Travelling to the Philippines anytime soon? When coming to visit, travellers often decide to make the most of the trip and stop over at as many islands as their schedules permit. Because hitting several destinations often means shelling out a lot of funds for accommodations, hostels easily become more attractive options. Thankfully, over time, they’ve become way more than just places to crash after long days. Today, you’ll find a lot of cool hostels in the Philippines that offer you way more bang for your buck — stylish accommodations, exciting activities, and an entire experience to remember.
Of course, narrowing down your options is always a challenge. There’s so much to consider when looking for the perfect hostel: location, price, cleanliness, and the overall vibe of the place. Lucky for you, we’ve combed through a number of options and come up with a selection that caters to solo travellers, backpackers, and budget travellers. Whether you’re looking for a quiet getaway or you’re up for meeting new people from all over, there’s something for every traveller on this list.
Also read: 5 Basic Do’s & Don’ts of Staying in a Hostel
1. The Flying Fish Hostel - Dumaguete, Negros Occidental
Room types available: mixed dorms, female-only dorms, private rooms with en suite bathrooms
Prices: ₱500/night and up
The Flying Fish Hostel was created for travellers by travellers. As a result of countless hostel stays of their own, its owners were able to craft their recipe for the ultimate hostel experience. Cosy, clean, and affordable, it’s hard to find anything not to love about this trendy hostel! At the dorms, guests can expect spacious and comfy beds, fresh linens, privacy curtains, and personal lockers for their belongings. Moreover, laundry facilities are available for use, too (backpackers, rejoice!).
In addition, the Flying Fish Hostel is a great base for touring Dumaguete and nearby attractions like Apo Island, Oslob, and the Kawasan Falls. At the hostel itself, treat yourself to great food and drinks at their on-site restaurant, Nom. Plus, enjoy live acoustic music every Friday (plan your trip accordingly if this is something you don’t want to miss out on!).
2. Charlie’s Hangar Surf Hostel - San Juan, La Union
Room types available: mixed dorms with four, six, or eight beds
Prices: ₱750/night and up
You definitely can’t miss out on this cool aviation-themed hostel when visiting La Union. Just steps from the beach, Charlie’s Hangar Surf Hostel houses an actual DC-3 plane from the 1940s — and guests are free to lounge inside and enjoy the view! The hostel also offers surf, kayak, and paddle lessons. But if you just want to kick back and relax, you’re welcome to chill out on their hammocks or splay out your mat on the beach!
A stay at one of their clean, well-maintained rooms will get you a spacious bed, locker, and privacy curtains. Their communal showers are known to be clean, so Charlie’s Hangar is a pretty good choice if it’s your first time staying at a hostel. Or, for the ultimate budget stay, the hostel also has available camping grounds and outdoor showers! They have a grill area and picnic tables if you want to prepare your own food, too.
3. Lokal Hostel - Poblacion, Makati
Room types available: mixed and female-only dorms, private rooms with shared and en suite bathrooms
Prices: Rates start at ₱400/night and up
The vibrant, art-filled Lokal Hostel is ideal for travellers who want to explore Poblacion's exciting food, music, and nightlife scene. At this hostel, you’ll have lots of cool cafes, bars, and restaurants right at your doorstep. In addition, the central business district and shopping malls aren’t far, either!
Great for different types of travellers, Lokal offers cosy beds in dorms as well as private rooms. All guests are free to enjoy their shared spaces, such as their lounge, kitchen, and dining areas. The hostel also has its own restaurant, bar, and roofdeck, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the city — and meet new people! And who knows? Maybe you’ll be scheduling a pub crawl around Poblacion with a whole new set of friends!
4. Secret Spot Siargao - General Luna, Siargao
Room types available: mixed dorms
Prices: ₱530/night and up
Tucked away from the island’s nightlife scene, Secret Spot Siargao is perfect for travellers looking for a quiet getaway. But those up for an adventure shouldn’t miss out either! This hostel is just a quick motorbike or habal-habal ride away from the main tourist area, and the staff will even let you in on Siargao’s best-kept secrets. One of them is a gorgeous secluded beach, right across the hostel! And don’t be surprised if you go home with memories of your very own hostel family — it’s pretty inevitable should you join in on dinners, beach hangs, and island tours together!
The eco-conscious hostel also offers daily yoga classes on the beach, which guests are welcome to enjoy for free. You can even volunteer as a yoga instructor, in exchange for a discounted stay. In addition, you can join in on the zero-waste movement, and help out at a beach cleanup. Yay for being responsible travellers!
5. Mad Monkey - Bulabog Beach, Boracay
Rooms types available: mixed and female-only dorms, private rooms with shared and en suite bathrooms
Prices: ₱600/night and up
Boracay may no longer be the island of sin it used to be, but that doesn’t mean its nightlife and party scene are dead! Mad Monkey Hostel is for travellers seeking to head home with memories of an action-packed vacation and a whole bunch of new friends.
Situated in Boracay’s Bulabog Beach, Mad Monkey is a great springboard for exploring Boracay’s white sand beaches and exciting attractions. On top of that, the popular party hostel offers a number of fun and exciting events for you to enjoy. In particular, guests often enjoy the party on a boat (dubbed the ‘Mad Monkey Booze Cruise’) and Go-Karting tournament. Besides these activities, the swimming pool and bar are the perfect spots to meet new people!
