Pros

  • Five-minute walk to restaurants and shops in Santa Elena
  • Simple restaurant and bar area with a fireplace
  • All rooms feature en-suite bathrooms and air-conditioning
  • Private rooms include flat-screen TVs with cable
  • Dorms are available with private lockers and bunk beds
  • Lovely garden courtyard with hammocks
  • Full communal kitchen
  • Free, off-street parking lot
  • Free Wi-Fi is technically available
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Cons

  • Noisy property day and night
  • Wi-Fi is free but slow and unreliable
  • Hot water isn't always reliable
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Bottom Line

Located in the heart of Santa Elena, Santa Elena Hostel Resort offers charming budget digs within a block of the town’s tourist district -- restaurants, bars, shops, and attractions are all within a five-minute walk. Like most area hostels, there's not much here beyond a small restaurant and bar, and a garden courtyard with hammocks. The 20 lodge-like rooms range from dorm rooms with bunk beds and en-suite bathrooms to private rooms with flat-screen TVs. Overall, the property feels like a step above most competing hostels, though constant noise and finicky hot water can be problematic. 

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Amenities

Oyster Hotel Review

Santa Elena Hostel Resort

Scene

Quaint budget property with a loud, youthful vibe

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.

See More Scene

Location

Steps from the shops, restaurants, and bars of Santa Elena’s tourist district

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.

See More Location

Rooms

Cozy rooms with free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and en-suite bathrooms -- some with balconies

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.

See More Rooms

Features

A small restaurant and bar, communal kitchen, and lovely garden courtyard with hammocks

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.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Santa Elena Hostel Resort

Scene

Quaint budget property with a loud, youthful vibe

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.

See More Scene

Location

Steps from the shops, restaurants, and bars of Santa Elena’s tourist district

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.

See More Location

Rooms

Cozy rooms with free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and en-suite bathrooms -- some with balconies

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.

See More Rooms

Features

A small restaurant and bar, communal kitchen, and lovely garden courtyard with hammocks

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.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Basic Television

  • Cable

  • Full Kitchen

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.