Best Hostels in Costa Rica (By Region & Budget)
- Jack Thompson
- Mar 8
- 9 min read
Updated: Mar 12
Best hostels in Costa Rica for solo backpackers, the key to making Costa Rica accessible without breaking the bank.
Costa Rica is a backpacker’s paradise, offering everything from beachside party hostels to eco-lodges in the jungle. Costa Rica is not cheap but that does not mean you have to sacrifice a good time and with some careful selection you can have the best possible time without breaking the bank. For that reason we are going to cover the best hostels across Costa Rica by region and budget.
-- How to Choose the Best Hostel in Costa Rica --
With so many hostels to choose from, finding the right one depends on your travel style, budget, and expectations. The amazing thing about backpacking is the wide variety of personal agendas. Some people love to party, some love nature and never want to step near a bar, some (like me) are architecture tourists. But that can all bed and flex depending on where you are. Costa Rica for example is far more about nature than it is about the nightlife, where as Nicaragua and Guatemala have wild night life scene. So here are our tips for selecting the right hostel:
1️⃣ Location, Location, Location
Want to surf? Stay near the beach in Tamarindo or Santa Teresa.
Love nature? Pick a jungle place in Monteverde or La Fortuna (or if you are lucky enough to have a big budget the have a look at the 'best eco lodges in Costa Rica' ... even if you don't have the budget you should check them out for the architecture, one word ... stunning!
Need transport links? Stick to San José or Liberia for easy airport and bus access.
2️⃣ Social vs. Quiet Atmosphere
Party hostels: Great for nightlife but can be noisy Tamarindo & Puerto Viejo are your best bests for a night scene.
Chill hostels: Perfect for working or relaxing, Monteverde & Uvita are your best best.
Adventure hostels: Near hiking trails, volcanoes, and eco-tourism spots, Monteverde again along with La Fortuna provide some great options .
3️⃣ Amenities & Comfort
Free breakfast? Saves money in expensive areas and Costa Rica is an expensive country so this is an absolute touch if you can get it.
WiFi? Crucial for digital nomads and not always that stable, especially in the more jungle(e) areas (Monteverde).
Pool & bar? Ideal for socialising, you would not believe the swing in temperate from the beach the mountains although if you are at the beach you have earths biggest pool anyway!
Private rooms? Worth it for couples or flash-packers, and to be honest, Costa Rica does have some wonderful rooms for those who are lucky enough to have a little more to spend.
4️⃣ Hostel Reviews & Vibe
Read reviews carefully - especially for safety, cleanliness, and staff friendliness, which leads onto the next one ...
Check recent feedback - hostel quality can change fast. Some of the best hostel I have stayed in have been due to the staff members rather than the overall environment. Good friendly staff can really make or break a stay!
Look for “best for solo travellers” tags - these hostels tend to be the most welcoming.
Central table - One of the greatest tips I can give those looking to socialise is to look for a hosel with a free breakfast and that serves it around a banquet style table. This means all the hostel dwellers will all be able to talk around food, ask tips and advice and you will find you may be doing the same activity as someone else that day!
-- The Best Hostels in Costa Rica --
Which brings me onto the best hostels in Costa Rica by region. Lets do this explorers.
🌆 Best Hostels San Jose; the gritty capital
Although San Jose is a bit of a gritty city, it actually has some super nice hostels that are clean and very comfortable! Stray cat has built a great reputation and is a fantastic option for quick overnight stays whilst Capital Hostel de Ciudad offers a very modern and comfortable stay which is ideal for those looking to spend a few days and maybe take on some tours or activities in the Capital.
💰 Budget: Stray Cat Hostel
Why Stay? One of the most affordable hostels in San José, great for short stopovers before heading to your Costa Rica Paradise
Vibe: Laid-back, social atmosphere.
Facilities: Free breakfast (yay), luggage storage, communal kitchen.
Perfect For: Backpackers catching early buses.
💎 Mid-Range: Capital Hostel de Ciudad
Why Stay? Stylish, modern, and one of the highest-rated hostels in the city.
Vibe: Quiet, comfortable, digital nomad-friendly.
Facilities: Private rooms, coworking space, strong WiFi.
Perfect For: Remote workers & travelers who prefer a peaceful and more conferable stay.
