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Mexico City is one of the largest cities in the world. In fact, the number of inhabitants in the greater Mexico City area is estimated between, 22 and 29 million people. This makes Mexico City a daunting place to visit, and finding the perfect hostel to stay at a very important task.
I know this all too well after now visiting Mexico City for the fifth time and staying in so many hostels over the 7 weeks I’ve already spent in the city and taking day trips nearby.
Now, there’s no way I could stay in every hostel in Mexico City, but I’ve had the chance to stay in a lot. Some hostels I’d rather not stay in again and others made my time in Mexico City that much better!
So, here are the best hostels in Mexico City, based on my personal experience and knowledge of the city. I’ll be judging each hostel on location, atmosphere, facilities, and of course other travelers’ reviews (because my opinions are not the only ones you should take).
Don’t have time to read the full article? If you’re staying in the Historic Center, we recommend Hostal Regina Down Town Mexico City. Aside from being steps away from major attractions like Calle Regina, this hostel provides activities like group tours and themed dinners, and they have clean facilities with super helpful staff. So grab a beer and cheers your fellow travelers at Hostal Regina.
Where to Stay in Mexico City – Choosing the Neighborhood
There are 3 main areas you should consider staying in Mexico City on your first visit. I know a lot of other blogs mention lots of different suburbs, but honestly, it’s your first time here so you’ll want to be close to all the amazing things to do in Mexico City as well as be in a safe area.
1. La Condesa
La Condesa is one of the nicest parts of the city and is where some of the best hostels in Mexico City are located. Condesa is a very safe neighborhood that can be enjoyed at any time of the day without worry.
It’s also a trendy neighborhood filled with amazing restaurants, cafes, and bars. But my favorite part about Condesa is that it’s home to some of the best taquerias in Mexico City!
From Condesa, you can easily explore places such as Roma, Chapultepec Park, and a range of museums. You’re also only a short 70 peso (less than $4 USD) Uber to the Historic Center.
2. Roma
Roma is much the same as La Condesa except it’s home to a much younger, trendier population. Safety in both suburbs is the same and for a tourist on their first visit, it’s another great area to choose for a hostel in Mexico City.
From Roma, you can safely walk to Chapultepec Park and explore La Reforma. However, you’re actually closer to the historical center of Mexico City (but only slightly.)
To be honest, the choice between Roma and Condesa is much the same and when it comes to picking your hostel, pick the one you like the most in these areas if this is where you’ve decided to stay!
Just be aware both areas are a little pricey and hostels are a little limited here in comparison to the Historic Center.
3. Historic Center
The Historical Center of Mexico is where the majority of the main attractions of the city are. Here, you can find lots of museums, cathedrals, colonial architecture, cheap food, and bars. The Historic Center has a craziness to it that only exists in Mexico City. This is where the majority of the hostels and hotels in Mexico City are too.
I personally love the Historical Center and find it safe enough to recommend to others. During the day you don’t need to worry, but late at night, you do have to be smart as to where you go. I recommend taking Ubers at night or going out in a group. Also, keep your wallet in your front pocket, and don’t bring things like your passport out with you!
So to round it all out, the Historic Center of Mexico City is a perfectly fine place to stay and great if you want to be close to most of the city’s best attractions, however, just be aware that you’ll need to be slightly more careful here than in Roma or La Condesa!
For more detailed info on the neighborhoods, check out our blog about the best areas to stay in Mexico City!
Related Read: 2 hours east of Mexico City you can explore all the amazing things to do in Puebla!
Best Hostels in La Condesa, Mexico City
1. Casa Pancha
Casa Pancha is a brand-new hostel in Condesa, Mexico City. The hostel is perfectly located in the heart of Condesa walking distance to Chapultepec Park, Amsterdam Ave, and lots of great bars, restaurants, and supermarkets.
The communal kitchen has everything you need and the bathrooms are very nice. The rooms are well-lit, have windows to let in the fresh air, and each bed has its own locker for your valuables. The staff are also very helpful and are rated a 9.5 on booking.com.
