Solo travel, updated October 2026

The best hostels in the Philippines (2026)

Hostels to meet people, go out at night and explore the islands together. My picks: Frendz in El Nido and Rucksack Inn on Siargao, plus 42 more in 14 places.

From my own Camiguin videos.

In El Nido, stay at Frendz Hostel. It is the hostel I point solo travellers to: the social atmosphere makes it easy to meet other people. On Siargao, stay at Rucksack Inn in General Luna, where I stayed and the hostel I recommend on the island.

Below my picks are 42 more hostels across 14 places. For each place you get the area to base yourself in, when to book ahead, and every hostel with a photo, a booking link and the price of a night where Booking.com showed one.

Prices checked 21 October 2026, they change with dates.

My picks

All hostels at a glance

All 45 hostels on this page in one table. The vibe comes from each hostel’s own description; the price is the cheapest dorm bed (or private room) for a night, checked 21 October 2026.

HostelPlace / areaVibePrice (₱/night)Book
Frendz Hostel El NidoEl Nido town, El NidoSocial₱1,610 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Rucksack Inn SiargaoCatangnan, General Luna, SiargaoSocial, Work-friendly₱720–910 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Yes Surf SiargaoGeneral Luna, SiargaoSocial₱900 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
3BU HostelUpper Bonifacio, BaguioParty, Social₱1,480 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Baden Powell HostelSession Road, Baguio₱2,460–3,040 privateBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Mad Monkey PanglaoPanglao, Bohol₱1,070–1,240 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Spinning Cat HostelBohol₱450 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Nautilus Hostel & HammocksPanglao, Bohol₱510 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Boracay BackpackersStations 1 and 2, Boracay₱330–580 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Chill Out Hostel BoracayStation 2, Boracay₱630–800 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Frendz Hostel BoracayStation 2, BoracaySocial₱780–840 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Happiness Hostel BoracayBulabog Road, Boracay₱660–870 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Bucana Traveler's InnGuinsiliban, Camiguin₱1,530 privateBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Playa del Fuego Beach Hostel & ResortAgoho, Mambajao, Camiguin₱730 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
HappyNest Hostel CebuCebu City, CebuAdults only₱1,010 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Nacho Hostel CebuBulacao, Cebu₱430–490 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Dayon HostelCoron town, Coron₱530 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Outpost Hostel CoronCoronSocial₱1,520–1,680 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Hop HostelCoron town, Coron₱1,140 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Kaiz HostelCoron town, Coron₱670–690 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Outpost Beach HostelCorong-Corong, El NidoSocial₱1,290–1,540 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Spin Designer HostelEl Nido town, El NidoSocial, Work-friendly₱1,600 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Lazy Juan Beach House NacpanNacpan Beach, El NidoAdults only₱3,360 privateBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Happiness Hostel El NidoEl Nido town, El Nido₱880–940 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Mad Monkey Hostel Nacpan BeachNacpan Beach, El Nido₱1,130–1,480 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
The Escape San JuanSan Juan, La Union₱5,580 privateBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Sora Elyu HostelUrbiztondo, La UnionBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Crossroads HostelNear Megamall, Manila₱800 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Z HostelPoblacion, Makati, Manila₱860–920 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Lub d Manila MakatiPoblacion, Makati, Manila₱1,070–1,160 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Mad Monkey ManilaMakati, ManilaAdults only₱1,240–1,400 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Chief Mau Moalboal CebuPanagsama, MoalboalParty₱1,000–1,100 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Crazy Bears HostelMoalboalAdults only₱1,070 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Maayong HostelMoalboal₱1,010 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Laguno Hostel and Guest HouseMoalboal town, Moalboal₱450 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Pig Dive Hostel MoalboalPanagsama Road, MoalboalAdults only₱960 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
B&R Hostel & Bar NagtabonNagtabon, Puerto PrincesaSocialBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Green Turtle Backpackers GuesthousePuerto Princesa₱600 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Guni Guni HostelPuerto PrincesaAdults only₱450–650 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Mapiyaaw Pension InnSagadaBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Hostel BajalaNear Secret Beach, Siargao₱1,070 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Three Little Birds Surf HostelGeneral Luna, SiargaoSurf₱810–1,270 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Happiness Hostel SiargaoTourism Road, General Luna, Siargao₱660–950 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Fable HostelSan Juan, Siquijor₱1,050 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it
Mad Monkey SiquijorLazi, SiquijorAdults only₱1,070–1,280 dormBooking.com (affiliate link) — I earn a commission if you book through it

Every other hostel on this page, place by place, from Baguio to Siquijor, with the area to base yourself in and when to book ahead.

