Backpackers 🎒 are often scared away from Belize because it's been labeled as an 💰 expensive country. But, it's still possible to travel cheaply with handpicked hostels based on price, location, and the vibe 🤙.
With all the heavy hostel research done, you can move on to planning out food stops & local experiences. For those in a rush, these are the best hostels in every town/city:
- Orange Walk: Casa Ricky's
- Belize City: Red Hut Inn
- San Ignacio: Yellow Belly Backpackers
- Hopkins: Funky Dodo Backpackers Hostel
- Placencia: Anda Di Hows Hostel
- Caye Caulker: Travellers Palm Hostel
- San Pedro: Sandbar Beachfront Hostel
Tips for choosing a hostel in Belize
- During the dry season (hot), consider prioritizing a spot with air con.
- Bugs crawl out during rainy season so be prepared to deal with them.
- Not all hostels will be listed on HostelWorld or Booking websites.
- Consider a shared private room with a travel partner for maximum savings.
- Car rental is expensive in Belize so choose a place close to the center.
- A helpful hostel owner and their staff can drastically improve your stay.
Here's the list of the top handpicked hostels in Belize 👇
Orange Walk
Orange Walk
Casa Ricky's (Top Pick)
- Wifi
- Free Parking
- Shared Kitchen
- Free Drinking Water
- Towels Included
This hostel has relaxed, friendly and clean. It's 3 minutes away from the bus terminal by foot, offers free laundry and free coffee. The only downside is that the wifi is weak and the beds can be uncomfortable.
Orange Walk
El Gran Mestizo Riverside Cabins
- Wifi
- Free Parking
- Security Lockers
- Cable TV
- Free Bicycles
- Free Canoes
This spot is local, relaxing and natural. While there are mainly cabins here, they offer a backpacker dorm room suitable for groups of 3 at an affordable rate. It's beside the local river, has access to a pool and they offer rides to town center.
Belize City
Belize City
Red Hut Inn (Top Pick)
- Wifi
- Free Parking
- Air Conditioning
This establishment is clean, safe and comfortable. It’s located in the north of Belize City which is safer than the south. There’s a large supermarket called Brodies that has a deli inside which is perfect for local breakfast and lunch dishes.
Belize City
Las Palmeras Guest House
- Free Parking
- Towels Included
This guest house is clean, simple and comfortable. It's located in the south of the city close to the main bus terminal. While this area is considered a gang zone, it’s quiet during the day.
San Ignacio
San Ignacio
Yellow Belly Backpackers (Top Pick)
$12.00 USD
8-Bed Mixed Dorm w/ Fan, 6-Bed Mixed Dorm w/ Air Con, Private Room w/ Air Con
- Wifi
- Breakfast Included
- Free Drinking Water
- Shared Kitchen
- Co-working Space
- Air Conditioning
This hostel is clean, comfortable and spacious. It is 10 minutes away (by foot) from a popular Mayan Ruin - Cahal Pech. It is the only hostel with breakfast included. While it has lots of local street food around, it is far from downtown center.
San Ignacio
D's Hostel
- Wifi
- Shared Kitchen
- Communal Space
- Security Lockers
- Air Conditioning
This hostel is quiet, clean and simple. The site is about 7 minutes away (by foot) from the center of town. There is a popular cafe/restaurant called Guava Limb in front of the hostel.
San Ignacio
The Old House Hostel
- Wifi
- Shared Kitchen
- Balcony Communal Space
- Security Lockers
- Towels Included
This hostel is chill, centric and simple. It’s a block away from the town center and the owners young and laid back. The only downside and in certain cases upside is that there is loud music on Wednesday & Friday nights - due to a local bar called Soul Project located downstairs.
San Ignacio
Bella’s Backpackers
- Wifi
- Shared Kitchen
- Balcony Communal Space
- Security Lockers
- Towels Included
The hostel is centric, social and simple. It’s located downtown close to many popular restaurants, cafes and tour companies. There is air conditioning in the dorms but the rooms are generally rundown. The site gravitates toward being a party/social hostel.
Hopkins
Hopkins
Funky Dodo Backpackers Hostel (Top Pick)
- Wifi
- Free Parking
- Shared Kitchen
- Towels Included
- Outdoor Communal Space
This hostel is centric, chill and comfortable. It happens to be the only hostel in Hopkins but at least it’s close the village center. The only downside is that the beds might not be that comfortable.
Placencia
Placencia
Anda Di Hows Hostel (Top Pick)
- Wifi
- Free Parking
- Shared Kitchen
- Beachfront
- Free Kayak
This hostel is clean, cozy and centric. It is the only hostel in the beachside and in the village center. Unfortunately there is no air conditioning at this hostel.
Placencia
Royal Rat Hostel
- Wifi
- Security Lockers
- Swimming Pool
- Free Bikes
This hostel is tidy, quiet and new. It has a pool which is a unique amenity. The two downsides include being far from the village center meaning you’ll have to hitchhike or take a taxi which is a 10 minutes drive.
Placencia
Lydia’s Guesthouse
$35.00 USD
Private Room w/ Shared Bathroom, 3-Bed Private Room w/ Shared Bathroom
- Wifi
- Free Parking
- Ourdoor Communal Terrace
- Towels Included
This guest house is clean, centric and comfortable. It’s perfectly located close a beach and near restaurants, cafes and bars.
Caye Caulker
Caye Caulker
Travellers Palm Hostel (Top Pick)
$15.00 USD
8-Bed Mixed Dorm w/ Fan, 4-Bed Mixed Dorm w/ Air Con, Private Room w/ Bathroom
- Wifi
- Free Drinking Water
- Security Lockers
- Air Conditioning
- Rooftop Communal Space
This hostel is chill, clean and scenic. It has the most scenic rooftop kitchen views and a friendly staff. The only downside is that it’s not available on popular booking sites to prebook.
Caye Caulker
Go Slow Hostel
- Wifi
- Security Lockers
- Free Kayaks
- Shared Kitchen
- Outdoor Communal Space
- Air Conditioning
This hostel is chill, simple and clean. It’s 5 minutes away from the famous “Split” swimming area (by foot). This hostel does not provide free drinking water unfortunately.
Caye Caulker
Bella's Backpackers Hostel
- Wifi
- Security Lockers
- Free Canoes
- Air Conditioning
The hostel is centric, social and basic. In general, the hostel is rundown and gravitates toward being a party/social hostel. Sadly there are random water outages, bad wifi and the rooms are not well ventilated.
San Pedro
San Pedro
Sandbar Beachfront Hostel (Top Pick)
- Wifi
- Free Parking
- Free Drinking Water
- Shared Kitchen
- Towels Included
- Swimming Pool
- Free Paddle Board
- Communal Space
- Security Lockers
- Air Conditioning
This hostel is clean, affordable and unique. It’s the best bang for your buck with a pool and 24/7 Air Con. The water taxi is 10 minutes away by foot. The only downside is not being social hostel.