Buenos Aires is by far my favourite city in South America—and maybe even the world. It’s a megacity like no other, distinctly European in feel, but with that South American flare that we all crave. With 70+ hostels here, knowing where to start is hard, but with this list of the best hostels in Buenos Aires, you’ll definitely have something lined up!
It’s for this exact reason that backpackers from all over the world flock to the city, and its hostel scene reflects this. Whatever your travel style, there’s a top-quality establishment for you here, from lively party hostels to luxury to artsy digital nomad spots and everything in between.
The Best Hostels In Buenos Aires
Top pick
Sabatico
Sabatico Hostel was the first that I stayed at in Buenos Aires, and it has a special place in my heart. It’s conveniently located close to Plaza del Congresso, with a wealth of restaurants and bars nearby. It has all the trappings of a high-quality hostel: a fully equipped kitchen, a large social area, and a lovely terrace to socialise on in the evening.
Pros
- Relaxed, friendly atmosphere
- Excellent staff who go above and beyond
- 24/7 reception
- Daily activities for guests
- Secure and safe
Cons
- A little bit expensive
- Lack of a swimming pool
Top party hostel
Milhouse
Milhouse is located between Plaza del Congresso and Av. 9 de Julio, a more than convenient location with plenty to see and do. But it’s so much more than a convenient location; it’s a warm, friendly hostel with a lively bar—the sort of place you know you’re going to make friends with from the first second you walk through the doors.
The staff here are second only to Sabatico; they’re truly excellent, fun, and know everything about the city. You will not regret staying here.
Pros
- Amazing central location
- Lively bar and energetic atmosphere
- Daily activities
- Fantastic staff
Cons
- Bad wifi in the rooms
- Bathroom facilities are a bit tired.
Best facilities
Viarejo San Telmo
Anyone who has travelled to South America will know the name Viarejo. They have hostels in every major city on the continent, and every single one of them is out-of-range. The San Telmo branch, however, is in a league of its own.
Firstly, its location is top-class; sitting just a few blocks from Av. 9 De Julio and inside the quant colonial neighbourhood of San Telmo, it’s a perfect mix of both worlds.
Secondly, it has by far the best facilities in Buenos Aires. Not many hostels have pools, let alone swimming pools that are clean, deeper than 3 feet, and large enough to swim in. Viarejo has two, one outside and one on the top floor. More than that, though, it’s got a fantastic bar area, a large TV with a playstation, and the best hostel breakfast I’ve ever had.
Pros
- Two swimming pools
- Immaculate rooms with large lockers
- 24/7 reception
- Secure and safe
Cons
- Really expensive for a hostel
- It’s so big that it doesn’t really feel like a hostel.
Best budget
Ideal Centre
Most people don’t know Ideal Centre, but it couldn’t be more centrally located, being just a minutes’ walk from the iconic symbol of Buenos Aires, the Obelisco. It’s not large, and it’s frustratingly difficult to spot from the street, but it makes up for all of its faults with an abundance of character, comfortable rooms even in large dorms, and some cosy shared areas.
I stayed here for my last few days in Buenos Aires; it was exactly what I needed at the time—somewhere quiet and chilled to disconnect from the chaos. My personal favourite is the balcony on the front of the hostel, where you can enjoy a cold beer and watch the world pass by.
Pros
- Excellent location
- Comparatively cheap for Buenos Aires
- Comfortable rooms with large lockers
- A really cosy social area at the rear of the hostel
Cons
- The bar area is tiny.
- Lack of air conditioning
Best for solo travellers
Parla Hostel
Parla is another little-known gem, but it really deserves to be more recognised. From the elevator as soon as you walk in, which saves you from lugging your backpack up three flights of stairs, to a clean, fully equipped kitchen and really excellent staff, Parla is up there with the best.
But in my opinion, the best thing about this hostel is the rooftop bar area. Every night, everyone makes their way to the roof to sample the collection of local beers offered. It’s the easiest place in Buenos Aires to make friends, super vibey, and has a great view of the street below.
Pros
- Excellent rooms with large lockers
- Great social spaces
- Awesome selection of locally brewed beers
- chilled-out, friendly atmosphere
Cons
- At night, the area outside can feel a bit dodgy.
- Not many restaurants are nearby.
Honourable mentions
America Del Sur
One of Buenos Aires’ most established hostels, having opened in 2008 and maintaining an incredible 9.2 score on Hostelworld after more than 6,000 reviews, the hostel sports a relaxed social atmosphere and boasts fully equipped rooms with free wifi throughout.
Possibly the best thing about this hostel, though, is the range of tours that they offer. The most impressive of which is being able to reliably source tickets for Boca Juniors football matches. Sure, you’ll probably overpay, but at least you won’t have to navigate Instagram scammers.
Pros
- Reliable and trusted over time
- Multi-award-winning hostel
- Great social areas and even a pool table
- Good location in San Telmo
Cons
- Expensive
- Charges at the blue dollar rate
Selina Palermo
It wouldn’t be a South American hostel roundup without Selina making an appearance. Some people hate them, and some people swear at them. I’m somewhere in the middle. Like all Selinas’, this one is luxurious, beautifully designed, and safe.
Buenos Aires really is a city that never sleeps, and its most lively area is by far Palermo. With a plethora of bars, restaurants, and clubs available, if you’re a night owl, you will not be bored here.
Pros
- Safe and very comfortable.
- Excellent location in Palermo
- Beautifully designed space with great co-working
- Faultless facilities
Cons
- Really expensive
- It feels more like a hotel than a hostel.
Best hostels in Buenos Aires- Final thoughts
These hostels are just a small selection of the myriad of possibilities in this mega-city, it’s true what I said in the first paragraphs there really is something here for everyone. Even in nothing in this list takes your fancy )I really doubt that), take a gander at Hostelworld and you’ll find something else in no time, this is my personal collection of the best hostels in Buenos Aires.
P.S, have you heard about the Blue Dollar Rate in Argentina? Read all about it here.
