The Best Flashpacker Hostels in Bogota

Just like in most metropolitan cities, there are countless of hostels in Bogota, Colombia’s buzzing, colourful and artsy capital. The decision which one to go for wasn’t easy – I wanted a fun, comfortable hostel with a social atmosphere, good sized and airy dorms with beds providing some privacy in a safe area in Bogota. As laid out in my post about what makes a good flashpacker hostel, there are amenities i don’t want to miss anymore. Unless I have got friends’ recommendations, I usually base my decisions on tripadavisor and booking.com reviews and of course travel blogs. I also rarely go off travelling without a lonely planet (although in recent years the quality greatly varied between destinations). So the latter led me to book the Masaya Bogota Hostel in the neighbourhood of La Calendaria, Bogota’s Old Town and the most popular place to stay for tourists. Here’s my take on the best flashpacker hostels in Bogota!

Review of Masaya Hostel Bogota

Lonely Planet describes Masaya, which is a French run hostel chain, as “taking flashpacker luxury to the new level”. I have to say, this is quite a stretch. My stay at Masaya wasn’t terrible – it was decent, not more, not less. Now blogging isn’t all about the greatest experiences, the perfect accommodation and the smoothest transport options. But let’s start with the positives! I found the hostel to be quite social with good vibes making it easy to meet people as a solo traveller. The common areas were nice, the breakfast was good and the front reception staff were friendly and helpful. They also help you with a number of activities including several walking tours, which is great when you’re tight on time.

Hostels in Bogota: Masaya Hostel

Masaya Hostel Bogota: Dorms vary greatly in size and comfort

While I had seen quite a few pictures of the dorms beforehand, some looking spacious, others really colourful, I was actually quite disappointed when arriving at my 6-bed dorm for the first two nights of my Colombia trip. The dorm was incredibly tiny, to the point where it was barely possible to turn around. There was virtually no airflow at all – the only small window to the courtyard didn’t open. Although the beds were quite comfy, I felt like being trapped in a box between the solid wooden panels surrounding the mattress. So not great if you’re a little claustrophobic. The room was plain, dark and colourless, it lacked love. No mirror, no towels offered but at least there were sockets by each bed. 

The shared bathrooms are located in the courtyard, meaning you’re going on a little climbing tour down the stairs in the middle of the night before having to cross the courtyard. All in all ok for a couple of nights, but certainly not “flashpacker luxury” as described by Lonely Planet. Maybe I was just unlucky with my dorm. For flashpackers looking for a bit more comfort, the private rooms I saw looked nice and spacious, but make sure you book one away from the courtyard, as it can get quite noisy.

Based on facilities, dorm sizes, price and location I compiled a list of flashpacker worthy accommodations options in different Bogota neighbourhoods below. All places offer breakfast options for between 2-4 US$.

Flashpacker Hostels in Bogota – The Neighbourhood of La Calendaria

La Calendaria is the Old Town of Bogota towards the South of the city, where the majority of hostels in Bogota are located. It’s the most colourful part of the city filled with good restaurants and bars. It’s close to all major sights and museums and generally a good option for first time Bogota visitors.

Magdalena Guest House

Magdalena Guest House is a cute little guest house in the heart of La Calendaria. With around 30 US$ per night for a deluxe queen ensuite, this is one of the best rates I could find for a private room when travelling solo. It has a solid 9.4 on booking.com and guests rave about the hosts, the location, the beds’ comfiness and rooms. The house has only got four rooms and no dorms, so it may not be the most social for solo travellers. Maybe a good place to rest and relax after a long trip and before flying home?

Hostels in Bogota – Magdalena Guesthouse

Hostal Astromelia

Astromelia, a quirky Bogota hostel with its own rooftop has only been open for about half a year and is therefore not mentioned in any guidebooks yet. A night in one of their double rooms will set you back about 20 US$ – 35 US$ depending on room type and if you opt for a shared bathroom or ensuite. Guests here love the staff, the restaurant and the rooftop terrace with amazing views of the city. It gets 8.8 on booking.com. Breakfast is included and you have got different options to choose from. For me personally a great restaurant onsite is a huge plus, especially as a solo traveller (no going to bed hungry when arriving late with no energy to go out to eat).

