10 Best Backpacker Hostels in Tonga 🎒 [2024]

1. The Village Backpackers (Tongatapu)

You can hardly get more central than The Village Backpackers in Nuku’alofa, nestled in the Taufa’ahau Village laneway near a wide array of eateries, bars and shops (we recommend Ini’s Cakes)! The backpacker hostel offers a range of ultra-affordable rooms, including 4-6-bed mixed dorms, 4-bed female dorms and 4-bed male dorms upstairs with shared facilities, while downstairs is a selection of private double and triple ensuite rooms with entrances straight onto the street. Airport transfers are available for a fee, while your hosts can also help with ferry booking and transfers. Note that there isn’t a kitchen or fridge, so this accommodation is not suitable for self-catering. Learn more about staying in the city in Where to Stay in Nuku’alofa: The Best Accommodations.

Check The Village Backpackers out:

• The Village Backpackers on Booking.com
• The Village Backpackers on Trip.com

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2. Backpackers Townhouse (Tongatapu)

Another backpacker hostel in Nuku’alofa, Backpackers Townhouse (signposted at “Kapeta Backpackers” on the corner of Mateialona and Vahaakolo Roads) offers a couple of two-bed dorm rooms and four private single, twin/double rooms with shared bathroom facilities between two rooms. The guesthouse is an interesting place to stay with papaya and banana trees that you can help yourself to, while it’s also the site of True Vava’u where you can learn more about how your host makes tuitui (candlenut) oil. What’s more, the guesthouse is conveniently a short walk from the city centre. Full kitchen facilities, hot showers, electric fans and laundry services are all available. Learn more about staying on Tonga’s main island in Where to Stay on Tongatapu: The Best Accommodations.

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3. ‘Alakoka Tahi Moana Guest House (‘Eua)

Moving onto the nearby island of ‘Eua, ‘Alakoka Tahi Moana Guest House is all about the experience with your hosts, Kiko and his family. Not only does the accommodation offer whale swimming tours but also guided hikes and 4WD tours. As for the accommodation, choose from one of nine no-frills rooms with bed layouts sleeping one to six guests. Guests can spend their downtime playing pool, cooking in the large communal kitchen, dining at the on-site restaurant (not available Sunday), or joining for kava nights, Sunday umu and bonfires on the beach when enough people are staying. Most bathrooms are shared and there are also laundry machines available. There are many more affordable guesthouses on the island, so check out Where to Stay on ‘Eua: The Best ‘Eua Accommodations to learn more.

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4. Lindsay Guesthouse (Ha’apai)

The largest guesthouse in Ha’apai, Lindsay Guesthouse offers a truly local stay for unbeatable prices. Just a 10-minute walk from Pangai town centre and located on the same premises as the island’s bakery, it has a convenient location. Your hosts also offer complimentary airport transfers. Stay in one of the 12 rooms available, including single, double and triple rooms with cold-water shared bathroom facilities. Other options include a double and a triple (family) ensuite room. Outside of the rooms, guests can relax in the communal lounge or out on the spacious verandah and lawns. For those staying in an ensuite room, breakfast is included each day of stay, while lunch and dinner are also available to arrange. Note that the guesthouse only accepts cash. See more accommodations like this in Where to Stay in Ha’apai: The Best Accommodations.

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5. Pio’s Backpackers (Vava’u)

If you’re looking for a cheap pitstop in the heart of Vava’u‘s main hub, Neiafu, Pio’s Backpackers is a boutique locally-run guesthouse/backpackers with just three guest rooms and a shared bathroom. Each room is characterfully furnished with a double and single bed yet very basic reflecting some of the cheapest rates in Vava’u. Guests are free to use the spacious and homely lounge, as well as the kitchen. See more accommodations like this in our guide, Where to Stay in Vava’u: The Best Accommodations.

