Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel

Costa Rica , San José / Central Valley
San José, Sjo Airport Ave 4th Street
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100 reviews shown

10/10

Exceptional

08 Mar 2026

Martin

Perfect for the budget. Great place.

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

02 Mar 2026

Gabriel

Cool

10/10

Exceptional

22 Feb 2026

Ana Gabriela

I’ve stayed at my fair share of hostels and budget-friendly accommodations around the world, but Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel genuinely surprised me in the best way possible. From the moment we arrived, the entire experience felt warm, welcoming, and remarkably well-organized — but the real standout? Their shuttle driver, Jesus M.
Let me be clear: Jesus M. is not just a shuttle driver. He is the heartbeat of this place. From the very first interaction, he went above and beyond in ways that most five-star hotels could only dream of. He didn’t just transport guests from point A to point B — he made every single person in that shuttle feel seen, cared for, and genuinely valued. Whether it was offering helpful local tips, accommodating everyone’s needs with a smile, or simply making the ride feel like part of the vacation itself, Jesus delivered an experience that was nothing short of exceptional.
My partner and I were blown away by the level of personalized attention he gave us. He took the time to learn what we needed, answered every question we had about the area, and made thoughtful accommodations that showed he truly cared — not because it was his job, but because that’s just who he is. In a world where genuine hospitality is increasingly rare, Jesus M. is a breath of fresh air.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

22 Feb 2026

Shayla

Very impressed with this hostel! It didn’t even feel like a hostel since I had a private room. The gentlemen manning the reception area were all extremely pleasant and helpful. I love that they have a 24 hour reception desk and they’ll also store your luggage if you arrive early or have a late flight back out. They are located closer to the airport than San Jose, but there are a ton of shops and restaurants located within steps of the premises.

The hostel has an elevator and plenty of random areas to lounge around in on each floor. They have a pool hall on the third floor, and my favorite is the deck with the city views on the fourth floor. It’s such a relaxing place to chill, especially at night with the nice city views and the vibey tunes.

There’s an elevator, free WiFi, a coffee lounge on the first floor (I didn’t actually check this out though), and they offer shuttle service to and from the airport for free 99. Only one other guest and I needed to take the 7 am shuttle, so they just paid for a cab for us instead.

The room itself was convenient with a comfy bed, cold air conditioning, a warm shower, and a nice view of the local park down below. My only nitpicks were the cheap embellishments (the shower rod kept falling down, the window didn’t close all the way, and the cord to lift the shade up and down came off instantly).

Also, my room key became deactivated twice. I wish that the first attendant had warned me not to store it near my phone to avoid the card info g

Self

10/10

Exceptional

16 Feb 2026

Brigitte

Quirky hotel/hostel, I had an individual room with bathroom. Room was lovely, clean, comfortable bed.

This is a great place to stay over close to San Jose airport, and they run free airport shuttles!

All in all, a really cost effective but very comfortable place to stay! Staff were always lovely and helpful, and there is an elevator if anyone's worried that there are 4 floors :) Great place.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

04 Feb 2026

Wadiyyah

The room was standard and private🇨🇷. I got a good nights sleep

8/10

Excellent

04 Feb 2026

Brandon

I find this place to be pretty cool and a great value. We really just needed a place to crash for the night and its location and prices suited us well. The rooms have minimal amenities and the windows allow ALL of the busy, busy street noise in but what can ya say, the price is right.

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

03 Feb 2026

Sha-lynn

It was a good location, building with a lot of character and potential. I know it is a budget hotel but could have improved in cleanliness. Room had a smell to it, shower head was full of mineral build up and maybe even mold(?). I would probably look for another option next time

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

23 Jan 2026

Gabe

Room was clean

10/10

Exceptional

17 Jan 2026

Sarah

Easy check-in, easily upgraded to a private room, and good spots to eat close by! Really appreciated the free airport shuttle included.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

16 Jan 2026

Tomasz

Goos value for money and transport to the airport.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

13 Jan 2026

James

The hostel was simple but was exactly what we needed the night before an early morning flight. The free shuttle to the airport made it a very convenient stay

8/10

Excellent

04 Jan 2026

Alex

Fantastic value for the price. But zero amenities no soap or anything in the bathrooms no towels provided just bare bones all the way around and no kitchen.

