Your backpacking travel planner

Samesun Backpacker Hostels, in Vancouver, Kelowna, Silverstar, Banff and Revelstoke!

From the Samesun website: "[Samesun's] mandate is to create a total yet unique hostelling accommodation experience in Alberta and British Columbia (BC) that’s both affordable and economical for the backpacker traveling in Canada. We aim to provide the opportunity to share your traveling experience and good times with like minded individuals in a fun and casual Canadian accommodation hostel atmosphere. We also provide numerous hostelling accommodation resources to assist any backpacker who requires information regarding hostel accommodations and attractions in Alberta and British Columbia (BC) Canada."

Samesun's motto, "We all live under the same sun!"

Pete at the Samesun Vancouver submitted this video to us, showcasing a lot of fun at Samesun.



Hostel of the week, January 13th to 20th 2011
submitted by Kennedy Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada

The Song of Ruth House is an adults-only house, operated like a hostel. It represents freedom away from Vancouver traffic! Song of Ruth House is 90 minutes closer to southern BC sites! Chilliwack is a farming town circled by volcanoes, rivers, lakes! Two short-term furnished room rentals are available: The Waikiki Room and The Molokai Room. The House is in a nice family area in northern Chilliwack, near downtown shops and the bus centre.

The house enjoys a policy of peace-and-quiet, with Quiet Hours after 10 pm. You will get a good night's sleep.

Hostel of the week, Nov. 7th to 16th 2010
submitted by Kennedy Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada

Welcome to Samesun Backpackers, located in the heart of downtown Vancouver. Situated in the middle of the Granville St. entertainment district, this is the place to be for affordable lodging and a great atmosphere.

Clean, safe and friendly, we also provide all the services a traveler needs. We have a large communal kitchen, tv room, internet terminals, pool table, and tour booking facilities as well as free breakfast and free wi-fi. Our helpful staff are available 24 hours a day to assist you. We also provide daily activities including trivia, poker, open mic, free walking tours, beach trips and a special Saturday adventures.

Also on site is the Beaver restaurant, one of the best backpacker bars in North America. Cheap food and beer, and hockey on the big screen, this is your best place to meet people. So come on down and see what all the fuss is about!

We do have a 24 hour cancellation warning.

SameSun has 5 locations to serve you, including our beachfront location in beautiful Kelowna and directly downtown Banff in the world famous Rocky Mountains. And remember: We all live under the Same Sun!

Hostel of the Week, August 12th to August 24th, 2010
submitted by Kennedy Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada

Squamish Inn On the Water

"Greetings from all the staff at the Squamish Inn on the Water. We provide unique accommodation offering inviting rooms along with all the comforts of home. Our personalized service and hospitality is the perfect fit to a memorable experience in the premier destination of Squamish.

Squamish, meaning “Mother of the Wind” in Coast Salish is nestled in the heart of the Sea to Sky corridor, between Whistler and Vancouver on Hwy 99. Our new facility has been custom built to be the ultimate character accommodation for the distinctive destination of Squamish: “The Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada”.

Squamish Inn on the Water is more than a place to stay…it’s an experience!"

Hostel of the Week, January 12th to 17th 2010
Submitted by Kennedy Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada

Pacific Spirit Hostel at UBC, Vancouver

Available May 15 to August 15, Pacific Spirit Hostel at the University of British Columbia is the best budget accommodation for travelers in Vancouver.A Located at the beautiful UBC campus on Vancouver's west side, surrounded by parks and beaches, the Pacific Spirit Hostel offers opportunities for hiking, cycling and other outdoor activities.

The Pacific Spirit Hostel at UBC offers a unique setting, with easy access to campus amenities, affordable pubs and restaurants, recreational facilities and many attractions such as the Museum of Anthropology, UBC Botanical Gardens, University Golf Club and the UBC Aquatic Centre.

All guest rooms are private singles or twins. They are quiet and clean. Floor lounges are available for our in-house guests to unwind and relax; they are equipped with TVs, microwaves, sinks, fridges and sofas. High speed Internet, laundry facilities and parking are available on site. UBC is easily accessible by public transit. A We have the second largest bus network after downtown Vancouver, offering 17 different bus routes connecting our community and guests to virtually anywhere in the Lower Mainland.

Our private single rooms start at $33 (bed linen included). Reserve your room at Pacific Spirit Hostel online.

Hostel of the week, June 15th to 21st 2009
submitted by Kennedy Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada

Backpackers Hostels Canada is a network of over 140 backpacker hostels (also called youth hostels) across Canada. There are over 85 cities across Canada that include hostels in the Backpackers Hostels Canada network. There are several hostels in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver particularly.

What is a backpackers hostel? There are varying definitions, but we include accommodations that are friendly, warm, healthy and safe places for budget travellers. Usually hostels have dorm beds available in a room that they share with other travellers. This gives hostels the opportunity to give guests cheaper prices than they would at a hotel or B&B, but best of all gives the traveller further chance to meet other fell0w-travellers. A hostel is a great place to meet young men and women from other countries that have come to Canada in search of adventure. One great feature in every hostel is a comfortable common room, which gives the hostel a home-away-from-home or in any case, a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. Common rooms in hostels usually include tv, dvds, Wifi Internet (or internet terminals), games, and big comfy couches and chairs allowing for socializing and relaxing.

Hostels are great places to stay while visiting a particular city, or while on the move across Canada. Each week for the last couple of years we've been featuring on our website (www.backpackers.ca), a different hostel, or adventure company catering to the adventurous budget traveller. We've decided its time to blog our feature each week, and redo some of the features from the past as blogs to give more permanent stay to the feature on the web. In this way, travellers will be able to get a good sense about what a particular hostel is about, and what the network, Backpackers Hostels Canada, as a whole, has to offer.

If you have an interest in starting a hostel in Canada, or if you have any questions for us, please email us at info@backpackers.ca.

Happy trails to you!

-Ken Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada
(807)-344-1384
info@backpackers.ca