Costa Rica is a backpacker’s dream destination. Lush rainforests, postcard-worthy beaches, volcanoes, and waterfalls are all located just a short distance from each other.
Transportation via bus, shuttle, taxi, or even motorcycle rental is plentiful and traditional sodas offer fresh, local food on the cheap. Best of all, Costa Rica is loaded with hostels, offering backpackers affordable access to some of the country’s most impressive sites.
In fact, there are so many hostels available to backpackers traveling throughout Costa Rica, it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you.
From the thick rainforest of Monteverde to the palm-tree-studded beaches of Santa Teresa and other must-visit destinations in between, these are the ten best hostels in Costa Rica.
BEST HOSTELS IN TAMARINDO
Casa Aura Beachfront Premium Hostel
HostelWorld (*9.4) Booking.com (*8.7) Map Starts at ($30) for 8 bed-dorm
**SPECIAL 10% SELINA DISCOUNT* Use Our Coupon: “TRAVELING-SELINA” while Booking on Selina’s Website to Get Exclusive Discount.
**prices are shown for weekdays in Mid-season (July)
Highlights of the hostel:
- Oceanfront location
- Walking distance to downtown
- New luxurious design
- Chic common areas
- Pool table
- Fire pit
The term hostel doesn’t always mean a large home loaded with bunks and backpacks strewn across the floor.
Casa Aura is the epitome of modern luxury in a hostel setting, offering beachfront access to the ocean, stone bathrooms, fine wood furnishings and more. Bunks are available for budget-minded backpackers, but en-suite rooms and apartments can be booked as well.
Experience the convenience of beachfront living while remaining just steps from Tamarindo’s top shops, restaurants, markets, and more.
La Botella de Leche
HostelWorld (*9.3) Booking.com (*8.8) Map Starts at ($15) for 10 bed-dorm
**prices are shown for weekdays in Mid-season (July)
Highlights of the hostel:
- Spacious pool
- Fully-equipped communal kitchen
- Free coffee 24 hours a day
- Weekly parties and events
- Walking distance to downtown and beaches
- Board games
- Book exchange
La Botella de Leche has remained one of Tamarindo’s top hostels for more than 15 years. Bunk and private rooms are available for affordable prices, and the well-equipped, open kitchen makes saving money on meals even easier.
Best of all, the hostel’s delicious coffee is available 24 hours a day. Weekly events, like barbecues and live music, make this a fun place to stay without having to spend all of your travel. The scenic pool is an added bonus for those muggy Tamarindo days.
BEST HOSTELS IN JACO
Wipeout International Hostel
HostelWorld (*9.8) Booking.com (*9.3) Map Starts at ($20) for 8 bed-dorm
**prices are shown for weekdays in Mid-season (July)
Highlights of the hostel:
- On-site bar and cafe
- Pool and BBQ open all year round
- Great location
- Late check-out option
Located just a few kilometers outside of Jaco and a couple of minutes walking distance to the beautiful Hermosa Beach, Wipeout International is the best spot for a surfing holiday.
Watch the sunset from the outside swimming pool while sipping a chilled drink from the on-site bar, or organize a BBQ cookout for fellow visitors.
Even though this hostel is away from the craziness of the town, it can get a bit crowded at the weekends. It is, therefore, also a good option if you want to meet new people. But the ones who prefer a peaceful atmosphere don’t have to worry, because weekdays tend to be quiet.
Selina Jaco
HostelWorld (*8.9) Booking.com (*8.2) Map Starts at ($17) for 8 bed-dorm
**prices are shown for weekdays in Mid-season (July)
Highlights of the hostel:
- On-site restaurant and bar
- Plenty of common areas
- Near to many attractions
- Weekly events
Nestled at the beachfront of the town, often frequented both by foreigners and locals, Selina Jaco will embrace you with its authentic Costa Rican experience and community-like atmosphere.
It features plenty of areas to spend time with others, such as a swimming pool, communal kitchen, restaurant, bar, or movie room. They also offer daily activities, including yoga classes, salsa lessons, and movie nights.
You can stay in both a dorm or a suite. Whether you prefer to go surfing at Hermosa Beach or explore the area’s rainforests, Selina is always nearby. You simply can’t go wrong with this hostel.
BEST HOSTELS IN SAN JOSE
Selina San Jose
BEST HOSTELS FOR DIGITAL NOMADS in COSTA RICA
HostelWorld (*8.8) Booking.com (*8.2) Map Starts at ($9) for 10 bed-dorm
**prices are shown for weekdays in Mid-season (July)
Highlights of the hostel:
- Bar
- Outdoor terrace
- Game room
- Central location
- Coworking space
- Weekly events and parties
Selina hostels have become famous around the world for offering trendy accommodations in a setting that’s always exciting.
At Selina San Jose, you’ll enjoy a chic urban vibe with free, high-speed WiFi that’s perfect for digital nomads.
A game room, bar, outdoor terrace, and popular weekly events make Selina San Jose a destination you may end up calling home for longer than expected.
TripOn Open House
HostelWorld (*8.3) Booking.com (*8.5) Map Starts at ($10) for 10 bed-dorm
**prices are shown for weekdays in Mid-season (July)
Highlights of the hostel:
- Breakfast included
- Walking distance to downtown
- Fully-equipped communal kitchen
- Bunks include electrical plugs, lamps, and lockers
- Cheap airport shuttles
- Pool table and game room
- Garden with hammocks
San Jose may be the first place you visit in Costa Rica and the last place you see before you leave. It’s home to Juan Santamaria International Airport and a number of hostels that will help you meet like-minded individuals and feel at home in the capital city.
