Bordering the Caribbean Sea to the East and the Pacific Ocean to the West, Central America boasts year-round tropical weather and beautiful, majestic destinations, including some of the world’s nicest clear-water beaches.
This large and vital isthmus comprises seven sister nations. Costa Rica is one of the most popular. Some of the best attractions of this awe-inspiring country include vibrant cities, incredible national parks, stunning beaches (of course), and lush rainforests.
If you want to embark on an exploration adventure through Costa Rica as a backpacker or solo traveler, hostels can help you lower costs. However, not all of the options you’ll find will be great.
The good news is that you’ve been lucky enough to have landed on this blog. Are you looking for the best hostel in Costa Rica? Below is all the information you need to know about the top recommendations. Read on!
Top Hostel Picks in Costa Rica
Staying in hostels is one of the most effective ways to save money while traveling through Costa Rica. Although this country seems small, there are so many affordable accommodation options that it can be challenging to choose just one.
Need help narrowing down your list of potential choices? These are the best hostels that backpackers and solo travelers can find in Costa Rica. (These links lead to more in-depth reviews.)
- Arenal Backpackers Resort
- Playa 506 Beachfront Hostel
- Monteverde Backpackers
- Hostel Plinio
- Casa Aura
- Selina Manuel Antonio
Budget-Friendly Accommodations in Costa Rica
Saving doesn’t mean you’re stingy. If you use your money strategically, you can maximize your budget and enjoy many other things that would otherwise leave your bank account almost empty, such as delicious local dishes and exciting activities.
One of the best ways to avoid pouring money down the drain is by staying in hostels with cheap services. Are you looking for affordable accommodation options? Costa Rica has many! Below are some of them!
Monteverde Backpackers
At the Bosque Nuboso Monteverde (Monteverde Cloud Forest), specifically in the heart of Santa Elena town, there’s a cozy hostel where you can spend some of the best days of your life: Monteverde Backpackers.
This hostel offers everything you need if you’re a backpacker. Plus, it has a great vibe that will match your adventurous spirit!
Do you want to have a special dinner at a local restaurant or just buy a few things for your personal hygiene routine? Are you planning to join a party or enjoy some vibrant drinks? Monteverde Backpackers is just two minutes away from local restaurants, supermarkets, and bars.
Prices are different for each accommodation option, but they’re reasonable. This beautiful hostel is included in this list because it has some of the lowest rates in Costa Rica.
If you stay at Monteverde Backpackers, you can choose between shared dorms and private rooms.
Shared Rooms
- Dorm rooms with seven beds, a private bathroom, and lockers are available for $10 per person.
- If you choose a dorm room with four beds, lockers, and a private bathroom, you’ll have to pay $12 per person.
Private Rooms
- Double-bed rooms with a private bathroom are available for $30 per night for up to two people.
- Triple rooms, which have a double bed, a bunk bed, and a private bathroom, are available for $15 per person.
- Quadruple rooms with a private bathroom are available for $14 per person.
Other Things You’ll Love About Monteverde Backpackers
Besides providing affordable accommodation options and services to people visiting Costa Rica, Monteverde Backpackers offers the following:
- Excellent customer service by a friendly and bilingual staff
- Tours and other activities
- Access to an impressive pool
- Great hot showers
- Games
- Free book exchange
- Laundry service
- Free high-speed WiFi
- Free breakfast and coffee
- Free kitchen
- Free parking
- And more!
Hostel Plinio
Are you planning to visit the famous Manuel Antonio National Park? Do you want to secure the perfect place to come back and rest after exploring it? Booking a night at Hostel Plinio is one of the best things you can do.
Although it isn’t the best place to stay if you love to party, Hostel Plinio is definitely the ideal option for those who want to explore the local wonders. Plus, it’s one of the cheapest ones you’ll find.
When booking a night at Hostel Plinio, you can choose between the following:
- Standard double room with shared bathroom
- Studio
- Quadruple room with private bathroom
- Dorm rooms with eight beds
- Family rooms
Prices start at $10 per person for private options but can be even lower if you’re willing to share a dorm room with someone else.
