10 Best Hostels in Hawaii for Digital Nomads [2023]

Last Updated on 22 August 2023 by Brittany

One of the best ways to travel the great islands of Hawaii as a digital nomad and save money is to stay in some of the best hostels in Hawaii. You’re probably already aware that Hawaii is a pricey destination for both vacationers and digital nomads. 

One way to combat the high price of food, activities, and accommodations is to stay in the best hostels in Hawaii for digital nomads. 

We know just how important it is to stay in a digital nomad-friendly accommodation with reliable wifi and comfortable workspaces. So, we put together a list of the best hostels in Hawaii for digital nomads so you can save money and time searching for a place to stay. 

From single rooms to shared dormitories, there is a little something for every kind of digital nomad on this list. You’ll definitely want to save this post for when it comes time to plan for Hawaii as your next digital nomad destination. 

Best Hostels in Honolulu

You don’t often think about a large major city when you imagine Hawaii. However, as Hawaii’s capital, Honolulu is a true metropolis dropped right on the tropical island of Oahu. 

With a major international airport, coworking spaces, and plenty to do, Honolulu will quickly feel like a home away from home for many digital nomads. Below are the best hostels in Hawaii located in Honolulu. 

The Beach Waikiki Boutique Hostel by IH

• Hostelworld Rating: 9.6
• Accommodation Options: Private Rooms, Female Dorms, Mixed Dorms
• Outstanding Features: Half a block away from Waikiki Beach, Organized social events

The Beach Waikiki Boutique Hostel by IH is an excellent hostel in Hawaii for digital nomads traveling solo. With organized events like pizza parties, daily breakfasts, and other excursions, it’s a great way to meet other like-minded travelers. 

You have the option to stay in a dorm with an ensuite bathroom or choose a private room with a bathroom and kitchenette. This hostel has extremely modern facilities, including a communal kitchen with everything you need to enjoy a home-cooked meal. 

The location cannot be beaten either! Just half a block away from the famous Waikiki Beach, you will get the full Hawaii experience. The hostel also has free beach mats, chairs, and umbrellas to enjoy a full day at the beach. 

Check the latest rates for The Beach Waikiki Boutique Hostel by IH. 

Seaside Hawaiian Hostel Waikiki

• Hostelworld Rating: 8.9
• Accommodation Options: Female Dorms, Mixed Dorms, Private Rooms
• Outstanding Features: Two blocks from Waikiki Beach, Peaceful atmosphere

Tucked away from the busiest sections of Waikiki Beach you’ll find Seaside Hawaiian Hostel Waikiki. It’s perfect for digital nomads who want a relaxed atmosphere where they can enjoy Hawaii peacefully while still making friends with other travelers. 

Guests can choose to stay in dorms with shared ensuite bathrooms or in a private room. Note that the private rooms also share a bathroom with other guests, though. 

With comfortable communal spaces both indoor and outdoor, you’ll quickly find a tranquil place to work or meet new friends. There is also a large kitchen stocked with the essentials to make a delicious meal. 

It’s quite easy reaching the hostel from the international airport without a car. You can take a bus directly from the airport to a nearby stop. Restaurants, cafes, and bars are also within a short walk from the hostel. Plus, Waikiki Beach is just two blocks away! 

Check the latest rates for Seaside Hawaiian Hostel Waikiki

Polynesian Hostel Beach Club

• Hostelworld Rating: 8.4
• Accommodation Options: Mixed Dorms, Private Rooms, Studios
• Outstanding Features: Excellent location, Organized activities, Surfboard rentals

If you’re looking for a no-frills, yet comfortable accommodation, then Polynesian Hostel Beach Club is for you. With some of the most affordable rates in Honolulu, digital nomads on a budget can sleep well in this hostel. 

Choose from mixed dorms ranging from six to ten beds with ensuite bathrooms or private rooms with shared bathrooms. When available, though rare, you can also book a studio suite for long-term stays. 

Thanks to the hostel’s organized activities every day, it’s easy to meet other digital nomads and backpackers like yourself. From snorkeling to hiking to tasting local cuisine, you can get the full Hawaiian experience on a budget. 

Located in a great area near other hostels in Hawaii, you’ll find that you’re close to beautiful beaches, coffee shops, restaurants, and shopping when you stay here. 

Check the latest rates at Polynesian Hostel Beach Club

Hostels in Maui

Considered to be one of the most beautiful islands that make up the Hawaii archipelago, Maui is a great destination for digital nomads who want to get in touch with nature. 

From hiking volcanoes to snorkeling in the Pacific to finding lagoons on the island, you’ll find peace and tranquility here. To help you enjoy your stay even better, here are the best hostels in Maui. 

