- Costa Rica Hostels
Costa Rica is different from the other countries in Central America. Visitors and locals alike can enjoy a high standard of living in a relatively peaceful atmosphere, free from political unrest. In fact the most explosive thing about this country is likely to be one of its 200 plus volcanoes. This truly is a beautiful place which can be best observed in one of the country’s many National Parks where you’ll find yourself in a dense rainforest amidst the sounds of parrots, monkeys and macaws. Costa Rica is known for its biodiversity so if eco-tourism is your thing then you’ll be in paradise.
Typical Costs in Costa Rica
* Accommodation: Costa Rica is dearer than the other Central American countries for lodgings with bottom of the rung hotels costing 4130 Colón without hot water. 7750 Colón will be far more comfortable and get you a night in a typical hostel with internet, hot water etc.
* Food: By eating at local restaurants you can expect to pay around 3100¢ but meals at the family run “soda” restaurants can cost as low as 1150 Colón. These are a local favorite and will save you from paying tourist prices in other establishments.
* Transportation: Public transportation in Costa Rica is cheaper, frequent and accessible. Buses are very inexpensive with a ticket from San José to Jaco costing 1300 Colón and city fares costing at most 45 Colón. Taxis are metered and run on a fixed rate of 510 Colón plus 90 Colón per kilometer.
* Activities: Much of Costa Rica’s main tourist attractions are found in the great outdoors, so are quite inexpensive. Entrance in to most National Parks is usually around 4130 Colón with discounts for students. Canopy tours and surfing can be more expensive with surf lessons at Jaco Beach costing 20,700 Colón for two hours.
Money Saving Tips for Costa Rica
* Travel off-season. Late April through November is considered the rainy season in Costa Rica and as a result, prices tend to be less expensive (except June – August) and beaches less crowded.
* Sodas. These are small family run restaurants which specialize in inexpensive meals, usually costing around 2000 including a drink, eat here to save on restaurant prices.
* Use buses. Costa Rica’s main attractions are dotted across the country, so rather than taking a minivan or hiring a car, travel by public bus which typically costs just a tenth of the price.
* Tips. A service charge is included in the price of your restaurant bill so don’t feel the need to add any extra cash unless the service is fantastic or you are rounding up a bill. The same goes for taxis.
Top Things to See in Costa Rica
* Parque Nacional Turtuguero. This park on the Caribbean Coast of the country is regarded as one of the most important breeding grounds for the endangered green turtle and also helps to protect manatees, sloths and various species of monkey. Visit at night to catch the turtles laying their eggs on the beach.
* San José. Costa Rica’s capital is located in the center of the country and is the perfect destination for culture vultures as there are over 30 museums in the city, mainly in the downtown area. Head to the Museum of Contemporary Art & Design to check out the future of Costa Rican art or to the magnificent Teatro Nacional to take in its décor or to see the orchestra if your budget allows.
* La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Aside from the waterfalls, La Paz also encompasses an aviary, hummingbird garden, butterfly garden, reptiles, big cats and more. The gardens were the most popular tour from San José but unfortunately the area was damaged by a 6.4 earthquake in January 2009 and a couple of trails were lost to landslides. The Gardens are back to their magnificent selves though now after a lengthy repair program. Entrance to the Gardens is 15240 Colón.
* Volcanoes. Costa Rica’s volcanoes are among the country’s top tourist attractions, with many being located in National Parks also offering kayaking, rafting and hiking. For a natural firework display head to Arenal at night to watch the volcano erupting molten rocks into the sky. Irazu is known for its astonishing green blue lake that sits in one of its craters, while there is a boiling acid lake within a crater of the Poas Volcano.
* Rapids. For an extreme afternoon head to the Pacuare river for a spot of white water rafting on some of the world’s fiercest rapids. The calmer moments are also a great way to see the surrounding rainforest and the company who run the tours, Rios Tropicales have been voted #5 Rafting Company in the World by National Geographic.
* Rainforest Canopies. The highest 10% of a rainforest is where most activity takes place and by going on a zip-line tour, you can have a hair-raisingly close view of these vast forests. There are dozens of companies offering tours with many operating around the Arenal Volcano. Expect to pay between 23,000 and 31,00 0for the Arenal Canopy and around 38,500 for other areas.
* Coffee plantations. Costa Rican coffee is famous the world over and by taking one of the coffee plantation tours you can see every step of the refining process and get the chance to buy discounted coffee in the gift shops. There are four main tours with the Doka plantation tour being the best. Combine a tour of the Poas Volcano and the colorful town of Sarchi to your trip for around 40,000 Colón.
