Ecuador's capital is one of the cheapest in South America, making the best hostels in Quito a bargain for backpackers.
Circled by snow-capped mountains and active volcanoes, Quito is an excellent place to base yourself when exploring the region.
Busy streets and buildings sprawl up and around the rolling mountain faces, while lively markets, and an up-and-coming foodie and nightlife scene provide some excitement.
The centerpiece of Quito is its Old Town, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to 17th-century facades and art-decorated churches.
However, there is much more to this city than its history. It is a critical tourist waypoint when traveling to/from the Galapagos Islands, other parts of Ecuador, and the rest of South America.
Table of Contents
- Quick Recommendations
- What to Look For
- Best Hostels in Quito
- Best Hostel for a Quiet Night — The Quito Guest House with Yellow Balconies
- Best Hostel for Social Atmosphere — Mogens Pod Hostel
- Best Hostel for Party-Goers — Community Hostel
- Best Hostel for Amenities — El Hostelito
- Best Hostel for City Entertainment — The Secret Garden Quito
- Best Cheap Hostel — Home of David’s Friends
- Conclusion
Quick Recommendations
- Quiet Night — The Quito Guest House with Yellow Balconies
- Social Atmosphere — Mogens Pod Hostel
- Partying — Community Hostel
- Amenities — El Hostelito
- City Entertainment — The Secret Garden Quito
- Cheap Stay — Home of David’s Friends
What to Look For
Quito is a bustling city which is easy to immerse yourself in if you visit the right areas. It is also a city with a centralized tourist route which makes things easier.
Here's what you need to know about travel in Quito.
Best Neighborhoods
If you're visiting Quito for the first time, staying in the Old Town makes sense. However, if you have already seen the Old Town, or prefer to be closer to nightlife options, you may prefer a different part of the city.
Below, we have handpicked a few of our favorite areas to stay in Quito.
La Ronda is a neighborhood which is typically less expensive than other areas of the city. Accommodation is priced accordingly; however, restaurants and other expenses could be found cheaper in La Ronda.
La Mariscal is a busy backpacker spot. By day it is a quiet square with lots of travel agencies to book day trips, Amazon tours, and cruises in the Galapagos. By night, this neighborhood comes alive with bars and parties!
If you are traveling with your family, the best place to stay in Quito is probably La Carolina. It is the most modern part of the city in the business district. There are plenty of parks and local restaurants in the area, as well.
Cost of Hostels
Though you would expect a heavily backpacked city like Quito to be cheaper than average hostels in Ecuador, unfortunately, it is not really.
An average hostel in Quito will cost you anywhere between $8-12 for a basic 6-8 person dorm room.
As you can see below, there are some hostels which can be found for less, but, generally speaking, that should be the price you budget for.
See also: Cost of Travel in Ecuador
Best Hostels in Quito
Let’s begin our search for the best hostels in Quito. Below, we have highlighted some favorite hostels in Quito based on what you may be looking for.
Best Hostel for a Quiet Night — The Quito Guest House with Yellow Balconies
From $10 (Single Private)
The Quito Guest House with Yellow Balconies is located between the old colonial side of Quito and the more modern business district.
It is a cozy, Ecuadorian family-run hostel with free breakfast and spectacular views. However, why we chose it as the best place in Quito for a quiet night is because it offers a very budget-friendly private room.
There is no better way to get a good night’s sleep in a hostel than in the comfort of a room to yourself.
Check availability: Hostelworld
Best Hostel for Social Atmosphere — Mogens Pod Hostel
From $13 for a dorm (5 beds)
Located in the vibrant neighborhood of La Mariscal (mentioned above), Mogens Pod Hostel is situated in a great spot, central to much of the area.
With a slew of restaurants, bars, live music venues, and coffee shops just around the corner, there is not a lack of places to keep you busy nearby.
However, we nominated Mogens Pod Hostel as the best social atmosphere of any hostel in Quito because of its rooftop garden and bar.
There are also three TV rooms and a few terraces for socializing. Plenty of room to make new friends!
Check availability: Hostelworld
Best Hostel for Party-Goers — Community Hostel
From $10 for a dorm (10 beds)
Community Hostel is one of the only hostel chains in Ecuador. There is more than enough going on to keep you busy every day at Community Hostel.
Whether it's the family dinners around a communal table, pub crawls, salsa nights, Anthony Bourdain-style food tours, or free city walking tours, there are plenty of activities happening daily at Community.
Not enough? Community Hostel boasts its very own Community Adventures Ecuador travel agency to book your next part of the journey through Ecuador.
Check availability: Hostelworld
See also: Ecuador Nightlife – Bars, Clubs, and Dating Tips
Best Hostel for Amenities — El Hostelito
From $10 for a dorm (6 beds)
Located in the buzzing neighborhood of La Floresta, El Hostelito is an interesting stay for all kinds of backpackers.
It is within a fifteen-minute journey (whether by foot or bus) to all of Quito’s most exciting tourist attractions while also being in the center of a lot of local action.
However, we like El Hostelito for more than its location. Their free Sunset and Grafitti Food Tour is a must and happens every weekday as the sun goes down.
El Hostelito also offers free breakfast, a fantastic rooftop hangout with stunning views, pool, ping pong table, happy hours, TV rooms (with Netflix), extra-large pod beds, bike rentals, local craft beer, and more.
Check availability: Hostelworld
Best Hostel for City Entertainment — The Secret Garden Quito
From $10 for a dorm (6 beds)
The Secret Garden Quito was, at one point, named Hostelworld’s best Hostel in Ecuador.
You can find it situated on a quiet cobblestone street of Colonial Quito with a rooftop offering mountain and city views.
Being so tightly tucked into Old Town, you are never too far from the action. And with the amenities of the hostel, you can feel comfortable.
With a tour desk at the hostel, the Secret Garden makes it easy to book activities in and around Quito, as well as for the next leg of your journey.
Check availability: Hostelworld
Best Cheap Hostel — Home of David’s Friends
From $5 for a dorm (4 beds)
Set in the heart of Old Town, Home of David’s Friends Hostel is the perfect place to explore Quito's historic center. And for $5 per night, who could say no?
If you are looking for a cheap place to lay your head at night while still feeling close to the buzz of the city, Home of David’s Friends is the perfect stay for you.
Not to mention, with free breakfast, a rooftop, a tour agency, a shared kitchen, board games, high-speed WiFi, and more, it is not a bad place to call home for a few nights.
Check availability: Hostelworld
Conclusion
Quito is a high-altitude mountain city in the heart of the Ecuadorian Andes. If you're visiting Ecuador, chances are you'll spend at least a few nights here on arrival or departure.
Choosing one of the best hostels in Quito will help make your stay that much more enjoyable.
More Ecuador Hostels
Last Updated on August 30, 2019 by Dave Lee
Adam is the Community Manager at Go Backpacking. You can find more of his writing on his own blog, Wanderway. Read his debut travel fiction novel, Summer of '92, on Amazon now!