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With what is considered New Zealand’s best climate it’s no surprise that there are many hostels in Nelson to keep the many visitors happy. The sunshine capital of the country is a big draw for both Kiwis and tourists alike, and the hotels in the area tend to be on the expensive side. The Nelson hostels are almost all very reasonably priced so visiting the city is affordable even for backpackers.

And speaking of backpackers, in Australia and New Zealand hostels are almost all called “backpackers” so when you are searching listings for Nelson hostels you’ll be seeing mostly places called backpackers, even though they are the same thing. And don’t let the backpackers name fool you, these places welcome anyone. Age limits and curfews are pretty much history now and actually quite a few older travelers have discovered the hostel network as a great way to save money and meet other travelers as well.

Staying in a dorm bed certainly isn’t for everyone so you may be happy to know that most of the hostels in Nelson also have private rooms, often for only a bit more than the dorm beds. If you are traveling in a group of two or three people make sure to check out the private room availability. This can be a great way to sleep with a bit of privacy and still get all the great things that come along with staying at a hostel in Nelson.

Since New Zealand is always full of people traveling from place to place it can be especially helpful to mix with the other travelers here. It’s usually very easy to find someone at your hostel who has just come from the direction you are headed so you can get great recommendations of places to see and also advice on places you might want to avoid.

The center of Nelson is quite compact and there are several Nelson hostels right in the center. Especially if you are on foot this is a great option since it maximizes nightlife potential and minimizes the hassle of getting around late at night. If you are driving around in a car or campervan you might be better off staying at one of the Nelson hostels on the outskirts.

The YHA Nelson is probably the most popular hostel in the city. They’ve got internet access and all the other usual hostel amenities, plus a location right near the center of town. Their dorm rooms only have 4 beds in each and they start around $US16 per person per night. They’ve also got private twin and double rooms for groups of two starting around $US23 per night.

The Paradiso Backpackers Hostel is also fairly close to the city center, but with a much more relaxing setting. They’ve got a garden and their own swimming pool as well as a Swedish sauna. Their cheapest beds are in their 10-bed dorm rooms starting around $US17 per night, with smaller rooms only a bit more. They’ve also got teepees and tent sites in the garden, which are great ways to enjoy the excellent weather in the area at your Nelson hostel.

Hostels in Nelson