Other Things You’ll Love About Hostel Plinio
Do you want to know if Hostel Plinio is the best option for your next trip to Costa Rica? These are some of the reasons why you’ll love it:
- Accommodation offers access to a pool with a beautiful view, an outdoor dining area, and spaces with board games and puzzles.
- Depending on the type of dorm or room you choose, this space may include a safe deposit box, a fire extinguisher, towels, toilet paper, non-feather pillows, and more.
- Accommodation includes free WiFi and access to a shared kitchen.
- Other services are available, such as laundry, tours and ticket assistance, grocery shopping, and housekeeping.
Discover the Perfect Hostel Experience in Costa Rica
Finding the “perfect” hostel in Costa Rica will depend on your needs and preferences. However, many can easily fall into this category thanks to their high-quality services, friendly staff, strategic location, and reasonable prices.
The following one is considered the best hostel in Costa Rica by many backpackers and solo travelers who have visited this beautiful and unforgettable country.
Arenal Backpackers Resort
La Fortuna, a small and leisurely town located northwest of the country’s capital, San Jose, is home to one of the best hostels you’ll ever visit.
This pleasant town is located right next to the Arenal Volcano National Park, which is one of Costa Rica’s main attractions and provides a breathtaking backdrop.
Thanks to its stunning scenery, natural hot springs, and geological wonders, La Fortuna has become one of the country’s most popular destinations.
Although it’s a little pricer than other tourist sites in Central America, this quiet oasis offers multiple accommodation options for travelers and backpackers, including this one.
Arenal Backpackers Resort will be the ideal place to rest after embarking on adventures through La Fortuna. It has holiday vibes that promote a welcoming and cheerful atmosphere.
This hostel is equipped with almost all the basics these places would need, except a kitchen. However, there’s a restaurant and a bar, so finding something delicious to eat won’t be a problem.
You can also go and explore the surrounding areas. This is the perfect excuse to change your itinerary and add some local restaurants or bars. Arenal Backpackers Resort is within walking distance of many of them.
Accommodation Options
To make sure you have the best possible experience, this hostel offers different accommodation varieties, including shared dorms and private rooms.
Plus, there’s an additional option: a private cylindrical pod with views of the majestic Arenal Volcano. Are you willing to try new things? Request more information about the hostel’s tents.
Besides the basics, Arenal Backpackers Resort has other spaces designed to satisfy guests’ unique needs, including the following:
- A stunning swimming pool
- A wet bar
- An information and tour desk
- A large garden with hammocks
If you want to meet people from all over the world and make new friends, the swimming pool will be a great place to spend your free time. You can also walk through the hammock garden to relax after a busy day or grab a refreshing drink from the on-site bar.
The best part? Arenal Backpackers Resort’s staff is fully bilingual, so you won’t have trouble requesting services or more information about this hostel. That’s amazing!
Amenities and Other Things You’ll Love About Arenal Backpackers Resort
Arenal Backpackers Resort promises to offer a high-quality experience that will change your idea of hostels for good. To achieve this, it provides the following:
- Free internet
- Rooms with A/C
- 24-hour security
- Book exchange
- TV service
- Wireless access
- Gated parking
- Card games
- Twister
- Board games
- Slip ‘n slide
- Pool table
- And more
Prices may vary based on the accommodation option you choose. Tents are the cheapest, so they’re ideal for budget backpackers who want to travel affordably through Costa Rica. Shared dorms are available for $20, and staying in a private room can cost $50.
Unforgettable Stays: Costa Rica’s Finest Hostels
If you’re looking for a luxurious place to stay while you explore Costa Rica, there are some great options, too. The following are the best ones:
Casa Aura
Located in the heart of Tamarindo, Casa Aura is one of the best hostels in Costa Rica, and perhaps the top hostel in Tamarindo. While booking a night there will cost you some money, it’s totally worth it!
This magical place has beachfront areas where you can relax and enjoy the country’s clearest waters. Actually, you’ll be just a few steps away from the sea.
Upon entering Casa Aura’s building, you’ll feel like you’re walking through a beach mansion. Also, accommodation and services are top-class. That’s why it’s considered one of the finest hostels in Costa Rica.
Selina Manuel Antonio
Selina hostels are quite popular in Costa Rica. They aren’t perfect just for backpackers or solo travelers but for their families!
