3 Best Hostels in Baños, Ecuador

best hostels in baños

It is no secret that South America is one vivid, vivacious party of lush rainforests, diverse cultures, and remarkable Earth-made creations that are unparalleled anywhere on the planet. With so many Latin American destinations to choose from, Ecuador is unquestionably one of the most underrated destinations south of the equator.

Baños de Agua Santa, the second largest city in the Tungurahua province and a backpacker favorite, is a must-see on your Ecuador itinerary. Baños, which sits beneath an active volcano, is famous for its thermal pools, spectacular waterfalls, and numerous outdoor activities to breathe in the beauty of South America’s northern nation.

Our favorite hostels in Baños are:

  1. Hostal Princesa Maria - best for Female Solo Travelers
  2. Great Hostels - best for Backpackers
  3. Papachos Hostel - best for Couples

Money-saving tip: Compare hostel prices with Hostelz.com. They compare prices from Hostelworld, Booking.com and others with 1 click.

Situated between the Andes Mountains and the Amazon Rainforest, Baños is no doubt Ecuador’s choice town for adventure and nature. With thousands of tourists flocking to the city each year, Baños is in no shortage of budget-friendly accommodations. With, numerous hostels to choose from, here are Hostelgeek’s recommendations for the three best hostels in Baños.

Read: full guide to the absolute best hostels in Ecuador – which is your favourite hostel in Ecuador?

This guide is perfect for YOU, when you…

  • are tired of crappy hostels!
  • want a social Hostel to actually meet people
  • are happy to spend $1 to $2 more for a much better experience

What we cover in this article?

You can find all 5 Star Hostels here with Hostelgeeks and all guides to “Best Hostels In” here.

Quick Introduction to Baños

Average price for a bed: Hostels in Baños cost 6€ – 26€ per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room starts from 13€ up to 45€ per night. This is a rough average just to give you an idea.

Prices always depend on season and holidays. Please always check exact rates on Hostelz.com or Hostelworld.com.

Check-In and Check Out: The average check-in time is from 15:00 (3pm), while the Check-Out time is before 11:00 (11am). Hostels usually offer luggage storage in case you arrive earlier or leave later. Make sure you check if luggage storage is free or if there is an extra cost.

More Special Topics about Baños:

Baños is in Central Ecuador and is easily accessible from almost anywhere in the country. Baños, as the name implies, is ideal for those who enjoy being in, around, or on top of the water. White river rafting, canoeing, kayaking the Quilotoa volcano, and hiking the beautiful waterfalls Cascada del Virgin, Pailón del Diablo, and those on the Ruta del Cascada (waterfall route) are just a few of the activities to be done in Banos. The town has made it simple for visitors to book whatever activities they desire for affordable prices.

While the town is pleasant for a few days, you could easily spend more than a week exploring the surrounding areas. And, thanks to Ecuador’s low prices, even the most frugal traveler can splurge. For a luxurious view of Baños, visit Luna Volcán Adventure Spa and indulge in the rooftop pools and jacuzzis.

Ziplining, bungee jumping, paragliding, rock climbing, and hiking the active Tungurahua volcano are also popular Baños attractions. Outside of town, you can bathe in some of Baños’ best hot springs, which are said to have soothing and spiritual properties. The Casa del Arbol, a massive swing that stretches across a valley outside of town and is nicknamed “The End of the World,” is another spectacular way to see the region’s verdant forests with a very high, bird’s eye view.

Baños’ city center is bustling with artisan markets, cute cafes, and a plethora of eateries if you want to relax in town after all of your excursions. Ecuador’s cuisine will also be a highlight of your trip. For a traditional Ecuadorian breakfast, try the Bolon de Verde, a large ball of dough made of green plantains and stuffed with meat and cheese. If you’re a night owl, start your day with an almuerzo, a cheap and hearty Ecuadorian lunch of meat, soup, and a drink—you’ll be full for the rest of the day. Melococha, Ecuador’s famous sugarcane candy, can be found on the streets for those with a sweet tooth.

Baños thrives on tourism, so international visitors are not uncommon, as is the nightlife that fuels the city after days of exploring the region. For tourists who prefer to stick to the center’s ample supply of pubs, Leprechaun Bar is an obvious choice for most gringos.