The beds are pod-style which gives you that little extra privacy in a dorm room and each pod comes with a light and PowerPoint (plug). The hostel is social and attracts mainly international travelers.
It’s easily one of the best hostels in Mexico City and one of my top choices overall.
On booking.com, the reviews for Casa Pancha also back this up and the hostel has a 9.2 rating – guests absolutely loved the cleanliness and how modern everything is. The quality of this hostel is reflected in the price though and rooms start at $27 USD per night for an 8-bed dorm. The price also includes a really good breakfast though!
Who should stay? I highly recommend this place to those who have a slightly higher budget and like to stay at very clean, modern hostels with a social vibe.
You can book your stay and check reviews for Casa Pancha online on either Booking.com or Hostelworld.
2. Roomies Hostel Condesa
Roomies Hostel Condesa is one of the cheapest options anywhere in La Condesa. It’s located right in the middle of Condesa and it’s a little ways from Chapultepec Park but could easily and safely be walked.
The hostel has a great social vibe with lots of different community areas including a terrace, a big kitchen, and a TV room to hang out or work in.
This hostel is a budget option so although it has everything you need, it is in a typical old-style Condesa building and things can get cramped. For example, the showers aren’t the biggest and some rooms are not as well-lit or ventilated as others.
While the reviews for this place are not beaming if you aren’t planning to spend a lot of time in your room and don’t have issues with thin walls (bring earplugs), no windows in some of the rooms, and no drinking water, you may find this hostel doable to get the job done for a couple of nights.
However, for only $9 USD for a 6-shared dorm with breakfast, it’s the best value for a bed in Condesa which is why I had to include it in this list.
Who should stay? I highly recommend this Mexico City hostel to those on a budget after a cheap place to lay their heads and meet other travelers in a safe area of Mexico City.
You can book your stay and check reviews for Roomies Hostel Condesa online on either Booking.com or Hostelworld.
3. Izta 54
Izta 54 isn’t technically a hostel as it doesn’t offer dorm rooms. Instead, it offers private rooms with either double beds or twin beds for two people. Although this hostel doesn’t fall into the “typical hostel” category it is a really good option for quiet travelers who may be traveling as a pair, so I’ve included it.
I love the location of the hostel as it’s right off Amsterdam Ave which is one of my favorite walking streets in Mexico City and close to a super beautiful park. This location puts it close to everything including Roma.
The rooms at Izta 54 are spacious for La Condesa and there’s plenty of room for two people with luggage. The rooms are well furnished, lit, and have hangers and lockers. The different spaces of this accommodation also have nice historical bones such as the original tile and stained glass.
The cheapest room at Itza 54 costs $143 USD for a two-person private with an attached bathroom. There is no breakfast included either, but for a private, it’s a good price in Condesa.
Keep in mind there is no air conditioning and the walls are on the thinner side which may be a problem if you are a light sleeper, especially on the weekends as it’s close enough to hear the nightlife coming from the streets.
Who should stay? I would recommend this to quiet travelers traveling in a group of two or more (or couples) who want a nice cheap place to relax and explore Mexico City without sacrificing comfort.
You can book your stay and check reviews for Itza 54 online on Booking.com.
Related Read: Need ideas for what to do once you book your hotel? Our 2-day Mexico City itinerary is a great place to start!
Best Hostels in Roma, Mexico City
4. Metro Hostel Boutique
The Metro Hostel Boutique is in a great location on the Condesa side of Roma. The hostel is surrounded by coffee shops, restaurants, and bars, and there is a good supermarket only a short walk away. You really can’t fault this location!
The hostel has a good social vibe and often plays music. There are communal computers for those who need them and the rooms have windows for ventilation and plenty of natural light. There is a large communal kitchen with everything you need that is kept clean (although some travelers can ruin that!)