Best hostels in Baguio

2 hostels

Where to stay
Downtown, near Session Road and Burnham Park. Markets, cheap eats and most budget hotels are within walking distance of each other.
Book ahead
During Panagbenga, Holy Week and the December break, book a few days to two weeks ahead.
Where to stay in Baguio

Best hostels in Bohol

3 hostels

Where to stay
Alona Beach on Panglao has the most budget rooms and hostels. Tagbilaran City is the cheaper option if you don’t need to be on the beach.
Book ahead
Peak season is roughly December to April and the Easter holidays: book a few days to two weeks ahead.
Where to stay on Bohol

Best hostels in Boracay

4 hostels

Where to stay
Station 3 has the most hostels and mid-range rooms on White Beach, still a short walk from Station 2.
Book ahead
Peak season is roughly November to May, especially Christmas, New Year and Easter: book at least a few weeks ahead.
Where to stay on Boracay

Best hostels in Camiguin

2 hostels

Where to stay
Most places to stay sit in Mambajao, the capital. Guinsiliban and Mahinog, on the south side, are closest to the White Island jump-off.
Book ahead
Peak season is roughly December to April and the Easter holidays: book a few days to two weeks ahead.
Where to stay on Camiguin

Best hostels in Cebu

2 hostels

Where to stay
Lahug or IT Park for restaurants and nightlife. Downtown, around Fuente Osmeña and Colon, on a budget or for the old sights on foot.
Book ahead
Cebu City has enough rooms that a few days’ notice is usually enough outside major events.
Where to stay in Cebu

Best hostels in Coron

4 hostels

Where to stay
Coron town. The pier, the dive shops, the restaurants and the tour desks are all within walking distance.
Book ahead
Peak season is roughly November to May: book at least a couple of weeks ahead.
Where to stay in Coron

Best hostels in El Nido

6 hostels, including my pick

Where to stay
El Nido town. The bars and hostels sit close together and you can walk home; there is no reliable late tricycle back from Corong-Corong or Lio.
Book ahead
Peak season is roughly December to April: book a few days to a couple of weeks ahead.
Where to stay in El Nido

Staying at Nacpan Beach

The beaches further from town, Nacpan chief among them, are quieter, less developed and take a longer ride to reach: roughly 45 minutes (22km) from El Nido town, or about 30 minutes from Lio Airport. Staying here suits a few nights of doing very little. It is not a base for the standard island-hopping tours.

Best hostels in La Union

2 hostels

Where to stay
San Juan, along Urbiztondo Beach. The surf schools, hostels and beach cafes are all within walking distance of the break.
Book ahead
San Juan fills up on weekends from roughly October to March: book a few days to two weeks ahead.
Where to stay in La Union

Best hostels in Manila

4 hostels

Where to stay
Poblacion, Makati. Hostels, bars and late-night food are within walking distance of each other, so you don’t need a taxi to get home.
Book ahead
Poblacion’s better-located hostels fill up on weekends: book a few days to two weeks ahead.
Where to stay in Manila

Best hostels in Moalboal

5 hostels

Where to stay
Panagsama Beach has the most hostels and guesthouses, with the dive shops, the reef and the restaurants within walking distance.
Book ahead
Peak season is roughly December to April and around Holy Week: book a few days to two weeks ahead.
Where to stay in Moalboal

Best hostels in Puerto Princesa

3 hostels

Where to stay
The city, closest to the airport and with by far the wider budget choice. Sabang saves the two-hour drive if the Underground River is the main goal.
Book ahead
Peak season is roughly December to April. Sabang’s few rooms near the pier fill up first.
Where to stay in Puerto Princesa

Best hostels in Sagada

1 hostel

Where to stay
The town centre. Cafes, the tourist office where guides are arranged and the start of most walks are a few minutes away on foot.
Book ahead
Weekends, Holy Week and Christmas to New Year fill the town: book a few days to two weeks ahead.
Where to stay in Sagada

Best hostels in Siargao

5 hostels, including my picks

Where to stay
General Luna has the widest range of hostels and budget guesthouses on the island.
Book ahead
Peak season is roughly July to October for the surf and December to April for sun-seekers: book at least a week or two ahead.
Where to stay on Siargao

Best hostels in Siquijor

2 hostels

Where to stay
San Juan. The most restaurants, bars and places to stay within walking distance, and the easiest base for a first visit.
Book ahead
Peak season is roughly December to April and the Easter holidays: book a few days to two weeks ahead.
Where to stay on Siquijor

Best party hostels in the Philippines

Two hostels on this page are built around going out. The others below are social hostels: easy to meet people, without a party every night.

  • 3BU Hostel, Baguio: A social hostel in Baguio with reasonable rates for longer stays, a friendly crowd and regular parties.
  • Chief Mau Moalboal Cebu, Moalboal: A party-minded hostel about a minute from the sardine-run beach in Moalboal.

Social hostels

Going out on Siargao? The Siargao nightlife and party schedule lists where each night of the week starts.