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

29 Dec 2025

Tom

Everything was good, friendly staff, room as expected.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

20 Dec 2025

Aijia

The staff

10/10

Exceptional

15 Dec 2025

Hilarie

8min from airport. First time at an hostel. Really convenient for a night. I was excepting worst but I was lucky. Clean place.

8/10

Excellent

28 Nov 2025

Mynor

Excelente atención de front desk. Indicaciones y ayuda para puntos de interés y asistencia.

Self

4/10

Poor

15 Nov 2025

shawna

The room was really dirty and everything was stinky and humid. No AC and the windows don't open.
The bathroom had mold and the bedding smelled like dirty gym bag.

The outside of the building and hallways were nice but everything else was smelly.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

08 Nov 2025

Ruth

Courteous staff

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

25 Sep 2025

Kerrilyn

The staff was so welcoming and helpful. The rooms were clean and the price cannot be beat. Highly recommended!

Leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

07 Sep 2025

Jennifer

The person at the desk was friendly and helpful, but he recommended the upstairs restaurant, which ended up being closed. I found this out by taking the elevator upstairs and being met with total darkness. The hall to my room was dark when I was trying to find my room, as well. Otherwise, it was an acceptable place to spend one night.

Business_and_leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

28 Aug 2025

Kerrie

Good place and location with airport shuttle. Air conditioning is nice and has a restaurant within the hostel.

Leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

22 Aug 2025

Kerrie

Ok for the price. It was just loud during my stay and bunk beds did not have curtains. Location is close to food and airport. Front desk was very friendly and helpful.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

15 Aug 2025

avalon

I've stay there a few times over the years.
Convenient location and comfortable.

Leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

14 Aug 2025

Hans

The Rezeption was Open at Night. Somehow difficult to find as the Place didn‘t Show a visible sign.
The Shuttle did not v
Come; poss

6/10

Pleasant

22 Jul 2025

Jessica

Not a great experience

Flight arrived at 10pm, requested transportation 1 month prior from the airport with flight details. Got a message from the hostel the morning I was to arrive that they couldn't provide a shuttle. That was the only reason I booked this place. Staff was OK, by the time I finally got an Uber, it was well after 11pm and I had a shuttle picking me up at 5am, so wasn't there long, no storage for your bags, so I was up most the night nervous about falling asleep without my bags being secure. Also when I arrived, I was starving from traveling all day to find out that there was absolutely zero restaurants or bars open after 10pm. I wouldn't book this place again, but it was OK if you get an earlier flight and don't mind not having a place to lock your belongings up.

Self

8/10

Excellent

01 Apr 2025

Ana

As advertised: a place to sleep and shower. No frills. Decently clean. Shuttle service was prompt and it took no more than 10 min to get to the sleepy at mid morning.

The only disappointment was that the rooftop bar is closed on Mondays (which was the only night I was there). I was looking forward to cooling off in the breeze up there and having a drink.

Business_and_leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

25 Mar 2025

Bryan

Room was cool, the bar was great. Roomates kept farting throughout the night tho.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

15 Mar 2025

YanXiang

Good

4/10

Poor

01 Mar 2025

calvin

This was a one night stop off after arriving at San Jose. No one was at the airport to collect me as stated. Had to phone up then wait .
Pretty poor service .

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

31 Jan 2025

Amin

Had a private room that was surprisingly large was very close to airport perfect hostel to kill 24 hours before a flight.

Leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

29 Jan 2025

Anabella

Well the driver and from desk are very kind the building is clean but the wrkng think is l the building the lught are off too dark

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

03 Jan 2025

Oliver

4/10

Poor

29 Dec 2024

Verified traveler

Too noisy, cannot rest or sleep

The room was on the street and the windows don’t close fully (there is a gap at the bottom), therefore not isolated at all, which means you hear the whole traffic day and night. It’s impossible to sleep straight through the night.
The room was basic and clean

Self

6/10

Pleasant

22 Dec 2024

Samantha

This is ideal for a quick stop over if you've had a late flight into SJO, before you travel elsewhere in Costa Rica. The room was basic, very rickety old bunk beds that I was concerned might break as I was climbing up and down the ladder! The drains smelled absolutely terrible, I'm not sure what it was, but you can't spend long in the bathroom! Airport transfer was very helpful. Staff were reasonably helpful but not particularly friendly, which now I find unusual, after going elsewhere in Costa Rica, and people being SO nice! Essentially, good for a quick layover, I wouldn't stay longer.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

13 Nov 2024

VICTOR VINICIUS

The place is good

10/10

Exceptional

11 Nov 2024

Verified traveler

First Time; Would Do Again

At 57 years old, this was my first time staying in a hostel. It was interesting to be in a ‘mixed room’ and the gentleman that I shared it with was a very kind, respectful local. The reception was helpful and I felt confident my suitcases were safely secure.

Self

6/10

Pleasant

21 Sep 2024

Tiffany

Hello so I booked this for my daughter which is a young adult due to her plane for Liberia didn't leave until the next day. It is very convenient for a quick emphasis on quick layover. The free shuttle is awesome side note, you must book shuttle 24hrs in advance. If the shuttle dnt work a taxis is approximately $10 usd. They initially put my daughter in a dorm room with 3 guys she did not feel comfortable and called me crying. I told her to just stay in the lobby where there is a camera and the front desk personnel. The front desk attendant immediately seen her distress and provided her private room
And bathroom and as a parent I was so grateful for this. So in my heart they get a 10/10!!! Btw I paid for the dorm room, my daughter was just uncomfortable with how many guys in the room.

8/10

Excellent

25 Aug 2024

Charles

Grate place to stay

10/10

Exceptional

15 Aug 2024

Devin

Really cool inexpensive option in Alajuela. Nice owner and staff.

Business_and_leisure Self

4/10

Poor

08 Jul 2024

Rachel

The property seems to be not well cared for. Extremely noisy! Dirty bathroom.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

29 May 2024

Derick

Close to the airport for a quick layover, wonderful staff and nicely located close to the market and everything you need

Self

6/10

Pleasant

25 May 2024

Shaneese

Good location, helpful staff.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

06 May 2024

Katelyn

The staff were very helpful and the rooms were large and comfortable. We arrived late at night and found the area the hostel to be quite sketchy. I would not recommend walking the streets at night. The hostel itself felt very safe though. Great place to stay if you are looking for something cheap near the airport.

Leisure Friends

4/10

Poor

03 May 2024

Taylor

I would only stay here if you speak good Spanish. Guy at the front was rude and only spoke to me in Spanish when I couldn’t figure out how to open the door at night to get in. I can speak some but apparently not enough. I was obviously very tired and confused and he was quite rude about it. Also be aware the shuttle you have to get to before 10pm. The communication from them was very limited and took along time to respond when asking about check in and transport.
Also no idea how the AC turns on, not sure if it even worked, which was a bummer cause it said they had AC. The room was very hot.
Also was not shown or told where lockers were so could not lock up stuff. Very noisy- road and people talking in the lobby in the morning.
Also be aware bathroom has no hand soap or towels.
Lucky it was only a one night stay.

Business_and_leisure Self

2/10

Poor

02 May 2024

Zarima

never and never !

Business_and_leisure Family

2/10

Poor

09 Apr 2024

Alexandra

The area wasn’t super safe in all honesty, especially as a female I wouldn’t recommend to leave the hostel past dark. The hostel itself, very very basic, very dead, not a great place to meet people. The dining area was closed whenever you tried to go, the front desk when we went was not pleasant to interact with. Overall wouldn’t go back, the only pro is it’s by the airport and relatively cheap

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

30 Mar 2024

Ingrid

Super super

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

23 Mar 2024

Soany

Excelente para una noche , cerca del aeropuerto.