🌋 Best Hostels in La Fortuna, volcano & hot springs
From the city La Fortuna feels like you have stepped into the backpacking park of Costa Rica. Here you will fine some interesting hostels that are set up in a much more typical way, a good social area, a pool and a range of backpackers from solo travellers to groups. You can get a good stay at a great price here, but do not spend to long as once you have done the volcano hike and hit the hot springs, you will soon realise there is little else to do! Spend a couple of days here then move onto your next destination.
💰 Budget: Arenal Poshpacker Hostel
Why Stay? Super affordable with a perfect location in La Fortuna.
Vibe: Social, budget-friendly, and near hot springs, you should be able to meet fellow backpackers here to explore the springs with.
Facilities: Pool, hammocks, communal spaces, rooms and bathrooms are a bit dated! But for the price ...
Perfect For: Budget travellers looking for a great base for Arenal adventures.
💎 Mid-Range: Poshtel Arenal, La Fortuna
Why Stay? A little more expensive but, offering comfort and activities and a great social vibe.
Vibe: Digital nomad-friendly, social, well-designed.
Facilities: The bar and pool are .
Perfect For: Remote workers & those who want a mix of social and quiet.
🌳 Best Hostels in Monteverde, cloud forest
Welcome to the iconic part of Costa Rica, we have all see the bridges suspended across canopies and this is where it happens in the Monteverde Cloud forest. There is a great range of places here for backpackers for more budget option like Monteverde backpackers (I stayed here and was very comfortable) to really beautiful stays like Outbox Inn. Depending on your budget choose accordingly but what you will get from all the hostels and Monteverde is a warm welcome and a nice safe stay.
💰 Budget: Monteverde Backpackers
Why Stay? A classic, no-frills budget hostel close to the cloud forest.
Vibe: I stayed here and actually thought it had alpine chalet vibes! But cute little rooms met nice people here but not the best place to 'make new friends', perfect if you have some backpacking companions in-tow.
Facilities: Free breakfast, tour desk, communal kitchen.
Perfect For: Budget-conscious nature lovers.
💎 Mid-Range: Camino Verde Bed & Breakfast
Why Stay? Cozy guesthouse feel but still budget-friendly.
Vibe: Homey, relaxing, great for couples or quiet travelers.
Facilities: Free breakfast, comfy beds, amazing views
Perfect For: Those who want a quieter, cozy experience.
🌿 Unique: Outbox Inn
Why Stay? A stylish, community-driven hostel with great facilities.
Vibe: Eco-conscious, modern, great for coworking, but not a free breakfast!
Facilities: Yoga deck, bar, shared & private rooms.
Perfect For: Digital nomads & backpackers who love unique spaces.
🏄 Best Hostels in Tamarindo, surf and party
Tamarindo is the best surf spot in Costa Rica, however it is also a more touristy area. You will be sharing the places with locals and holiday makers as well as backpackers but because of this, its not the cheapest of spots. But you can still do it on a budget with the following recommendations.
💰 Budget: Casa Pura Vida Surf Hostel
Why Stay? A fun, social hostel perfect for surfers.
Vibe: Party-friendly, laid-back, youthful.
Facilities: Pool, bar, surfboard rentals.
Perfect For: Budget travelers who love the beach life.
💎 Mid-Range: Tamarindo Backpackers
Why Stay? A more relaxed option compared to party hostels.
Vibe: Quiet, boutique feel, yet still social.
Facilities: Pool, hammocks, great communal areas.
Perfect For: Solo travelers looking for a relaxed but social vibe.
🌿 Unique: Pipe House Play Grande
Why Stay? A stylish surf and coworking retreat.
Vibe: Trendy, eco-conscious, perfect for creatives.
Facilities: Beach access, yoga, coworking.
Perfect For: Remote workers & surf lovers.
🏖️ Best Hostels in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Good news here there are a plethora of great hostels in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, its one of those places that you can hope from place to place and have the most relaxed time of your life. This is sort of the opposite to Tamarindo, it will be a lot less touristy, more 'backpacker-ee' and its a cool spring board to get into Panama from if you are heading to Bocas Del Toro.
💰 Budget: Playa 506 Beachfront Hostel
Why Stay? A beautifully designed eco-hostel with great amenities.
Vibe: Laid-back Caribbean vibes with modern comforts.