Best hostels for solo travellers

My picks first, then every hostel whose own description says it is social or popular with solo travellers.

Cheap hostels: what a dorm bed costs

The cheapest dorm bed per place on this page, for one adult and one night in November and December 2026, checked on Booking.com on 21 October 2026. Across all 38 hostels with dorm beds, starting prices run from about ₱330 to ₱1,610 a night.

PlaceCheapest dorm bedFrom (₱/night)
BoracayBoracay Backpackers₱330
CebuNacho Hostel Cebu₱430
BoholSpinning Cat Hostel₱450
MoalboalLaguno Hostel and Guest House₱450
Puerto PrincesaGuni Guni Hostel₱450
CoronDayon Hostel₱530
SiargaoHappiness Hostel Siargao₱660
CamiguinPlaya del Fuego Beach Hostel & Resort₱730
ManilaCrossroads Hostel₱800
El NidoHappiness Hostel El Nido₱880
SiquijorFable Hostel₱1,050
Baguio3BU Hostel₱1,480

Questions people ask

What is the best hostel in El Nido for solo travellers?
Frendz Hostel El Nido, in El Nido town. It is the hostel I point solo travellers to: the social atmosphere makes it easy to meet other people.
What is the best hostel on Siargao?
Rucksack Inn, in Catangnan, General Luna. I stayed there, and it is the hostel I recommend on the island. For meeting other travellers, Yes Surf in General Luna is the other one I name.
Is Rucksack Inn Siargao a party hostel?
It is a social hostel, which does not mean an all-night party in your room. The property lists quiet hours from 10pm, or 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Check the room type and current conditions when booking.
Where should I stay in El Nido if I want nightlife?
El Nido town. The bars and hostels sit close together and you can walk home, which matters here: there is no reliable late tricycle service back from Corong-Corong or Lio.
Where should I stay in Manila for a hostel and nightlife?
Poblacion in Makati. Hostels, bars and late-night food are within walking distance of each other, so you do not need a taxi to get home.
Which part of Boracay has the most hostels?
Station 3, at the southern end of White Beach, has the most hostels and mid-range rooms within walking distance of the sand, and Station 2 is a short walk away.
Where are the hostels in La Union?
In San Juan, along Urbiztondo Beach. The surf schools, hostels and beachfront cafes are all within walking distance of the break.
Do I need to book a hostel in advance in the Philippines?
In peak season, yes. In El Nido that is roughly December to April, on Siargao July to October for the surf and December to April, and on Boracay roughly November to May. A few days to two weeks ahead is usually safer than arriving and looking; each place on this page says when it fills up.
Do hostels in El Nido have power during brownouts?
Not always. Scheduled brownouts of several hours happen during the day. Bigger hotels and resorts run their own generators through a cut; smaller guesthouses and hostels usually don’t, so a power bank is worth packing wherever you stay.
What is the best party hostel in the Philippines?
Two hostels on this page are built around going out: 3BU Hostel in Baguio and Chief Mau Moalboal Cebu in Moalboal. Chief Mau is a party-minded hostel about a minute from the sardine-run beach in Moalboal; 3BU is a social hostel in Baguio with a friendly crowd and regular parties. For a social hostel rather than a party one, Frendz in El Nido is the hostel I point solo travellers to.
Are there hostels near Nacpan Beach?
Two: Lazy Juan Beach House Nacpan and Mad Monkey Hostel Nacpan Beach. Mad Monkey is a beachfront hostel on Nacpan Beach with dorm beds and a bar that plays music until late; Lazy Juan is an adults-only hostel a three-minute walk from the beach. Nacpan is roughly 45 minutes (22km) from El Nido town, so it is not a base for daily island-hopping tours.
How much is a hostel in the Philippines?
Across the 38 hostels with dorm beds on this page, starting prices run from about ₱330 to ₱1,610 a night, and half of them start at ₱880 or less. The cheapest dorm bed is at Boracay Backpackers on Boracay. Prices checked on Booking.com on 21 October 2026, for one adult and one night in November and December 2026; they change with dates.
Which island is best for hostels and meeting people?
The two places I name for meeting people are El Nido and Siargao. In El Nido town the bars and hostels sit close together and you can walk home, and Frendz is the hostel I point solo travellers to. On Siargao, General Luna has the widest range of hostels and budget guesthouses on the island, and Yes Surf is one of the best places to meet fellow travellers.
Are there adults-only hostels in the Philippines?
Yes. On this page: HappyNest Hostel Cebu (Cebu), Lazy Juan Beach House Nacpan (El Nido), Mad Monkey Manila (Manila), Crazy Bears Hostel (Moalboal), Pig Dive Hostel Moalboal (Moalboal), Guni Guni Hostel (Puerto Princesa) and Mad Monkey Siquijor (Siquijor).

Looking for budget rooms or a resort instead? Every place to stay, place by place.