There is an outdoor deck with a hammock that’s great for a morning coffee or afternoon beer and a rooftop area that is great for meeting other people. For those who want towels, they are also available.
For the price of $12 USD per night for a 6-share dorm it’s pretty good value for its location and facilities.
They do offer breakfast for $5 USD but it’s only toast, fruit, and coffee so if you like to eat a big breakfast you’ll need to cook your own. Also, it’s worth mentioning that the rooms all have shared bathrooms (not enough either).
Who should stay? I’d recommend this hostel to those who don’t mind a bit of music and looking for something cheap in the trendy neighborhood of Roma.
You can book your stay and check reviews for Metro Hostal Boutique online on either Booking.com or Hostelworld.
5. Hostel Home
If you’re being really fussy with the location of the Condesa/Roma area then I’d have to say Hostal Home just about takes the cake. The reason? Well although in Roma (Roma Norte) it’s only about 150 m (500 ft) from Amsterdam Ave and on the closer northern side to Chapultepec Park and La Reforma Ave. So, if the location in this area is important it’s a great choice!
Around the hostel are plenty of shops, bars, and great restaurants. This hostel is small but it has a very family vibe where you come as a stranger and leave a friend with a staff willing to help you without complaint. There is a strictly enforced curfew at 11 pm so if you want to get a good night’s sleep you can.
The rooms all have lockers for security and plenty of room for bags and luggage. Hostel Home also attracts lots of international travelers and has a great vibe for a small hostel. The building is old (typical in this area) but is maintained well enough to provide ample facilities for travelers.
The main cons are no windows in dorm rooms for ventilation and shaky bunks but a couple of pros are the free filtered water, coffee, and tea.
Dorm rooms here start at $19 USD per night. The rating on booking.com is an impressive 8.5. Note, if you wait to book in person they only accept cash so if you prefer to use card, you’ll need to book online.
Who should stay? I would recommend this hostel for those wanting a good location for a mid-range price that has a really friendly hostel vibe – a home away from home!
You can book your stay and check reviews for Hostal Home online on either Booking.com or Hostelworld.
6. U-Co Roma
U-Co Roma is located in north Roma and as with most places in Roma, is near lots of great local restaurants, bars, and cafes. It’s close to La Reforma and in a lovely area. But what makes this hostel stand out the most is its design and functionality.
It’s a very well-designed and beautiful hostel that’s built around the concept of co-working in a great atmosphere – they even have a WhatsApp group you can join to quickly meet others! The dorm beds are pod-style with a wooden door you can close for privacy. The common areas are beautiful, well-lit, and very inviting with plenty of places to sit and relax or work.
The beds are comfy and the rooms are very spacious with heaps of room for luggage and bags. There is no A/C but they do have fans. This hostel has a social but professional vibe (but that is reflected in the price.) A 4-person dorm will cost you around $30 USD per night but I believe for the quality of the facilities and comfort level, it’s worth it.
Guests particularly loved how clean everything was, down to the refrigerator!
Who should stay? Reviews on hostelworld.com rate this hostel a 9.4 and I would highly recommend it to the digital nomad wanting a great place to work. Or, a quiet traveler wanting a modern and clean hostel in a great area.
You can book your stay and check reviews for U-Co Roma online on Hostelworld.
Best Hostels in the Historic Center of Mexico City
7. Selina Mexico City Downtown
Selina Mexico City Downtown is the most recent hostel I’ve stayed at in Mexico City. Its location is okay (but a little far from the main plaza in the historical center.) However, it’s a really good budget option in a well-designed, clean and modern hostel.
The building is the best part of this hostel. The rooms are really nice as well as the restaurant, bar, and communal kitchen. Although the hostel has a bar, you can still drink your own alcohol in the other common areas.
The hostel attracts lots of international travelers and there’s plenty of room to socialize, work, or relax. If yoga is your thing they even host a weekly complimentary class and they host parties every Saturday, an easy way to socialize! If that’s not your ideal atmosphere then it might be on the noisy side when trying to sleep.