Baños can be a cloudy abyss most of the time. Temperatures are mild and consistent throughout the year, and rain, grey skies, and chilly evenings are to be expected. The months of October through March have the least amount of rain, with peak season running from December to February and being the busiest for tourists.

Ecuador’s beauty as the gateway to the Amazon will astound you. It’s easy to be a tourist here, and it’s no surprise that it’s earned a reputation for adventure travel, competing with Costa Rica, and other similar, but more expensive, destinations. Banos is one of Ecuador’s top cities for satisfying your thirst for adventure as well as your need for solitude and relaxation while getting the most bang for your buck, with budget-friendly excursions, low prices, and a varying range of activities.

🎁 New to Hostels? Read my guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. I especially recommend reading:

The 3 Best Hostels in Baños are …

Let’s jump right into the coolest hostels in Baños.

  1. Hostal Princesa Maria – best for Female Solo Travelers
  2. Great Hostels – best for Backpackers
  3. Papachos Hostel – best for Couples

These are our favorite hostels in Baños. We want to make your life even easier, so we put all accommodations on a map for you. We even added our own tips for favorite restaurants, things to see, and more.

Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type

🦸 Solo Traveler: Papachos Hostel
🙎‍♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler: Hostal Princesa Maria
🎒 For Backpackers: Great Hostels
👩‍❤️‍👨 Couple Hostel: Papachos Hostel
👨‍👩‍👦 Family Hostel: Hostal Princesa Maria
👩‍💻 For Digital Nomads: Great Hostels
🧘 Cozy Hostel: Papachos Hostel

1. Hostal Princesa Maria

Hostal Princesa Maria is ten minutes from Banos’ party district in a quiet neighborhood, promising a tidy and relaxing place to catch up on sleep. This cozy, family-run hostel genuinely cares about its guests, assisting with tour bookings and recommending various activities in the area. The welcoming hostel staff will ensure that your days in Baños are filled not only with the best activities to do during the day, but also with a clean and safe hostel to return to at night.

Princesa Maria Hostel has a 4-bed female-only dormitory as well as a standard 5-bed mixed dormitory. Private rooms accommodate two to four people and all have private toilets. Because of its emphasis on hostel responsibility and safety, this hostel is a great option for female solo travelers, as well as anyone looking to detox from Banos’ party atmosphere.

Though not a completely quiet hostel, the hostel has a comfortable common room, a kitchen, and an exotic flower-filled garden that naturally encourages guests to interact with one another. The hostel is open 24-7, so you’re able to come and go as you please. Guests staying at Hostal Princesa Maria will have the best of both worlds, as they will be close to the center but not directly in the path of noise and traffic. Princessa Maria has the warmth and comfort you need to recharge while in Banos.

Location: Hostal Princesa Maria is located in Baños and within 7.8 km of Tarabita Cable Car. 

The best choice in Baños for

  • Female Solo Traveler
Check Prices for Hostal Princesa Maria

Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com

Hostal Princesa Maria Dorm

Hostal Princesa Maria Room

2. Great Hostels

Great Hostels , one of the most social hostels in Baños, is an excellent choice for backpackers and solo travelers looking to explore Baños during the day and party at night. The hostel, ten minutes east of Palomino Flores (Central Park), has an on-site restaurant and bar as well as booking services to make your stay in Banos enjoyable and hassle-free.

Unlike your typical hostel dorm, each room is decorated with a stunning mural, making this hostel one of the most memorable in Baños. The hostel’s rooms can accommodate a wide range of travelers. The hostel has two 4-bed rooms and four 5-bed rooms with private bathrooms and balconies, as well as an 8-person mixed dorm and a 5-person female dorm. There is a large kitchen available for guests who wish to prepare their own meals. Furthermore, the hostel provides guests with a breathtaking view of Baños’ most prized possession, the waterfall, and its surrounding mountains.

With tons of social activities like Movie Night and free cocktail hours, there will be no shortage of entertainment in Baños while staying at this hostel. The outside garden features hammocks and a bonfire, and the game and bar area is where everyone gathers at night to pre-game before hitting one of Baños’ many pubs. It’s no surprise that guests who book for a few days end up extending their stay—it’s the best place to stay in Baños for a lively visit.

