’re sure it’ll be up for some strokes and cuddles! There’s a fully equipped kitchen too, so you can keep your costs down by cooking here instead of eating out! Whether you’re a solo traveller, couple, or a big group of family or friends, there’s a room at Nucapacha for you. Privates fit up to 5!
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Hide Yo’ Money!More Great Hostels in Guayaquil
Casa IWANA
Okay, you caught me. This isn’t a hostel, but at a price tag like this, it might as well be. The staff here are wonderful—a serious joy to deal with. The rooms are no frills but do the job well, especially if you get one with AC.
There’s a great restaurant at the hostel one block away serving up vegan grub. The location is solid in what feels like a really safe neighborhood. The bus to the city center takes a while but for 35 cents can you complain?! An Uber is quicker but expect to fork out $5+ for one. There is a supermarket, food places and a mall close by if you don’t feel like venturing out.
Manso Boutique Guesthouse
Don’t be fooled by the boutique guesthouse tag, Manso is still one of the best youth hostels in Guayaquil. Yes, there are plenty of private rooms but there are also four and eight bed dorms, so solo travellers will find a budget bed and other travellers to make friends with! The hostel is in a historic building just a hop, skip, and a jump from the famous Malecón. So, you’ll be able to enjoy some of the best city centre attractions without faffing about with public transport!
Jeshua Inn Guayaquil
Yes, you got us. It’s not a hostel, but if you’re looking for a budget hotel in Guayaquil, then take a closer look at the Jeshua Inn. Right in Downtown, it’s a stone’s throw from the Malecón, as well as some awesome museums and parks. Breakfast is included, and your comfortable room is equipped with air-conditioning and private bathrooms with hot water. This no frills Guayaquil hotel will tick all the boxes for a family travelling on a budget, or a group of friends who want to take a break from the late nights and parties that come with the hostel lifestyle!
Casa de Romero
When you’re travelling with your other half, you won’t want to be in a smelly, sweaty, or noisy dorm. It just doesn’t scream romance! And yes, we know it’s not technically a hostel, but this B and B will give you the privacy and space that you need to properly enjoy each other’s company – and you won’t be spending a lot of money! It’s not only a lovely, comfy room you can enjoy either – you’ll get a complimentary breakfast each morning, the perfect fuel for exploring and sightseeing during the day in Guayaquil!
Casa Familiar GYE
Although it just missed out on the categories above, Casa Familiar GYE is still a highly recommended hostel in Guayaquil! It’s just a few minutes away from the airport and bus station, so you won’t have to spend ages travelling and finding where your bed is for the night once you arrive! It is in a quiet and safe neighbourhood with excellent public transport links to the Malecón and other top attractions. Breakfast is included and there are lots of cool activities that will help you get to know other travellers! And don’t forget it’s a top Guayaquil hostel near the airport.
Villa64
We’ve had a look at the coolest hostels in Guayaquil but what if you’d like something a little more chill? This B & B is perfect! There are only private rooms on offer, but they offer rooms for up to 5 people. So if you’re with a group of friends or family, that’s still a great option! All rooms come with a private bathroom, so there’ll be no awkward encounters or queues in the morning. When you’ve finished exploring for the day, indulge in some me-time by listening to a podcast or getting lost in a book in one of the comfortable hammocks!
What to Pack for your Guayaquil 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!
FAQ about Hostels in Guayaquil
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Guayaquil.
How much does a hostel cost in Guayaquil?
This all depends on whether you would prefer a private room with an ensuite bathroom, or a bed in a shared dorm. Prices start at USD$11 for a bed in a shared dorm room, heading up to USD$14+ for a private room.
What are the best hostels in Guayaquil for couples?
With an extensive range of private rooms, Hostel Nucapacha is an ideal hostel for couples. It also has a swimming pool and a fully equipped kitchen, so you can keep your costs down by cooking here instead of eating out!
What is the best hostel in Guayaquil near the airport?
If you need to stay near the airport, The Funky Monkey Hostel is just 5 minutes away from Jose Joaquin de Olmedo International Airport. It also offers airport transfer.
Travel Safety Tips for Guayaquil
Guayaquil isn’t the safest city in Ecuador, so you’re going to want to be insured.
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.
Final Thoughts on the Best Hostels in Guayaquil
So, that’s it from our list of the best hostels in Guayaquil. We think you’ll agree that there’s a lot to choose from. Hopefully, you’ll have found a hostel that perfectly suits your travel style and taste, but above all, budget!
If you’re still scratching your head (we know, we gave you a lot of options!), then chill out and scroll back to the top of the page. Then, book our top hostel in Guayaquil – Villa Maria. It’s the best combination of great value for money, a good location, and a friendly atmosphere.
Now, all that’s left is for us to wish you a safe adventure in South America. We hope you have an incredible vacation in Guayaquil!
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Ecuador for a wealth of info!
- 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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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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