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Hostels in San José

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The best hostels in San José

Some of the best backpacker spots in San José

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Casa Pandora Hostel Women Only

San José

Casa Pandora Hostel Women Only is situated in San José, within 7.5 km of Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica and 10 km of Parque Diversiones.

G
Garance
From
Belgium
I highly recommend this hostel! I stayed here three different times for a night, and every time it felt so welcoming – just like home. Everything is very clean, the beds are comfortable, the showers are hot, and there’s even a TV with Disney+/Netflix/Prime… just perfect! The place is designed with so many thoughtful details: a fully equipped kitchen, hair dryers, shower products, extra blankets if needed… you really feel that everything has been thought of for the guests’ comfort. The staff has been incredibly kind and helpful – they even let me leave some of my belongings a couple of times, always with such friendliness and quick responses. The automated check-in system makes everything super easy as well. For me, it’s the perfect place to stay for a night or two before exploring the rest of Costa Rica. A huge thank you to the whole team 🌸
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.3
Superb - What previous guests thought, 116 reviews
Price from
US$33.74
1 night, 2 adults

Eco Stay Hostel

San José

Situated in San José, 4.7 km from La Sabana Metropolitan Park, Eco Stay Hostel features accommodation with a garden, private parking, a shared lounge and a terrace.

B
Batur Uraz
From
Belgium
Friendly, family owned business. Everything was good. We just stayed one night after a long flight and slept well here!
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.2
Superb - What previous guests thought, 481 reviews
Price from
US$41.60
1 night, 2 adults

Gaudy's Hotel

San José

Situated in San José and with Poas National Park reachable within 47 km, Gaudy's Hotel features a tour desk, non-smoking rooms, a garden, free WiFi throughout the property and a terrace.

S
Sabina
From
Slovenia
Great vibe, boys that work there are amazing! Good location, close to bus station, supermarket ... good filling breakfast included! I loved the atmosphere the most while i was there, it really felt like home ...
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.1
Very good - What previous guests thought, 1,353 reviews
Price from
US$78.98
1 night, 2 adults

Casa Escalante Hostel

Barrio Escalante, San José

Situated in San José and with La Sabana Metropolitan Park reachable within 6.1 km, Casa Escalante Hostel features a tour desk, non-smoking rooms, a garden, free WiFi throughout the property and a...

T
Teresa
From
Austria
For the price i paid i have to give 10 points. It has everything you need and gets cleaned every day. Family that runs the business is also living there so it felt more like a homestay than a hostel. Not many travellers while i was there, which i liked. Wifi worked perfectly. Neighborhood is full of fancy restaurants and for those on a budget there is a walmart in 20 min walking distance.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.3
Very good - What previous guests thought, 862 reviews
Price from
US$34.20
1 night, 2 adults

NATIVUS Art-Hostel

San José

Set in San José and with Poas National Park reachable within 47 km, NATIVUS Art-Hostel offers concierge services, allergy-free rooms, a shared lounge, free WiFi throughout the property and a terrace.

G
Gemma
From
Australia
A beautiful hostel, feels more like a boutique hotel. Or a home away from home. Everything is so pretty and sparkling clean. Delicious breakfast. Great location. And the host and staff are absolutely lovely, they really look after you. Could not recommend this place more.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.0
Superb - What previous guests thought, 938 reviews
Price from
US$54.15
1 night, 2 adults

Stray Cat Hostel

San José

Set in San José, within an 8-minute walk of San Juan de Dios Hospital and 1 km of Metropolitan Hospital Costa Rica, Stray Cat Hostel offers accommodation with a shared lounge and free WiFi.

C
Christian
From
Switzerland
Stayed only a night. Good location. Close from the bus termina 7/10 I recommande
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.5
Very good - What previous guests thought, 332 reviews
Price from
US$59.14
1 night, 2 adults

awā San José

Barrio Escalante, San José

Located in San José, within 4.8 km of La Sabana Metropolitan Park and 6.2 km of Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, awā San José provides accommodation with a garden and free WiFi throughout the property...

G
Greg Duerksen
From
Canada
*upgraded to the presidential suite. A large room with huge balcony was located on the second floor. The massive walk in shower and room was appointed well and very comfortable. The large .nature trees and central garden made this an oasis in the city. We loved the location within seconds of 100's of fun and tasty restaurants
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.4
Very good - What previous guests thought, 290 reviews
Price from
US$62.85
1 night, 2 adults

In the Wind Hostel and Guesthouse

San José

Located 6.3 km from La Sabana Metropolitan Park, In the Wind Hostel and Guesthouse offers 3-star accommodation in San José and features a garden, a shared lounge and a terrace.

A
Askri
From
Canada
Great hostel good location mall , hooters and strip club not too far away for adult entertainment also a nice Church and other places to go to I would recommend staying here clean , quiet , good location and comfortable also good pancakes for breakfast
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.2
Very good - What previous guests thought, 538 reviews
Price from
US$21.60
1 night, 2 adults

Capital Hostel de Ciudad

San José

Located in San José, 49 km from Poas National Park, Capital Hostel de Ciudad provides accommodation with a garden, free private parking, a shared lounge and a terrace.

