• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Layer Culture

Latin America Travel & Culture Blog

  • Start Here
    • About
    • My Story
    • Travel Bible
  • Travel Tips
    • Travel Gear
    • Dan’s Checklist
    • Medellin Tips
    • Culture Shock
    • Travel Safety
  • Destinations
    • Mexico
    • Colombia
    • Central America
    • South America
    • Jamaica
    • Brazil
  • Resources
    • Safety Gear
    • Learn Spanish
    • Travel Journals
    • Backpacking
    • Latin Culture
Home / Travel Tips

Best Hostels in Jamaica

Travel Tips Last Updated · Dec 10th, 2022 · Daniel James

jamaican man

Are you looking for the best hostels in Jamaica?

Although Jamaica has been an attractive holiday destination for many years and popular with people all around the world. There have not been so many hostels when compared to other tourist destinations.


Quick Answer: Best Hostels in Jamaica

  • The Best Hostel in Montego Bay – Mobay Kotch
  • Best Hostel in Negril – Judy House
  • The Best Party Hostel in Jamaica – Dancehall Hostel
  • Great Spot in Kingston – Ragamuffin Hostel
  • Where to Stay in Jamaica – The Ultimate List of Hostels

Over the years there has been an influx of backpacker hostels in Jamaica that have paved the way for travelers eager to visit the island.

Table of Contents

  • Best Hostels in Jamaica
    • Reggae Hostel Ocho Rios
    • Ragamuffin Hostel & Coffee Bar
    • Viva Violas
    • Dancehall Hostel
    • Reggae Hostel Montego Bay
    • Yaad Hostel
    • Drifters @One Mile
    • Judy House Cottages And Rooms
    • Mobay Kotch
    • Zion High Hostel
    • Judy House Brighton Beach
    • Porty Hostel
  • Hostels: Booking Tips
    • Location
    • Price
    • Comfort
    • Activities
    • Got Travel Insurance for Jamaica?
  • Best Hostels in Jamaica
    • Need More Hostel Inspiration?

Best Hostels in Jamaica

If you are a keen backpacker or traveler, you’ll be familiar with the general vibe of a hostel environment.

Below I’ve written tips on what to look out for and to help you decide.

If you’re backpacking Jamaica soon, this list should be very helpful.

After traveling around the island I began to create a list of hostels in Jamaica so you have all the best places in one place.

Reggae Hostel Ocho Rios

ocho rios hostel

Reasons to stay here:

  • ✓ Next to Ocho Rios Beach
  • ✓ Beautiful roof terrace
  • ✓ Excellent food

Price via HostelWorld

Reggae Hostel Ocho Rios is a laidback and fun-filled hostel! With its location and tourists’ favorite – the roof terrace, you will have lots of fun chilling with music and food.


Ragamuffin Hostel & Coffee Bar

jamaica hostels

Reasons to stay here:

  • ✓ Cozy beds
  • ✓ Good location
  • ✓ Offers great coffee

Price via HostelWorld

Ragamuffin Hostel & Coffee Bar is your best bet for getting a great value for your money! This hostel offers the comfort and fun that you’ll need for your vacation.


Viva Violas

jamaica hostels

Reasons to stay here:

  • ✓ Beautiful views
  • ✓ Hospitable staff
  • ✓ Good wifi

Price via Booking

Viva Violas gives tourists the perfect vacation with their outstanding hospitality, peaceful ambiance, and great facilities that offer nature’s best views.


Dancehall Hostel

best hostels jamaica

Reasons to stay here:

  • ✓ Near the market
  • ✓ Scenic views
  • ✓ Rooftop jacuzzi

Price via Booking

Experience the Jamaican vibe in the Dancehall hostel! Its serene and calming views of nature will give guests a good time and the rest that they need during their vacation.


Reggae Hostel Montego Bay

jamaica hostels

Reasons to stay here:

  • ✓ Helpful staff
  • ✓ Central location
  • ✓ Spacious rooms

Price via HostelWorld

Centrally located near supermarkets, cafes, and bus stations – this hostel is perfect for backpackers who like to explore and get a good rest after a day’s worth of touring.


Yaad Hostel

hostels in Jamaica

Reasons to stay here:

  • ✓ Peaceful location
  • ✓ Friendly staff
  • ✓ Clean rooms and amenities

Price via Booking

If you’re looking to explore different activities but don’t know where to start, the staff of Yaad Hostel offers great tips and a comfortable place to rest too!


Drifters @One Mile

jamaica hostels

Reasons to stay here:

  • ✓ Beachfront property
  • ✓ Very clean rooms
  • ✓ Transport-friendly location

Price via Booking

Drifters @ One Mile the ideal hostel for backpackers who are looking to have a peaceful vacation while immersing themselves in the Jamaican vibe.


Judy House Cottages And Rooms

hostel in negril

Reasons to stay here:

  • ✓ Well-equipped hostel
  • ✓ Jamaican vibe interiors
  • ✓ English-speaking staff

Price via HostelWorld

Judy House Cottages and Rooms offers a relaxing and chill experience to guests with their hammocks and peaceful rooms – if you want to try this, better stay in this hostel!


Mobay Kotch

jamaican hostels

Reasons to stay here:

  • ✓ Central location
  • ✓ Safe and secure neighborhood
  • ✓ Complete amenities

Price via HostelWorld

Mobay Kotch is a classic hostel that has everything you’ll ever need! Its amenities and locations will help you get the best memories for your vacation.


