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The best hostels in Santa Cruz

Some of the best backpacker spots in Santa Cruz

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Raindance, hotel in Santa Cruz

Located in Santa Cruz, Raindance features an outdoor swimming pool, garden, bar, and free WiFi throughout the property.

Great hostel, beds have personal fans in ensuite showers. There are a few bugs but its like that in ometepe. Its like staying in a forest. Would definitely recommend!
Scored 8.4
8.4
Rated very good
Very Good
20 reviews
Price from
$40
1 night, 2 adults
La Urraca Loca Hostel, hotel in Santa Cruz

La Urraca Loca Hostel has a garden, terrace, a restaurant and bar in Balgue. Offering barbecue facilities, the property is located within 7.6 miles of Maderas Volcano.

Wonderful place in the middle of nature, the staff was great and always very helpful, breakfast was really good, excellent cost and benefit.
Scored 9.1
9.1
Rated wonderful
Wonderful
371 reviews
Price from
$24
1 night, 2 adults
B&B, family run homestay, Hospedaje La Penita, hotel in Santa Cruz

Located in Altagracia, 10 miles from Maderas Volcano, B&B, family run homestay, Hospedaje La Penita provides accommodations with a garden, free private parking, a shared lounge and a terrace.

Learned this was one of the original hostels on Ometepe. Breakfasts and dinners were freshly prepared with local ingredients. Their dogs and cats were very nice to spend time with. The hosts can lease scooters and deliver them for competitive prices. Communication with host prior to and during stay was excellent.
Scored 9.0
9.0
Rated wonderful
Wonderful
28 reviews
Price from
$22.50
1 night, 2 adults
Hostel Los Chocoyos, hotel in Santa Cruz

Located in Ometepe, 2.4 miles from Maderas Volcano, Hostel Los Chocoyos provides accommodations with a private beach area, free private parking, a shared lounge and a terrace.

Emund very helpful and the staff
Scored 8.6
8.6
Rated excellent
Excellent
95 reviews
Price from
$18
1 night, 2 adults
El Zopilote, hotel in Santa Cruz

El Zopilote Permaculture Farm/hostel is a backpackers hostel and a permaculture farm at the same time. We offer various types of hospitality like private rooms, dormitories, camping areas and...

This place stands out with its vibrant community, beautiful location, activities, and amazing food. I wish for everyone to experience El Zopilote. I’m really grateful I discovered this place. I learned a lot about permaculture during my time here. This place is awesome! My stay at El Zopilote Ometepe was unforgettable, marked by friendly vibes, beautiful surroundings, and a true sense of community.
Scored 7.8
7.8
Rated good
Good
310 reviews
Price from
$17.85
1 night, 2 adults
El Pital, Chocolate Paradise, hotel in Santa Cruz

El Pital, Chocolate Paradise has a garden, private beach area, a terrace and restaurant in Balgue. Offering a bar, the property is located within 1.9 miles of Santo Domingo Beach.

The more expensive dorm was nice. Modern design, nice view of the lake.
Scored 7.7
7.7
Rated good
Good
494 reviews
Price from
$35
1 night, 2 adults
hostal Eco-Lodge La Chiponga, hotel in Santa Cruz

Located in Santo Domingo, a few steps from Santo Domingo Beach, hostal Eco-Lodge La Chiponga provides accommodations with a garden, free private parking, a private beach area and a terrace.

Great location for lake access and nature walk ! Friendly staff and I loved how we got to see the monkeys in the trees eating right out of our door!
Scored 7.8
7.8
Rated good
Good
74 reviews
Price from
$16.20
1 night, 2 adults
Rancho Tranquillo, hotel in Santa Cruz

Facing the beachfront in Moyogalpa, Rancho Tranquillo features a garden and a terrace. The hostel has family rooms. All guest rooms at the hostel are equipped with a seating area.

Amazing host very welcoming. Breakfast was SO good. Thank you Daniella and Tony
Scored 9.6
9.6
Rated exceptional
Exceptional
170 reviews
Price from
$23
1 night, 2 adults
Hostal Casa Moreno, hotel in Santa Cruz

Hostal Casa Moreno has an outdoor swimming pool, garden, a shared lounge and terrace in Moyogalpa. This 3-star hostel features free WiFi and a bar.

