The Dominican Republic lies in the heart of the Caribbean, a vibrant tapestry of stunning landscapes, rich history, and inviting culture. Despite being known for its expansive luxury resorts and impressive boutique hotels offering guests this enchanting island also embraces budget-conscious travelers, offering a wealth of affordable accommodations and cozy hostels that promise an authentic and wallet-friendly experience.
Whether you are hoping to explore the ancient history of Santo Domingo or the tranquil shores of Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic welcomes all adventurers looking to explore its diverse geology.
Within its colorful bustling streets and breathtaking natural wonders, travelers can discover an array of budget-friendly accommodations, where comfort, community, and affordability intertwine to provide an alternative view of the island’s charm.
Whether you’re a solo traveler seeking new connections or a group exploring on a budget, these accommodations offer more than just a place to rest. They offer a view into life in the Dominican Republic and invite visitors to connect with the beautiful culture of the island.
Afreeka Beach Hostel
The vibrant Afreeka Beach Hostel is a wonderful retreat located in the northeastern area of Las Terrenas, in Punta Popy a short walk from the lively Pueblo de los Pescadores beachfront, filled with popular bars and restaurants.
The hostel is the ideal location to experience an authentic taste of the Dominican Republic in an area that hasn’t yet been taken over by luxury resorts.
The hostel is impressive, with bright and airy living spaces as a backdrop to the lively music bars that serve delicious cocktails and invite guests to party through the night.
Rooms at the hostel are spacious, and clean and offer all the amenities required for a comfortable stay. Private rooms are available, suitable for couples or female travelers with private bathrooms, whereas shared accommodation rooms offer dormitory-style sleeping and ensuite bathrooms.
Lockers, bed linens, and fresh towels are all provided to help guests feel welcome.
Although the hostel is moments from the beach, it also has a private pool, a pizza and pasta bar, and a separate vegetarian restaurant. Breakfast is served around the pool and there is a friendly, inviting vibe throughout the hostel that encourages travelers to make connections with other guests and feel at home.
Hostel details
Address:
Calle 27 de Febrero, Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic.
Guest rating:
4.5 out of 5.
Price per night:
from $17
Island Life Hostel
Located in the heart of the UNESCO-listed Zona Colonial Santo Domingo, this beautiful hostel is housed in a renovated historic colonial building. Situated just moments from many of the city’s impressive historic sights, the Island Life Hostel has a chic yet rustic vibe.
Here, guests are greeted with rich-colored walls and cool tiled flooring. There is a small outdoor pool and an interior courtyard for guests to enjoy and complimentary breakfast is served daily.
Communal areas are spacious yet inviting with free wifi available and plenty of opportunities to connect with other travelers.
Rooms at the Island Life Hostel offer calm retreats with calming white decor and exposed beam ceilings. Private rooms are perfect for couples or solo travelers looking for privacy on a budget. Whereas shared rooms are dormitory-style with cozy bunk beds.
All rooms include complimentary linens, towels, and security lockers to use for the duration of your stay, and the resident dogs keep a friendly yet watchful eye over guests.
Staff at the hostel go above and beyond to welcome guests, offering advice on where to go and what to see on the island, and encouraging solo travelers to join them on nights out in the town.
Hostel details
Address:
Calle Isabel La Catolica #356, Zona Colonial, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Guest rating:
4.4 out of 5.
Price per night:
from $19
Eco Hostal
Located in the golf district Punta Cana, on the eastern coast of the Dominican Republic, the Eco Hostal is moments away from some of the most breathtaking beach stretches on the island.
Constructed from recycled bamboo and wood the hostel offers intimate accommodation with only twelve beds spread across three separate bedrooms.
At the Eco Hostel guests can relax and unwind in hammocks on the terrace with views of the ocean visible from the property. The hostel includes a kitchen area, dishwasher, and laundry facilities to help guests to feel at home and the cozy communal terrace and bar encourage travelers to socialize and great connections with other guests.