Selina has a co-working space with separate wifi but this does cost extra. The food at the bar and restaurant is really good but it is a little pricey. A dorm room here starts at $21 USD per night and their rating on Booking is a 7.8.
If you are coming with a rental car there is no place to park your car on the property or in the close surrounding lots so plan accordingly.
Who should stay? I would recommend this hostel to those who don’t mind walking to attractions and like a clean modern hostel with a restaurant and bar.
You can book your stay and check reviews for Selina Mexico City online on either Booking.com or Hostelworld.
8. Casa Maria Hostel
Casa Maria Hostel is located in the heart of the historical center in Mexico City. In fact, it sits only one street from the Templor de Mayor ruins and the Mexico City Cathedral in the city center. It also is in a very safe location being that it is right next to many government buildings so police are often out surveying the area.
As you would expect from its central location, there are plenty of places to eat and drink and there are small supermarkets around.
The hostel itself is simple in a 19th-century building but beautiful with lots of updated features that give it a great overall look and feel. The rooms are large with plenty of light and the beds have curtains for a little extra privacy in the dorm rooms.
There are ample bathrooms and showers and also lots of sinks and mirrors. The hostel includes a really good breakfast of fruit, cereals, eggs, coffee, and juice.
There are plenty of common areas to relax and meet other international travelers and the hostel comes in relatively cheap at $20 USD per night for a dorm bed. The vibes here are chill and it’s not a party hostel so you can get lots of uninterrupted sleep.
Who should stay? I would recommend this place for those who want quiet evenings yet still be close to the main square and historical attractions without sacrificing comfort or atmosphere.
You can book your stay and check reviews for Casa Maria Hostel online on either Booking.com or Hostelworld.
9. Hostal Regina Downtown Mexico City
Our next Mexico City hostel in the historic center is a great one for those who enjoy having a beer. Hostel Regina is located near Calle Regina (a pedestrian walking street) which on weekends, is a very popular place to enjoy a drink and party. But despite this, it’s still very close to the main square.
Hostal Regina is clean and well designed with ample amounts of space in the rooms and dorms. The hostel has modern furnishings and comfortable beds and storage lockers to keep your things safe.
It attracts lots of international visitors and given its rating and price, is usually filled with travelers. The hostel has a party vibe and for guests, they even give out free beer and pizza to get the party started.
There is no kitchen space but they do offer smaller-sized shared dinners.
On booking.com the hostel is rated a 9.3 from over 1,400 reviews which is really good! A dorm bed here will cost you $14 USD per night and you can add breakfast for $5 USD.
Who should stay? I would highly recommend this place to the solo traveler looking for a bit of a party in a clean, safe hostel in the historic center!
You can book your stay and check reviews for Hostel Regina online on either Booking.com or Hostelworld.
10. Casa Pepe
Casa Pepe is located only one block from the main square in the historical center of Mexico City. For a location, it doesn’t get much better! Of course, this means it’s close to lots of great restaurants and bars.
This hostel is honestly a really good option and is a very popular and busy place to stay in Mexico City. One of my favorite things is the rooftop terrace which is simply beautiful and a great place to hang out and relax. Next, is the breakfast that’s included. And third, is the stunning rooms that are well designed, new, and very modern!
Casa Pepe has pod-style dorm beds with curtains which is always a nice feature, there are lockers and power outlets at every bed and the matrasses are comfortable. The hostel has a bar and restaurant and on some nights, has live music.
Because the hostel is so popular, it attracts lots of international travelers and has a really good vibe that’s both party and relaxed but maybe not quite so catered to being a co-working space as much as it may lead you to believe. Casa Pepe organizes lots of great activities from karaoke to walking tours there will be something fun going on that will help you interact with other travelers!
Rooms here start at $16 USD for a dorm bed and you can add breakfast for $5 USD and their rating on Booking.com is 8.9 from over 1,400 reviews!
