Are you looking for accommodation in the Colombian Caribbean? See also our other articles:
– Our favorites: accommodations in the Colombian Caribbean
– The best boutique hotels in the Colombian Caribbean
– The best (eco)lodges in the Colombian Caribbean
– The best hotels in the Colombian Caribbean
– The best glampings in the Colombian Caribbean
And discover our selection of accommodation in other regions of Colombia!
The Colombian Caribbean beckons with its luminous beaches, turquoise waters, bustling colonial towns and vibrant Afro-Caribbean culture. Cartagena, a historic jewel with golden walls, is the ideal entry point for discovering the art, gastronomy and unique energy of the coast. The more relaxed Santa Marta offers privileged access to Tayrona Park and the majestic Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains, where jungle, indigenous villages and sacred peaks meet. Further north, Palomino and the beaches of La Guajira reveal a wild, bohemian atmosphere, perfect for recharging your batteries between nature, sea and mountains.
To explore this vast and diverse region, youth hostels are the ideal option: affordable, well-located and designed to encourage encounters between travelers from all horizons. Set in colorful houses, charming colonial casas or small tropical lodgings a stone’s throw from the sea or perched in the mountains, these inns offer total immersion in the Caribbean atmosphere.
What is a youth hostel? A youth hostel is an economical form of accommodation designed to encourage conviviality and exchange between travelers. These usually include dormitories, but also private rooms, as well as large communal areas – shared kitchen, lounge, terrace or bar – where you can chat, meet new people and share your tips. The inns offer excellent value for money, a relaxed atmosphere and an open-minded attitude. Some stand out even more thanks to their meticulous design, eco-responsible approach or organized activities such as surf lessons, excursions or group dinners.
In this article, we bring you a selection of the best hostels in the Colombian Caribbean, colorful and friendly addresses, whether in the heart of the city or in the middle of tropical nature. They stand out for their excellent value for money, their warm ambience and the way they offer total immersion between turquoise seas, coastal villages and a deliciously relaxed Caribbean atmosphere.
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Los Patios Hostel – Cartagena (Bolívar)
Credit: Los Patios Hostel
Los Patios Hostel is located in Getsemaní, one of Cartagena’s most vibrant and colorful neighborhoods. Cartagena. Its strategic location means you can reach the old town, its walls, colonial streets and lively squares in just a few minutes. It’s an ideal starting point for exploring the city on foot.
Rooms and style / architecture
Housed in a renovated traditional house, the hostel offers a blend ofCaribbean authenticity and contemporary design. Accommodation ranges from comfortable shared dormitories to private rooms with air-conditioning, balconies and king-size beds. The atmosphere is bohemian and tropical, with bright colors, wooden furniture and many decorative details. Rooms feature high-speed Wi-Fi, individual lamps and charging sockets.
Services and equipment
Los Patios Hostel offers a rooftop swimming pool, a terrace bar-restaurant, and a coworking space ideal for digital nomads. The hostel offers a wide variety ofdaily activities: dance classes, sunset boat trips, yoga sessions, guided tours… There’s also a Jacuzzi on the terrace, several relaxation zones, live music and an atmosphere that encourages interaction thanks to happy hours and organized events.
Masaya – Cartagena (Bolívar)
Credit: Masaya
Masaya Cartagena is located in the Getsemaní district, one of Cartagena‘s most dynamic and historic neighborhoods. It’s just a stone’s throw from the old town, providing easy access to the colonial walls, lively squares and iconic streets.
Rooms and style / architecture
The hostel offers a variety of accommodation: shared dormitories, standard rooms and private superior rooms. The design combines Caribbean colors, warm furnishings and an urban bohemian spirit, with a relaxed, social atmosphere. Some rooms are air-conditioned and have a terrace, to take full advantage of the tropical style.
Services and equipment
Masaya Cartagena features a large outdoor pool ideal for cooling off in the Caribbean sunshine. The hostel also offers a resto-bar, solarium and garden, as well as areas to relax and meet other travelers. Cultural activities are organized regularly: musical evenings, yoga, community events, and guided tours of the city or to the Rosario Islands, for an authentic Cartagena experience.
La Guaca Hostel – Santa Marta (Magdalena)
Credit: La Guaca Hostel
Guaca Hostel is ideally located in Santa Marta, in the Bavaria district, close to the historic center. This location makes it easy to reach the colonial lanes, the typical squares of the old town and the attractions of the Caribbean coast. The beach is also around 1 km away, offering a good balance between city life and seaside getaway.
