The Best Budget Friendly Backpacker Hostels In Jamaica
If you're like most backpackers, you'll have a budget of $15 - $35 a night. All of the hostels mentioned here are rather basic, with some even lacking air conditioning. However, if you want to get a true sense of the Island, it doesn't get more realistic than this.
Who says you must stay with family, friends, or even a hotel when on vacation? What if you wish to go exploring on this little yet large Island? There’s no reason you should be restricted to one parish due to a lack of lodging.
If you’re a backpacker, you’ll understand what I mean and how vital hostels are in your day-to-day travel lifestyle. For those of you who are unfamiliar with what a hostel is, it is comparable to a hotel in that it offers budget-friendly communal lodging in a dorm-like environment, shared toilets, a lounge, and even a kitchen.
Not everyone wishes to visit Jamaica and stay at a resort. Indeed, many people like going behind the scenes and exploring the more primitive portions of the Island. And if you intend to backpack over the Island, you’ll need to know some of the trendiest hostels where you can stay without breaking the budget.
If you’re like most backpackers, you’ll have a budget of $15 – $35 a night. All of the hostels mentioned here are rather basic, with some even lacking air conditioning. However, if you want to get a true sense of the Island, it doesn’t get more realistic than this.
Now that I’ve made things a bit easier for you and gathered all of the budget hostels where you may stay at reasonable pricing, let’s get started. Here are our top 10 picks.
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1. The Garden House, Ocho Rios
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They give their visitors the peace and tranquility anticipated on a 4-acre estate located in the center of Ocho Rios (5 minutes drive or 15 minutes walk).
The Garden House is the estate’s main house, a big two-story building with eight trendy and stylish guest rooms, all air-conditioned, walk-in closets, bath/en suite shower rooms, and a double balcony room with views of the stunning north coastline sea and swimming pool.
Garden House is the ideal romantic choice for Singles, Groups, Couples, and Families looking for that particular laid-back vacation or wedding due to its small and unique environment, seclusion, and security. These beautiful rooms have a tranquil garden and a communal kitchen.
Garden House Jamaica’s rooms are charmingly decorated in a homey atmosphere. Each room includes complimentary wifi, a ceiling fan, and a private bathroom with a shower. Some rooms have a balcony as well. Garden House Jamaica provides visitors with a common patio and BBQ amenities.
There is free on-site parking. Reggae Beach is about a 10-minute drive away, while the famed Dunn’s River Falls is around a 15-minute drive away. Ian Fleming International Airport is about 20 kilometers away.
If you want to try some true Jamaican food produced in a home kitchen, the proprietor, Rastaman Rev, will create one of his sumptuous Italian dinners for you at a reasonable price. Price per night: from $20 (per person) to $35 (per night) (per 2-person room).
Explore Jamaica’s unique culture; their pleasant, warm, inviting, and committed personnel will tend after your every need, guaranteeing your stay with them will be one to remember.
2. Reggae Hostel, Kingston
Now, if you’re a reggae fan, and who isn’t, right? You’ll love this spot since it’s Reggae-inspired and conveniently located downtown Kingston at 8 Burlington Ave. Reggae Hostel is a 10-minute walk from the city center to Half Way Tree, with access to public transportation and a huge commercial retail sector.
The hostel is located in a neighborhood that is home to numerous well-known recording studios and music enterprises. Reggae Hostel is an excellent place to meet other travelers and provides safe, affordable lodging that may be utilized as a base to explore Kingston.
Their visitors are exceedingly pleasant and frequently attend Kingston’s most important events. This is your new Kingston home if you enjoy a tiny, friendly hostel with a communal atmosphere.
Reggae Hostel offers backpacker dorms and individual rooms for guests. This is one of Jamaica’s original hostels, and it’s all about positive vibes, reggae flavor, a family atmosphere, and plenty of communal areas.
There is also a communal kitchen where you may make your own food and save money, as well as a lounge with a flatscreen TV and cable. There is wifi throughout the house, as well as a common computer with its own internet connection. There is also a book exchange section.
