Work in hostels worldwide

Why you should work at a hostel

When you work at a hostel, you wake up each morning in an exciting work environment that has a laid-back, relaxed pace. You never know what awesome experiences the next day will bring, and you get to meet inspiring, like-minded travelers who share your love of adventure.

World travel can sometimes cost a pretty penny depending on how travel-savvy you are, and that's what makes working at a hostel the perfect option for the budget-friendly vagabond.

If you've never stayed at a hostel before, you may be wondering what all the hype is about. What is a hostel? What is the difference between a hostel and a hotel? We'll fill you in.

A hostel is a type of cost-efficient accommodation for travelers that offers both dormitory-style rooms and private rooms. 

If you are a people person and would relish the opportunity to learn from another traveler's experiences, you would enjoy the hostel experience.

It's definitely an odd concept— bunking with strangers who you've never met before. However, meeting people in your hostel is a fantastic way to connect, have fun, share a drink, explore a city together, and swap travel stories.

You never know what lifelong friends you'll make when you stay in a hostel!

Hotels are different altogether. They do not offer dorms, only private rooms. Since hotels are usually chains run by larger corporations, they can get pricey based on the location and amenities offered.

Hostels are often locally-owned and operated and are therefore a much cheaper option. When you stay in a hostel, you'll notice there are always fun activities and events lined up for guests to participate in each day. You won't find that in a hotel.

Hostels have a certain vibe to them that can't be described, only felt. Some are more party-oriented than others, and some are very chilled out.

Now that you know what a hostel is, it's time to delve into how you can volunteer at one through Worldpackers hostel exchange opportunities with your current set of skills.

How to volunteer at a hostel

It's one thing to be a guest staying at a vibrant hostel as you enjoy living the good life, and another thing to be a hostel volunteer.

After you choose the destination you'd like to travel to and have found a hostel you're interested in working at, you will arrive there with your work cut out for you.

There are always a variety of duties and tasks to be done at a hostel. 

The best part is that you don't have to have any previous experience, just so long as you come with a can-do attitude and great people skills!

Your responsibilities may include any of the following:

• Cleaning and housekeeping
• Promoting parties or organizing events
• Checking guests in and out at reception
• Bartending
• Providing travel information or giving guided tours of local hot spots
• Leading pub crawls
• Cooking and/or serving food to guests
• Spending time with guests to improve the social atmosphere
• Manage their social media accounts or promote the hostel online
• Do art or create murals
• Serve as a handyman to help spruce up the place
• Taking great photos and videos of the hostel to use on social media

No matter your skill level, you will have a chance to progress and learn even more each day.

So don't worry about being experienced at all of these duties! Your host will recognize what you're good at and place you where you're needed.

Throughout your hostel volunteer experience, you'll likely learn a great deal more than you thought you would!

Working at a hostel will eliminate many travel expenses that tend to add up as you see the world, since you will be receiving free meals and accommodation through volunteering. This frees up your funds so you can use them for what really matters — travel experiences that help you learn and grow.

On the weekends or on your days off, you can set out with a group of new friends you've made and explore the city, taste the local cuisine, connect with nature on a beautiful hike, or enjoy the buzzing nightlife.

As you find hostel work, you'll meet great people who share your desire to soak up the world from a deeper perspective, and would love nothing more than to join you on your road to self-discovery.

Where to find hostel work

Depending on when you are traveling and which part of the world you're in, finding available hostel work can fluctuate throughout the year.

Summertime in Europe is busy season and attracts many backpackers and tourists. This means more volunteering opportunities at European hostels will open up because they need more help! Bigger cities are much more likely to have more hostels to choose from.

Other popular corners of the world for backpackers and travelers are South America and Southeast Asia, in part because the cost of living is so inexpensive and perfect for budget travelers.

Hostels in Rio de Janeiro are looking for high-energy volunteers who can work the night shift, serve as tour guides, and work as receptionists. Some hostels are situated right on the beach and offer perks like free surf lessons and surfboards, snorkeling, and have bikes at your disposal to see the sights within the city.

You can also find hostel work in other bustling cities in South America like Medellin, La Paz, Sao Paulo, Lima, and Santiago.

Southeast Asia is a great place to find hostel work too. People travel there to see the misty waterfalls and lush jungle canopies and to immerse themselves in the fascinating culture.

Many hostels can be found in gorgeous locations where the scenery is pure paradise. You can find rewarding hostel work in several places like Bangkok, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh, and Lombok.

The picturesque countries and islands of Southeast Asia make it an ideal environment for creativity and inspiration to flow freely. It makes relaxing at the end of a long day that much more fulfilling. You'll sip on fresh coconut water as you take in the scenery around you and contemplate extending your stay.

In your search for hostel work, remember that you don't have to volunteer abroad in order to have a great experience.

There are plenty of hostels in the United States with hosts that would be happy to receive your help! Travelers will flock to seaside cities for a good time, small towns to enjoy the rural countryside, or other places near idyllic scenery or national parks. You can find hostels in cities like Boston, Seattle, and San Diego.

Be sure to pick somewhere you'd love to explore yourself! Stay in Utah to see all the renowned national parks there. Visit icy Anchorage to explore America's Last Frontier. Walk on the sunny beaches of Hawaii and discover the magic of island life.

No matter what hostel you choose to volunteer at, you're sure to be warmly welcomed and will soon feel like you're a part of a close-knit family.

Open your mind to learn all you can from your host and fellow volunteers. Share meals with them as you listen to stories and receive travel advice. Go out of your way to make a guest just as happy to stay there as you are as you embrace the reality that travel brings people together.

Finding hostel work around the world has never been so easy, and you're sure to stumble upon a life-changing experience along the way.