The Northshore Hostel Maui

• Hostelworld Rating: 9
• Accommodation Options: Female Dorms, Mixed Dorms, Private Rooms
• Outstanding Features: Free daily activities, Near Iao Valley, Free coffee

The Northshore Hostel Maui is a fantastic hostel option for digital nomads who want to embrace the nature that Hawaii has to offer while also staying connected to work from their laptops. Thanks to communal workspaces and an internet cafe, it’s the perfect accommodation for digital nomads to focus on work while still socializing. 

Stay in either a dormitory with four, six, or eight beds or a private room during your stay in Maui. There are two options for private rooms, one with an ensuite bathroom and one with a shared bathroom. 

With daily free activities such as drum circles, snorkeling, and hikes, you can experience Maui on a budget. Plus, there are plenty of free amenities offered by the hostel, including coffee, pancakes, beach chairs, and snorkeling sets. 

Located just a ten-minute drive from the airport, it’s easy to get to the hostel. The friendly staff will be there to greet you upon your arrival and make you feel right at home. 

Check the latest rates at Northshore Hostel Maui

Banana Bungalow Maui Hostel

• Hostelworld Rating: 8.2
• Accommodation Options: Female Dorms, Mixed Dorms, Private Rooms
• Outstanding Features: Free daily activities, Organized parties and social events

If you’re looking to meet people from all over the world and have a nice chat over a beer at a party hostel, look no further than Banana Bungalow Maui Hostel. This hostel is perfect for social butterflies who want to connect with like-minded people and take a break from their work for a bit. 

Choose from staying in a mixed or female dormitory or a private room. The private rooms do still share a bathroom with the rest of the guests in the hostel. 

You can count on meeting people from all over the world as the hostel has a policy of only hosting guests with foreign passports or a residency off of the island. Whether you take part in their happy hours or the 12-mile hike up Haleakala Volcano, you’ll create amazing memories here. 

Check the latest rates at Banana Bungalow Maui Hostel

Aloha Surf Hostel

• Hostelworld Rating: 9.3
• Accommodation Options: Female Dorms, Mixed Dorms, Private Rooms
• Outstanding Features: Free breakfast, Hot tub and pool table

At Aloha Surf Hostel, you’ll quickly feel at home, thanks to the amazing staff, clean facilities, and welcoming atmosphere. If you’re a lover of water sports or want to try it out, then this is definitely the hostel for you. 

You can choose to stay in female or mixed dorms or book a private room. Many guests claim that this hostel is perfect for long-term stays, thanks to private bathrooms, the communal kitchen, and the cleanliness of the rooms. 

Located in the historic town of Paia, you’ll truly experience the full effect of living in Hawaii and learn to appreciate its culture. Plus, you’re near plenty of restaurants and cafes as well as beaches and nature. 

Many digital nomads find this hostel comfortable for both meeting new people, engaging in water sports, and finding quiet spaces to sit on their computers and get some work done. It’s truly a great balance for digital nomads from around the world. 

Check the latest rates at Aloha Surf Hostel

Best Hostels in Kailua-Kona

Kailua is a historic village on the Big Island of Hawaii, also known as Kona. Interesting fact, it used to serve as a vacation spot in the 1800s and has a palace that you can tour. With a unique history and even more amazing views and blue waters, digital nomads quickly find tranquility and happiness in Kailua-Kona. 

My Hawaii Hostel

• Hostelworld Rating: 9.2
• Accommodation Options: Female dorms, Mixed dorms, Private rooms
• Outstanding Features: Free coffee, Communal beach equipment

When you first step into My Hawaii Hostel in Kailua-Kona, you’ll feel a familiar sense of home. This quaint hostel is the perfect getaway from large cities and for those looking for some peace and quiet. 

You can choose from female or mixed dorms or have a private room with a private bathroom. Dorms range from four to eight beds and come with free lockers to store your valuable items. 

The communal areas are cozy, both indoor and outdoor with couches, lounge chairs, and a table to work or enjoy a meal. The large kitchen is perfect for making group or individual meals as well. 

Don’t forget to take advantage of the communal beach equipment too. You can rent snorkeling gear to experience the beauty of the underwater world, bikes, and more. Plus, if you want to explore downtown Kailua, the public transport stop is right outside of the hostel making it extremely easy to get around. 

Check the latest rates at My Hawaii Hostel

Best Hostels in Hilo

Hilo is located on the northwestern side of The Big Island of Hawaii. In the past, it was used to produce sugar and there is still a large agricultural industry here. You’ll find both nature and a small city when you come to visit Hilo – experience the best of both worlds. 

You definitely won’t get bored in Hilo, either. From climbing volcanoes to exploring rain forests to admiring waterfalls, you’ll find there is plenty of beauty in this part of Hawaii. 

