BEST Hostels in Tulum for Backpackers! (2023 Guide)
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Looking for the best hostels in Tulum? You’re in the right place!
Tulum is a haven for backpackers, and knowing the right hostel to stay is important. And some of the hostels in Tulum aren’t the best. That’s why I’ve written this guide to help you to pick the best hostel in Tulum for you.
As a backpacker myself, I know how important picking the right hostel is. Especially if you’re a solo traveller, or haven’t done much backpacking before.
In the following post, I outline everything there is to know about some of the best hostels in Tulum. From the vibe and atmosphere to the facilities like air conditioning and wifi, and the all-important price.
So, let’s get down to the best hostels in Tulum in 2023!
Other Tulum posts:
- How to Visit Sian Ka’an WITHOUT A Tour: Ultimate Guide!
- 11 BEST Things To Do In Punta Allen, Sian Ka’an (Mexico)
- Can You Fly a Drone in Sian Ka’an? Mexico
- How to get to Punta Allen from Tulum, Mexico
Best Hostels in Tulum
Area guide for staying in Tulum
It’s important to know that Tulum is split into two main areas; Tulum town (aka downtown), and Tulum beach (aka hotel zone).
Tulum Beach is generally the more expensive area. It’s full of high-end resorts, beach clubs, fancy restaurants, chic boho shops, and everything else that comes under the category of ‘expensive’. It’s not the best place for a budget backpacker.
Then there’s Tulum town, which we loved. It was much more suited to our personality and budget. Tulum town is laid back and more authentic, with a mix of Mexican family-run restaurants and bigger chains like Dominos and a Chedraui supermarket.
If you’re staying in Tulum town and want to reach the beach, it is quite a distance. If you’re walking, it will take over an hour. A taxi from Tulum town to Tulum beach would be about 10 minutes, and a cycle (which we only managed once) is around 50 minutes.
Personally, I wouldn’t advise walking or cycling from Tulum town to Tulum beach. Tulum gets HOT, and our cycle from Tulum town to the beach was one of the worst days we had!
If you want a beach day from Tulum town, either hire a scooter or jump in a taxi.
It’s also important to bear in mind how much of Tulum beach is high-end resorts and beach clubs. These cost a lot to dine in or visit. Most of these venues were out of our budget, and we didn’t want to pay to just access the beach.
There isn’t as much public access to the beach in Tulum as we would have liked, but there are some spots. Turn left at the roundabout on the end of the main beach road (Av. Coba) for the most public beach access.
Most hostels in Tulum are situated in Tulum town. In each section, the hostel is labelled clearly where it is, so if you have a preference, make sure you check!
1. Lum
😀 Best for: couples, solo backpackers and those wanting to mix partying, socialising and exploring.
⭐️ Overall Rating: 9.4 (Superb)
📍 Location: Tulum town
💸 Budget: Medium (££)
🥳 Hostel vibe: Social, with some partying
❄️ Air conditioning: Yes
💻 Wifi: Strong
🍽 Kitchen: Yes
🏊♀️ Facilities/extras: Free bikes, cheap beer, bar, large communal spaces, free drinking water, organised tours and activities, board games
🏖️ What’s nearby?: Tulum town restaurants, bars, clubs and shops.
Find out more on Hostelworld.com.
Lum Hostel is a backpacker favourite hostel in Tulum by a long stretch. It’s been voted overall the best hostel in Mexico, as well as third best in the entire continent of North America!
One of the best things about Lum Hostel is the dorms. They’re pod style beds (my favourite), meaning you have your own plug socket, light, space and privacy. All the rooms are modern, air conditioned and have safe lockers to store your valuables.
Lum also has a large kitchen to make your own food, and an onsite bar to get your evening drinks in before a night out in Tulum town. Facilities include free bike rentals, organised tours for activities in and around Tulum (like the cenotes) and a large communal area.
If you’re unsure about which hostel to stay in in Tulum, Lum is your safest option. You only have to read a few reviews on Hostelworld to see how popular this hostel is!
2. Mayan Monkey
😀 Best for: solo backpackers, couples and digital nomads
⭐️ Overall Rating: 8.9 (Fabulous)
📍 Location: Between Tulum town and Tulum beach
💸 Budget: Low (£)
🥳 Hostel vibe: Social, with some partying
❄️ Air conditioning: Yes
💻 Wifi: Strong
🍽 Kitchen: Yes
🏊♀️ Facilities/extras: Large communal spaces, swimming pool, onsite bar, washing machine, 24 hour reception, ATM, bike hire, tour desk, board games, restaurant and meals available.