The entire setup of this hostel allows you to engage with people from all around, whether locally or globally, and has a nice “backyard” feel to it. What’s the catch? Reggae Hostel offers a pool and bar in the courtyard, and costs range from $20 USD to $60 USD per night, depending on the accommodation.
3. All Nations Guesthouse, Port Antonio
This hostel is more of a guesthouse than a hostel; the distinction is that guesthouses normally lodge their guests for a shorter period of time. The beach is about a 6-minute walk away.
All Nations Guest House is located in Port Antonio, 700 meters from Frenchman’s Cove Beach. It has a restaurant, free private parking, an outdoor swimming pool, and a fitness center. This property’s amenities include a bar, a communal lounge, and a garden.
The hotel has a communal kitchen and room service and can arrange trips for visitors. Each room has air conditioning, a microwave, an oven, a kettle, a shower, a hairdryer, and a wardrobe. Each accommodation has a private bathroom with complimentary amenities, and some rooms have a terrace or a view of the pool.
Bed linen and towels are provided in the guest house rooms. The All Nations Guesthouse has three stories. Their deluxe room Kilimanjaro with a private sea-view balcony, is at the top. The Nile, their king-sized bedroom with a view of the sea, and Thetys, their queen-sized bedroom with a view of the garden.
Both rooms offer a seating space as well as a common sea-view patio. The second story has communal areas such as the kitchen and living room. The first level has double room occupancies, as well as a Jacuzzi.Â
Breakfast is served either continentally or à la carte at All Nations Guest House. A BBQ is available at the accommodation. All Nations Guest House has table tennis and darts. Tinson Pen Airport is 102 kilometers away, and the hotel provides a chargeable airport shuttle service. Reservations usually begin at around $26 USD per night.
4. The Retreat A Piece of Paradise, Montego Bay
The Retreat A Piece Of Paradise is located in Montego Bay, Saint James Region, 42 kilometers from Alma. Within a few minutes, you will fall in love with Jamaican energy! It features a nice swimming pool, and that’s pretty much all you need.
There is free wifi throughout the hotel, as well as free private parking. There is a kettle in the room. The rooms have a private bathroom with a bath or shower.
The Retreat A Piece of Paradise Montego Bay is in a calm and tranquil residential neighborhood near stores, ATMs, restaurants, petrol stations, amenities, beaches, entertainment, and an 18-hole golf course, all of which are within easy walking distance of the property.
The Retreat is around 4 miles from Sangster International Airport, which is roughly a 7-minute commute away by vehicle or taxi. It is only a short drive from the famed ‘Hip Strip,’ clubs, a water park, and various beaches, including the iconic ‘Doctor Cave Beach.’
The Retreat is a four-bed mixed dorm equipped with a refrigerator, microwave, standing fan, kettle, and a bathroom with hot water, toilet, sink, and shower. The mixed dorm features two bunk beds and four twin beds. They also provide individual rooms for 1 or 2 people.
These sea view double bedrooms with fans are located directly adjacent to the dorm at ‘A Piece of Paradise Montego Bay.’ You receive FREE internet, towels, and use of the community spaces, which include hammocks, swinging chairs, and a wonderful garden. The property has baggage storage.
This bed and breakfast offers table tennis, billiards, and darts. Since the wide areas bring people together, this hostel is also perfect for single travelers/backpackers. The hostel has a 7-seat car and can organize group outings throughout the Island as well as airport transportation.
5. Backpackers Hostels, Kingston
Backpackers Hostel is located in a very central portion of Kingston, Grosvenor Terrace off the Manor Park neighborhood, and features a Cafe/Bar and an Art Gallery on the same site, giving you the option to experience Jamaican cuisine and culture without having to leave the premises.
They, like WooFlip Hostel, provide travel packages. This smoke-free hostel also features a bar/lounge and a coffee shop/café in addition to a restaurant. There is also free wifi in public areas and self-parking. There are also dry cleaning, washing facilities, and complimentary newspapers on-site.
