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Medellin, Colombia has been growing in popularity over the last 5 years due to it's year round spring like temperatures, affordable cost of living and great infrastructure for digital nomads. While the pandemic brought things to a grinding halt for over a year, Colombia is back on most backpackers and digital nomads radar as it's now one of the only countries in the world without testing requirements or quarantine for entry. I spent over two months at what are considered the top 3 hostels in Medellin Colombia and this article will go everything you'll need to know to pick the one that will suit you the best.
While these hostels definitely have some similarities, the differences could make or break your trip to Medellin depending on what kind of traveler you are.
Are Medellin Hostels Safe?
Before we jump right into the top 3 hostels in Medellin, the question I get asked the most is, are the hostels safe? All the hostels I stayed at offered different levels of security but I felt safe at all three and wouldn't hesitate to stay at them again in terms of safety.
Soon as I walked out the door of the hostels though, things change quickly. While I was never a victim myself, Medellin is very well known right now for tourists being robbed and its a daily occurrence in the Poblado and Laureles tourist zones. I'm not here for the safety debate but any city where you're told to carry a decoy phone, remove all jewelry and leave your wallet at home for me is a red flag. While Medellin has made a lot of progress in the last 10 years, it is still a semi-dangerous place to visit. Read our top tips for staying safe in Medellin.
Top 3 Hostels In Medellin For 2022
`1. Rango Boutique Hostel
What Type Of Traveler Is Rango Boutique Hostel For?
- Digital Nomads
- Solo travelers
- Remote Workers
- Long term travelers
- Breakfast lovers
- Couples
- Female travelers
- Travelers who care about comfort
- Be in the middle of the action but get a good sleep
Rango Hostel was definitely my personal favorite out of the top hostels in Medellin. The hostel offers around the clock security, amazing breakfast, jacuzzi plunge pool, café and restaurant from 7 am- 8 pm, comfortable beds, daily housekeeping and free towels.
Other Amenities include:
- Free 24 hour coffee
- Co-working spaces
- 2 rooftop patios
- shared dorm rooms
- private rooms
- private suites
- park, city lights and river views
- foosball, ping pong table
- Rooftop bar
- Private traveler Whatsapp group for all guests
For me the big difference at Rango was it felt like a home away from home. The staff are very friendly and treat you like part of the family. They will go above and beyond to make sure you have a great stay and will be quick to learn your name. Need an extra blanket, fresh towel or more soap? Just ask the daily housekeepers who are always around to help.
Lets talk about the private rooms! They go way above and beyond the other hostels in the city and are just as nice as any hotel room. Rango Boutique is the only hostel that offer refrigerators in the private rooms!
Other Things To Note:
- More of a laidback classy digital nomad vibe
- female travelers can feel safe
- quiet at night for sleeping
- best location in the city within 5 minute walk of all bars, restaurants, nightclubs, ATM, convenience stores and pharmacies in Poblado
- Great atmosphere for digital nomads who aren't looking to party all the time
- Shared kitchen
- Faces a beautiful park and river
- Fully booked most of the time so reserve early
Check Prices At Rango Boutique
2. Masaya
Masaya is the newest hostel and co-living hotel in the city and by far the biggest. If you are looking for the best amenities, this is where you will want to stay. This property features an amazing rooftop view of the city with an heated outdoor pool. There are 3 restaurants and 2 bars on the property offering both pub food like wings and burgers to poke bowls up on the rooftop.
What Type Of Traveler Is Masaya For?
- Digital Nomads who want a busy atmosphere
- Travelers that want a pool
- Travelers that prefer to stay on the property
- A mix of all travelers
- Think ‘Selina' but in Medellin
- Friends traveling together and large groups
Other Amenities include:
- 2 roof tops lounge areas
- co-working spaces (fee)
- rooftop heated pool
- 3 restaurants
- 2 bars
- security
- free towels and soap
- daily housekeeping
- pool table
- shared kitchen
- shared dorms
- private rooms
- suites
Masaya is an amazing hostel/hotel that offers the most amenities out of the three properties but its size comes at a cost. Due to the sheer size of this large hostel/hotel, it loses all personal touches and staff feel cold. Meeting people can be hard as its very spread out and very busy. There are no organized activities and no daily listing of events. Additionally, this is the only property out of the top 3 that does not offer free coffee. One big drawback is the rooftop and pool are fully open to the public so the pool is always quite crowded on nice days.
Tip: Do not get the included breakfast. It's two eggs and a slice of toast. That is your only option.
The private rooms are where Masaya really fell short. The looked cute but comfort was lacking. They are expensive and do not include fridges. Beds were not comfortable and sheets were of the lowest quality.
Masaya has the amenities that the other hostels don't but the hostel has a way to go on friendliness and the little things that make a stay feel comfortable and welcoming.
Other things to note about Masaya:
- Great location within 8 minute walk to all the best restaurants, bars and nightclubs in Poblado.
- Great for groups of friends
- One of the best rooftop views in the city
- Hello Burger on main level has great burgers and wings
- Daily housekeeping staff are friendly
- No organized activities
- Busy vibe but mostly quiet at night
3. Los Patios Hostel
Are you ready to let loose in Medellin? Los Patios Hostel is the place to be if you are in Medellin to party and meet people. Get ready for a non-stop party on the rooftop coupled with pub crawls that leave at 11:00 pm and don't get back to the hostel until 5:00 am. The hostel can be loud at night but music does turn off around midnight. What doesn't turn off is when everyone get back at 5:00am. Make sure to bring earplugs or join in the party.
What Type Of Traveler Is Los Patios Hostel For?
- Solo travelers
- Partiers
- Younger travelers
- Budget backpackers
- Nightclub goers
- Want to experience Medellin party scene
Los Patios is still one of the best hostels in Medellin and the staff are very friendly. They make you feel like home and keep you in the loop on all the daily activities and tours in the city. The rooftop patio features nightly events such as language exchange, salsa lessons and DJ dance parties. There is also a rooftop pool, 2 bars and a restaurant.
Other Amenities include:
- roof tops patio
- co-working spaces
- rooftop pool
- restaurant
- 2 bars
- security
- free towels and soap
- daily housekeeping
- shared kitchen
- shared dorms
- private rooms
- suites
- Free 24 hour coffee
- Daily and nightly planned activites
Other things to note about Los Patios Hostel:
- Location is in the trendy Manila area of Poblado
- 12 minutes walk from Lleras Park
- Great for solo travelers to meet people
- Friendly and helpful front desk staff
- Great vibe and lots of planned activities
Traveler Tip : Book early as its full most of the time
These are among 3 of the busiest and top rated hostels in Medellin to stay at for 2022. While I loved something from each one of the properties, Rango Boutique Hostel was definitely my favorite. Let me know in the comments where you stayed!?
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.