A popular backpacker hostel in downtown Cancun (Ciudad Cancun), Hostel Che offers clean dorms and private rooms, a sociable common area, and easy access to the ADO bus terminal. It's the best budget base for exploring Cancun without paying Hotel Zone prices.
Hostel Che occupies a building on Avenida Uxmal in downtown Cancun (Ciudad Cancun), the municipal city center that sits apart from the tourist-heavy Hotel Zone (Zona Hotelera) on the barrier island. The downtown location, approximately 8 km from the Hotel Zone, is the authentic urban core of Cancun — home to the ADO main bus terminal 150 meters away, local markets, taco stands, and a working Mexican city environment entirely absent from the resort strip. For budget travelers using Cancun as a transit hub for Chichen Itza, Valladolid, Isla Mujeres, and the broader Riviera Maya, proximity to the ADO terminal is the hostel's most practical asset.
The property offers mixed-gender dormitory rooms with 4 to 8 beds and air conditioning, plus private double rooms with en-suite bathroom for travelers preferring more space. Common areas include a sociable lounge with hammocks, a shared kitchen for self-catering, and a small outdoor terrace. Lockers are available in dorm rooms, and the front desk operates a tour desk booking cenote trips, Isla Mujeres ferry tickets, and Chichen Itza day tours at competitive prices. Wi-Fi coverage extends across the building and is generally reliable for remote work. Air conditioning in all rooms is a notable advantage over some budget properties in the region where it is an optional extra.
Hostel Che consistently earns above-average cleanliness ratings for its category. Downtown Cancun's street food scene — particularly along Avenida Uxmal and around Mercado 28, approximately 1 km away — is excellent and very inexpensive, offering a compelling alternative to the chain-restaurant dining of the Hotel Zone. The R-2 city bus stops near the hostel and provides cheap access to the Hotel Zone beach, the Isla Mujeres ferry pier, and Puerto Juárez for roughly 12 pesos per ride.
Amenities
- dorms
- private rooms
- common area
- wifi
- lockers
- tour desk
- AC
Location
Avenida Uxmal 25, Centro, Cancun, Quintana Roo 77500
21.1639, -86.8265 View on map
Highlights
- 150 meters from the ADO main bus terminal — the best transit hub for the Yucatan Peninsula
- Air-conditioned dorms and private rooms at downtown Cancun rates
- Tour desk for Isla Mujeres, cenotes, and Chichen Itza bookings at competitive prices
- Shared self-catering kitchen for budget-conscious meal preparation
- Walking distance to authentic local markets and street food around Mercado 28
Tips for visiting
- Take the R-2 city bus from Avenida Uxmal to the Hotel Zone beach for roughly 12 pesos — no need to pay for taxis
- Book Chichen Itza and Isla Mujeres tours through the hostel tour desk; prices are typically lower than street vendors near the Hotel Zone
- The ADO terminal is 150 meters away; confirm departure times the evening before for early-morning buses to Tulum, Merida, or Chichen Itza
- Mercado 28 is about 1 km from the hostel and has excellent and inexpensive cochinita pibil tacos, fresh juice, and local crafts
When to visit
Year-round as a transit base; December to April is busiest with slightly higher rates.
Accessibility
The building has no elevator access noted; specific accessibility requirements should be confirmed with the property before booking.