Rooms and style / architecture
Housed in a renovated house, La Guaca Hostel combines traditional architecture with modern facilities. The spacious dormitories feature fans, private lockers and en suite bathrooms. The inn also offers private rooms, some with air conditioning, for added comfort. The atmosphere is friendly, relaxed and ideal for travelers wishing to meet other backpackers.
Services and equipment
Guaca Hostel offers free Wi-Fi, luggage lockers and an included breakfast. Travelers can relax in the outdoor pool with Jacuzzi, the communal lounge or the garden hammocks. A fully equipped kitchen is available for preparing meals. The hostel also offers tours and excursions in the region, such as Tayrona Park, the Sierra Nevada or the city itself, and has a tourist information service to organize hikes, snorkeling or local discoveries. The multilingual staff are always on hand to help plan outings and activities.
Masaya – Santa Marta (Magdalena)
Credit: Masaya
Masaya Santa Marta is located in the historic center, just a few minutes from colorful alleyways, lively squares and local restaurants. The Caribbean coast is easily accessible, as are the Sierra Nevada mountains and Tayrona Park, making it an ideal starting point for combining beach, nature and culture.
Rooms and style / architecture
Housed in a renovated colonial house, Masaya combines historic charm with a youthful, bohemian ambience. The hostel offers modern shared dormitories as well as private rooms (standard or superior), some with air conditioning. The design blends Caribbean colors, local materials and comfortable furnishings, offering a relaxed, social atmosphere true to the Masaya spirit.
Services and equipment
Masaya features a pool-patio and rooftop pool terrace, with views of the city and the tropical breeze. The hostel also offers a bar, a coworking space, a shared kitchen and a social terrace to relax and meet other travelers. Local experiences include excursions to the Lost City, hiking in the Sierra Nevada, visits to Tayrona Park, diving and snorkeling.
El Rio Hostel – Buritaca (Magdalena)
Credit: El Rio Hostel
El Rio Hostel is located in Buritaca, on the Troncal del Caribe, on the banks of the Río Buritaca. This tropical jungle location, combined with a 30-minute walk to Caribbean beaches, makes it an ideal base for exploring Tayrona Park, enjoying river activities and discovering the surrounding nature.
Rooms and style / architecture
The hostel offers a wide range of accommodation: shared dormitories, private cabañas with en-suite bathrooms, and even glamping tents equipped with electric sockets and fans. Some of the private rooms have terraces overlooking the river or king-size beds with solar hot water. The style is both rustic and meticulous, using natural materials and a strong integration into the environment, for a warm and friendly atmosphere.
Services and equipment
El Rio Hostel offers a riverside bar, a sun terrace, a lush garden and a private beach on the river. The restaurant offers local and international dishes with vegetarian options, and the hostel provides free drinking water to all travelers. For adventure-seekers, the hostel organizes river tubing tours, hikes and nature excursions, as well as volunteer programs to contribute to educational and environmental projects. The team speaks English, Spanish and French, making it easy to communicate with international travelers.
Casa del Pavo Real – Palomino (La Guarija)
Credit: Casa del Pavo Real
Casa del Pavo Real is a quiet, chic boutique inn/hotel nestled in the center of Palomino, in the department of La Guajira, Colombia. It’s just a 5-minute walk from the beach, making it easy to combine the tranquility of a place immersed in nature with quick access to the coastline. The establishment is set in lush greenery, surrounded by birdsong, yet remains in the heart of the village.
Rooms and style / architecture
Open since 2017, the establishment offers a warm, intimate atmosphere designed for nature lovers and travelers in search of peace and quiet. It offers a 6-bed dormitory and around 15 rooms, divided between double rooms, family rooms and more secluded bungalows – some of which even have a private swimming pool. Each home is furnished with care, combining simplicity and comfort: simple furnishings, natural materials, welcoming design.
Services and equipment
Casa del Pavo Real stands out for its ecological commitment: the hotel runs on solar panels, limits plastic waste and serves organic vegetarian cuisine, prepared with local produce. It has a beautiful garden with swimming pool, a relaxation area and a vegetarian restaurant (“El Jardín del Pavo Real”) where you can enjoy a delicious meal under a mango tree, surrounded by greenery. Guests can also enjoy a yoga area, massages and spa treatments, as well as local activities such as excursions to Tayrona Park, SUP or tubing trips on the river, bird-watching sessions and even visits to the local dog sanctuary.
