Santa Elena Hostel Resort

The decor throughout the property feels a step above the cold, industrial design typical of most hostels. The stone pathways, well-manicured landscaping, and stone walls provide the feel of a tropical rainforest retreat. A central courtyard serves as the property’s main gathering space. By day, the area is mostly quiet with guests reading books or simply relaxing. However, at night, once the restaurant and bar opens, the vibe becomes louder and more vibrant, occasionally bordering on raucous. As a true hostel, the clientele consists almost exclusively of backpacking twenty- and thirtysomething budget travelers seeking dirt-cheap, centrally located accommodations.

The hostel is situated at the end of a short, dead-end road just off Santa Elena’s main tourist drag. Dozens of shops, bars, restaurants, and a few markets are within a five- to 10-minute walk of the property. The Transmonteverde bus stop is likewise five minutes away on foot, with connections to the country's vast, affordable public transit system. It's a five-minute drive to the Monteverde Butterfly Gardens, and the area's famous cloud forests are about a 20-minute drive outside of town.The property is equidistant from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose and Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR) in Liberia. Both require at least a three-hour drive and rental cars are available at either airport. However, with the country’s mandatory renter’s insurance and notoriously bad roads, driving is often expensive and dangerous. Shuttle service is likely the cheapest and most convenient option. The hostel does not provide free transportation. However, they can arrange it for a fee. Shuttles are also readily available in the airport terminal, and travelers should expect to haggle for the best rates.

Capitalizing on the area's mountain vibes, this hostel has given their rooms a lodge-like style. It's not the most chic or sophisticated design that we've ever seen, but the wood-panel walls and hardwood floors to give everything a cozy look that's a nice step up from most budget hotels in the area. There's not much in the way of decor other than colorful window treatments. However, the small balconies with rocking chairs in some of the rooms that we saw were a nice touch.The property’s dorm rooms are available in male-only, female-only, and mixed configurations. They all include bunk beds, security lockers, and air-conditioning. Private rooms have one- or two-bed configurations, and are priced at a per-person rate. They also include flat-screen TVs with cable service. Free Wi-Fi is available in most rooms and common areas, although it’s often slow and unreliable. Many guests complain of paper thin walls, which only exacerbates the already noisy atmosphere.Every room features a tiny, en-suite bathroom. Like their respective rooms, all are simple, done in a combination of linoleum tile and wood paneling. Guests can expect walk-in showers and generic bar soap. Keep in mind that there can be issues with the hot water.

The list of features is predictably limited here, but includes nice-to-have amenities for a hostel, particularly those looking to socialize. Adjacent to the lobby, a moderately sized room serves as a restaurant, lounge, and bar -- a la carte breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served. Menu selections include basic, Western-friendly sandwiches and finger foods, though reviews are mediocre. In the adjoining room, the tiny bar serves cheap liquor, cocktails, and late-afternoon happy hour specials. Several couches and chairs provide seating around a wood-burning fireplace.The lounge area connects to a relatively spacious kitchen with enough room to accommodate the property’s size. The full kitchen has a refrigerator, stove, microwave, sink, and (surprisingly) an indoor gas grill. All are available for guest use.The property’s buildings center around a small, but lovely, garden courtyard. The stone pathways, artificial trees, and faux stone rock formations provide a “rainforest retreat” feel with a whiff of theme park inspiration. Several hammocks provide seating while the shared balconies of nearby rooms offer additional space for relaxation. While the vibe is mostly laid-back during the day, it often becomes considerably livelier at night as bar-going guests move outdoors.Free parking is available in a tiny off-street lot or on the quiet side street connecting the property to downtown Santa Elena.