The region of Central America has become one of the hottest destinations around the globe for backpackers, with thousands heading there every year. From breathtaking volcanic landscapes to beautiful colonial cities, and of course, post-card-worthy beaches, we can see why it’s become such a hotspot. The region is also known for having some great nightlife hotspots, including beach parties in Costa Rica, jungle raves in Nicaragua, and boat parties in Belize. Central America is also well-equipped with hostels, making it perfect for those looking to travel on a budget.
However, we all know hostels can be hit or miss, and when you’re a party traveler, you’re going to want somewhere social to stay. To make sure you find a fun hostel to stay in for your party adventure, we’ve created this guide of the best 7 hostels in Central America!
Sound interesting to you? Have a scroll below to find out more…
Quick Answer: The Best Party Hostels in Central America
#1 Overall Best Party Hostel in Central America – Hostel Pachamama
#2 Best Party Hostel in Belize – Bella’s Backpackers
#3 Best Party Hostel in Guatemala – Zephyr Lodge
#4 Best Party Hostel in Panama – Selina Casco Viejo Panama City
#5 Best Party Hostel in Nicaragua – Bigfoot Hostel Leon
#6 Best Party Hostel in Costa Rica – Lazy Loft Puerto Viejo
#7 Best Party Hostel in Honduras – La Hamica Hostel Utila
#1 – Hostel Pachamama
Overall Best Party Hostel in Central America
Hostel Details:
- $$
- Checkout before 11am
- Free breakfast included
Party Details
- Pool party crawls
- Crazy parties
- Bustling on-site bar
- Drinking games
Why Hostel Pachamama is a Kickass Party Hostel
Situated in Nicaragua’s party capital of San Juan del Sur, Hostel Pachamama is known for being one of the liveliest places to stay in Central America. Hostel Pachamama is the host to the incredible Sunday Funday Pool Crawl, where backpackers jump from different pool parties in the town! This is constantly regarded as one of the craziest party events in Central America.
The hostel also has some fantastic party facilities on site at the hostel itself. This includes a spacious outdoor terrace area which often turns into a dance floor along with a bustling on-site bar! At the bar, you will have an epic selection of strong alcoholic beverages which will certainly get your hips moving. To shrug off that hangover the next day, the hostel is also home to a refreshing outdoor swimming pool! Here you can relax and unwind in the gorgeous Nicaraguan sun whilst sleeping off the night before’s events.
Overall Party Hostel Score: 9.5
Heading to USA? Save some money with our guide to the coolest hostels in USA!
#2 – Bella’s Backpackers
Best Party Hostel in Belize
Hostel Details:
- $$
- Checkout before 11am
- Breakfast not included
Party Details
- Sunset boat parties
- Beach bonfires
- Outdoor terrace and BBQ area
- 24-hour reception
Why Bella Backpackers is a Kickass Party Hostel
Bella Backpackers is a beautiful party hostel situated just steps away from the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea. At the hostel, you will find an awesome array of outdoor seating areas where backpackers congregate to have a few drinks! This includes the beachfront benches which are the ultimate place to have a few beers in the evening with some new travel pals.
We love the party events put on at Bella Backpackers, including sunset boat parties and beach bonfires. Starting with the boat parties! The staff at the hostel organize a boat trip most evenings where travelers can bring their own booze for a fun evening. On the trip, you can expect a laid-back experience of watching the sunset with some drinks along with jumping into the warm Belizean waters. Next up, we have the beach bonfires! This is the perfect opportunity to meet other backpackers, particularly if you’re traveling solo, and share stories from your travel adventures.
Arriving at Caye Caulker late at night? Got to catch an early ferry back to the mainland? Or perhaps you want to party until the early hours of the morning? You can come and go as you please at Bella Backpackers, with the hostel operating a 24-hour reception.
Overall Party Hostel Score: 9.0
Not finding the right hostel? USA has a selection of party hostels too!
#3 – Zephyr Lodge
Best Party Hostel in Guatemala
Hostel Details:
- $$
- Checkout before 12pm
- Breakfast not included
Party Details
- Outdoor pool parties
- On-site bar
- Sociable common areas
- Games tables
Why Zephyr Lodge is a Kickass Party Hostel
If you’ve read up about backpacking Guatemala, you may well have seen the incredible hostel that is Zephyr Lodge. Home to a postcard-worthy backdrop in the middle of a jungle paradise, Zephyr Lodge is one of the coolest places to stay in Central America. Not only does it have Instagram-worthy photo opportunities, but it also throws some pretty epic parties. This includes its bustling pool parties where you can grab yourself a few beers, listen to some music and watch epic sunset views from the hostel’s on-site infinity pool!
Even when the hostel isn’t throwing epic pool parties, it always has a beaming social atmosphere. Every day you can grab yourself a budget-friendly cocktail from the hostel’s on-site bar and enjoy it in one of the awesome common areas. This includes its games room where there are a variety of different tables to choose from, many of which often turn into drinking games.
If your heading is hurting after a lively night at Zephyr Lodge, then you will be happy to know the checkout isn’t until 12 pm, so you can have a nice lie if you wish.
Overall Party Hostel Score: 9.0
Guatemala is great! Guatemala’s hostels are great too!
