10 Best Backpacker Hostels in Vanuatu

An awesome place to stay, eat and mingle, Retreat Seaside is a top choice for backpackers.

This buzzing sports bar and accommodation achieves the perfect sweet spot between social vibes and genuine comfort. You'll find yourself choosing between budget rooms and mid-range hotel suites, all equipped with the essentials, including microwave, kettle, fridge, and toaster, so you can sort your own meals whenever hunger strikes.

Everything comes with free WiFi, and you're perfectly positioned just a 10-minute walk from town with the highly recommended Mangoes Resort Restaurant conveniently located up the road for dining options. Since there's no breakfast service, you'll receive a welcome pack upon arrival to get you sorted for your first morning, with staff happy to point you toward nearby breakfast spots.

The onsite swimming pool is a godsend after a day exploring, whilst the bar becomes the heart of the action during rugby and NRL seasons when the place gets absolutely jam-packed. Happy hour runs from 3 pm to 7 pm with drinks starting at great value and climbing slightly each hour, while Wednesday trivia nights consistently pack the house. Thursday brings pizza deals (buy one, get the second 50% off), Friday features cocktail specials, and the regular Tuesday night darts competition adds to the weekly rhythm.

The facilities extend beyond just accommodation, with a pool table, darts area, trampoline, and a fire pit for cooler evenings.

So if you're looking for the ultimate social centre and a proper sports bar atmosphere with drinks flowing and games on the screens, Retreat Seaside is your place.

For those travelling to Santo LINK#D053, you'll find backpacker-friendly accommodation at the Tropicana Motel & Backpackers.

On a quiet street in the heart of Luganville, the property provides convenient access to the island's tour and dive operators, with the local produce market, banks, post office, supermarkets and restaurants just a short walk away.

The accommodation features 32 rooms across two buildings, offering a variety of options including single rooms, private double rooms with ensuite bathrooms, and shared dorm beds to help keep costs extra low. Rooms are equipped with pedestal fans, though guests should note that water is cold only (not that it matters in the tropical heat).

Practical amenities include complimentary WiFi (with the strongest signal near reception), two communal kitchens allowing guests to prepare their own meals, and full laundry service. For getting around the island, the property offers airport transfers and car rental with a manual ute/pick-up truck available.

The accommodation caters well to independent travellers and backpackers seeking affordable, no-frills accommodation with essential services in a convenient central location.

Walking distance from town and encompassing a cute swimming pool with lush gardens, Travellers Motel offers a cosy retreat for backpackers.

Choose from eight private rooms or the backpacker-friendly dormitory with six bottom bunks, all with access to the fully equipped shared kitchen, where you can self-cater and prepare your own meals in between exploring Port Vila.

After a hot day of adventure, cool down in the small but beautiful pool, which serves as the perfect centrepiece for relaxation. Additional conveniences include free WiFi throughout the property, laundry service, and airport transfers to help make your stay as comfortable as possible.

The strategic location puts you just a 5-7 minute walk from the waterfront and close to town, with a gym, cafe and sporting facilities directly opposite the property. You're perfectly positioned to explore Port Vila's attractions while enjoying a peaceful atmosphere for unwinding, with the added security of an on-site caretaker available 24/7.

Situated on Santo with views overlooking Aore Island, Indigenous Motel is a modern locally run accommodation with a backpacker dorm room just a five to 10-minute walk from Luganville town centre.

This renovated two-storey property offers 14 well-appointed rooms ranging from dormitory-style accommodation to fully self-contained family suites.

All rooms come fully furnished with air conditioning (except basic single rooms), and many feature private bathrooms, coffee tables and mini bars. The property provides complimentary WiFi throughout, on-site laundry services, and free parking at the rear of the building.

The welcoming atmosphere and the refreshing cool breezes that flow through the property are particularly enjoyable from the upstairs balcony areas, while the motel's peaceful location offers a quiet retreat. What's more, the friendly staff are always on hand to assist with any requests.

Sitting on some prime real estate close to Port Vila, no wonder Bluepango Guest House is a highlight for backpackers.

This backpackers/motel sits in an absolutely prime coastal spot, and we love how it strikes the perfect balance between hostel vibes and guesthouse comfort. You'll find yourself in lovely garden surroundings with internet access during daytime hours and complimentary parking thrown in.

Each room is self-contained with its own cooking facilities, giving you the freedom to whip up your own creations. The setup works perfectly for travellers who appreciate having their own space, while the dormitory option accommodates up to eight people, making it ideal for groups or solo travellers wanting to meet others.