Backpackers Hostel has two rooms with coffee/tea makers and ceiling fans. Separate sitting rooms and workstations are provided in the accommodations. Refrigerators, microwaves, and cookware/dishes/utensils are available in kitchens.
Showers are available in bathrooms. This Kingston hostel offers a free wireless Internet connection. Daily housekeeping is given. Backpackers Hostel is a 2-minute walk from public transit, shopping, restaurants, banks, supermarkets, and other amenities.
The Hermitage Dam and Falling Edge Waterfall trek in Stony Hill are also about 15 minutes away from the accommodation. It takes 30 minutes to go to the airport. The Bob Marley Museum is around ten minutes away. It takes 40 minutes to go to Port Royal/Lime Cay.
Half Way Tree and New Kingston are both around a 15-minute drive apart. Blue Mountain and Holywell are both around an hour distant. Devon House is around ten minutes away. The National Art Gallery is a 20-minute drive away. Backpackers Hostel is a modest hostel with ten beds that is nestled in a garden.
Their welcoming team looks forward to making your stay as pleasant as possible. Reservations normally start at $12 USD per night, depending on the type of accommodation desired.
6. Porty Hostel, Port Antonio
This charming little hostel is close to the Port Antonio artisan market and a short drive from numerous famous sights such as Boston Bay, Blue Lagoon, and Winnifred Beach.
There is a garden, a terrace, a huge shared kitchen, a large room, a BBQ area, a computer, and two outdoor lounging places on the property. All of the rooms feature a private bathroom and storage space. If you want a nice traditional lunch, the owner, Stefano, can happily cook something for you for a nominal price.
If you wish, Stefano will look after you, providing you with all the information you need to enjoy the wonderful places described in the “location,” get lost in the night in the wild parties around the capital, and discover the reality of this wonderful and unique part of Jamaica with its unrivaled music scene, culture, and traditions.
You will come home feeling more peaceful but also more “rich on the inside.”Stefano can recommend the finest locations to visit and activities to do based on your expectations and needs. It will also be able to make many trips during the day, as stated below.
If you like, they will offer you a great European, American, or Jamaican breakfast in the morning. The hostel’s common areas include a big lounge and dining room (with a smart TV and wifi internet connection), a huge and efficient kitchen equipped with all pots and dishes, a laundry area, and two outdoor spaces for moments of leisure.
All of which are available to guests 24 hours a day. For the night, you may pick between a lovely and inexpensive dormitory and a wonderful “budget” private room with private access to the balcony. The price per night may vary from 12 to 20 dollars.
7. Five Gables, Montego Bay
North American Snowbirds erected Five Gables in the 1960s as a private residence for winter getaways to the tropics. Its architecture is typical post-colonial Caribbean, with a spacious Great room (common space) with high vaulted ceilings and large bedrooms.
The original wood shingle roof and terrazzo tile flooring are still present. A spacious Verandah overlooks the swimming pool and views the Caribbean Sea. There are several windows throughout the house that allow the sea breeze to enter and keep inside cool and comfortable.Â
This beautiful villa is in a peaceful section of Montego Bay, only 5 minutes from restaurants, supermarkets, and shopping opportunities, and 12 minutes from the famed MoBay Hip Strip, where you can enjoy exploring the many eating and entertainment options.
With a wide Veranda and a view of the Caribbean Sea, it’s the ideal location to relax and unwind. Ironshore is a peaceful Montego Bay neighborhood renowned for villas and holiday houses.
They have links with many taxi companies that can transport you to the surrounding Blue Diamond and Whitter Village shopping plazas (for food, supplies, ATM, Cambio, Western Union, and local SIM card shop), the beaches, or downtown Montego Bay for cheap costs.