Hostels in Bogota – Hostal Astromelia

Granada Hostel

Granada Hostel, another new kid on the block, came close second in my decision where to stay and it’ll be one of the hostels in Bogota I’m staying in next time! This one has probably the largest range of room types – doubles/singles with or without ensuite, 4-bed, 6-bed and 8-bed dorms. It features a restaurant, a bar, a lounge and a garden and is located right in the heart of the Centro Historico. Similar to Masaya, the vibe seems to be super social – there are a lot of areas to hang out to relax and socialise including the large net above the lounge area.

This colourful and quirky hostel gets an impressive 9.2 on booking.com and dorm prices start at about 8 US$. The nightly price for staying in a 4-bed dorm is 11 US$ which is great value. The dorms look large, airy and light with individual sockets and curtains for privacy. Private rooms range between 30 to 43 US$ with a shared or ensuite bathroom. Guests here rave about the comfortable beds, the lovely hosts, the social vibe and areas and the cleanliness. Definitely one of the best flashpacker hostels in Bogota!

Hostels in Bogota – Granada Hostel

Bogota Flashpacker Hostels in the Neighbourhood of Teusaquillo

Teusaquillo is a neighbourhood north of Bogota’s Centro Historico. It has got lovely green spaces such as Parque Simón Bolívar and is home to Columbia’s largest public university. As such it has a bohemian feel to it, especially in the area of La Soledad and features some the city’s best graffiti. The neighbourhood is conveniently located closest to the airport, so might be a good option to stay after a trip and before heading back to the airport.

Ayenda 1036 BOG Urban

Although the BOG Urban doesn’t seem like your most social place place, this sleek stylish and contemporary small hotel is great value and seems to have everything you need when planning to stay close to the airport. I’d day it’s more a boutique hotel than a hostel (each room even has has a hair dryer). There are no dorms, but all rooms, single, double, triple and quadruple, have private bathrooms. Rates start at about 25 US$ per night including breakfast. They get a 9.1 on booking.com and people that stayed there praised the incredibly helpful hosts, the breakfast and the rooftop.

Hostels in Bogota – Ayenda 1036 BOG Urban

Hostal Casa Cubil

Casa Cubil is a self proclaimed design hostel. Their website states that “every detail has been thoroughly thought of to provide a uniquely Bogota experience for travellers and explorers. Because traveling on budget does not mean that you have to forget design and comfort.” Sounds about right for a flashpacker hostel. The dorms, doubles and common areas look super stylish. Each dorm bed or “cubil” (either single or double) has a lamp, a little and shelf and sockets, providing the maximum of comfort and coziness. 

The ultra modern bathrooms feature chrome plated appliances and the overall design of the hostel looks straight out of an Ikea catalogue. You can choose between 8- and 4-bed dorms which come in at around a very reasonable 10 US$ as well as private rooms with or without your own bathroom for 25-30 US$. With 9.2 on booking.com the hostel gets great reviews with guests raving about their showers, the comfiness of the beds and breakfast, many of them calling it the “best hostel they have ever stayed at”. Casa Cubil is one of the best hostels in Bogota. For everyone looking for a great modern design and a high degree of comfort, this is the perfect Bogota hostel to stay at. 

Hostels in Bogota – Hostal Casa Cubil

Bogota Flashpacker Hostels in the Neighbourhood of Chapinero

If you’re a foodie or a shopaholic, then stay in Chapinero, located north of the Centro Historico. This upper class neighbourhood is trendy, filled with glitzy malls, fancy restaurants and great nightlife. It’s also a good base for people wanting to explore the northern parts of Bogota such as the cute neighbourhood of Usaquén with its trendy flea and food markets.

Aurora Hostel

Aurora – another one of the very stylish looking places featuring a living room, terrace and patio. At Aurora you’ve got the choice between 8- and 6 bed dorms as well as private rooms with or without ensuite. Prices start at a very reasonable 8 US$ per night and go to 40 US$ for a double with a private bathroom. According to booking.com giving them a solid 8.8, the hostel seems to be quite social. For example, the staff organises different activities during the week such as bbq nights. You can also rent bikes onsite.

Hostels in Bogota – Aurora Hostel

Know anyone going to Bogota soon looking for the perfect accommodation? Don’t wait, share this post about the best flashpacker hostels in Bogota! 

Is your next stop the beautiful city of Cartagena?  Then check out this amazing post of fellow blogger Katie about where to stay, eat and play in buzzing Cartagena!