Business_and_leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

02 Mar 2024

Donna

Easy check in. Helpful staff.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

24 Feb 2024

Alex

Good location. Useful transit to airport. Easy checkin and nice affordable rooms. Restaurant was decent too

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

19 Feb 2024

Izzy

Perfect place for one night stay. Was very basic facilities, private room was very big though so lots of space to organise. Couldn’t organise shuttle to La Fortuna through the hostel but they were good at getting taxi to airport when the free shuttle timing didn’t work out.

Leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

16 Feb 2024

Carolina

Alajuela Backpackers es un sitio cerca al aeropuerto, pero el sitio es muy basico, no tiene mucha luz, y no estaba muy limpio, es para pasar una noche maximo y continuar tu viaje.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

05 Feb 2024

Gracen

Comfortable night stay before flying out! The front desk attendants were great and we had a wonderful stay! The shuttle to the airport was really easy and convenient.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

31 Jan 2024

Dionne

No fuss hostel close to airport

Private suite very spacious. No worries or complaints

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

20 Jan 2024

Jacklyn

Loved that it’s 24hr check in, I had transportation issues and didn’t even up getting to the hostel till 11pm and had to leave on the 4:10am shuttle for the airport so it was the most convenient stop to get a quick nap in, wash up and head out.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

29 Dec 2023

Noelani

Wonderful, easy, simple

Great! 5 min taxi from the SJO airport. We arrived late at night bc our flight landed at 11pm, and we were greeted easily upon arrival. We even could stash our luggage for a few hours in a locked room after checkout.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

03 Sep 2023

Moses

Love this place, glad it’s open again. The rooftop bar is super fun with some great local color.

Leisure Partner

4/10

Poor

15 Aug 2023

Michelle

Booked it for an airport stopover as it was close (6mins to airport) and the cheapest I could find - still 50$ a night though!! It was very noisy - paper thin walls letting in all the road noise but also the sound of people having sex next door. It felt seedy and dirty

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

10 Jul 2023

Samuel

Is a nice place to stay

10/10

Exceptional

18 May 2023

MacKenzie

It was simple and clean with a really nice community balcony facing a park. The bar/restaurant had limited food options but it good and affordable. Expedía falsely advertised breakfast availability, but there were bakeries really close so it wasn’t an issue.

Leisure Self

4/10

Poor

17 Aug 2017

maria

Close+to+the+airoport

Room%2C+sheets%2C+towels+and+bathroom+were+very+dirty.

8/10

Excellent

20 Jul 2017

Emily Brooks

Nice for a night before a flight

Nice modern facilities, very well represented by descriptions and photos. Check in was efficient and rooms were clean and comfortable. Hot water was a nice bonus. Only thing that would have made it better would have been free toiletries.

8/10

Excellent

16 Jun 2017

Dawn

Low cost alternative

Good options for low cost travelers. Possible to get your own room and bathroom for <$50 a night. They are moving the restaurant/bar to the first floor - the view from the 4th was amazing so make sure to check it out before they're done with renovations.

The shuttle service is not what most Americans will expect. It only runs at certain times, on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally, you must sign up for it 12 - 24 hours in advance. A phone call before you fly is the best way to do this - email contact is iffy. Alternatively, there's a bus station right next to the hostel (Station Wagon buses, Orange/green buses) that will get you to and from the hotel in 10 minutes for about $1. The red TUASA buses are another alternative, but do not as closely travel to the hostel (~5 blocks away).

6/10

Pleasant

10 Mar 2017

vic

Very convenient for airport

Bar nicely situated with good city views. Free coffee nice. Very comfy beds.

8/10

Excellent

23 Feb 2017

sherry

good for an overnight

we have stayed here before- coming and going in our trip. It is clean and basic. Convenient to the airport. Good value for the money. nothing fancy. The rooftop bar has a wonderful view but service is very slow

