Updated: 2/4/22 | February 4th, 2022
Costa Rica was the very first place I ever visited, kick-staring a journey that would eventually take me around the world and launch my career as a travel writer. since that first trip, I’ve returned a few times, lured in by the friendly people, cloud forests, wildlife, and excellent beaches.
San José is the starting point for most visitors in the country, owing to the fact that it’s the nation’s capital and a major international hub. chances are you’ll be here for a few days as you get situated before heading off to hike, lounge on the beach, and enjoy the lush and scenic landscapes.
I’ve been staying in hostels for over a decade during my several return check outs to Costa Rica. There are a lot of things to consider when selecting a hostel in San José. The top four are:
Location – San José is huge, and it can take some time to get around. pick a place that is central to the sites and nightlife you want to see. All the hostels listed here are in good locations.
Price – In San José, you really get what you pay for, so if you go with a really low-cost one, you’re probably going to get a hostel that is small and cramped and doesn’t offer terrific service.
Amenities – Every hostel in the city offers free Wi-Fi, and most have a free breakfast, but if you want more than that, be sure to do your research to find the hostel that best meets your needs!
Staff – All the hostels listed here have remarkable staff! They are super friendly and knowledgeable. even if you don’t stay at one of the places listed below, be sure to look up reviews to ensure you end up somewhere where the staff is valuable and friendly. They can make or break a hostel!
Here is my list of the hostels in San José that I like the most. If you don’t want to read the longer list below, the following hostels are the best in each category:
Best Hostel for budget Travelers: Costa Rica Backpackers
Best Hostel for Families: In the Wind Hostel
Best Hostel for Solo female Travelers: stray cat Hostel
Best Hostel for digital Nomads: capital Hostel de Ciudad
Best Hostel for Partying: Hostel Pangea or Costa Rica Backpackers
Best overall Hostel: capital Hostel de Ciudad
Want the specifics of each hostel? Here’s my comprehensive list of the best hostels in San José:
Price legend (per night)
$ = Under $10 USD
$$ = $10-20 USD
$$$ = Over $20 USD
1. capital Hostel de Ciudad
This is a chill hostel with cozy beds and lots of common space. It has a co-living space as well, making it a good choice for anyone working remotely. There’s a patio for BBQs and yoga, a game room with a pool table and projector for watching movies, and a fully equipped kitchen. The mattresses are pretty thick and the beds have privacy curtains. Overall, it offers a nice balance of being a relaxed but social hostel.
Capital Hostel de Ciudad at a glance:
$$
Relaxed atmosphere
Game room & coworking space
Outdoor patio for hanging out
Beds from $15 USD a night, rooms from $42 USD.
Book capital Hostel de Ciudad here!
2. stray cat Hostel
This colorful backpacker hostel is covered in art and murals. It has a cozy, homey vibe while still being well maintained and clean. The mattresses are a little thin (and the bunks don’t have curtains), but the hostel is quiet and laid back, so it’s easy to get a decent night’s sleep. There are female-only dorms too. It’s close to the bus station as well, making it a convenient location if you’re just passing through or heading to/from the airport. And, if you’re an artist, you can trade your skills for free accommodation.
Stray cat Hostel at a glance:
$$
Female-only dorms available
Quiet atmosphere
Free breakfast
Beds from $12 USD a night, rooms from $40 USD.
Book stray cat Hostel here!
3. Costa Rica Backpackers
This is a lively, social hostel popular with the younger backpacker/party crowd. It has a pool and bar on-site, and there are organized tours and activities. breakfast isn’t included, but there is free coffee all day. The beds aren’t the best (the mattresses are thin and the bunks squeak) and the bathrooms are small and could use an update, but it’s the cheapest hostel in the city. If you’re on a tight budget and want to party, it’s the place to be!
Costa Rica Backpackers at a glance:
$
Pool and bar
Easy to meet other travelers
Fun and social atmosphere
Beds from $7 USD a night, rooms from $25 USD.
Book Costa Rica Backpackers here!
4. Fauna luxury Hostel
Fauna is a boutique hostel with really amazing and cozy pod beds, tons of outdoor common space to lounge, a pool, and lots of really neat artwork in the rooms. The beds have thick mattresses and curtains (two things I really appreciate), breakfast is included, and there is air conditioning (a big plus in Costa Rica!). There are balconies you chill out on that overlook the pool, and the private rooms are super spacious and similar to hotel rooms. They also arrange low-cost airport shuttles too. For $8 USD per night, you really get a lot of value here!