Facilities: Pool, coworking space, wellness activities.
Perfect For: Digital nomads & adventure travellers.
💎 Mid-Range: Casa Wolaba
Why Stay? A relaxed, peaceful space surrounded by nature.
Vibe: Chill, eco-friendly, close to the beach.
Facilities: Free coffee, bike rentals, hammocks.
Perfect For: Travellers looking for a quieter Caribbean escape.
🌿 Unique: Rocking J's Hostel
Why Stay? Famous for its artsy, backpacker-friendly vibe.
Vibe: Super social, creative, budget-conscious.
Facilities: Hammocks, murals, beachfront access.
Perfect For: Budget travellers looking for a fun, artsy stay.
🙋♀️ Women Only: La Tribu Boutique
Why Stay? A clean and safe place for women only!
Vibe: Super social, creative, budget-conscious.
Facilities: Hammocks, murals, beachfront access.
Perfect For: Budget travellers looking for a fun, artsy stay.
🦜 Best Hostels in Corcovado National Park
For Corcovado National park you need to adjust your expectations slightly. Nothing is really cheap here and thats because, well its one of the most Biodiverse places on planet earth! Even a tent hear is going to sent you back more than a lot of other dorm rooms across Costa Rica!
💰 Budget: Life for Life Hostel Drake Bay
Why Stay? Eco-hostel in the jungle that also is a marine conservation project 🐢. Own kitchen on pay for use but thats a result here!
Vibe: Close to nature, eco/ back to nature.
Facilities: Rainforest trails, wildlife spotting, basic but beautiful accommodations where you can get your own tent!
Perfect For: Backpackers looking for a raw, authentic rainforest experience and magical sunsets.
🌿 Unique: Jungla del Jaguar
Why Stay? A lodge-style hostel deep in the jungle, great for wildlife lovers.
Vibe: Rustic, wild, adventure-heavy.
Facilities: On-site restaurant, guided tours, beachfront location.
Perfect For: Nature enthusiasts wanting a deeper Amazon-like experience.
🏖️ Best Hostels in Santa Teresa
Backpacking paradise/ just paradise in general! Santa Teresa is the spot for those looking for a quieter place to get their surf on. It has some really great hostels but its a journey to get into so prep for a ride.
💰 Budget: Zeneidas Surf Garden
Why Stay? Beachfront access with a relaxed, natural setting.
Vibe: Social yet chill, surrounded by nature.
Facilities: Hammocks, outdoor showers, surf lessons available.
Perfect For: Backpackers looking for a mix of adventure and relaxation.
💎 Mid- Range: Lost Boyz
Why Stay? One of the best options in Santa Teresa with a social vibe.
Vibe: Laid-back, surf-friendly, digital nomad-friendly.
Facilities: Surfboard rentals, shared kitchen, free breakfast.
Perfect For: Budget travellers who want to meet others and enjoy Santa Teresa’s surf culture.
🌿 Unique: Somos Hostel
Why Stay? A boutique-style hostel with modern design and community-focused vibes.
Vibe: Chic, eco-friendly, social but not wild.
Facilities: Outdoor pool, stylish common areas, restaurant.
Perfect For: Flash-packers and travellers who want a beautiful yet budget-conscious stay.
-- Costa Rica on the Map --
Check out the Backpackers Blueprint map to discover the best of Costa Rica, we constantly update these maps so keep you eye on them 😉
-- Final Thoughts --
Costa Rica offers some of the best hostels in Central America, starting from San Jose you can build yourself a fantastic ring circuit of the country to experience all Costa Rica has to offer. Its a paradise for nature lovers, eco lovers beach lovers, hikers and everyone in between, but its is also not the cheapest of countries to backpack around. If you are on a budget hostels have got your back and are really the key to success. You can meet people looking to share experiences, generally its also a pretty darn safe country to backpack around. In fact Costa Rica is one of the few countries in the world that is demilitarised! But is still does have some safety things you need to consider when heading to Costa Rica, you can find those in my blog post,
Find more about Costa Rica there and make sure to subscribe at the Backpacker's Blueprint homepage. Until the next one have fun in Costa Rica explorer and do not forget to grab a Costa Rica Travel Map, even in an age of digital there is something so good about having one of these in your bag.
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