2/10

Poor

23 Aug 2016

Verified traveler

New low standard of filth, poor service and value

Stayed Aug 2016. Avoid this Hostel at all cost. The management photos are of the previous hotel at this location and do not represent what you get. The facilities were filthy, uncleaned, and level 3 bio hazard. The staff didn't even try to provide service. Online reservations were not received or just not honored. Floors in rooms had dust bunnies of others filth and hadn't been swept in a very long time and hadn't been mopped in the last decade. The furniture had a layer of dust you could right your name in. AC was promised but upon arrival the remotes/controls were nonexistent and we were told all ACs are automatic, which was an utter lie, it never worked. No fans provided. Linens and sheets were obviously soiled, stained and never washed. Towels and soap were not provided even for \"private, in suite rooms\". To add to the pain no windows had screens, and the bus station next door creates super street noise. Told by staff to smoke in the park across the street, which is illegal and could result in a fine or uncomfortable interaction with the local police. The common areas were worse than the rooms with sticky uncleaned surfaces and trash literately swept into the corners. One of the worst values in Alajuela and a top contender for the worst hotel/hostel I've ever stayed at. The hostel sets a new standard for filth and poor service. It would probably be better to sleep on the street. Not even the architecturally interesting building, 4th floor bar and central location could bu

10/10

Exceptional

04 Aug 2016

Michael

Great Stay

Just one night on my way out of town. But I will use this hostel again as it is convenient to the airport, located in a very safe neighborhood with convenient shopping and dining within walking distance.

6/10

Pleasant

27 May 2016

Verified traveler

Great cheap place to stay without having to go full dorm style hostel of you don't want. Located close to buses. Be aware - shuttle service is limited and fills up regularly. Recommended for budget travelers who want a social environment

6/10

Pleasant

27 May 2016

Verified traveler

Good value but still a hostel

Good value for a room, close to the airport but the street is load and busy and the place is still a hostel at the end of the day. Friendly staff, just wish people weren't honking their horns so much at 2-4 am.

8/10

Excellent

12 Oct 2015

Nice hostel

Very nice hostel, close to the airport and food

We stayed a night at the hostel, and we'll be having a second night there soon. Very clean, and friendly staff. Nothing too fancy but had fast free Internet and a 24 hour desk person. The only issue we had was the door was a bit finicky and our room didn't have toilet paper, certainly not deal beakers. Looking forward to staying again soon

2/10

Poor

10 Jul 2015

Not a good hostel to stay

The Bathroom was in a really bad condition. For the same price you can have a much better bed and room with breakfast included in a hotel a few blocks near the central park. The pictures in the web page did not show the real hotel conditions.
Very noisy hostel.

10/10

Exceptional

19 May 2015

Verified traveler

Great Staff!

Never did something like this before and as a 58 yo single female traveler it worked for me. Slept with my money
under the pillow and that was secure, however one of the Germany backpacker talked on his cell phone till after 9 and I politely asked him to continue the call in the other room so we could sleep. He was nasty but moved, low and behold when I woke at 3:30 am the card to the room was missing from my hat. He stole it. So the front desk was lovely in putting me in another room, however I had to pay the $5. for the extra card.
The guys at the desk were great with directions and knowing about tours. The bistro on the top floor was great food wise and view of city phenomenal. Also, very close to the airport and many other sites in Costa Rica. It made for a very interesting excursion.

6/10

Pleasant

19 Apr 2015

renata

Convenient hostel close to airport , shops , museu

Welcoming , accommodating staff .

Bathroom trash can could be bigger or emptied more often .

Pity people can't sit in the 4th restaurant area, even if not serving food , the only nice relaxing spot .

8/10

Excellent

06 Mar 2015

Amber

there is no kitchen facilities to cook in

I met lots of friendly fellow backpackers and felt safe happy and welcome

4/10

Poor

24 Feb 2015

Kathy

Close to old town

Good place but poop all over shower curtain and in need of a lightbulb

8/10

Excellent

23 Feb 2015

Tara

Inexpensive hotel near the airport

I was looking for an inexpensive hotel near the airport with a free shuttle, and that's exactly what this was. I stayed in a four-bed dorm room with bathroom, and it was exactly as described. The free airport shuttle worked.

Two minor points - 1) you can't use credit cards in the restaurant, and I was short on cash at the end of a trip. 2) Interbus doesn't go right to the hotel, so you'll have to take a cab from a nearby restaurant (~$6)

4/10

Poor

23 Feb 2015

Leandro

It's was a pretty bad experience

It's was a pretty bad experience I ever have had. I could not sleep at all. I got there at 1:00AM and I left at 5:00AM, there were 4 long hours. I won't be in that place ever. No more comments.