Big Island Hostel

• Hostelworld Rating: 9.3
• Accommodation Options: Female dorms, Mixed dorms, Private Rooms
• Outstanding Features: Memory foam mattresses, Free coffee, Security code locks

The Big Island Hostel is one of the best hostels in Hawaii for digital nomads located on The Big Island. Just a 15-20 minute walk away from downtown Hilo, you can find peace and comfort in this hostel. The staff has gone above and beyond to ensure guests feel at home and have the space they need to rest, work, and enjoy. 

Guests can choose between female or mixed dorms or book a private room. Keep in mind that the private rooms do still require you to share a bathroom with the other guests. 

You’ll find very comfortable places to sit and work while staying in this hostel. There are plenty of tables, lounge chairs, and sofas in the communal spaces where you can set up your “office.” 

The hostel does recommend that you rent a car to get the most out of exploring the Big Island. They also offer free parking for your convenience. 

Check the latest rates at Big Island Hostel

Hamakua Guesthouse and Camping Cabanas

• Hostelworld Rating: 9.8
• Accommodation Options: Private rooms, Hammock cabana dorms
• Outstanding Features: “Off-the-grid” structure, Ocean view

The Hamakua Guesthouse and Camping Cabanas is a true favorite amongst digital nomads who want to get a little lost in nature without losing wifi connection. Located along the gorgeous Hamakua coast, you’ll fall in love with the ocean views and surreal greenery.

The unique aspect of this hostel is that it is an “off-the-grid” structure. They use their own solar panels and renewable energy sources to power the hostel. You also have the option to book a hammock in a cabana to really get in touch with nature. If that isn’t your style, you can choose a private room with a shared bathroom. 

This is truly the best getaway for digital nomads who want to get away from their screens for a bit. With a lifestyle of working on our computers, we often tend to over-expose ourselves to phone, tv, and computer screens. So, this is the perfect detox, while still staying connected, for digital nomads in Hawaii. 

Check the latest rates at Hamakua Guesthouse and Camping Cabanas

Best Hostels in Pahoa

Stay in one of the smallest towns on The Big Island. Pahoa has a population of less than a thousand people, making it a peaceful place to explore and focus on your work as a digital nomad. 

Historic buildings that are hundreds of years old make up the town, giving it a great rich history. Plus, you’ll get to experience all of the green beauty that Hawaii has to offer. 

Open Gate Hostel Hawaii

• Hostelworld Rating: 9.5
• Accommodation Options: Female dorms, mixed dorms
• Outstanding Features: Star-gazing tower, Volcano view

Enjoy the wonders of nature at Open Gate Hostel Hawaii. You’ll get to experience the unique combination of lava and ocean, thanks to its strategic placement on the east side of Hawaii. 

You can choose to stay in a female or mixed dormitory with a shared bathroom. Each dorm room has a balcony or patio that overlooks the volcano in the distance, creating a desirable view. 

One of the best features of this hostel is the star-gazing tower. Since it’s located away from major cities, you can see the sky speckled with stars once the sun goes down. It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime view that you’ll remember forever. 

Check the latest rates at Open Gate Hostel Hawaii

Why You Should Stay at Hostels in Hawaii

With so many other accommodation options, why should you stay at hostels in Hawaii as a digital nomad? 

There are plenty of reasons, to stay in a hostel. However, the decision is up purely up to you. With so many benefits of staying in hostels, you may still decide to book a private apartment or room somewhere else. Before you do so, take a look at why you should stay at hostels in Hawaii. 

Extremely Affordable

Hawaii is already a fairly expensive destination, so why not save some money on your accommodations by staying in a hostel? 

When you choose to book a bed in a dorm, you can save up to 80% off compared to booking an Airbnb or a hotel room for the night. Most hostel dorms are clean, comfortable, and offer a space to lock up your valuables. 

Some hostels even offer free breakfast, coffee, tea, and tours in the area. So, not only do you save on your accommodation, but you save on food and excursions! 

Great Way to Make Friends

If you’ve ever stayed in a hotel or Airbnb as a digital nomad, you know how difficult it can be to meet new people. It takes much more effort and strategizing. When you stay in a hostel, it’s much easier to make friends and meet interesting people from all over the world. 

With organized activities, sharing a room, or simply cooking a meal in the kitchen together, you’re bound to make new friends. Plus, you never know who you’ll meet that will change your life forever.

Unique Experiences in Hawaii

When you stay in hostels in Hawaii, you’ll have the opportunity to experience unique tours and excursions. Many hostels offer free or discounted tours and activities to guests. 

Plus, you’ll get to learn more about local life and the history of the islands when you chat with the staff and partake in these activities. It’s truly a unique way to experience Hawaii and view it from more as just a vacation spot. 

Get More Digital Nomad Destination Tips and Advice

Finding the right accommodations as a digital nomad can be difficult, especially since your destination must have specific features such as great wifi. Whether you choose to stay in a hostel or an Airbnb in Hawaii, Nomads Embassy has you covered!

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