Fauna luxury Hostel at a glance:
$
Great beds
Free breakfast
Laid-back, relaxed vibe
Beds from $8 USD a night, rooms from $39 USD.
Book Fauna luxury Hostel here!
5. Hostel del Paseo
This hostel doesn’t have a terrific social vibe, but the dorms are quiet and clean. There is a substantial common area with lots of games and movies, and there’s a bus station nearby. The staff are super helpful, the free breakfast is pretty good, and the dorms are capped at eight beds, so you’re never crammed in with lots of other people. The beds don’t have curtains, but the mattresses are thick and comfy, so you’ll get a decent night’s sleep.
Hostel del Paseo at a glance:
$$
Quiet dorms make sleeping easy
Lots of common rooms & games
Free breakfast
Beds from $12 USD a night, rooms from $44 USD.
Book Hostel del Paseo here!
6. TripOn open House
This funky, social hostel is located near supermarkets and tons of restaurants. It has an amazing free breakfast every morning and organizes low-cost shuttles to the airport too (which is just 30 minutes away). The beds are comfy and have curtains for privacy and there are lots of common areas for hanging out and socializing. It’s a really fun hostel, with lots of things to do. There are also hammocks outside for relaxing, video games, and a fully-equipped kitchen if you feel like cooking your own food.
TripOn open house at a glance:
$$
Social atmosphere makes it easy to meet people
Great free breakfast
Good location
Beds from $10 USD a night, rooms from $43 USD.
Book TripOn open house here!
7. In the Wind Hostel & Guesthouse
Another laid-back hostel, In the Wind has a amazing outdoor area for hanging out and having BBQs, offers free breakfast (with pancakes), and has amazing staff. It’s also super clean, which is always a plus in any hostel. The beds aren’t remarkable (there are no privacy curtains and the mattresses are thin), but the hostel is super economical and the vibe here more than makes up for it. If you’re looking for that “classic” backpacker hostel experience, you’ll find it here.
In the Wind Hostel & Guesthouse at a glance:
$$
Awesome staff
Free breakfast
Quiet and calm atmosphere
Beds from $10 USD a night, rooms from $17 USD.
Book In the Wind Hostel & Guesthouse here!
8. Hostel Pangea
This is a party hostel. It has an on-site bar with super low-cost drinks plus a heated pool and a restaurant. There are also daily activities organized by the staff. The dorms are a little small, and the beds are basic metal bunks with no curtains but people come here for the pool and partying. You’ll find lots of common areas here too so there’s always a spot to chill out. In short, if you’re looking to meet lots of people and party, this is where you want to stay.
Hostel Pangea at a glance:
$$
Bar & pool on-site
Lots of chill outdoor common areas
Really low-cost drinks
Beds from $10 USD a night, rooms from $30 USD.
Book Hostel Pangea here!
***
With dorms under $10 USD per night and private rooms for under $20 USD, San José is a steal for budget travelers.
While it’s not the most exciting destination in Costa Rica, chances are you’ll be here for a few days before heading off to the country’s better-known sights. By staying at one of these amazing (and cheap) hostels, you’ll not only save money but you’ll get to meet other travelers, pick up insider tips and advice, and really make the most of your visit.
Book Your trip to Costa Rica: Logistical tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Használja a Skyscanner vagy a Momondo-t, hogy keressen olcsó repülést. Ők a két kedvenc keresőmotorom, mert webhelyeket és légitársaságokat keresnek szerte a világon, így mindig tudod, hogy a kő nem marad megfordítva. Először kezdje el a Skyscannerrel, mert ők a legnagyobb elérhetőségük van!
Book Your Accommodation
Foglalhatja a hostelét a Hostelworld -nél, mivel ezek a legnagyobb készlet és a legjobb ajánlatok vannak. Ha a hostel kivételével valahol másutt szeretne maradni, használja a booking.com-ot, mivel azok következetesen visszatérnek a legolcsóbb áron a vendégházak és az olcsó szállodák számára.
Ne felejtsd el az utazási biztosítást
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Biztonsági szárny (mindenki számára, aki 70 alatt van)
Biztosítsa az utazásomat (a 70 év felettiek számára)
MedJet (további hazatelepítéshez)
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Want more information on Costa Rica?
Be sure to check out our robust destination guide on Costa Rica for even more planning tips!
Photo credits: 2 – capital Hostel de Ciudad, 3 – stray cat HosTel, 4 – Costa Rica Backpackers, 5 – Fauna Luxury Hostel, 6 – Hostel del Paseo, 7 – Tripon Open House, 8 – A Wind Hostel & Guesthouse -ban, 9 – Hostel Pangea
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