6. Spin Hostel - El Nido, Palawan
Room types available: mixed and female-only dorms, private rooms with en suite bathrooms
Prices: ₱1,100/night and up
Located in the charming town of El Nido, Spin Hostel has one of the pricier stays on this list — but its offerings certainly get you more than your money’s worth. The beach is just a short walk away; cafes, stores, and indie boutiques are nearby as well. At the same time, the hostel itself is both cosy and Instagrammable — guests will love its cool interiors and laid-back vibe! Regardless of whether you stay in one of their private rooms or dorms, your stay comes with a comfy and spacious bed, and a delicious complimentary breakfast.
With lots of shared spaces and events perfect for mingling, this accommodation is surely an option for travellers looking to make new friends and fun memories. At Spin Hostel, enjoy island trips and pub crawls with fellow travellers. Or, book your tours of the island with the help of the front desk. They also have a selection of board games, books, and movies for when you choose to stay in!
7. Murals Hostel and Cafe - Cebu City, Cebu
Room types available: mixed and female-only dorms, private rooms with shared bathrooms
Prices: ₱700/night and up
Tucked away in Cebu City, Murals Hostel and Cafe is ideal for all types of travellers — but it’s especially great for digital nomads. Here, guests can enjoy complimentary use of their 24-hour co-working space, which comes with free-flowing coffee and Wi-Fi. And when the working day is done, you can quickly head to their rooftop bar, where you’ll be treated to live music and delicious cocktails. Plus, if you’re up for meeting new people, it’s where you’re most likely to make a couple of friends!
At Murals Hostel, you have the option to stay at one of their dorms, or go for one of their private rooms. Regardless, each stay comes with a complimentary breakfast. And if you have to check out early, the accommodating staff will even pack you a sandwich to go!
8. Tambayan Capsule Hostel - Malate, Manila
Room types available: mixed and female-only dorms, private rooms with shared and en suite bathrooms
Prices: ₱580/night and up
A restored mansion in Manila, Tambayan Capsule Hostel is ideal for travellers who plan to explore the capital’s historical and cultural sites. Close by, you’ll find must-see sights like Intramuros, Rizal Park, and the National Museum of the Philippines. Also, because this hostel is specifically located in the bohemian neighbourhood of Malate, you can easily explore its exciting nightlife, restaurants, cafes, and bars. Or, if you decide to stay put, enjoy a few cocktails, and meet fellow travellers at the hostel’s rooftop bar!
At this hostel, dorm rooms have comfy, Japanese-inspired capsule bunk beds. Like at many hostels, you can choose to stay at mixed or female-only dorm rooms, or your own private room. If you’re travelling with friends, you can also opt to stay at a private group room with an en suite bathroom!
9. Coffee Heritage House - Sagada, Mountain Province
Room types available: mixed dorms with single and queen beds, private rooms with shared bathrooms
Prices: ₱676/night and up
Attention: Coffee lovers! Coffee Heritage House is the first accommodation to zero in on Sagada’s popular coffee culture, and it certainly offers guests an unforgettable experience. Enjoy access to the coffee bar, where they serve only freshly brewed artisanal Philippine coffee — so good, even non-coffee lovers will appreciate it! In addition, guests are invited to join their coffee farm tours and harvesting sessions by day. Then, at night, complete your Sagada experience with a bonfire, complete with toasty marshmallows!
Away from the city centre, this hostel offers the perfect setting for those looking for a quiet vacation. The cosy rooms, with their custom wooden beds and hotel-quality mattresses, complete its homey, rustic ambience. Add Sagada’s pristine environment, cool weather, and jaw-dropping views (don’t forget to get up to watch the sunrise!) to the mix, and you’re in for a relaxing stay at Coffee Heritage House.
10. Hop Hostel - Coron, Palawan
Room types available: mixed and female-only dorms with single and king-size beds, private rooms with en suite bathrooms
Prices: ₱769/night and up
The perfect launchpad for exploring Palawan’s Calamian islands, Hop Hostel is located in Coron’s town proper. Offering an experience designed for socialising, this hostel is ideal for travellers looking for a good time with friends, both old and new. Here, enjoy free tours and exciting activities like beach trips, sunset cruises, game nights, and movie nights together with your hostel family!
A stay at any of their spacious rooms comes with a free daily meal and access to the hostel’s many amenities. In particular, these include the common room, kitchen, mini theatre, and view deck. Light packers especially will enjoy the essentials available at their front desk and the laundry facilities available for use! In addition, Catch and Release (the restaurant and bar, respectively), offer mouthwatering Filipino dishes, espresso drinks, cocktails, and local craft beers. Above all, their in-house bakery is something you'll want to take advantage of — you won’t want to miss out on their banana bread, baguettes, and signature sandwiches!
Also read: 10 World-Class Islands in the Philippines Travellers Rave About
With all the exciting things they have to offer, how could you not want to stay at any of these cool hostels in the Philippines? By the end of your trip, expect to go home with lots of memories you’ll fondly look back on!
Looking for more stays around the Philippines? Discover more on TripZillaSTAYS .