🏖️ What’s nearby?: Tulum town (15-20 minute walk), Tulum beach (50-60 minute walk). Fifteen minute walk to the large Chedraui supermarket.
Find out more on Hostelworld.com.
Mayan Monkey offers backpackers the best of both worlds. Situated in between Tulum beach and Tulum town, it’s the perfect hostel to relax, work and party.
Although you’re a distance from the town and beach, there are plenty of bars and restaurants surrounding Mayan Monkey for your morning coffee or brunch. The main car hire park is only a 10 minute walk away, as well as a brand new giant Chedraui supermarket.
If you do want a night on the town, it’s best to grab a taxi, especially after dark. Most Mayan Monkey backpackers head down to Straw Hat past 11pm, which is in downtown Tulum, about a 20-25 minute walk away.
3. Straw Hat Hostel and Rooftop Bar
😀 Best for: solo backpackers who want to party (all night long)
⭐️ Overall Rating: 8.9 (Fabulous)
📍 Location: Between Tulum town and Tulum beach
💸 Budget: Low (£)
🥳 Hostel vibe: Social, with a big focus on partying
❄️ Air conditioning: Yes
💻 Wifi: Strong
🍽 Kitchen: Yes
🏊♀️ Facilities/extras: Free breakfast, nightly BBQ dinner, daily activities, beerpong, karaoke, salsa, mojito making classes, onsite bar with happy hours, tours, sunset views from the rooftop. Late night bar with a 3AM closing time.
🏖️ What’s nearby?: In the middle of Tulum town, with lots of restaurants, shops, bars and street food options. Five minutes from the ADO bus station and taxi rank.
Find out more on Hostelworld.com.
Straw Hat arguably has one of the best locations of hostels in Tulum. Situated right in the middle of Tulum town, you can either spend your night partying at the hostel bar, or head out to one of the many Tulum restaurants, clubs or bars along the same road.
If you’re a solo backpacker looking to party, who wants to be in the middle of all of the action, Straw Hat is an excellent place to start.
Note that Straw Hat in 2023 does NOT have a swimming pool, even though it is stated that it does on the website. It is currently being renovated, and should be available to use soon.
4. Mama’s Home
😀 Best for: couples or backpackers who want a quieter night’s sleep and deep and meaningful conversations at 1am!
⭐️ Overall Rating: 9.2 (Superb)
📍 Location: Tulum town
💸 Budget: Low (£)
🥳 Hostel vibe: Chilled
❄️ Air conditioning: Yes
💻 Wifi: Strong
🍽 Kitchen: Yes
🏊♀️ Facilities/extras: BBQ, hammocks, outdoor terrace, bike hire, cafe, board games,
🏖️ What’s nearby?: Tulum town, with lots of restaurants, shops, bars and street food options.
Find out more on Hostelworld.com.
This is another hostel in Tulum that has won many awards, including the best overall hostel in the whole of North America (2017). Mama’s Home is like a home away from home.
With a delicious free breakfast and a chilled yet social vibe, it’s the perfect hostel for those who want to make friends but not stay out until 4AM each night.
Mama’s Home also organises tours and activities if you’d like to head out and see the cenotes, and round up the day with a welcoming family dinner in the communal space.
Most guests have been known to extend their stay at Mama’s Home, and return each time they visit Tulum!
5. Selina Tulum
😀 Best for: digital nomads, couples and luxury backpackers
⭐️ Overall Rating: 8.6 (Fabulous)
📍 Location: Tulum beach
💸 Budget: High (£££)
🥳 Hostel vibe: social and spiritual
❄️ Air conditioning: Yes
💻 Wifi: Strong
🍽 Kitchen: Yes
🏊♀️ Facilities/extras: sunrise meditation, daily ocean view yoga, Temazcal ancestral ceremonies, swimming pool, large co-working spaces, access to Selina beach club, pizza garden, cosy hammocks and bike rentals.
🏖️ What’s nearby?: Tulum beach clubs, the ocean, Tulum ruins, bars and nightclubs.
Find out more on Hostelworld.com.
One of the only Tulum beach hostels on the list, Selina is a spiritually focused hostel for the more luxury backpacker.
Prices are higher than any other in the area (like any Selina worldwide), but you get what you pay for with modern, clean and spacious rooms. It’s also one of the best places to work in Tulum as a digital nomad, with high-speed Internet and large co-working spaces.
If you have the money to spare and want to treat yourself, Selina is the best hostel in Tulum for you.