Zion High Hostel

hostels in jamaica

Reasons to stay here:

  • ✓ Free wi-fi
  • ✓ Peaceful ambiance
  • ✓ Excellent food offerings

Price via Booking

Have a peaceful but sumptuous stay in Jamaica with Zion Hostel with the delicious and diverse menu of food and the serene surroundings of the property.


Judy House Brighton Beach

best hostels jamaica

Reasons to stay here:

  • ✓ Near the snorkeling area
  • ✓ Delicious food
  • ✓ Great host

Price via HostelWorld

Judy House Brighton Beach is perfect for guests who like to interact with hosts and capping an adventure-filled day with cozy bedrooms!


Porty Hostel

jamaica hostels

Reasons to stay here:

  • ✓ Chill and relaxing vibe
  • ✓ Sociable common areas
  • ✓ Nearby Winnifred Beach

Price via HostelWorld

Party Hostel is perfect for beach enthusiasts who like to end their days with a drink and snack while relaxing after spending the day at the shore.


Hostels: Booking Tips

When booking a hostel in Jamaica, what are some of the things you may want to consider?

jamaican hotels building

There should be no real reason to worry about safety in Jamaica as the hostels listed are all located in popular tourist areas.

See these four basic ideas that when taken into account can avoid disappointment and ensure you a pleasant experience.

Location

Any traveler can relate to the importance of choosing the right location. If your travel budget is limited, ensuring you’re within close proximity to the main attractions will help save your hard-earned cash.

Price

Despite what you may think when choosing hostels, staying in the cheapest place is not always the best option. Try to find a happy medium. I usually pick hostels that have all the amenities that I require.

💡 Smart Travel Tip
Look for two similar priced hostels and make a decision based on your personal priorities.

Comfort

Are you a light sleeper? How important is it for you to have a private bathroom? Scanning a hostel reviews is always a good idea.

As you probably know, comfort is subjective. So you must define what you need to be able to be comfortable before searching.

Activities

There are some hostels that specialize in tours and excursions, which means you have one less thing to do look for when you arrive.

Not to mention, all the other group activities you can take part in.

I have found hostels to offer a very competitive process when compared to other local travel companies.

Knowing what to pack for Jamaica is also crucial, the last thing you want is to be lugging unnecessary items around.

Hopefully, those pointers have given you something to think about when looking for a place to stay in Jamaica.

Got Travel Insurance for Jamaica?

travel insurance
🔒 World Nomads provides Travel Insurance

Designed by travelers, for travelers, World Nomads covers more than 150 adventure sports and activities so you can explore your boundaries.

Best Hostels in Jamaica

Knowing where to stay in Jamaica you have a head start on your trip.

Feel free to take a look at some of these Jamaica travel blogs to help you see some of the best landmarks the island has to offer.

📌 Like this article? Pin it…

best hostels in jamaica
jamaican hostels
Backpacking Jamaica? Or, thinking of traveling to the island?

Need More Hostel Inspiration?

Hopefully, you’ve found the perfect hostel to stay in during your trip.

Feel like you need more ideas for where to stay? I’ve got you covered:

  • Party Hostels in Central America – Don’t miss these gems.
  • Best Hostels in Nicaragua – Save money in Nicaragua.
  • Best Hostels in Panama – Panama’s best hostel ideas.
  • Best Hostels in Cartagena – See places to stay in Cartagena.
  • Best Hostels in Havana – Find a place to stay in Havana.

Are traveling with lots of valuables in your luggage? Check out these GPS luggage trackers for keeping your eye on your belongings.


“Dear friend! Some links in this post contain affiliate links. Meaning, if you click through and make a purchase, book a hostel or sign up for a tour, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Your support means a lot and helps me to keep traveling and maintaining the quality of this site for you.”

Filed Under: Travel Tips

Daniel James

Helping thousands of people worldwide with independent travel in Latin America. Layer Culture means to dig deeper into the ideas, customs, and behavior of a group of people.

Primary Sidebar

Meet Dan 👋🏽

south america travel with dan

After spending years on the road Dan is now offering to help you find your feet in Latin America; inspire you to learn Spanish and get you started on your adventures. Learn how to travel longer and stronger!

Yes Dan, help me!

Need something specific?

Recent Posts

  • Safest States in Mexico 2023 Guide
  • Is Punta Cana safe? 2023 Travel Guide
  • Is Guatemala safer than Mexico?
  • Tulum vs Cancun
  • Is San Luis Potosi safe? 2023 Guide

Footer

  • South America Safety
  • Connect with locals
  • Dan’s Travel Bible

Work with Dan

  • Be a Travelpreneur
  • About This Blog
  • Ask Me Anything

Travel Tips

  • South America Safety
  • Connect with locals
  • Dan’s Travel Bible

Get Inspired

  • South America Itinerary
  • Central America Safety
  • Solo Travel Tips

Learn Spanish

  • Learn Spanish Conversation
  • Become Fluent in Spanish
  • Top Places to Learn Spanish

© 2023 · Daniel James · Built on Genesis · See my site Policies

Layerculture is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com Other affiliate programs linking to other recommended products and services are also used.

This website uses cookies to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
62 shares