* Nightlife. El Pueblo in downtown San José is a mix of more than 100 bars (many with live music), clubs, restaurants, art galleries and shops so you’re sure to find somewhere to keep you entertained here. Gambling is legal in Costa Rica so you may want to try your luck at one of the city’s casinos too. Outside of San José head to The Big Bazaar in Tamarindo for a huge beach party complete with a big bonfire or alternatively, you can party all night at the clubs and pubs on the strip at Jaco Beach on the Central Pacific Coast.
* Gold & Jade museums. For a unique museum experience, head to the Gold and Jade museums in San José. The Gold Museum displays glistening pre-Columbian gold and also has a side exhibition of rare coins and bills. The Jade Museum is located in Central America’s largest building, the National Insurance Building and showcases a fantastic collection of jade pieces with religious and cultural significance.
* Jaco. Jaco was once a sleepy resort town whose main attraction was its excellent surfing, but growing tourism has transformed it into a haven of beach parties and pumping nightclubs. Surf lessons and rentals are widely available on the beaches, with sport fishing also being popular here. For a more sedate affair head to the nearby Carara Biological Reserve to spot scarlet macaws, armadillos and hundreds of species of bird.
What is Hosteling?
The concept of hostelling has been around for a long time, but the actual movement started in 1907, when a German school teacher named Richard Schirrmann cleared out some classrooms and laid down some straw mats so that young people of all countries could be provided with suitable meeting places where they could get to know each other!
It used to be that youth hostels had only dormitory-style arrangements reserved for youth and a chore was assigned to offset the low cost of the bed. Well, there have been a few changes since then, although you may still find dorms and some rural hostels that require you to carry out a small chore such as making your own bed or bringing the dirty linen to reception. But hostels are no longer only for the young, and most places have private rooms available. However you will still most likely have to share a bath.
Staying in a hostel in Costa Rica is a fantastic way to meet other travellers who can offer you great advice on things to see and interesting places to go which you may not hear of in books or travel guides. Hostels also tend to have more of a social scene, you will find that even some organize parties, BBQ’s, meetings or have a bar within their premises where people can chat and get to know the fellow guests.
If you are travelling alone then staying in a hostel is a great way to meet long term travel buddies, people looking to do a fun day trip or visit a particular museum together. These, usually, short meetings can make a great impact on your cultural awareness and sometimes be the starting point of a life long friendship.
Puerto Viejo
Pagalu Hostel – Brand new hostel and super clean! It’s just a block away from the center of town and very quiet and comfortable. The dorms have only 4 beds with big lockers and private reading lights, the bathrooms are cleaner than back home, and the kitchen is large and has brand new equipment. Good vibe here, free coffee, free internet. The owners Michael and Christian are laid back and easy going, making for a great experience. Check it out at www.pagalu.com for much more information. Dorm room goes for $8 a night.
Montezuma
Pension Lucy – Very clean hostel, located about 5 minute walk to the town and right on the beach. It’s easy to relax in one of the hammocks while looking out over the Pacific Ocean.
Santa Teresa/Mal Pais
Casa Zen – Nice, clean hostel with a great relaxation lounge. The restaurant has great food however is a little pricey. The owner, Kelly, is very helpful and laid back. Rooms start at $12 a night, a double was $12 as well.
Tranquilo Backpackers – Free pancake breakfast, free Internet. Good place to meet other surfers and backpackers. The rooms are somewhat clean but the beds have seen better days. Dorm room was $12 a night.
Monteverde
Pension Santa Elena – Nice, relaxing place to chill out after a canopy tour with the free, delicious coffee. The brother/sister owners, Ran and Shannon, are very knowledgeable and helpful about the area and able to book tours right from the front desk. The hot water showers are a bonus, especially in Monteverde.
Orosi
Montana Linda – Nice hostel and cheap. Very quiet and clean. From the main road in town walk up to the pizza restaurant next to the supermarket. Turn around to face the bar on the opposite of the road and walk down the road away from the pizza shop. It’s about three blocks down to the end of this road, next to the meadow with horses, you’ll see the sign. Dorm room was $7.50 a night.
Tortuguero
Pension Aracari – It’s your basic hostel, 4 walls, a couple of beds, and a private bathroom. Cheap, affordable, and centrally located. Not much else to add. A room was $8 a night. Bring money along with you here, no ATM in town.
San Jose
Hostel Pangea – Very big, clean hostel with free internet, coffee, and a nice bar. It’s loud there on weekends when the bar is packed. Stayed in a double room here, $14 a night per person.
Hostel Bekuo
Welcome to Hostel Bekuo, located in San Jose Costa Rica, Bekuo is one of the nicest of all Costa Rica hostels. They have an amazing home, comfortable and clean, for all of the backpackers and travelers that are passing through San Jose while seeing Costa Rica. Bekuo is the top destination for backpackers in San Jose, Costa Rica. Dorm beds: $12 per person, per night. Reserve