If you want to visit this beautiful country with your loved ones, Selina Manuel Antonio is an option you should consider. Although the average price for a night is slightly high compared to other hostels, you’ll enjoy many benefits.
This hostel promises you’ll enjoy a luxurious and peaceful stay with the following amenities:
- Access to kitchen
- Swimming pools
- Rooms with A/C
- Access to an outdoor terrace
- Massive property grounds
- Access to a yoga deck
- Incredibly helpful staff
Affordable and Memorable: Must-Visit Costa Rican Hostels
Some people believe that affordable options aren’t as good as a more expensive one could be, but this is a common misconception. Many hostels charge reasonable fees and offer excellent services, making them memorable!
Based on both aspects, the following hostels are the best options you can choose. Visiting them is a must if you want to enjoy a memorable experience without harming your finances.
Playa 506 Beachfront Hostel
Do you like to party? If you stay at Playa 506 Beachfront Hostel, that’s exactly what you’ll do all the time.
Located in Puerto Viejo, a laid-back coastal town with unforgettable Caribbean vibes, this is one of the best party hostels you’ll find in Costa Rica. Every night, there will be something fun to do.
Music always fills the air. The best reggae songs of all time will be played every night to take the hostel’s happy hours to the next level. Looking for something different? Playa 506 Beachfront Hostel hosts open mic evenings, too.
You just have to request more information about the available activities and pick the right one! The hostel’s team really strives to make sure you’re having a good time.
However, there’s something that makes Playa 506 Beachfront Hostel different. It doesn’t have the same party vibes you’d normally associate with similar places. Instead, this hostel combines a chilled-out atmosphere with a fun drinking culture.
Playa 506 Beachfront Hostel offers different accommodation options, including the following:
- Beachfront shared dorms for up to 8 people
- Beachfront private rooms with either shared or private bathrooms
There’s only one disadvantage: getting into town isn’t easy. Luckily, a bicycle could solve this small issue, and you can rent one at this hostel.
Amenities and Other Things You’ll Love About Playa 506 Beachfront Hostel
Playa 506 Beachfront Hostel offers multiple services and benefits to make sure guests enjoy the best hospitality experience in Costa Rica. The following are some of them:
- Quiet hours to allow guests to rest inside their rooms
- Smoke-free areas
- On-site restaurant
- Parking
- Bicycle rental
- On-site bar with craft drinks
- Free WiFi
- Pet-friendly areas
- Wellness spaces and activities, such as yoga
- Other activities, such as day trips to special locations and surf lessons
You won’t have to break the bank to stay one night at Playa 506 Beachfront Hostel. Shared dorms are available from $19. However, prices for private rooms are slightly high, as these options cost $70.
Hostel Havens: Uncovering Costa Rica’s Hidden Gems
Costa Rica is also home to some hidden gems that have become places you must visit at least once while traveling through this country, including the following:
- Nativus Art-Hostel: It’s the best and cheapest option if you have to spend a night in the capital before returning home. This place is near the Juan Santamaría International Airport and a bus station.
- Slow Monkey: This hostel has everything you need to have fun, including a jacuzzi pool, bar, outdoor BBQ area, and pool table.
- Wave Trotter Surf Hostel: Do you love surfing? This hostel is strategically located in the surf town of Santa Teresa. It’s an excellent option if you want to participate in activities that give you an adrenaline rush.
- Selina Jaco: This is another of the Selina hostels that is worth visiting. Rooms have a unique style, and you can get access to co-working spaces if you book a night here.
Finding Paradise: Costa Rica’s Best Hostel Options
Planning to explore Costa Rica? Before grabbing your backpack and boarding the plane, think about the accommodation option you’ll choose.
If you want to stay in the best hostel in Costa Rica, you’ll need some time to make the right decision. Don’t worry! This guide proves that you won’t have problems finding the perfect place. There are many! However, you must evaluate them in detail to choose the one that best fits your needs.
About Peter C.
Peter is a digital nomad who largely writes from Asia, Europe, and South America. Always following the "vibe," he sets up shop in hostels and AirBNB's and continues to entertain us with wild stories from life abroad. Ask him anything in our community forum. Make sure to download the AllWorld Travel Hacks FREE ebook.
