Last update: 23/10/20 | October 20, 2023
A hub for hippies, yogis and digital nomads, Bali is one of the most popular travel destinations in Southeast Asia.
While Bali suffers from overtourism (looking at you Kuta Beach), there are still plenty of large areas of the island where you can escape the crowds and enjoy picture-perfect scenery. There are plenty of hostels to choose from on the island.
But before you start your hostel search, here are four things to keep in mind:
- location – Bali is a large island dotted with various cities and villages. Therefore, it is essential to choose a hostel in the location where you want to stay.
- price – As with all destinations, you get what you pay for. If you choose a really cheap hostel, you'll probably end up with a hostel that's small, cramped, and doesn't offer great service.
- manners – All hostels offer free Wi-Fi and most have self-catering facilities so you can prepare your own meals. Most, but not all, include free breakfast, so search through to find the breakfast that best suits your needs.
- employee – All of the hostels listed here have amazing staff who are very friendly and knowledgeable. Even if you can't stay at one of the places listed below, be sure to look for reviews to help you find helpful and friendly staff. They can make or break a hostel!
Below is a list of the best hostels in Bali. If you don't want to read the longer list below, here are the best for each category:
Want to know the details of each hostel? Here are some of the best hostels in Bali and why I love them.
Price legend (per night)
- $ = less than 150,000 IDR
- $$ = 150,000-250,000 IDR
- $$$ = 250,000 IDR or more
1. Indraprastha Guesthouse
Located directly on Hanoman Street, one of Ubud's main attractions, this guesthouse offers all affordable private rooms. Rooms are spacious, air-conditioned and have comfortable mattresses on sturdy wooden frames. The guesthouse was quiet and calming and I especially liked the lush tropical gardens (it was a great place to relax and lounge).
There is also a large shared kitchen if you wish to cook. Another big plus is that the shower has hot water. Not all accommodations in Bali offer this!
Indraprastha Overview:
- $$
- Convenient location in central Ubud
- hot shower
- All private rooms
Private room from 230,000 IDR.
2. Gelatik B&B
A 10-minute walk to Seminyak Beach, this is one of the most affordable options in the area. Everything is clean and modern, the dorms are spacious and bright, with sturdy bunk beds and very comfortable beds. Each bed has its own lighting, power outlet and locker (no curtains). There is a bar on site selling freshly squeezed juices and cheap beer. Although it does not host events, staff can help book all kinds of tours and activities. A rich breakfast is served every morning, and there is also a swimming pool and a shared kitchen. There is also a female-only dormitory.
Gelatik B&B Overview:
- $
- close to the beach
- free breakfast
- swimming pool
Beds start from 143,000 IDR and private rooms start from 512,000 IDR.
3. Clandestino Hostel Canggu
Located north of Canggu Airport, Clandestino is a lively party hostel. They host all kinds of events every night, including dance parties with DJs, drinking games (where you can win free nights) and even tattoo parties (where you can get cheap tattoos). There is also a swimming pool with a swim-up bar.
I really like that the beds here are actually comfortable (unlike most party hostels). Mattresses are thick and all dorm beds are equipped with lockers, lamps, electrical outlets to charge your phone, and curtains for privacy.
Clandestino Hostel Canggu Overview:
- $$$
- party atmosphere
- Lively restaurants and bars
- Swimming pool with swim-up bar
Bed from 276,000 IDR per night.
4. Aria Wellness
Located in Ubud, this boutique wellness-centric hostel is a women-only luxury hostel. The property has a swimming pool and offers yoga, pilates, fitness and meditation classes. Movie nights and cooking classes are also offered. The on-site restaurant serves only vegetarian and vegan cuisine, and a fresh, hearty breakfast is included with your stay.
All dorm rooms have four beds, so you won't be crammed in with other people. The bed is sturdy and the mattress is thick. Each bed has an outlet, curtains, and lighting, and all rooms have a balcony, air conditioning, and personal lockers so you can safely store your belongings.
Arya Wellness Overview:
- $$$
- Women-only accommodation
- delicious free breakfast
- Daily classes such as meditation and yoga
Beds start from IDR 650,000 per night and private rooms start from IDR 1,800,000.
5. Tribal Coworking Hostel
Created by budget backpacker Will Hatton, Tribal is Bali's first state-of-the-art hostel designed specifically for digital nomads. There's a 24-hour co-working space with high-speed Wi-Fi, plenty of desks, sofas and bean bags, as well as private booths for calls and plenty of power outlets. There is a huge multi-level swimming pool and a cafe serving healthy food, and the on-site bar offers happy hour daily with affordable drinks.
The dorms feature modern pod-style beds with outlets and reading lights. There are stairs to the upper floors instead of the usual noisy bunk bed ladder, and the huge shared bathroom has a rain shower. It's a very sociable hostel, but mostly young professionals. That means you can get a good night's sleep here, as everyone stays quiet and polite at night.
Tribe Overview:
- $$
- Designed for digital nomads
- modern pod style bed
- Plenty of common areas including a huge swimming pool
Beds start from IDR 220,000 per night and private rooms start from IDR 895,000 per night.
Bali is a big island, so it's important to choose the right hostel based on what you want to see and do. Luckily, Bali has many amazing options to make visiting this iconic destination fun and affordable.
Book a Trip to Bali: Logistics Tips and Tricks
flight reservation
Find cheap flights with Skyscanner. It's my favorite search engine. We search websites and airlines around the world so you always have all the information!
Accommodation Reservation
You can book hostels through Hostelworld, which offers the largest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, try Booking.com. We consistently offer the lowest rates on guesthouses and budget hotels.
Don't forget travel insurance
Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft and cancellation. Comprehensive protection in case something goes wrong. I can't go on a trip without it, as I've had to use it several times in the past. Here are some of my favorite companies that offer the best service and value:
Are you looking for the best company to help you save money?
Check out my resources page for the best companies to use when traveling. I list everything I use to save money on the go. You can also save money when traveling.
Want more information about Bali?
Be sure to visit our solid destination guide to Bali for more planning tips!