Hostels Cebu

5 Best Hostels in Cebu for Solo Travelers, Party or Chill in 2023

Laag ta Bai! –You’ll never go wrong with these three words. If you are looking for a place packed with stunning sceneries, delicious and unique local delicacies, remarkable attractions, and beautiful people, then you have come to the right place to spend your vacation – Cebu.

In the Visayas region, Cebu is the largest island. The island is notably rich for its contribution to Philippine history with regard to the colonization of the Spaniards in the country. It is also where the bloodshed battle of Mactan took place wherein Raja Lapu-Lapu resisted Magellan’s invasion. Before the appointment of Manila as the country’s capital, Cebu was reigning not until its demotion in the 17th century. Needless to it, Cebu City is the second largest Metropolitan in the Philippines and still sports the nickname “Queen City of the South.” It’s a befitting name for the place as it shows characteristics of a royal highness as you get to explore the wonders of the city.

Cebu is known for its charming and unique tourist spots. It is reckoned as one of the best places for backpackers around the globe as stated by National Geographic 2016.  With that in mind, it would be a waste not to enjoy the resources of our little island fully, and sometimes, heavy travel bags and insufficient sleep can get in the way. To save you from misery and be the best on your travels, here are the best hostels in Cebu you have to check out.

Check also our comparison of the best hostels in Boracay Island or hostels in Manila!

Mad Monkey – Cebu City (BEST PARTY HOSTEL)

HostelWorld (*8.8) Booking.com (*8.6) Map Starts at ($13) for 8 bed-dorm

**prices are shown for weekdays in Mid-season (March)

Mad Monkey is the best go-to hostel in Cebu City. Situated 15 minutes away from the best tourist spots around the city, Mad Monkey provides budget-friendly private dorm rooms. You may also enjoy their Filipino Fusion restaurant, and unwind by their sun deck and infinity pool. In the evening, you get to jam and party with the best DJs in the city.

The hostel has ample space where you get to spend your stay playing billiards and beer pong with the other travelers. You can enjoy their superb and comfy mattresses with fluffy, marshmallow-like pillows and crisp linens. You won’t have to worry about the hot weather since the hostel provides well-equipped air-conditioned rooms.

The rooms also have towels, a bathroom with a hot shower, and personal locker storage to ensure that your things are safe and sound. Aside from enjoying the scenic views of Cebu, Mad Monkey gives off epic parties and events mingling with their friendly and accommodating staff and backpackers from different sides of the world, making your stay in Cebu City unforgettable.

Nacho Hostel (SUPER AFFORDABLE)

HostelWorld (*8.6) Booking.com (*8.5) Map Starts at ($5) for 8 bed-dorm

**prices are shown for weekdays in Mid-season (March)

Nacho is a relaxed hostel conveniently located just outside of Cebu City. Right in front of the building, you can catch a bus that takes you to the most iconic tourist destinations of the island, such as Moalboal or Oslob.

It features 46 rooms, some of which are private and some of which are dorms. They can accommodate up to 220 guests in total. But don’t worry that the hostel would get too crammed – all rooms are well-spacious. Plus each of them has its own bathroom and air conditioning system.

There are also plenty of common areas to enjoy. Relax by the pool, eat, drink, and meet other travelers at the on-site bar, or have fun in the entertainment room – it’s equipped with a pool table, a TV, and even karaoke.

And what do we like the most about Nacho Hostel? That it has very affordable prices and is therefore an amazing option for budget-minded travelers.

Hostel Seven

HostelWorld (*8.5) Booking.com (*8.2) Map Starts at ($10) for 10 bed-dorm

**prices are shown for weekdays in Mid-season (March)

If you opt for a contemporary-like, yet comfortable place to stay, Hostel Seven is the place to be. The hostel offers bunk beds, which allow you to mingle with strangers or even use the whole room with your family and friends. Their hotel-quality beds in private rooms and bunk beds will surely let you relax and regain the energy for your adventure the following days.

The rooms are spacious and comfy. Their washrooms are enormous and with eclectic floor tiles. They also have an outdoor café and a roof deck perfect for acoustic nights. This 2000 square meter property boasts their award-winning Pinoy restaurant, Orange Karenderia. If you wish to roam at night without going far from your hostel, Hostel Seven is close to one of Cebu’s landmarks, Ayala Center Cebu.

You get to enjoy both the mall and its lush greeneries around the area. There are many good buys in Ayala that you wouldn’t want to miss. There are great restaurants your friends and family can hang out at during the night. It would only take you 10-20 minutes to reach there via cab, but if you desire to get the hang of the city, I suggest you go for a walk.