8/10

Excellent

18 Feb 2015

Tara

Great hostel, kind staff, 5 mins to the airport

I really enjoyed my stay at this hostel. I was flying in and out of Alajuela. The hostel is a 5 min drive from the airport which was nice. Several days before my stay I emailed the hostel with my flight information and got an email confirmation stated that Mauricio would be there to pick me up. This alone is valuable offering! The hostel itself is basic but clean with hot water (which is not always the case in Costa Rica), free wifi, and a rooftop bar where you can watch planes fly into the city. Great drinks and decent food as well. Free coffee in the mornings and they also have a free shuttle that runs at specific times to and from the airport so that you can make your outbound flight. I enjoyed my stay so much that I also booked to stay where on my way back through. Very enjoyable stay and the staff is so kind. Will happily stay there again!!

6/10

Pleasant

01 Feb 2015

david

the hotel is in a good location ,in the centre of

hotel ok,but interior rooms are very noisy,with noise from the bar upstairs,we had mould on the ceiling of the bathroom,we stayed on three occasions,the third time we stayed we had a room on the outside wall,which was a lot lighter and quieter,we had room 33,rooms 35,36 are good,its looking a bit tired now,the beds are comfy

8/10

Excellent

06 Jan 2015

Kristian

Accurate review, pleasant surprise

So pleasantly surprised by Alajuela Backpackers! I had seen the hostel on 2 different websites. Interestingly on a hotels website it looked really shabby but on a hostels site it looked really up market. When I got there I was super impressed with just how nice the reception, the lounge and the hallways were. I thought \"let's wait to see how the dorm is though,\" but it was fine. It was clean with really comfy beds and not overly noisy. It also had an AC. The staff I dealt with were great; really helpful and friendly. It has a rooftop bar which is really cool. Even though San Jose is a pretty awful city, they have a view of the sunset which is nice. The menu is decent and reasonably priced but don't get the hamburger. It probably wasn't meat haha. The pizza is good and so is the casado. They have wifi throughout but I don't think it's strong in all the rooms. They also have a FREE shuttle from and to the airport which is great. I basically used this place to fly in, stay for 1 night and leave. I didn't want to be in San Jose, this place is a little away from it, and actually okay as a neighbourhood. It's not as dense, yuck or busy as San Jose. There is a smoothie and juice bar over the road which does amazing things for really cheap. I'd stay here again if I was passing through San Jose.

8/10

Excellent

04 Jan 2015

Malcolm

Close to the airport and clean

Good location close to the airport. The only downside is that there is no kitchen or fridges available to store and make food.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

28 Dec 2014

Verified traveler

This hostel is nothing fancy but a great place to spend a night or two, especially if coming from/going to the airport. Rooftop restaurant is excellent!

6/10

Pleasant

15 Nov 2014

Verified traveler

Noisey

The room was clean and the staff pleasant but there was a lot of street noise during the night.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

17 Mar 2014

jose

ok if you're a backpacker

I pay for air conditioning and didn't have airconditioning I guess it's okay for the price

Family

8/10

Excellent

28 Sep 2013

Verified traveler

Great

Located of walkibg distance of everything, very friendly staff, really cool bar

8/10

Excellent

24 Sep 2013

Kel

Decent Spot

The rooms were cheap and the free shuttle to the airport was really convenient.

10/10

Exceptional

15 Apr 2013

Mike

Good hostel

Good. Only needed better sheets and pillows, and towells.

