Costa Rica was the very first place I ever visited, kick-staring a journey that might eventually take me round the world and launch my career as a travel writer. Since that first trip, I’ve returned a couple of times, lured in by the friendly people, cloud forests, wildlife, and excellent beaches.

San José is that the start line for many visitors within the country, due to the very fact that it’s the nation’s capital and a serious international hub. likelihood is that you’ll be here for a couple of days as you get situated before avoiding to hike, lounge on the beach, and luxuriate in the luxurious and scenic landscapes.

I’ve been staying in hostels for over a decade during my several return visits to Costa Rica |Central American country|Central American nation"> Costa Rica |Central American country|Central American nation"> Costa Rica |Central American country|Central American nation"> Costa Rica |Central American country|Central American nation"> Costa Rica |Central American country|Central American nation"> Costa Rica |Central American country|Central American nation"> Costa Rica |Central American country|Central American nation"> Costa Rica |Central American country|Central American nation"> Costa Rica . There are tons of things to think about when selecting a hostel in San José. the highest four are:

Location – San José is large , and it can take a while to urge around. Pick an area that's central to the sites and nightlife you would like to ascertain . All the hostels listed here are in good locations.

Price – In San José, you actually get what you buy , so if you accompany a very cheap one, you’re likely to urge a hostel that's small and cramped and doesn’t offer great service.

Amenities – Every hostel within the city offers free Wi-Fi, and most have a free breakfast, but if you would like quite that, make certain to try to to your research to seek out the hostel that best meets your needs!

Staff – All the hostels listed here have amazing staff! they're super friendly and knowledgeable. albeit you don’t occupy one among the places listed below, make certain to seem up reviews to make sure you finish up somewhere where the staff is useful and friendly. they will make or break a hostel!

Here is my list of the hostels in San José that i prefer the foremost . If you don’t want to read the longer list below, the subsequent hostels are the simplest in each category:

Best Hostel for Budget Travelers: Costa Rica Backpackers

Best Hostel for Families: within 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 every hostel? Here’s my comprehensive list of the simplest hostels in San José:

Price Legend (per night)

$ = Under $10 USD

$ = $10-20 USD

$$ = Over $20 USD


1. Capital Hostel de Ciudad



The cozy bunk beds of the Capital Hostel in San José, Costa Rica

This is a chill hostel with cozy beds and much of common space. it's a co-living space also , making it an honest choice for anyone working remotely. There’s a patio for BBQs and yoga, a rumpus room with a billiard table and projector for watching movies, and a totally equipped kitchen (breakfast is included). The mattresses are pretty thick and therefore the beds have privacy curtains. Overall, it offers a pleasant 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 an evening , rooms from $42 USD.

2. Stray Cat Hostel



The colorful interior of the Stray Cat hostel in San José, Costa Rica

This colorful backpacker hostel is roofed in art and murals. it's a comfortable , homey vibe while still being well maintained and clean. The mattresses are a touch thin (and the bunks don’t have curtains), but the hostel is quiet and laid back, so it’s easy to urge an honest night’s sleep. There are female-only dorms too. It’s on the brink of the bus terminal also , making it a convenient location if you’re just passing through or heading to/from the airport. And, if you’re an artist, you'll trade your skills for free of charge accommodation.

Stray Cat Hostel at a glance:

$$

Female-only dorms available

Quiet atmosphere

Free breakfast

Beds from $12 USD an evening , rooms from $40 USD.

3. Costa Rica Backpackers



The fun pool area at Costa Rica Backpackers hostel in San José, Costa Rica

This is an active , social hostel fashionable the younger backpacker/party crowd. it's a pool and bar on-site, and there are organized tours and activities. Breakfast isn’t included, but there's free coffee all day. The beds aren’t the simplest (the mattresses are thin and therefore the refore the bunks squeak) and the bathrooms are small and will use an update, but it’s the most cost effective hostel within the city. If you’re on a decent budget and need to party, it’s the place to be!

Costa Rica Backpackers at a glance:

$

Pool and bar

Easy to satisfy other travelers

Fun and social atmosphere

Beds from $7 USD an evening , rooms from $25 USD.

4. Fauna Luxury Hostel



The cozy pod beds at Launa Luxury Hostel in San José, Costa Rica

Fauna may be a boutique hostel with really cool and comfy pod beds, plenty of outdoor common space to lounge, a pool, and much of really neat artwork within the rooms. The beds have thick mattresses and curtains (two things i actually appreciate), breakfast is included, and there's air con (a big plus in Costa Rica!). There are balconies you unwind thereon overlook the pool, and therefore the private rooms are super spacious and almost like hotel rooms. They also arrange cheap airport shuttles too. For $8 USD per night, you actually get tons useful here!

Fauna Luxury Hostel at a glance:

$

Great beds

Free breakfast

Laid-back, relaxed vibe

Beds from $8 USD an evening , rooms from $39 USD.

5. Hostel del Paseo



Games within the common area of Hostel Del Paseo in San José, Costa Rica

This hostel doesn’t have an excellent social vibe, but the dorms are quiet and clean. there's an enormous common area with many games and films , and there’s a bus terminal nearby. The staff are super helpful, the free breakfast is pretty good, and therefore the dorms are capped at eight beds, so you’re never crammed in with many people . The beds don’t have curtains, but the mattresses are thick and cozy , so you’ll get an honest 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 an evening , rooms from $44 USD.

6. TripOn party



The relaxing patio with hammocks at TripOn Hostel in San José, Costa Rica

This funky, social hostel is found near supermarkets and plenty of restaurants. it's an awesome free breakfast every morning and organizes cheap shuttles to the airport too (which is simply half-hour away). The beds are comfy and have curtains for privacy and there are many common areas for hanging out and socializing. It’s a very fun hostel, with many things to try to to . There also are hammocks outside for relaxing, video games, and a fully-equipped kitchen if you are feeling like cooking your own food.

TripOn party at a glance:

$$

Social atmosphere makes it easy to satisfy people

Great free breakfast

Good location

Beds from $10 USD an evening , rooms from $43 USD.

7. within the Wind Hostel & Guesthouse



The chill living room with colorful couches at within the Wind Hostel in San José, Costa Rica

Another laid-back hostel, within the Wind features a cool outdoor area for hanging out and having BBQs, offers free breakfast (with pancakes), and has awesome staff. It’s also super clean, which is usually a plus in any hostel. The beds aren’t amazing (there are not any privacy curtains and therefore the mattresses are thin), but the hostel is super affordable and therefore the vibe here quite makes up for it. If you’re trying to find 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 an evening , rooms from $17 USD.

8. Hostel Pangea



The pool and outdoor common area at Hostel Pangea in San José, Costa Rica

This is a celebration hostel. it's an on-site bar with super cheap drinks plus a heated pool and a restaurant. There also are daily activities organized by the staff. The dorms are a touch small, and therefore the beds are basic metal bunks with no curtains but people come here for the pool and partying. You’ll find many common areas here too so there’s always a spot to relax out. In short, if you’re looking to satisfy many people and party, this is often where you would like to remain .

Hostel Pangea at a glance:

$$

Bar & pool on-site

Lots of chill outdoor common areas

Really cheap drinks

Beds from $10 USD an evening , rooms from $30 USD.