6. Oryx Hostel Tulum
😀 Best for: couples and solo backpackers who want to meet new people but not party every night.
⭐️ Overall Rating: 9.5 (Superb)
📍 Location: Tulum town
💸 Budget: Medium (££)
🥳 Hostel vibe: Social but calm
❄️ Air conditioning: Yes
💻 Wifi: Strong
🍽 Kitchen: Yes
🏊♀️ Facilities/extras: Bike hire, additional activities and tours, swimming pool, laundry facilities
🏖️ What’s nearby?: Tulum town, with lots of restaurants, shops, bars and street food options. ADO bus station.
Find out more on Hostelworld.com.
Oryx Hostel is one of the newest hostels in Tulum, but it already has over 30 positive reviews! With a swimming pool, friendly and welcoming staff, organised tours and a fun atmosphere, most backpackers have ended up extending their stay for longer than intended.
If you’re looking to make new friends and socialise, but don’t want to party until the early hours of the morning, Oryx is a great hostel to stay in Tulum.
7. Che Tulum Hostel and Bar
😀 Best for: backpackers who will get involved with beer pong tournaments and crazy parties.
⭐️ Overall Rating: 9.2 (Superb)
📍 Location: Tulum town
💸 Budget: Low (£)
🥳 Hostel vibe: One big crazy party!
❄️ Air conditioning: Yes
💻 Wifi: Strong
🍽 Kitchen: Yes
🏊♀️ Facilities/extras: Co-working area, bike hire, swimming pool free coffee, karaoke, beer pong, theme parties, roulette wheels, onsite bar and party nights.
🏖️ What’s nearby?: Tulum town, with lots of restaurants, shops, bars and street food options.
Find out more on Hostelworld.com.
Che Hostel is where you head to in Tulum if you want to party. And I mean crazy party. Their USP is the fact they’re the only hostel in Tulum with a hot tub (and you can only imagine what goes on in there).
This hostel is known in Tulum for organising the best day and night events, as well as having a good co-working space and strong wifi. All beds have their own curtains for added privacy when you’re hungover, and are fully air conditioned.
Just arriving at Che Hostel makes you part of the family, and everyone does their best to make sure you feel welcomed. It really is one of the best hostels in Tulum!
8. Freelance Hostel
😀 Best for: digital nomads and long-term backpackers in Tulum
⭐️ Overall Rating: Superb
📍 Location: Tulum town
💸 Budget: Low (£)
🥳 Hostel vibe: Relaxed, modern and stylish
❄️ Air conditioning: Yes
💻 Wifi: Strong
🍽 Kitchen: Yes
🏊♀️ Facilities/extras: Pod beds, large communal area, laundry, restaurant and cafe
🏖️ What’s nearby?:
Find out more on Hostelworld.com.
Freelance Hostel is another brand new hostel in Tulum, but has incredible reviews already. Most backpackers rave about the modern, clean and spacious rooms, with individual USB ports and curtains for added privacy.
Freelance is the perfect hostel in Tulum for long-term guests and digital nomads, with a beautiful outside patio for co-working. It also has it’s own restaurant and cafe, as well as a fully-equipped kitchen if you’d prefer to cook your own meals.
9. Hostel Malakai
😀 Best for: backpackers who want a unique stay with socialising and relaxing.
⭐️ Overall Rating: 9.2 (Superb)
📍 Location: Tulum town
💸 Budget: Low (£)
🥳 Hostel vibe:
❄️ Air conditioning: Yes
💻 Wifi: Strong
🍽 Kitchen: Yes
🏊♀️ Facilities/extras:
🏖️ What’s nearby?:
Find out more on Hostelworld.com.
Hostel Malakai is the only hostel in Tulum with a unique lodging concept. It is built mainly from local wood (tzalam), combined with Tulum style architecture. It’s a truly unique stay for a great price!
Situated right in the middle of Tulum town, and just a short walk from the ADO bus station, Hostel Malakai is in the quieter part of Tulum. However, if you want to enjoy the nightlife in downtown Tulum, it is only a short walk away.
And the food is incredible – especially the breakfast!
What to pack for your hostel in Tulum
Staying in hostels? Don’t forget to pack:
- A padlock: to keep your valuables secure when you leave your hostel room.
- A hanging wash bag: to make sure all your toiletries are kept in one place, and won’t get confused with anyone else!
- Speakers: because, well, who doesn’t love music? Just make sure everyone in your room gets a chance to pick a song! (And no one minds you playing the music)
- A microfibre towel: Not all hostels will provide you with towels for free. Bring your own to save extra ££.