Who should stay? I highly recommend this hostel to any social backpacker wanting a comfortable stay in a great location!
You can book your stay and check reviews for Casa Pepe online on either Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Planning Your Visit to Mexico City
Safety in Mexico City
“Is Mexico City safe?” – A question so many travelers ask before visiting.
Mexico City has a bit of a bad reputation when it comes to safety, which to me, isn’t totally warranted. There are plenty of neighborhoods and areas that you definitely need to stay away from, but that is easy as all of the attractions are in safer places anyway.
The reason I recommend the hostels I have above is partially due to their location and safety. The neighborhoods of La Condesa, Roma, and the Historic Center are very safe for tourists.
However, normal safety practices still apply. Watch out for pick-pocketing (especially in nightclubs or on the metro), don’t flash your valuables around, and watch out for dodgy taxis (Ubers or taxi-registered taxis called by your hostel or from secure taxi stands in bus stations or airports are best.)
But don’t be scared. We’ve personally never had a problem in Mexico City, and as long as your stay in the right neighborhoods, keep your wits about you, and follow basic safety tips for visiting Mexico, you’ll likely be just fine! It’s an amazing city with so much to offer travelers!
Booking your tours
Booking tours in Mexico City in advance is always a good idea. It means once you arrive you can relax knowing you have some things planned. One of the most popular experiences is taking a tour of the ruins of Teotihuacan from Mexico City!
We are partnered with Viator (a TripAdvisor company) and often use them ourselves to book tours. The reason? Well for one, we can leave reviews and read other reviews from people who have done that exact tour. Viator is also one of the largest and most popular tour booking websites in the world.
In Mexico, Viator is the more popular booking site of the two and there are often hundreds of reviews on popular activities!
Related Read: You can check out my list of things to do in Mexico here for my top travel highights while in the country.
Other Activities to do While in Mexico City
Now that you know the best hostels to stay in, you’ll want to check out all the fun things to do in Mexico City while you’re here. Trust me, you’ll have no problem filling your itinerary in this bustling city. To give you an idea of what’s on offer, I’ve highlighted some of our favorite activities below.
- Try local cuisine – Mexican food is world-famous for good reason, and Mexico City is one of the best cities to enjoy it! The Condesa neighborhood has amazing taco stands and chocolatiers and Calle Regina is a pedestrian-only street filled with restaurants. For a broad sampling, I recommend this food tour through Colonia Roma or even this cooking class – which also visits the local market!
- See Teotihuacan – The remnants of an ancient city, visiting Teotihuacan from Mexico City is a must! In fact, it’s among the most famous ruins in Mexico! Since it’s a bit of drive, we hopped on this early access tour. Not only did it get us there right when the gates opened, our guide was an archeologist! Plus there was a tequila tasting included too – bonus!
- Watch a Lucha Libre show – Lucha Libre in Mexico City is one of the most entertaining performances I’ve ever seen. This wrestling show is so quintessentially Mexican and is a ton of fun. The best way to understand the traditions and characters is through this organized tour, which also includes a mezcal tasting!
- Buy some local souvenirs – If you want to go shopping or find some local souvenirs, head to the La Ciudadela Artisanal Market. This market showcases artists’ work from around the country for very affordable prices – and the selection is huge!
- Explore some museums – If you want a break from the sun, check out local museums. The Museo Soumaya houses over 66,000 pieces of artwork, while the Anthropology Museum gives you a window into Mexico’s ancient civilizations. You can also step inside the Frida Kahlo Museum, which is the renowned artist’s old home and features her original artwork.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
Mexico City is one of my favorite cities in Latin America. It’s filled with history, culture, and amazing food! With the right hostel in Mexico City, you have the perfect base to explore this massive metropolitan area and have a fantastic visit!
Thanks so much for reading and if you have any questions at all about Mexico City please leave them in the comments sections below and I will get back to you or pick from these popular reads on Mexico below!
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