F
Fernando Salomon
From
Mexico
Impecable excelente atencion super recomendable
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.8
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 26 reviews
Price from
US$52.65
1 night, 2 adults

Hostel Casa Ridgway

San José

Set in San José, 4.1 km from La Sabana Metropolitan Park, Hostel Casa Ridgway offers accommodation with a garden, free private parking and a shared lounge.

O
Olivera
From
Bosnia and Herzegovina
As my 1st accommodation in Costa Rica they set the standard so high it went unmatched for the 3 weeks I stayed in the country. Although not modern, it features sizable dorms, comfortable beds, has no lockers but clothes hangers are available and valuables may be stored in a specialised room. Pretty good breakfast, decent shared kitchen with an impressive spice rack, stable wi-fi. All that, however, is just facilities. What truly makes the property stand apart are the staff and especially its manager, with his insights into local culture, support, and warmth. The fact that the building also houses a local NGO makes the place even more dynamic and provides opportunities for some interesting conversations.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.4
Very good - What previous guests thought, 138 reviews
All hostels in San José

Looking for a hostel?

Budget travellers know that there is no better way to make the most of their trip than by staying at a hostel: save money for exploring during the day, and swap stories with fellow backpackers in the shared kitchen or bar in the evening. Dorm-style bedrooms with shared bathrooms are standard hostel fare, but private rooms are also available for those willing to pay a bit more.

Most booked hostels in San José and surroundings in the past month

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Popular with guests booking hostels in San José

Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.2
Superb - What previous guests thought, 480 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in San José

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.1
Very good - What previous guests thought, 1,349 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in San José

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.5
Very good - What previous guests thought, 329 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in San José

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.4
Good - What previous guests thought, 25 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in San José

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.1
Very good - What previous guests thought, 538 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in San José

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.7
Good - What previous guests thought, 857 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in San José

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.3
Very good - What previous guests thought, 864 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in San José

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.9
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 940 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in San José

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.4
Very good - What previous guests thought, 293 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in San José

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.8
Good - What previous guests thought, 3,796 reviews

Save money on hostels in San José and nearby – budget options available

Hostal del Este Santa Fe

San José
Budget options available
Scored out of 10, guest rating 3.5
Poor - What previous guests thought, 25 reviews

Offering free WiFi throughout the property, Hostal del Este Santa Fe is located in San José, 5.2 km from Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica and 8.2 km from Parque Diversiones.

From US$72.32 per night

Hotel Casa Colon

San José
Budget options available
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.9
Good - What previous guests thought, 294 reviews

At Hostel Casa Colón, we are committed to offering an unforgettable experience to our guests in the heart of San José, Costa Rica.

From US$74 per night

Luz de Luna Escalante

San José
Budget options available
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.4
Good - What previous guests thought, 25 reviews

Situated in San José, 5.9 km from La Sabana Metropolitan Park, Luz de Luna Escalante features accommodation with a garden, free private parking and a terrace.

From US$81.36 per night

Ester`s Place

Escazu
Budget options available
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.4
Superb - What previous guests thought, 124 reviews

Set in Escazu, 50 km from Poas National Park, Ester`s Place offers accommodation with a garden, free private parking and a terrace.

From US$77.26 per night

Hostel Casa Ridgway

San José
Budget options available
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.4
Very good - What previous guests thought, 138 reviews

Set in San José, 4.1 km from La Sabana Metropolitan Park, Hostel Casa Ridgway offers accommodation with a garden, free private parking and a shared lounge.

Casa Rinu

San José
Budget options available

Located within 12 km of La Sabana Metropolitan Park and 14 km of Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, Casa Rinu provides rooms in San José.

FAQ about hostels in San José

Hostels that guests love in San José

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Avg. price/night: US$25.63
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.8
Good - What previous guests thought, 3,796 reviews
Cheap stay, and we booked a car through the hostel’s recommendation; excellent experience. We also sorted a SIM card very efficiently. Bed sheets were soft and room was comfortable
Guest review by
Maria
Young couple
Avg. price/night: US$58.76
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.3
Very good - What previous guests thought, 864 reviews
The hostel is in a great location. Barrio Escalante is the best choice, a safe place and close to the center. The common areas are beautiful and large, the kitchen very well equipped. The rooms are comfortable and clean, the showers have hot water. The owner is a wonderful person, always available to help. I've been to several hostels in San José and this one is the best. Thank you for everything Casa Escalante Hostel.
Guest review by
Marco
Young couple
Avg. price/night: US$66.83
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.5
Very good - What previous guests thought, 329 reviews
Friendly staff, super clean hostel, nice new and clean rooms, bathrooms and kitchen. Bed was also super comfy and room temp perfect. Great location near bus terminals and felt safe inside hostel. The kitchen has free tea and coffee and a breakfast that starts at 5am so you can eat before an early journey. They even offer pizza for 5000 colones.
Guest review by
Caitlin
Solo traveller