Arenal Backpackers Resort

The tents don’t look like the photos, and sleep was a real problem. Quiet hours supposedly begin at 10 pm, but a huge bar next door played loud music until 4 am. We left a day early because we couldn’t sleep, and weren’t refunded. There’s a $10 parking charge, tours cost more than they do outside the hostel, and drinks were much pricier than nearby. You’re not allowed to bring your own drinks. Although the jacuzzi was listed as open, staff wouldn’t turn it on until more people got in. One of us fell, and there wasn’t a first aid kit to clean the wound.

My first solo trip and first hostel stay went well. I had a private pod and everything was great, except there was barely any storage space. The facilities were well maintained, and the bartenders were amazing. They’d also just opened a rooftop bar, which was a fantastic way to spend my last night. I’d recommend it.

The tent was roomier than we expected, but it smelled musty and had mold on the fabric. We left La Fortuna after just one night because we had such a bad experience and spent the next day exhausted, searching for somewhere else to stay. They say quiet hours start at 10 pm, but don’t mention that nearby bars keep going until 4 am. When we asked for a refund for the unused night, they refused, saying they had followed their own quiet-hours rule.

The location is the one bright spot. It’s right on the main street, with restaurants and shops a short walk away. The layout, cleanliness, and general atmosphere made this one of my least enjoyable stays, though. I spent three nights in a zylinder and couldn’t wait to leave. I wouldn’t return. There’s almost no room beside the bed, nowhere to put things except under it, and no shelves or hooks. The key lock on the door was awkward too. Bathrooms felt dirty, with toilets, showers, and sinks separated into individual stalls. Some showers had just one hook and no shelf. Once, I found ants all over the floor when I went to shower, and my soap came up covered in dirt after I dropped it. The zylinder AC works, but blows straight at your head overnight, which was uncomfortable. There’s only a small shared area near the pool and hot tub. The hot tub is large, but the pool chairs could use replacing. Laundry costs $15 and takes four hours. Most of the staff were unfriendly, apart from Carlos and Ashley, and the other guests felt cliquey.