Alternatively, guests can explore the town’s lively bars and restaurants that are located near the hostel.
Rooms are cozy, yet clean with colorful walls, and bunk bed sleeping. Security lockers, fresh towels, and bed linen are available for guests to use and each room has a private bathroom. Private rooms are available for those seeking privacy and the hotel offers free wifi for its guests.
The stunning Playa Galina beach is located within walking distance where guests can enjoy watersports, boat excursions, sunbathing, and snorkeling in the crystal clear waters.
Hostel details
Address:
El Cortecito Plaza Artistica Av Alemania, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Guest rating:
4.3 out of 5.
Price per night:
from $21
About our hostel recommendations for the Dominican Republic
If you’re an individual adventurer in search of a private place or a group of explorers on a budget seeking comfortable, affordable accommodation, the top hostels in the Dominican Republic to suit your requirements are listed above.
Please be aware that we only feature hostels on our site that have achieved an overall guest review rating of no less than 4.0 out of 5. These ratings are compiled from multiple booking sites and independent review platforms, meaning they reflect the views of thousands of guests.
Consequently, rest assured all aforementioned hostels guarantee excellent value for money during your stay in the Dominican Republic.
Best price guarantee
For our hostel recommendations, we work together with Hostelworld and Booking. These partnerships don’t have any influence on the recommendations we make or on the order in which our recommended hostels are listed. The reasons why we have chosen to partner with these companies are that they’re trustworthy, offer excellent service and both apply the best price guarantee.
This means you can claim a refund for the difference if you find your reservation cheaper on another website. It has to be for the same property, accommodation type, dates, cancellation policy and conditions, otherwise, you can’t claim a refund for the difference.
If you book through Booking.com then all you need to do is contact them at least 24 hours before your check-in date. If you book through Hostelworld you must claim the refund within 24 hours after you made the booking.
Top 3 hostels in the Dominican Republic
To summarize again, based on thousands of guest reviews, these are the best hostels in the Dominican Republic:
Why you should be careful when booking the cheapest hostel available
Opting for the most budget-friendly hostel isn’t always the best choice, and here’s why:
- Hostels with the lowest rates often fall short when it comes to location. If your plans include exploring the Dominican Republic or immersing yourself in its nightlife, you might find yourself spending extra on public transportation or a cab ride to reach your destination. In such scenarios, staying somewhere more central could be less costly eventually. We generally suggest a centrally located stay for those new to travel; however, even seasoned travelers may find value in paying slightly more for convenience.
- The other factor discouraging one from choosing an extremely cheap hostel is related to its inhabitants. People residing in these places are usually not those who can afford frequent travel like you do, but rather migrant workers or locals struggling economically. Hence, they gravitate towards these budget accommodations, as they are cheaper substitutes than maintaining an apartment of their own much of the time. This demographic might not be ideal if you’re a solo adventurer seeking companionship during your journey.
- The third rationale for steering clear of the cheapest hostels lies in security concerns. These establishments often neglect to verify identification, fail to collect signatures, or only handle transactions in cash upon arrival. As a result, it’s impossible for the hostel management to accurately know who resides within their premises.
- Customer service is typically lacking at these budget accommodations. For example, should you decide to leave your luggage with them temporarily, your belongings will be left unguarded in common areas instead of being securely logged and stored away in a safe room.
So, it may make more sense to allocate slightly more financial resources toward securing better accommodation during your visit to the Dominican Republic.
As a concluding piece of advice: always prioritize reading the most recent reviews about any prospective hostel! While all places garner both praise and criticism over time, it is indeed the freshest reviews that hold significant weight when making an informed decision.
More tips for the Dominican Republic
Get to know the country even better and check out our other articles about the Dominican Republic:
Best hotels in the Dominican Republic
Where to stay in the Dominican Republic
Boutique hotels in the Dominican Republic