The TripOn Open House offers the pura vida relaxed atmosphere within walking distance of Downtown San Jose, more than 60 restaurants, a mall, banks, supermarkets, and more.
The included breakfast continuously receives rave reviews from backpackers.
BEST HOSTELS IN MANUEL ANTONIO
Hostel Plinio
Book on Hostelworld (*9.2) Book on Booking.com (*8.5) from $13 / 8-dorm Map
**prices are shown for weekdays in Mid-season (July)
Highlights of the hostel:
- Large pool
- Fully-equipped common kitchen
- Friday taco bar and music
- Viewing platform and patio
You can’t go wrong when traveling to the lush rainforest and picture-perfect beaches of Manuel Antonio, but a stay at Hostel Plinio is guaranteed to make your visit that much better.
The on-site restaurant is extremely convenient after long days of adventuring through the national park. Backpackers also enjoy the spacious pool, large rooms, and quality WiFi all for an affordable price. Attending a cheap taco bar and live music on Fridays is an absolute must.
Selina Manuel Antonio
Book on Hostelworld (*8.7) Book on Booking.com (*7.9) from $16 / 10-dorm Map
**prices are shown for weekdays in Mid-season (July)
Highlights of the hostel:
- 360-degree views on the deck
- Yoga space
- On-site restaurant
- Fully-equipped communal kitchen
- Weekly parties and events
Another iconic Selina property, Selina Manuel Antonio offers some of the best views in town. This hostel includes its own trail leading to a deck with 360-degree views of the surrounding rainforest and beach.
An on-site restaurant, yoga deck, fully-equipped kitchen, and cinema room mean you’ll have just as much fun at the hostel as exploring outside. Private and bunk rooms are available, and weekly events (including parties) make this one of the hottest backpackers’ havens in the Manuel Antonio area.
BEST HOSTELS IN MONTEVERDE
Selina Monteverde
Book on Hostelworld (*8.7) Book on Booking.com (*8.3) from $11 / 10-dorm Map
**prices are shown for weekdays in Mid-season (July)
Highlights of the hostel:
- The playground snack and drink bar
- On-site hot tubs
- Wellness center
- Bunks are equipped with lockers, personal lights, and shelves
- Weekly parties and social events
Selina Monteverde will be your cozy home in the heart of the Monteverde rainforest. This area can be chilly at times, due to its high elevation in the famed cloud forest reserves, but you never have to worry when staying at Selina.
This hostel is equipped with hot tubs for warming up after a long day wandering the trails, weekly parties and events, a delicious snack bar, and more.
Dorm rooms are equipped with lockers and comfy bunks, each of which includes its own light and shelf. You never have to worry about your items being secure while you’re out adventuring.
It’s important for families to note that kids are not permitted to stay in bunk rooms (private rooms only).
Monteverde Backpackers
Book on Hostelworld (*9.3) Book on Booking.com (*8.6) from $15 / 4-dorm Map
**prices are shown for weekdays in Mid-season (July)
Highlights of the hostel:
- Centrally located
- Friendly staff
- Fast Wi-Fi
- Free breakfasts
Set in the heart of Santa Elena, Hostel Backpackers is a fantastic place to stay if you want to have it close to all the bars, restaurants, and everything else the town has to offer. As the bus station is a 5-minute walk from the hostel, you can also easily reach other Monteverde destinations.
The staff is known to be very friendly and will help you to plan your tours and provide you with useful information.
The hostel itself is simple but it has all you need to enjoy one of the most famous cloud forests of Costa Rica. It offers both private rooms and shared dorms with lockers. The common areas feature a smart TV, fast Wi-Fi connection, and a fully-equipped kitchen.
BEST HOSTELS IN SANTA TERESA
Selina Santa Teresa North
Book on Hostelworld (*7.7) Book on Booking.com (*7.7) from $12 / 12-dorm Map
**prices are shown for weekdays in Mid-season (July)
Highlights of the hostel:
- Multiple room options, including private rooms, family rooms, and apartments
- On-site pool and wellness center
- Coworking space
- Weekly activities and parties for guests
Santa Teresa is one of the most impressive beach communities in all of Costa Rica. It offers world-class waves, a global community, delicious restaurants, and so much more.
Selina Santa Teresa embodies the tropical, international vibe. This property offers private, standard, and deluxe rooms, as well as family rooms and a two-bedroom apartment. It doesn’t matter how many people you’re traveling with, Selina Santa Teresa is ready to accommodate.
Selina is your ideal home base for exploring this favorite beach town, known for its waves, white sand beaches, parties, and beautiful people. Head out on an ATV adventure, go surfing, rent a paddleboard, or book a snorkeling excursion — the expert staff at Selina can help you with it all. However, the on-site pool, wellness center, and daily activities will be difficult to leave.
Costa Rica is home to countless bucket-list-worthy backpacking destinations.
This Central American hotspot is no stranger to backpackers, and that’s why it’s so well equipped to handle them.
From the cloud forest reserves of Monteverde to the trendy downtown streets of San Jose and the postcard-worthy beaches of Santa Teresa, Costa Rica welcomes backpackers to explore all of the natural beauty and culture the country has to offer.
The abundance of hostels available in the country means you can choose based on your preferences. Stay oceanfront if you have a few extra dollars to spend, bring the kids and rent a private room, or save money by sharing a bunk with friends old and new.
All of the hostels listed above offer comfortable accommodations of varying price ranges and plenty of on- and off-site attractions to keep you entertained throughout your stay. Relaxing hammocks, beaches, hot tubs, game rooms, and parties — there’s always a hostel nearby to suit your needs.
There’s no backpacker destination in the world quite like Costa Rica, and you’re guaranteed to take the pura vida vibe home with you when you leave.