Costa Rica Backpackers - Hostel

They threw me, my wife, and our 4-month-old daughter out, kept my deposit, and wouldn't review the security footage even after I asked three times about my eggs and milk. My silver chain was also taken from the desk where I had lunch, and they refused to check the cameras for that too. When a drunk person tried to assault me, staff did nothing. The manager was incredibly rude and said I should have stayed at a hotel if I didn't want my food stolen. Reception was awful apart from Coti. The others were cold, gave me dirty looks when I asked for help, and spoke to me in a really derogatory way. They told me to leave because they didn't want “that vibe” there. I've seen other bad Google reviews and expect them to answer mine with lies too. They don't care about you, just getting rid of you as quickly as possible. Terrible experience.

I finally stayed at Backpackers after hearing about it for years. The dorm rooms were great and had lockers. Bring your own lock or buy one at the front desk with cash. If you get there before check-in at 2pm, you can wait in the lobby. There were internet problems for a few days, but the hostel knew about them and had someone working on it. Once fixed, the connection was fine. You can cook in the kitchen at the back or get dinner at the on-site restaurant, where the food was good. Free coffee is available until 2pm. Most guests were younger, and dorms are for people aged 18-40. Otherwise, you need a private room or can stay at the sister hostel across the street. I'd highly recommend it if you want to meet people or find a cheap place to stay.

A good central spot for sightseeing, food, and shopping. The rooms and property were clean, and it felt safe. The pool and shared kitchen were the best parts, especially for making meals and saving money. Staff and other travelers were all respectful. I highly recommend it.

The location made getting around easy, with many bus stations in San Jose within walking distance. They also had lots of information about travel around CR, including which buses to take and where they leave from. The front desk is staffed 24/7, handy for early or late flights. The bedrooms were roomy, the beds comfortable, and the common area was pleasant and usable. It's a clean, comfortable place to spend the night, and I'd recommend it as an inexpensive option for your first couple of nights in Costa Rica.