Tiki Hut Hostel – Palomino (La Guarija)
Credit: Tiki Hut Hostel
The Tiki Hut Hostel is located in Palomino, in the La Guajira / Magdalena region on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. It’s onAvenida Principal, not far from Palomino beach, between the Palomino and San Salvador rivers. The location is ideal: just a few minutes’ walk from the seafront yet surrounded by tropical vegetation and mountains, offering the perfect base for exploring the Sierra Nevada, surfing and nature walks.
Rooms and style / architecture
The hostel offers different types of accommodation: shared dormitories, private rooms (with in-house or shared bathroom) and larger bungalows. The style of the hostel is ecological, with natural fiber constructions, a typical rainforest “hut” design and harmonious integration into the environment. Some rooms have balconies, double beds or “altillo” (mezzanine) layouts, all with fans to cope with the tropical heat.
Services and equipment
Tiki Hut Hostel offers a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, with two swimming pools, a Jacuzzi, a bar and an on-site restaurant where you can enjoy local and international dishes. Wi-Fi is available in common areas, and the hostel has an activity desk for organizing excursions: surfing, hiking, river trips, etc. We also promote sustainable tourism values, through local initiatives to protect the environment and support the Palomino community.
El Embrujo Tintipan – Isla Tintipan (Bolívar)
Credit: El Embrujo Tintipan
El Embrujo Tintipan is located on the island of Tintipán, in the San Bernardo archipelago, off the Colombian Caribbean coast (Bolívar department). The island is only accessible by boat from Cartagena, Tolú or Rincón del Mar, offering a true island retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Rooms and style / architecture
The establishment offers several room types: “Chalet” cabins with sea view and air conditioning, a cosy “Cielo” bungalow on the second floor, and superior cabañas (“Luna”, “Sol”, “Estrella”) with private bathroom, fan or air conditioning. There’s also an eight-bed shared dormitory, ideal for groups or backpackers. The style favors rustic simplicity, the use of natural materials and harmonious integration with the maritime environment.
Services and equipment
At El Embrujo Tintipan, you’ll enjoy a private beach, a lush garden, a communal lounge and a panoramic terrace where you can relax overlooking the sea. The restaurant/bar serves Caribbean cuisine, with vegetarian options, and the hostel provides drinking water and coffee. For activities, the hostel organizes aquatic excursions: snorkeling around the coral reefs, kayaking in the mangroves, diving, and night tours to observe the bioluminescent plankton. The establishment is pet-friendly, ensuring a friendly and immersive environment for travelers.
Eco Hostal Yuluka – El Zaino, entrance to Tayrona Park (Magdalena)
Credit: Eco Hostal Yuluka
Eco Hostal Yuluka is located in El Zaino, Magdalena department, on the Km 28 Via Santa Marta – Riohacha road. It’s an ideal base for visiting the Tayrona National Parkbeing very close to the entrance to El Zaino. The setting is natural and verdant, far from the hustle and bustle of the city, yet still within easy reach of Santa Marta and the tourist areas along the coast.
Rooms and style / architecture
Yuluka’s rooms are designed in an ecological and rustic spirit: straw roofs, exposed brick walls and large windows offering a beautiful view of the garden or surrounding landscape. Some rooms have a hammock and private bathroom with hot water, while others are simpler but more comfortable. The overall atmosphere is relaxed, backpacker and perfectly integrated with the surrounding tropical nature.
Services and equipment
The hostel features a lush garden, outdoor pool and on-site restaurant-bar, where you can sample local and international dishes. Breakfast is included, and there’s free Wi-Fi throughout the property. For explorers, Yuluka offers a tourist information service and organizes tours or hikes, notably to Tayrona, as well as airport transfers on request. It’s an ideal place to combine relaxation, nature and adventure.
The Fort Hostel – Don Diego, near Buritaca (Magdalena)
Credit: The Fort Hostel
The Fort Hostel is located in Don Diego, near Buritaca, in the heart of an unspoilt natural environment between the rainforest, the Don Diego River and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Its position slightly set back from the coast offers a peaceful setting, ideal for disconnecting, while remaining close to the region’s main attractions, such as the wild beaches and the entrances to Tayrona Park.
Rooms and style / architecture
The hostel offers comfortable dormitories – Caney, suspended between the trees for total jungle immersion, and Roble, perched with spectacular views of the ocean and Sierra Nevada – both built from sustainable wood and powered by solar energy. Each bed is equipped with a privacy curtain, mosquito net, battery-powered fan, lamp, locker and charging cable. In addition, La Casa de Moncoro, a 63 m² private cabin perched on a hill, offers two bedrooms, a bathroom and a panoramic view of the coast. The ensemble blends natural materials, treehouse architecture and harmonious integration with nature, creating a rustic, warm and refined atmosphere.