There are three-bedroom types available: a mixed dorm with six beds, a single room with a full-size bed, and a double room with a queen-size bed and a daybed. The refreshing swimming pool at Five Gables overlooks the lovely grounds with fruit trees. Evenings may be spent relaxing on the balcony, which overlooks the Caribbean Sea.
You receive free wifi, parking, linen and towels, airport transfers, and use of the laundry facilities, all of which make your stay really pleasant. It costs 25 to 50 dollars per night.
8. T-Bird On The Cliffs, Negril
Formerly known as the Dumplin Cottages, the basic guesthouse has been turned into a welcome and comfortable hideaway by new owners. T-Bird on the Cliffs, located on the garden side of the cliff, allows you to immerse yourself in Jamaican culture while staying in attractive, comfortable accommodations.
The Cliffs of T-Bird Negril is a 3-star hotel located around a 25-minute walk from the Peter Tosh Monument. For extra convenience, guests will have access to free parking on-site. T Bird On The Cliffs provides a pleasant and comfortable arrangement set on the garden side of the cliff on West End Road, immediately in front of one of the most famous cafés and calm locations globally, Ricks Cafe.
When you are a visitor here, you are living in a beautiful natural setting. Their helpful staff is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. T Bird on The Cliffs has seven distinct areas, each with its own distinct personality; they even have a treehouse with a rooftop terrace!
Reservations start around $40 USD per night on average. If you are a nature lover or simply like nature, this is the location for you because it is surrounded by gardens, is fertile, and has birds flying and chirping about. On-site, there is also the Mango Tree Bar & Restaurant, which serves a variety of Jamaican cuisine.
The hostel has eight rooms, each with a patio and a balcony, and a couch. The rooms include a microwave oven and cookware, while the bathrooms include a tub, a separate toilet, and showers. A self-catering cottage also has a full kitchen with a microwave, tea/coffee-making equipment, and a fridge.
9. Yaad Hostel, Montego Bay
Yaad Hostel is located on West Gate Hills, just 5 minutes from the core of Montego Bay, and it also has an amazing beautiful perspective of the city! Dorm room reservations normally start at $17 USD per night, with private room reservations ranging from $30 to $65 USD. Isn’t it a fantastic deal?
Private and dormitory accommodations are available, each with a room conditioning unit, a kitchen, and restrooms. The whole arrangement makes you feel fully at ease. What’s the catch? Yaad Hostel also offers trip packages, allowing you to enjoy an adventurous time on your vacation!
They also have an Instagram account, and their posts are guaranteed to keep you interested! Check out @yaadhostel for more information.
10. Reggae Hostel, Ocho Rios
The Reggae Hostel Ocho Rios is a funky hotspot where you can get a taste of Jamaican culture. It is ideally placed about 100 meters from the beach and a short stroll from the town center.
Everything is nearby, making it an ideal base for your island explorations. The dormitories are spacious and air-conditioned, and you may meet other travelers while lounging on the rooftop lounge. There is a common kitchen where you can make fresh meals, and there is free wifi throughout the property.
The private rooms are all equipped with cable television, en-suite toilets, and a kitchenette.
KEY TAKEAWAYS ...🛪
Jamaica is naturally well-stocked with guest accommodations. The price range is wide, yet it is feasible to locate a decent deal. If you’re backpacking, you’ll want to avoid Kingston’s higher rates. Instead, consider visiting Negril and Ochos Rios.
The first item of business on any Jamaican vacation plan should be to adjust to the slowness of island time. If you want to discover Jamaica authentically and on a budget, these Jamaica hostels are great places to start exploring the Island.
At these places, you will also meet like-minded people with whom you can share your passion for backpacking and travel. Hotels.com and booking.com are excellent resources for finding lodging in Jamaica. Both sites provide not just hotels but also homestays, hostels, and other unusual lodgings.
We found some amazing buys and liked the opportunity to book ahead of time. You may refine your selections by budget, location score, total review score, and amenities using their sophisticated filtering. Many of the accommodations on booking.com also provide free cancellation, which relieves stress during the planning period of your vacation.
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