8/10

Excellent

01 Apr 2013

Ashley

Right for the Price

The Hostel was nice. The staff was helpful, but may have been spread a little thin. It took a while to get food and drinks at the restaurant and the bar. But the food came in large portions and was reasonably priced. The rooms were spacious, but the location of some of the rooms in the center of the building made the air stagnant. There was an air-conditioner in the room but it was not working. My roommate was annoying and kept me up more than I would have liked with her tossing and turning and flipping on the lights at all hours of the night. I suggest getting the bottom bunk and hanging your towel to reduce the blinding light in your face when it is unexpectedly turned on. Speaking of towels, there are none provided at the Hostel so be sure to bring your own. Overall, the place is secure and I never has a problem, but I kept all of my things close at hand. The very nice things about this hostel that some others don't offer are the restaurant, bar, TV lounge, and a free shuttle to the airport. A car ride to or from the hostel to the airport should only be about 3-4,000 colones. Beers at the hostel are 1,400 but there is a cute little bar with friendly people just around the corner where they are only 500. It is nice and totally stumbling distance to the hostel (it is on the same block, just around the corner). You get what you pay for and I enjoyed the quality of this place and the money I saved.

10/10

Exceptional

20 Mar 2013

Jennifer

great for one night stay!

The staff at the hostel really helped me out. My room was clean and comfortable. There is a childrens park right across the street. Other than the park, I didn't enjoy the location much. We didn't venture out far and when we did, it was sketchy. There is a bank and store nearby but I didn't feel good looking for restaraunts. Great for an overnight stay but i wouldn't stay longer

Family

6/10

Pleasant

20 Feb 2013

crystal

Very Basic ...bed and bathroom

Very basic two METAL bunk beds which were loud when someone moved in the middle of the night. Big bathroom but very old structure on busy street not much around the area. We stayed here after arriving early morning (2am) flight. Close to the airport but limited time schedules on shuttle we took a taxi only around $5-8 taxi ride. Car rental company picked us up from hotel and drove us to car rental counter.

6/10

Pleasant

30 Jan 2013

27yro

This hostel was had very basic private rooms. staying here for a night after flying into San Jose was much better then staying in San Jose. Helpful Staff. Great 4th story bar with view. Watch out for the rats behind the computer bar. Location gives you a good feel for the tico culture. Not any tourists. Would stay here again for a night before flying out.

6/10

Pleasant

22 Dec 2012

Glenn H.

All the basics

Convenient to airport. Responsive staff. Clean and comfortable. Some room maintenance needed.

8/10

Excellent

13 Dec 2012

Donna

Good for an overnight stay

Price was right and near airport but location is lacking.

4/10

Poor

07 Dec 2012

Kevin

Alejuela Backpacker

For what we payed, I was expecting a better experience.We payed less for a room at Manuel Antonio in a hotel the next night. That said, it was super convenient, it was a 4000 calones cab ride from the airport and the free shuttle to the airport was great.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

06 Nov 2012

Subhash

Inexensive and convenient

Comfortable and simple, no frills but with all amenitiees availaable.

6/10

Pleasant

23 Aug 2012

Verified traveler

the stay was good - close to stores, food was available and good at the hostel. however, i would suggest that the hostel list the estimated cost of a cab ride from the airport - in the event the hostel shuttle is not available for airport pickup - my cab driver excessively overcharged me

10/10

Exceptional

17 Aug 2012

heather

Convenient and clean

I just needed a place to stay before taking off the next morning back to the states. I was very satisfied with the location and the cleanliness of the hotel. It was simple and modern. The restaurant was a bit over-priced considering what it should have been for Costa Rica, but the portions were large and the pizzas were very tasty. The only thing I would add for comfort would be towels.

6/10

Pleasant

05 Jun 2012

Kim

Sparse Internet

the internet does not reach into the private rooms. You have to sit on a couch on the second floor. We even tried changing rooms to no avail. We were in room 31 and 47. Private rooms are basic overall. Looks like this place might have started as a hotel and now is a hostel. Bed in room 31 is a double. 2 tall americans will feel cramped. Bed in 47 is fine as a king. Trash bins throughout the place are non existent. People leave their beer bottles laying around. Bar was very nice on 4th floor. Location in Alajuela is stellar. It is right in the central part of city. Staff speaks excellent english and is helpful

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

19 May 2012

David

Fantastic stay in SJ, Cost Rica

Very impressed, really nice hostel.hotel. Great staff and a very friendly service. the rooms were very tidy and clean, nad it felt more like a hotel than a hostel. Highly recommended !