Location was close to everything you need and a short walk to restaurants. Pool and breakfast were fantastic. The staff were top notch and super friendly.
Scored 7.9
7.9
Rated good
Good
311 reviews
Price from
$25
1 night, 2 adults
Hostel Santa Cruz Ometepe, hotel in Santa Cruz

Located in Altagracia, a 14-minute walk from Santo Domingo Beach, Hostel Santa Cruz Ometepe provides accommodations with a garden, free private parking, a shared lounge and a terrace.

Great location with exceptional view on the volcano. The host is super nice and helpful. Rooms were clean. Overall great!
Scored 8.2
8.2
Rated very good
Very Good
73 reviews
All hostels in Santa Cruz
Looking for a hostel?
Budget travelers know there's no better way to make the most of their trip than by staying at a hostel: Save money for exploring during the day, and swap stories with fellow backpackers in the shared kitchen or bar in the evening. Dorm-style bedrooms with shared bathrooms are standard hostel fare, but private rooms are also available for those willing to pay a little more.

Hostels that guests love in Santa Cruz

  • Avg. price/night: $41.90
    Scored 8.9
    8.9
    Rated excellent
    Excellent
     · 367 reviews
    Great location between the two volcanoes. Very friendly and helpful hosts. Simple and clean with fans in bedrooms. Gorgeous views from the restaurant. Beautiful butterflies. Rented bicycles through the hosts and cycled to the waterfall at San Ramon. Took about 45 mins one way - one of us got a puncture but a local shop near the waterfall fixed it while we waited for less than a dollar. Walking distance to Balgue and to the nearby beach. Enjoyed our breakfasts here too.
    Anna
    Family with young children
  • Avg. price/night: $40
    Scored 8.4
    8.4
    Rated very good
    Very Good
     · 20 reviews
    Great hostel, beds have personal fans in ensuite showers. There are a few bugs but its like that in ometepe. Its like staying in a forest. Would definitely recommend!
    Britte
    Solo traveler
  • Avg. price/night: $27
    Scored 8.3
    8.3
    Rated very good
    Very Good
     · 160 reviews
    Great location close to everything we wanted to do in Ometope - great beach just a 20 second walk away, visit el pital and the nearby hostels which was walkable, and a few tiendas and shops nearby. Room was very cool and also had two fans. Good price and nice staff.
    Veronica
    Young couple
  • Avg. price/night: $27
    Scored 8.3
    8.3
    Rated very good
    Very Good
     · 160 reviews
    Comfortable bed and a personal fan. Was not as hot as in other hostels on the island. Right next to the beach on the main road, but super peaceful and quiet.
    Teresa
    Solo traveler
  • Avg. price/night: $41.90
    Scored 8.9
    8.9
    Rated excellent
    Excellent
     · 367 reviews
    Staff were amazing! Made us feel so welcome before we even arrived by organising taxis for us from our hostel in San Juan del sur and in Ometepe. Also organised a scooter for during our stay which is much needed to get around the island. Really enjoyed our time here.
    Katie
    Young couple
  • Scored 6.8
    6.8
    Rated pleasant
    Pleasant
     · 35 reviews
    Super nice hostel with good vibes, in the middle of the nature! Good kitchen, good facilities, nice bar with cute swimming pool that looks carved in the rock. Highly recommend
    Maximilien
    Solo traveler
  • Avg. price/night: $40
    Scored 8.4
    8.4
    Rated very good
    Very Good
     · 20 reviews
    The hostel is clean and staff members did a good job overall. I found the staff to be really helpful and effective problem solvers. The Wednesday party meant I did not have to figure out a way back after and the music cannot be heard in the room. They do excellent food and there are a few decent places nearby for food and drinks.
    Yewande
    Solo traveler
  • Avg. price/night: $27
    Scored 8.3
    8.3
    Rated very good
    Very Good
     · 160 reviews
    The beds were comfortable and everything was very clean. The staff is ver friendly and helpful. Great location and the restaurant offers a good breakfast for a fair price. It is better than any others nearby.
    Sven
    Young couple
  • Avg. price/night: $41.90
    Scored 8.9
    8.9
    Rated excellent
    Excellent
     · 367 reviews
    Great location to get out and explore the island. As everyone says the view is incredible…! The garden has more butterflies in it than the butterfly aviary on the island. The service offered is 5 star.
    Jonny
    Young couple
  • Avg. price/night: $41.90
    Scored 8.9
    8.9
    Rated excellent
    Excellent
     · 367 reviews
    One of the best Hostel/Hotel I've been to so far! The owners are super nice and helped us immensely with organizing transportation. Highly recommend :)
    Matthias
    Young couple