Location: Great Hostels is 0.3 miles away from the center of Banos. The thermal baths are 300 m away and the bus and train station are 900 m away.

A great choice for

  • Backpackers 
Find Prices for Great Hostels here

Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com

Great Hostels Room

Great Hostels Outside Space

Great Hostels Dorm

3. Papachos Hostel

Papachos Hostel is in a convenient location in the center. This inviting, colorfully decorated hostel, also located away from Baños’ main party area, will provide visitors with a breath of fresh air with its quirky design and soothing atmosphere. This three-story hostel has everything you need to keep yourself entertained, including a tennis table, a flat-screen television, and a library. Papachos Hostel often hosts social events such as barbecues and movie nights depending on the crowd, so you’ll never run out of things to do while visiting. The rooftop is a popular hangout for guests who want to enjoy a beautiful view of the city. For hikers, the Tungurahua starting trail is nearby as well.

There are two private rooms: a double bed for couples and two twin beds for friends. The mixed dormitories accommodate four to six people. Because the hostel has quiet hours and most guests tend to stick to themselves, the homey atmosphere is ideal for couples looking to vibe with a mature crowd. The amenities and communal spaces, such as the breakfast and restaurant areas, are excellent for meeting other hostelers without the loud, party atmosphere that is typical of most hostels. However, during peak season, the hostel attracts more guests, so expect a busier atmosphere. The hostel staff will do everything possible to suggest the best of Baños to their guests. Papachos hostel is an excellent option for a relaxing stay in Baños.

Location: Papachos Hostel is 0.6 miles away from the center of Baños. It is 7.9 km from Tarabita Cable Car. 

This is one of the best hostels in Baños for

  • Couples
Find all Prices for Papachos Hostel here

Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com

Papachos Hostel Dorm

Papachos Hostel Common Space

Best Hostels in Baños for Solo Travelers? 

What is seriously the best hostel in Baños for solo-travelers?

The best hostel in Baños for solo-travelers is Papachos Hostel . You can read more about it here

Find all Prices for Papachos Hostel here

Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com

Papachos Hostel Dorm

More Hostels worth a mention

At the moment, we think you are all set with the hostels we just shared with you. We always try to keep our guides super fresh and up to date. We might add more hostels worth a mention soon here, if we feel that it could enrich your travel and hostel experience.

What about the cheapest hostels in Baños?

Of course, there are always cheap hostels. But how do you actually find them? When you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you want to save every dollar, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Baños.

  1. Open Hostelz.com with a full list of all hostels in Baños
  2. add your dates
  3. Order the listings by price

Simple as that.

Hostelz.com is a price comparison site for hostels. They list every single one in the world and tells you exactly which website is cheaper to use.

Another smart Tip: Check what is actually included, and what is excluded. Take a closer look at the location, too. A further location might mean more costs in transport.

Any Discounts?

From time to time, I receive special promo codes for booking platforms, hotels, or hostels. I will be sharing these here once received. Bookmark this page to get an update.

How to book?

The most popular booking platforms are Booking.com and Hostelworld.com. On both platforms, your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.

I included some handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.

I recommend booking your hostel as early as possible! All of Baños best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish and good hostels, secure your room/bed as soon as you have your travel dates fix.

Hostel Map Baños Nomadic AnnaMy Best Hostels in Baños for Female Traveler on a Map + Sights

Let us have a look at the map. Below, we list all three best Baños hostels on a map.

Personally, we love to plan our trips with a map having all sights and potential hostels on it. We thought this map will help you with planning your trip too.

In Baños we absolutely enjoyed:

  • Eco zoológico San Martín
  • La Casa del Arbol
  • Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Agua Santa
  • Cascada El Pailon
  • Termas de la Virgen
  • Cascada de la Virgen
  • Juan Montalvo Park
  • Palomino Flores (Central Park)
  • Mirador Bellavista
  • “Las Manos de Dios” Baños de Agua Santa
  • The Flight of the Condor

FAQs

Here we share with you the most asked question:

Alright, this is your answer to where to stay in Baños de Agua Santa, Ecuador.

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