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6. Toni’s Guesthouses & Apartments (Tongatapu)

Toni has a few guesthouses across Nuku’alofa, which can be very confusing to find/make sure you’re going to correct one – so we’ll make this listing a long one to make it as clear as possible. What’s more, the guesthouses are not the most central (rent a car). Nevertheless, travellers looking for an ultra-affordable stay will certainly find a place to call home at one of Toni’s Guesthouses or Apartments, starting with welcome refreshments.

The “Green House” has 2-3-bed backpacker dorm rooms with shared bathrooms and the “Yellow House” has double and twin rooms with some ensuite options. What’s known as the “Family House” is actually two self-contained units within. All of the above are located on the same estate in Tofoa. Meanwhile, “Toni’s Apartments” on Hihifo Road, Puke are two more guesthouses with four guest rooms each.

Unless otherwise stated, all houses are on a shared basis and are well equipped with a kitchen, a cool lounge and a seating area under a verandah – all kept to a clean and presentable standard. Although a little out of town, Toni and Leni offer island day tours. For more hostels in the city, check out the 5 Best Backpacker Hostels in Nuku’alofa & Tongatapu.

Check Toni’s Guesthouses out:

• Toni’s Guesthouses on HostelWorld

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7. Diana Beach Resort (Ha’apai)

Kick it up a notch with a stay at the wonderful backpacker resort, Diana Beach Resort (formerly Taiana’s Resort) on Uoleva Island. The resort in Ha’apai has three Tongan-style fales which are simple but add to the island adventure! Each fale is lined with beautifully woven walls and contains a double bed, mosquito net, a box to put food in, and a bedside table with a solar lantern – think of it like beach glamping! Guests share a shower and toilet in a separate block, while there’s also a communal kitchen and dining room building where you can also charge your devices. Families can stay too thanks to the resort also offering a larger beach house. Backpackers have the option to camp on the grounds in one of the tents available if the other fales are occupied.

As for entertainment, well, you better enjoy snorkelling, lazying on the beach and whale swimming during the whale season! Breakfast and dinner are also available to order, so give your hosts notice. Airport/ferry transfers to the island are also offered (and mandatory to get to the resort) for a fee. See more accommodations like this in the 5 Best Budget Resorts in Tonga.

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8. Beautiful Ofu Island Backpackers (Vava’u)

For another island getaway experience, head to the Beautiful Ofu Island Backpackers! Set on the sandy shores of Ofu Island in Vava’u, a short boat ride from Neiafu’s old harbour – Houmelei Wharf, the Beautiful Ofu Island Backpackers offers basic but ultra-affordable private fales (bungalows) with power outlets sourced by solar power and ensuite bathrooms with cold water. Alternatively, backpackers can stay in one of the three rooms in the main house with a communal kitchen and bathroom facilities. Meals are also available with the highlight being a Tongan feast and floor show once a week. See more accommodations like this in The Top 25 Resorts in Tonga.

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9. Lucky’s Beach Houses (Vava’u)

Get away from the hustle and bustle of Neiafu and experience a more laid-back side of Vava’u at Lucky’s Beach Houses. The boutique accommodation’s most affordable rooms are their duplex units with a double bed or twin bed, screened window and a ceiling fan. There is also a shared bathroom block. Make use of the shared kitchen facilities including a barbecue, or upgrade to one of the fully self-contained bungalows. The beachfront accommodation in Talihau village has complimentary kayaks and snorkelling spots (bring your own snorkelling gear) and offers airport transfers, which include stopping in town for supplies, for a fee. See more reasonably priced stays in the 20 Best Budget Accommodations in Tonga.

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10. Vava’u Lahi Backpackers (Vava’u)

Although not your homeliest of stays, Vava’u Lahi Backpackers provides a perfectly fine stay for travellers on a budget. Stay in one of the 15 private twin or double rooms with three shared bathrooms and a very spacious communal kitchen and lounge area. The backpackers is right on the waterfront with direct access to the small-boat marina where most whale swimming tours depart, while the town centre is only moments away. The budget accommodation is part of the Puataukanave Hotel next door, which also offers car rentals and whale swimming tours.

© TongaPocketGuide.com