#4 – Selina Casco Viejo Panama City
Best Party Hostel in Panama
Hostel Details:
- $$
- Checkout before 12pm
- Breakfast not included
Party Details
- Rooftop terrace
- On-site bar & restaurant
- Central party location
- No curfew
Why Selina Casco Viejo Panama City is a Kickass Party Hostel
The best party aspect of this hostel is no doubt the rooftop terrace and bar area! A beautiful open space that overlooks the heart of Panama City, you will find plenty of travelers from all over the globe congregating here for a few drinks. The on-site bar also provides an awesome selection of specially made cocktails, which will be sure to get you involved on the dance floor. We all know it’s super important to line your stomach before a night out, so you’ll be happy to know that the rooftop also offers some tasty food options to prepare yourself!
Selina Casco Viejo Panama City Hostel has a great party location, with it being situated in an area of the city that is filled with bohemian vibes, hip eateries, and happening bars and clubs. You will also find a number of incredible hidden spots to explore during the day nearby, just ask one of the reception staff for some insider top tips!
Overall Party Hostel Score: 8.5
Recommended Article: Looking for the best hostels in Panama City? Check out our EPIC Guide!
#5 – Bigfoot Hostel Leon
Best Party Hostel in Nicaragua
Hostel Details:
- $$
- Checkout before 11am
- Breakfast not included
Party Details
- Weekly party and events
- Epic bar
- Beer pong
- Pool tables
Why Bigfoot Hostel is a Kickass Party Hostel
The second party hostel on our list from Nicaragua, Big Food Hostel is known for being the party center in the beautiful colonial city of Leon. At the hostel, you can expect daily party activities including pub crawls, beer pong tournaments, and disco nights! Along with this, you will find the hostel hosts a variety of themed parties from time to time, so make sure to check if any of them are happening during your stay! This means you can prepare your cool outfit before you arrive.
The facilities at the hostel are also fantastic for getting the drinks flowing. This includes a bustling on-site bar along with multiple pool tables to unleash your competitive side at.
If you’ve heard anything about Leon, you will know it’s Central America’s home for volcano boarding! Bigfoot Hostel runs daily tours for its guests to whizz down the black sands, and we’ve heard they’re pretty epic.
Overall Party Hostel Score: 8.75
#6 – Lazy Loft Puerto Viejo
Best Party Hostel in Costa Rica
Hostel Details:
- $$
- Checkout before 10am
- Breakfast not included
Party Details
- Live music events
- Bar and restaurant area
- Huge parties
- Bustling social atmosphere
Why Lazy Loft Puerto Viejo is a Kickass Party Hostel
If your image of backpacking Central America, is sitting on a laid-back beach drinking a few beers, then Lazy Loft Hostel may be the perfect stop for you. A stripped-back beach hostel situated in the sleepy town of Puerto Viejo, it is the ultimate place to kick back and unwind for a few days with a drink in hand. The hostel is just steps away from the beach where you will also find a waterfront bar and restaurant area! Puerto Viejo is also known for being an epic place to catch the perfect surf break, so it’s also super handy that you can rent boards from the hostel too.
One of the main drawcards for party-goers about Lazy Loft Hostel is that hosts one of the biggest parties in Puerto Viejo! This is at its on-site Lazy Mon Beach Bar which sees travelers and locals from all over the town dancing away until the early hours of the morning. The dancing is also very much helped by the epic drinks deals available at Lazy Loft Hostel, along with the tasty cocktail options.
Overall Party Hostel Score: 9.25
Editor’s Tip: make friends by staying at a cool hostel in Costa Rica!
#7 – La Hamica Hostel Utila
Best Party Hostel in Honduras
Hostel Details:
- $$
- Checkout before 12am
- Breakfast
Party Details
- Sunset beer nights
- Outdoor terrace
- No curfew
- Great social atmosphere
Why La Hamica Hostel Utila is a Kickass Party Hostel
The final hostel on our list is located on the beautiful Caribbean island of Utila, in the underrated country of Honduras. This hostel arguably provides the ultimate view to sip on a cocktail as it’s situated on a stunning stretch of coastline. All over the hostel, you will find plenty of epic places to mingle and have a few drinks and a backpacker favorite is the beachfront deck! Here you will find plenty of people congregating with a beer and your jaw will probably drop as you watch over the views of the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea.
The hostel also provides all the staple things you would look for in a good-quality party hostel! An on-site bar and restaurant, sociable common areas, drinking games, and no curfew! The no curfew rule also means you will find plenty of backpackers partying away on the beach until the sun rises – is there any better way to make memories?
Overall Party Hostel Score: 8.5
Conclusion to the Best Party Hostels in Central America
Central America is a truly epic party destination and its range of party hostels is so vast you’re bound to find one that fits exactly what you want. This makes it hard to pick one hostel that truly stands out, but if we had to pick one, it has got to be Hostel Pachamama. It is located in the party epicenter of San Juan del Sur and boasts one of the best parties in Central America, the Sunday Funday Pool Crawl!
We really hope this article has helped guide you through the party hostel scene in Central America. If you do end up staying at any of our recommendations, do let us know in the comments below!
Lastly, if you’re heading to Central America to party: prepare yourselves for madness!
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