Services and equipment
The Fort Hostel offers a friendly bar, a fully equipped shared kitchen, a yoga deck and a large relaxation area with hammocks. Wi-Fi works thanks to Starlink, guaranteeing a good connection despite the isolation. The hostel also organizes a variety of activities: hikes, outings to the Don Diego River, excursions to the beaches or Tayrona, community dinners, massages and convivial evenings. The team makes a point of promoting sustainable tourism and a warm “home in the jungle” atmosphere.
Mano Verde – Minca (Magdalena)
Credit: Mano Verde
Mano Verde Ecohostal is located in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, around 40 minutes from Minca, in the heart of nature, far from noise and crowds. Perched high in the mountains and surrounded by lush vegetation, the hostel offers a secluded setting, ideal for disconnecting, birdwatching or simply enjoying the peace and quiet of the mountains. Access is by motorcycle cab or 4×4, adding to the sense of adventure and total immersion in the jungle.
Rooms and style / architecture
Mano Verde offers 4- or 6-bed dormitories, as well as private double and triple rooms, all equipped with mosquito nets, shared bathrooms and hot-water showers. Drinking water comes from a natural source, underlining the site’s commitment to the environment. The architecture favors local materials and a rustic, minimalist aesthetic, integrated into the forest: hammocks, wooden gazebos, a “cabin in the jungle” atmosphere and open views of the mountains and sunsets.
Services and equipment
The hostel features a large garden, a terrace with hammocks, fast Wi-Fi (rare at altitude!) and serves home-cooked meals prepared with ingredients from their permaculture garden, including coffee grown on site. The team also organizes hikes to the El Jaguar waterfall, expeditions to Cerro Kennedy for sunrise, andbirdwatching sessions, as the Sierra Nevada is one of Colombia’s richest birding hotspots.
Hostal Sierra – Minca (Magdalena)
Credit: Hostal Sierra
TheHostal Sierra is located in Minca, in the Finca Bellavista, in the heart of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, offering a green and soothing mountain setting. Its slightly elevated position allows panoramic views of the mountains and surrounding jungle, while guaranteeing a calm, immersive ambience close to nature.
Rooms and style / architecture
The hostel offers spacious shared dormitories and private rooms, some with terraces or balconies overlooking the garden or mountains. The architectural style is rustic, using natural materials such as wood to blend harmoniously into the Sierra Nevada landscape. The result is a warm, authentic atmosphere that’s perfect for relaxing and socializing.
Services and equipment
Hostal Sierra features two outdoor pools (one of which is infinity), a lush garden, a terrace and a bar-restaurant where you can enjoy meals and drinks in a relaxing setting. The inn also has a lounge area, games (billiards, table tennis), and offers entertainment such as karaoke. An American breakfast is served every morning. The establishment also organizes hiking, cycling and cultural tours, and offers a shuttle service (extra charge).
Hostel Laguna Salá – Ríohacha (La Guajira)
Credit: Hostel Laguna Salá
Hostel Laguna Salá is ideally located in the heart of Riohacha, in the department of La Guajira, just a few minutes’ walk from the beach and the main seafront avenue. This central location makes it easy to explore the city and its markets, and to visit the emblematic sites of the La Guajira peninsula, such as Cabo de la Vela and Punta Gallinas. The location is both convenient for a city break and strategic for excursions to the northern Caribbean coast.
Rooms and style / architecture
The hostel offers a wide variety of accommodation options: private air-conditioned rooms with en-suite bathrooms and mixed dormitories from 4 to 10 beds, all equipped with personal plugs, fans,air conditioning and storage space. The style is resolutely modern and friendly, designed for travelers who want comfort and sociability. The architecture favors the use of a recent, well-appointed building with bright, open spaces, creating a trendy yet relaxed atmosphere on the Caribbean coast.
Services and equipment
Hostel Laguna Salá offers an outdoor swimming pool (located on the roof), a panoramic terrace, a bar-restaurant and a communal lounge where travelers can relax or meet other backpackers. Wi-Fi is free throughout, and a shared kitchen is also available. For activities, the hostel provides tourist services for excursions to the beaches, dunes or natural sites of La Guajira, as well as 24-hour reception. Thanks to these services, it’s a very practical option for a holiday combining relaxation, sea and coastal adventures.
