Mayan Monkey Los Cabos: The Best Hostel in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Cabo San Lucas is a beautiful and lively vacation destination on the tip of Baja California. Most people assume that a trip to Cabo is going to cost $$$ for accommodation, but did you know that the Mayan Monkey offers a luxury hostel experience in the heart of Cabo San Lucas? I am so happy we chose to stay at the Mayan Monkey Hostel in Cabo San Lucas. The Mayan Monkey is the best hostel in Cabo San Lucas and one of the best in Mexico! It has all the luxuries of a hotel, epic social spaces around the pool and bar, and the perfect location to explore Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Keep reading for the full review of the Mayan Monkey Hostel in Cabo San Lucas!

Why is the Mayan Monkey the best hostel in Cabo San Lucas?

I was really impressed by the atmosphere and accommodation at the Mayan Monkey Hostel. The rooftop pool and bar area create the perfect space for meeting other travelers. They have great drink deals and the food is so good! We quickly made new friends from around the world and had the best time exploring Cabo with a fun crew. The daily FREE activities are another reason that the Mayan Monkey is the best hostel in Cabo San Lucas. I really enjoyed the morning hike up to Mt. Solomar, the ceviche making class and the fun activities at the bar. The Mayan Monkey is located right on the Marina so it is really easy to walk to all the restaurants and bars in Cabo. Once you have partied the night away, you will be so happy to return to air conditioned, clean rooms.

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How to get to the Mayan Monkey Hostel

The Mayan Monkey Hostel is located in Cabo San Lucas right on the marina.

By Plane: The closest airport is Los Cabos International Airport (SJD). The airport is about 28 miles (45 kms) from Cabo San Lucas. Uber is not allowed so the options are to take a private shuttle, taxi or the public bus. The public bus is definitely the cheapest option and cost 90 pesos (~5 USD) when I was there in April 2023. The bus makes a lot of stops, but will take you to the main area of Cabo San Lucas. From here you can catch an Uber or taxi to the hostel (or walk if you want some exercise). In comparison a taxi from the airport will cost at least $70 USD.

By Car: If you are traveling in a van like we were or you rented a car to explore more of the area then it is easy to park near the hostel. There are a few secure parking areas nearby that will cost about $20 USD per day.

What is the Accommodation like at the Mayan Monkey Hostel?

Private Rooms – spacious and modern rooms to relax and unwind. You have the choice of a queen bed with balcony or a room with two queen beds. All of the rooms provide AC and full bathrooms. This is the perfect option if you want to feel like you are staying at a hotel, but still get the social benefits of a hostel.

Dorm Rooms – You have the option of 6 bed, 8 bed, 10 bed or 12 bed dorm rooms. They also have female only dorm rooms available. Each bed is equipped with curtain, light, charger and storage lockers. The dorms offered a lot of privacy and the beds were super comfortable. The shared bathrooms were really clean and the showers were hot!

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Cleanliness at the Mayan Monkey Hostel

There were always staff making an effort to keep the hostel clean. The dorms were cleaned multiple times a day and the bathrooms were always spotless. The common areas are also really clean and the pool was super refreshing to swim in.

Social Vibe at the Mayan Monkey Hostel

The hostel is located in the heart of Cabo San Lucas so it does attract travelers looking to party. That being said, the bar area was separated from the rooms and did not stay open too late so it was 100% possible to go to sleep early. If you are looking for a social vibe and to go out and party this is a great place to meet other travelers. The happy hours and daily specials attract everyone to the bar area in the evening to start the night off. They have different events like beer pong tournaments, cocktail making classes and even live entertainment. Throughout the day you can relax by the pool and easily make friends as well!

Bar and Restaurant at The Mayan Monkey Hostel

The breakfast was a real highlight of my stay! I highly recommend adding the option to your booking because you get the choice of one of their menu items (chilaquiles were my fav!) and you can also take advantage of the coffee, yogurt, fresh fruit and bread. When you are lounging at the pool it is super convenient to order lunch or afternoon snacks. There was a wide variety of food options and everything was well priced for the area. The bar is also fully stocked and offers drink specials throughout the week. It is one of the only hostels I’ve been to that makes a quality espresso martini.

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Free Activities at the Mayan Monkey Hostel

One of the main reasons why the Mayan Monkey is the best hostel in Cabo San Lucas is because of the free activities that the staff puts on. My favorite was the cooking class. The chef was so kind and did a great job at instructing us how to make ceviche from scratch. We each got to make our own and enjoy it afterwards. Another activity that we did was the free hike up to Mt. Solomar. This hike is run by a local guide every morning at 8 am, and the hostel helps get you to the drop off point. The hike is a quick climb (~20-30 mins) up to the top of the hill. The views are incredible overlooking the ocean and the Cabo San Lucas harbor.

Cons of staying at Mayan Monkey Hostel

TBH there were not really any negatives about the hostel. I think if I had to pick something it would be that the price of drinks was not any cheaper than other restaurants/bars in the area. Usually it is nice when hostels provide cheaper drinks. When the specials were on the price was much better.

View from Mt. Solmar

Overall Review of the Mayan Monkey Hostel

I would highly recommend staying at this hostel if you are looking for fun, social and inexpensive accommodation in Cabo San Lucas. It is the perfect spot for backpackers, couples and groups of friends traveling to the area. The location can’t be beat and the beautiful rooftop pool and onsite restaurant and bar make it feel just like a hotel. I will definitely stay here again!