- Earphones: for loud nights and disruptions to your sleep.
- Flip flops: if you’re using shared showers.
- Eyemask: for uninterrupted sleep.
- World travel adapter or an extension lead: so you’re not using more than one plug!
- Your laptop or tablet: for movie nights, of course! 🍿
Make sure you have travel insurance to have extra peace of mind when staying in hostels in Tulum. As a previous solo female traveller myself, I always use SafetyWing for insurance. They have the best cover for backpackers, and signing up is easy! You can check out their cover here.
Tulum Tours. Top Picks
- Walk through Tulum and Coba during this Full-Day Archeological Tour with Lunch
- Enjoy incredible views of the jungle and the Mayan ruins with the Tulum Tower Entrance Ticket
- Learn about Mexican culture through a sensory journey: Mystika Immersive Entrance Ticket
- Explore Tulum better with this Classic Tulum Bike Tour
Best Hostels in Tulum: FAQs
Which is the best party hostel in Tulum?
If you’re looking to party in Tulum, stay in Che Tulum Hostel and Bar. Hosting its own ‘Che Nights’, it’s known for its beer pong championships, late nights, bar crawls, themed parties and affordable alcohol prices.
Additionally, Straw Hat, Penca Blue and Mayan Monkey are great for solo backpackers who want to party, with Straw Hat being the place most backpackers hang out after midnight.
Which is the best hostel for couples in Tulum?
This depends on what kind of couple you are! If you like a mix of partying and chilling, stay at Oryx Hostel Tulum, which is in downtown Tulum (10 minutes drive from the beach).
If you’d prefer somewhere with a calmer vibe, stay at Mama’s Home or Freelance Hostel, again in Tulum town. Plus, Mama’s Home is also only a 5-minute walk away from the ADO bus station.
Are there any cheap hostels to stay in in Tulum?
Yes, especially if you’re staying in a dorm. Most hostels range between £10-30 for a bed in a shared dorm, or £30+ per night in a private room.
The cheapest hostels in Tulum are Mayan Monkey, Lum, Oryx and Daytripper.
Is Tulum safe for solo female travellers?
Throughout our time in Tulum, I felt safe. This includes during the day and at night. However, if I was alone, I would take a taxi for the longest part of my journey.
Everyone’s experiences of Tulum are different. What might feel safe to me, might not feel safe for you. But in general, I found there to be no issues or problems in Tulum, no immediate threat of danger and most importantly, the people were kind!
I have heard of issues in Tulum with other backpackers. For example, laptops being stolen from cafes and iPhones being snatched by motorbike drivers. Always be cautious and use common sense at all times.
Taxis in Tulum are safe and reliable. If you’re a female solo traveller, take a taxi if you are unsure about walking around at night, or have to walk a long distance.
As always, make sure you have travel insurance to have extra peace of mind. As a previous solo female traveller myself, I always use SafetyWing for insurance. They have the best cover for backpackers, and signing up is easy! You can check out their cover here.
Other hostels whilst backpacking Mexico
Backpacking Mexico? Yay! You’re in the right place. This blog is packed full of inspiration and guidance to help you plan the most epic Mexico backpacking trip.
If you’re backpacking Mexico for the first time, I recommend the following places:
- Cancun
- Isla Holbox
- Playa Del Carmen
- Cozumel Island
- Tulum (including the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve)
- Mexico City
- Oaxaca City
- Puerto Escondido
There are MANY other places to visit in Mexico, but these are the best for first-time backpackers on a budget.
Of course, you need a hostel when you visit these places! And that’s where I come in.
Check out my other posts with the best hostels in…
Best Hostels in Tulum: In a Nutshell
So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about the best hostels in Tulum.
When you’re planning a trip to Tulum, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!
If you haven’t come across my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m currently backpacking Mexico with my boyfriend (read more here!), whilst creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!
Keep an eye out for more Mexico content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!
As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!
Happy travelling 🙂
Jennie x
Other Tulum posts:
- How to Visit Sian Ka’an WITHOUT A Tour: Ultimate Guide! (2023)
- 11 BEST Things To Do In Punta Allen, Sian Ka’an (Mexico)
- How to get to Punta Allen from Tulum, Mexico (2023)
- Can You Fly a Drone in Sian Ka’an? Mexico (2023 Guide)
Need the best hostels in Puerto Escondido? Check out my post here!
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MEET THE AUTHOR!
Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.
If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).