Chief Mau

HostelWorld (*8.7) Booking.com (*8.7) Map Starts at ($10) for 8 bed-dorm

**prices are shown for weekdays in Mid-season (March)

There’s always something about Moalboal that makes tourists rush their way there. So, if you are one of those people who wonders what lies in Moalboal, rush to Chief Mau. It is the leading social hostel and the ideal place to laze up. Situating in Brgy. Basdiot, the hostel is likened to a native luau theme.

The interior will surely bring you the touch of the sea even behind closed doors.  They are located near the beach wherein you can find the famous Sardine Run. Chief Mau also has a bar and restaurant and offers local and foreign delicacies. The place also has a number of hammocks, a terrace, and a garden area where you get to build friendships with other visitors and locals.

Their accommodations fall into three categories: Backpackers Dormitory, Private Fan Room, and Private Air-conditioned Room with your bathroom. What’s great about Chief Mau is they offer trip packages for you! They organize canyoneering trips, island hopping, whale-watching tour, and the famous MoalBoal Sardine Run.

Moalboal Backpacker Lodge

Located right in the center of Panagsama Beach is one of the first backpacker guesthouses in the Philippines.  Moalboal Backpacker Lodge offers spacious mixed dorms and semi-private rooms fit for guests who wish to spend lesser than the usual hostel prices.

They also have a private studio cottage with a balcony and hammock, single and double rooms, and a chill-out bamboo deck fronting the sea. They also have this iconic VW camper van as their coffee bar. You can also cook in the lodge as they also have an open guest kitchen.

The hostel is right at the center of everything. You’ll see local restaurants to the right, while you’ll be seeing bars, scuba, and snorkeling rentals to the left.  It is also just a few meters away from the vibrant and eye-catching coral reefs and Pescador Island.

While you’re there, get the best out of it as the place is also known for stunning sardine storms and might even encounter some turtles during your stay there. The staffs are also friendly and sociable to the visitors. It would be best to try all their amenities to get the fullest of your experience.

Tropical Hostel

PERMANENTLY CLOSED

Located at Apas, Lahug, Tropical Hostel Cebu is guaranteed to be the perfect location to start your trip in Cebu. The hostel is only within walking distance to malls, convenience stores, bars, pub and business districts, and other tourist attractions you never knew it existed.

Tropical Hostel offers the best quality accommodation for travelers on a budget. The hostel gives off a refreshing and vibrant vibe in its rooms. They were rated two stars and offered guests with free parking and a storage room.

Tropical Hostel Cebu Center provides a mix of Standard Twin Room, Single Room, Standard Triple Room, and Double Room. Each room has an in-room safe, flat-screen TV, climate control, trouser press, and blackout drapes for guests’ inconvenience.

Noordzee Hostel

PERMANENTLY CLOSED

Away from the city, the Noordzee beach hostel provides easy access to the famous whale sharks in Oslob and the stunning waterfalls in the South of Cebu. Noordzee is the ultimate cradle to explore southern Cebu and a trip to Siquijor and Bohol. Noordzee Hostel features a private beach area with beach loungers.

They offer basic, yet comfortable rooms with views of the sea. You may also cool down in their cute swimming pool. They also have beach hammocks, beach tables, and an overlooking terrace and indulge in the awe-striking sunset and starry night sky. And if you wish to share your photos online about your stay in Noordzee, you may do so as they offer fast and reliable WiFi connection in all their areas.

The hostel offers various dormitories falling into four categories: budget, standard, deluxe, and superior. You wouldn’t have to worry about getting the right rooms to have that perfect view as all their rooms offer a full sea view. This laid-back hostel deserves a recommendation as they prioritize quality service to their customers.


Check out best things to do in Cebu Island.

At some point in our lives, there will be an urge for us to travel, seek new things, to explore. We often go for numerous reasons- adventure, escape, or relaxation. We all have our reasons to travel. It’s either a reward for a hard-earned accomplishment or a sudden life-changing event. No matter what reasons we hold, traveling has a common ground for all of us- it is transformational. Traveling changes the way we perceive things, the way we look at the world, and the way we see ourselves.

Traveling can cost us money, but it is nothing compared to the satisfaction and experiences we have encountered. Traveling provides enjoyment and can fill our voids with happiness and wonder; it gives us lifelong memories, and first-hand experiences, and takes us out of our comfort zones. Traveling also promotes personal growth. It enables us to appreciate what we have, broaden our knowledge and understand the different cultures in the world, and be more empathetic to others. With that, individuals who travel a lot have one common thing to say- traveling is gratifying and worthwhile.