There's a good snorkelling area right nearby, but bring your own gear. Just note that when it comes to taking a shower, hot water isn't available between 3 pm and 7 pm, which is pretty normal for budget accommodations across Vanuatu.

The no-nonsense approach here is what makes it such a brilliant base for travellers who aren't fussed about bells and whistles but want a comfortable, well-located spot to rest between adventures.

Lapita Lodge offers an eclectic mix of accommodation options with 16 distinctly different rooms spread across various configurations, including three-bed dormitories.

The property features three spacious apartments, each containing three rooms that can accommodate up to seven people, complete with full kitchens, laundry facilities, hot water showers and WiFi throughout.

For those seeking more intimate stays, three self-contained units provide smaller kitchens, separate bedrooms with bunk beds and all the essential amenities. The property also offers dormitory-style accommodation with three beds for travellers looking for a more social (and affordable) experience.

The "Lapita" brand, inspired by the pottery of Vanuatu's ancestors, is perhaps more famous in Vanuatu for its locally-made goods, including reef-safe sunscreen crafted from natural ingredients like coconut oil, tamanu oil and nangai oil, as well as banana chips, nuts, chutneys and various local delicacies that guests can purchase on-site.

Escape to the verdant gardens of Malekula where Anata Travellers Inn offers four bunk rooms that you can either hire per bed or per room.

Each room features four beds, thoughtfully split between single beds and bunkbeds, while couples can enjoy a private room with a double bed.

The property boasts a beautiful garden setting and provides all the essential amenities, including power in every room and a fully equipped communal kitchen for self-catering. While breakfast isn't included in your stay, you can prepare your own meals in the open air dining and kitchen area or order breakfast, lunch or dinner for an additional fee.

French- and Bislama-speaking owner Veronique creates a welcoming atmosphere for international guests. While airport transfers aren't provided, the guesthouse is only a few minutes away from Norsup Airport, so taxis are affordable.

A dorm room that feels truly Ni-Van, Tautu Garden Lodge's dorm is a worthy choice when looking for a place to stay in Malekula.

The property features 16 rooms spread across several buildings in various configurations, from single and twin rooms to bunk bed arrangements, most with shared bathroom facilities.

For those seeking more privacy, self-contained units come complete with double beds, ensuite bathrooms with showers, small kitchens and an additional toilet. Each guesthouse area has its own kitchen facilities, ensuring guests won't feel crowded when preparing their own meals.

All rooms include power outlets for charging devices and complimentary WiFi access. Breakfast is included with your stay, while additional meals are available for a reasonable fee.

The lodge maintains quiet hours after 9 pm and asks guests to avoid feeding the friendly dogs inside the lodge area.

Another worthy option in the capital, The Tree House brings the fun with its "themed" rooms and excellent prices.

This vibrant flashpacker haven is your perfect island home away from home, where comfort meets community in the most delightful way. You'll love how this place brings together travellers who crave both adventure and genuine connections.

The accommodation options here are brilliant. Whether you're bunking down in the "Checkmate Bunkhouse" with fellow adventurers or treating yourself to a private "Knight Room" with a luxurious king bed, every space feels bright, clean and welcoming. The cosy "Rook Room" with its double bed is another gem we're particularly fond of.

But honestly, it's what happens beyond your room that makes this place truly special. The café serves up tasty bites that'll fuel your island adventures, while the bar becomes the heart of the social scene with great music and cold drinks flowing.

In the communal areas, you can challenge fellow travellers to a game of chess, throw some darts, lose yourself in a good book whilst swinging in the hammock, or cool off with a dip in the pool.

By far Vanuatu's most unique dorm experience, Tanna Volcano View Tree House is located in a local village only a short drive away from the famous Mt Yasur volcano.

If you've ever dreamed of falling asleep to the rumble of an active volcano, this locally owned treehouse is your answer. Perched directly opposite the entrance to Yasur Volcano, it offers front-row seats to one of the world's most spectacular natural shows right from your verandah.

Robert and Lina run this family homestay with genuine warmth, and we can't get enough of how they make every guest feel like part of the village family. The treehouse sits just a two-minute stroll from the volcano ticket office, so you'll be first in line for those unforgettable crater visits.

You'll have your pick between private rooms or dorm-style accommodation, both featuring comfortable beds wrapped in mosquito netting. Breakfast comes included with every stay, and the on-site restaurant serves up generous helpings of authentic local kai kai that'll have you coming back for seconds.

The hosts arrange volcano tours directly from the property and can organise excursions to the ash plains, waterfalls and Port Resolution.