Quick Facts: Best Hostels in the Philippines at a Glance
Destination | Hostel | Vibe | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
Manila (Makati) | Social, coworking-friendly | Digital nomads, solo travelers | |
Boracay | Beach party, community dinners | Groups, solo backpackers | |
Cebu City | Capsule-style, central | Budget solo stays | |
Cebu City | Quiet, heritage-district | Light sleepers, transit stays | |
El Nido | Design-forward, garden setting | Couples, design lovers | |
Siargao (General Luna) | Laid-back, island-style | Surfers, slow travelers |
If you're planning a budget trip through the Philippines, a hostel is usually your best bet for keeping costs down without giving up comfort or community. Whether you want the party energy of Boracay, a quiet capsule bed in Cebu, or a surf-town hangout in Siargao, this guide breaks down the top hostel picks in each destination, plus what makes each one worth booking.
What is a hostel, anyway?
A hostel usually offers a mix of room types: dorm beds (shared rooms with bunk beds, usually with privacy curtains and personal lockers) and private rooms (your own space, sometimes with a shared bathroom down the hall). If you've only ever stayed in hotels, hostels can feel like a different world, in a good way.
The big draw isn't just the price. Hostels are built around shared spaces: common areas, coworking corners, communal kitchens, and rooftop bars where it's easy to strike up a conversation with someone from the other side of the world. If you're traveling solo and want built-in company, a hostel makes that a lot easier than a hotel room ever could.
For first-timers, here's what to expect:
- Dorm rooms are the cheapest option, usually priced per bed rather than per room
- Lockers are standard for storing your valuables
- Shared bathrooms are common in dorm setups, though some hostels offer private rooms with ensuite bathrooms
- Common areas (lounges, bars, kitchens) are where most of the socializing happens
Now let's get into the best hostels in the Philippines, destination by destination.
Best Manila hostels
Lub d Manila Makati
Lub d Manila Makati
If you've seen Lub d Manila Makati come up while searching for hotels, you might be wondering whether it actually counts as a hostel. It does. Lub d offers a full mix of dorm beds (mixed and female-only) alongside private twin and family rooms, so it works whether you're backpacking solo or traveling with a group who wants to share a room without paying hotel prices.
Located right in Poblacion, Makati's nightlife and food district, Lub d puts you within walking distance of bars, restaurants, and Makati's business area. The hostel's common spaces double as a coworking hub during the day and a social lounge at night, with a rooftop bar for those who want a skyline view with their evening drink.
Amenities/What's Included:
✅ Mixed and female-only dorm beds, plus private twin and family rooms
✅ Rooftop bar and restaurant
✅ Coworking space and games area
✅ 24-hour front desk and free in-room WiFi
💬 What Travellers Say:
One guest called it a "vibrant, social, and functional spot" that works well for nomads who want a productive common area alongside a social one. Another guest highlighted how easy it is to get around Manila from here, noting everything felt "accessible" from the hostel's Makati location. A third traveler booked a bigger room for a family stay and appreciated the extra space.
📍Address: Makati Avenue, Poblacion, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines
🔑Check-in: 2:00 PM
🧳 Check-out: 12:00 PM (noon)
Best Boracay hostels
Frendz Resort & Hostel
Frendz Resort & Hostel
Frendz Resort & Hostel Boracay has been a fixture on the island's hostel scene for years, and it shows. This is the original Frendz location (a second branch has since opened in El Nido), and it's built its reputation on community: think pasta nights, taco nights, and BBQ sessions with live DJs, all designed to get strangers talking.
The hostel sits in Balabag, just a short walk from White Beach Station 1, so you're close to the sand without paying beachfront prices. Rooms range from shared dorms to private options, and the garden and pool area give you somewhere to unwind between beach trips.
Amenities/What's Included:
✅ Shared dorms and private rooms, most with air conditioning
✅ On-site restaurant, bar, and garden
✅ Regular community events (pasta nights, BBQ sessions, live music)
✅ Short walk to White Beach Station 1
📍Address: 384 Barangay Balabag, Malay, Aklan 5608, Philippines
🔑Check-in: 2:00 PM
🧳 Check-out: 11:00 AM
Cebu hostel picks
Shejoje Poshtel Hostel
Shejoje Poshtel Hostel
If you're searching for a Cebu hostel, capsule-style stays are the standout option in Cebu City. Shejoje Poshtel Hostel is a capsule hostel set right in the heart of Cebu City, a short walk from the Basilica del Santo Niño and other heritage sites.
Amenities/What's Included:
✅ Private capsule beds with individual lighting and charging ports
✅ Shared lounge with WiFi
✅ Continental breakfast
✅ Central location near 7-Eleven, restaurants, and public transport
What Travellers Say:
💬 One guest new to capsule stays said Shejoje "surprised me in a good way," calling it "small but cozy, very accessible, and super near tourist spots." Another traveler praised the location and cleanliness, saying they'd "absolutely recommend this place" after a 3-day stay. A third guest flagged that their capsule ran a little warm on the top floor, so ask for a lower-level capsule if you're sensitive to heat.
📍Address: Ground Flr., DCD Building, D. Jakosalem Street, Cebu City, Cebu 6000, Philippines
🔑Check-in: 2:00 PM
🧳 Check-out: 12:00 PM (noon)
Balai Balai Capsule Hotel
Balai Balai Capsule Hotel
For a quieter capsule hotel in Cebu, Balai Balai Capsule Hotel Cebu is set in Cebu's Heritage District, close to Plaza Independencia and Casa Gorordo.
