Working in hostels and guesthouses abroad: what is it, why would you do it, and where is the best place to go?

What is working in hostels and guesthouses abroad like?

• Hostels and guesthouses are often the beating heart of backpacker life. No anonymous hotel hallways, but shared kitchens, communal breakfast tables, and guests who were strangers yesterday and are planning a road trip together today.
• Working in these kinds of places usually means participating in the daily life of the accommodation.

• Responsibilities:

  • Reception work and welcoming guests.
  • Checking in and out (sometimes with systems, sometimes with pen and paper).
  • Cleaning rooms and common areas.
  • Preparing and tidying up breakfast.
  • Bar or kitchen help.
  • Organizing activities or showing guests around.
  • Being a social host: creating a good atmosphere, offering tips, starting conversations.

• Working conditions:

  • Much of the work is based on work exchange: working a few hours a day in exchange for accommodation (and sometimes food).
  • Paid work is also available, especially in larger hostels or with longer contracts. You are often required to speak the local language. Working hours are often flexible, but not always a 9-to-5.
  • Contracts are usually short-term: from a few weeks to several months.
• Work and private life sometimes blur together (yes, even on your day off, you get recognized). You often live in the same place where you work.

What are the reasons for working in hostels and guesthouses abroad?

• To feel involved: You're part of a small community of travelers, colleagues, and regular guests. That sense of belonging often develops faster than you expect.
• To develop communication skills: Daily contact with people from different cultures sharpens your communication skills, even if your English isn't perfect.
• To learn to be flexible: No two days are the same. Guests arrive late, rooms suddenly turn out to be double-booked, and plans constantly change. Flexibility isn't a luxury, but a necessity.
• To strengthen teamwork: In small teams, everyone is important. Working together under pressure quickly teaches you how to complement each other instead of getting in each other's way.
• To become environmentally aware: You learn to consider local customs, neighbors, rules, and sensitivities. What's normal for travelers isn't always normal for the surrounding area.

What skills and motivations do you need to work in hostels and guesthouses abroad?

• Communicating: Guests expect clarity, friendliness, and practical tips, often in a different language.
• Collaborating: Small teams require a lot of coordination and little room for discretion.
• Flexibility: Schedules, tasks, and responsibilities change regularly.
• Service-oriented: Guests come for a pleasant experience, not just a bed.
• Resilience: Busy check-ins, full dorms, and last-minute problems are part of life.

What are the best countries and locations to work in hostels and guesthouses abroad?

• Countries with a strong backpacker culture: Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia.
• Countries with many small-scale guesthouses: Nepal, Peru, Guatemala, Morocco, Sri Lanka.
• Countries where work exchanges are common: Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Costa Rica, South Africa.
• Popular locations within countries: Coastal areas, surf spots, mountain villages, cultural cities.

What are the risks of working in hostels and guesthouses abroad, and are you insured against those risks? 

• What are the risks of working at/in hostels and guesthouses abroad?
  • Healthcare is often expensive or limited: A simple food poisoning, infection, or accident can result in unexpectedly high costs.
  • Work and personal life often overlap: Insufficient rest can lead to fatigue or stress.
  • Hygiene standards often differ: Shared kitchens, dormitories, and bathrooms increase the risk of illness.
  • It's common to be given responsibilities without clear guidance: This can lead to stress or mistakes, especially in emergencies.
  • An unsafe work environment is common: infrastructure, health risks, political instability, and social norms.
• Are you insured while working in hostels and guesthouses abroad?
  • There may be several reasons why you need separate insurance when working abroad.
  • Local employers generally offer limited or no supplementary insurance.
  • There's a risk of accidents, for example, because you're doing work with which you have little experience.
  • During work, internships, or volunteering abroad where you receive compensation or a salary, your own health insurance coverage in your home country may be cancelled.
  • See the pages on: insuring international Insurances for working abroad, for internships abroad, for volunteering abroad, or for expats and emigrants.