Amenities/What's Included:
✅ Private capsule beds with lockable sliding doors
✅ Hot and cold showers
✅ 24/7 front desk and strong lounge WiFi
✅ Walking distance to Cebu's heritage landmarks
What Travellers Say:
💬 We don't yet have Philippines-origin reviews for Balai Balai Capsule Hotel in our current review dataset. We'll update this section as more guest feedback comes in through Klook.
📍Address: 02 Manalili Street (V. Gullas), Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines
🔑Check-in: 2:00 PM
🧳 Check-out: 12:00 PM (noon)
Bohol Hostel
Red Picnic Hostel
Red Picnic Hostel
As flagged above, Red Picnic Hostel is actually located in Panglao, Bohol, a short hop from Cebu by ferry, rather than in Manila. Since Cebu and Bohol are frequently combined on the same itinerary, it's worth including here.
Amenities/What's Included:
✅ Outdoor swimming pool and garden
✅ On-site restaurant and bar
✅ Air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms
✅ Around 15 minutes from Alona Beach and White Beach
📍Address: Purok 1, Barangay Libaong, Panglao, Bohol 6340, Philippines
🔑Check-in: 2:00 PM
🧳 Check-out: 12:00 PM (noon)
El Nido Hostels
Spin Designer Hostel
Spin Designer Hostel
Searching for a Spin hostel in El Nido? Spin Designer Hostel has built a name for itself with artsy, chic interiors that stand out from El Nido's usual backpacker digs, without losing the social hostel feel.
It's a five-minute walk from El Nido Main Beach, with a mix of private and dorm rooms, an on-site bar, and a garden setting that feels more resort than backpacker hostel.
Amenities/What's Included:
✅ Private and dorm rooms with air conditioning
✅ On-site bar and restaurant (Bar 147)
✅ Garden, library, and games room
✅ 5-minute walk to El Nido Main Beach
What Travellers Say:
💬 A repeat guest said, "2nd time staying with Spin and I still have no regrets," adding that service had improved since their last visit and that the rooms were clean with no musty smell, a common hostel complaint in humid beach towns.
📍Address: Balinsasayaw Road corner Calle Real, Brgy. Maligaya, El Nido, Palawan 5313, Philippines
🔑Check-in: 2:00 PM
🧳 Check-out: 12:00 PM (noon)
Siargao Hostel
Siargao Tropic Hostel
Siargao Tropic Hostel
Rounding out the list is Siargao Tropic Hostel in General Luna, Siargao's main hub for surfers and slow travelers alike.
The hostel keeps things simple: a garden setting, shared kitchen, and BBQ area, with both private double rooms and dorm-style villas available. It's a short walk from General Luna Beach and close to Guyam Island, one of the easiest island-hopping trips from the mainland.
Amenities/What's Included:
✅ Private double rooms and dorm-style villas
✅ Shared kitchen and BBQ facilities
✅ Garden and terrace common areas
✅ Close to General Luna Beach and Cloud 9
📍Address: Purok 4, General Luna, Surigao del Norte 8419, Philippines
🔑Check-in: 2:00 PM
🧳 Check-out: 12:00 PM (noon)
Booking tips for Philippine hostels
A few things to know before you book your first hostel in the Philippines:
- Book dorm beds early during peak season. December to May is peak travel season in the Philippines, and dorm beds at popular hostels like Frendz and Spin can sell out weeks in advance.
- Bring your own padlock, even though most hostels provide lockers. It's a small thing that saves you from relying on the front desk for a spare.
- Ask about capsule vs. dorm setups if privacy matters to you. Cebu's capsule hostels (Shejoje Poshtel, Balai Balai) offer more personal space than a typical open dorm, often for a similar price.
- Check the check-in window. Some island hostels, like Siargao Tropic Hostel, have a limited check-in window in the late afternoon, so plan your travel day around it.
FAQs about hostels in the Philippines
Is Lub d a hostel?
Yes. Lub d Manila Makati is a hybrid hotel-hostel that offers both shared dorm beds (mixed and female-only) and private rooms. It's located in Poblacion, Makati, and is known for its social common areas and coworking-friendly design, making it a solid pick whether you're backpacking solo or traveling as a small group.
Where is Red Picnic Hostel located?
Red Picnic Hostel is located in Panglao, Bohol, not Manila. It's a short ferry ride from Cebu, which makes it a convenient stop if you're combining a Cebu and Bohol itinerary. The hostel has a pool, garden, and on-site restaurant, and sits close to Alona Beach and White Beach.
Is there a capsule hotel in Manila?
If a compact, budget-friendly setup is what you're after, Lub d Manila Makati's dorm beds (with privacy curtains, personal lockers, and reading lights) are the closest comparable option in the city.
What's a good capsule hotel in Cebu?
Cebu City has a couple of solid capsule hotel picks: Shejoje Poshtel Hostel, set centrally near Cebu's heritage sites, and Balai Balai Capsule Hotel, located in the Heritage District near Plaza Independencia. Both offer private capsule beds with individual lighting, lockable doors, and shared bathroom facilities, a good middle ground between a dorm and a private room.
What's the best hostel in Boracay?
Frendz Resort & Hostel is Boracay's original hostel and one of its most established, known for community dinners, live music nights, and a short walk to White Beach Station 1. It's a strong pick if you want a social, backpacker-friendly base on the island.
Do hostels in the Philippines have private rooms?
Most hostels covered in this guide, including Lub d, Frendz, Spin Designer Hostel, and Siargao Tropic Hostel, offer private room options alongside dorm beds. This makes hostels a flexible choice whether you're traveling solo and want to share a dorm, or traveling as a couple or small group and prefer more privacy at a lower price than a hotel.
More Philippines Travel Guides:
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