HI - San Jose - Toruma Hostel

I booked reservations for the Hostel Toruma in November of 2006, for a trip my daughters and I took in January of 2007. Upon arrival at the Hostel Toruma at 10:30 p.m. on January 9, we were informed that the Hostel Toruma was closed due to remodeling. At no time were we informed by email, phone, or snail mail that the Hostel Toruma was still being remodeled, and that our reservations were canceled. Needless to say, we were bitterly disappointed and concerned about where we were going to get a room at that time of night -- and where. Thanks for nothing Hostel Toruma. I would never book another reservation with your very unprofessional organization, nor could I possibly, in good conscience, recommend it to anyone else.

Wonderful staff and accommodation. Clean, comfortable, courteous, and very helpful. Rosa speaks excellent English and provides much interesting and useful information. There's 24-hour reception and storage access. The kitchen could use few more cooking pots and utensils. I appreciated the free Internet. Lots of informational literature. I would definitely highly recommend Hostel Toruma anytime, as it's open year around. Reasonable rates and private rooms available. I enjoyed my two-week stay very much.

This area was so safe. The staff especially is wonderful. The receptionist during the day, Rosa, was AMAZING and SO helpful. The atmosphere is homey, clean, and peaceful. We met some wonderful people there. This is the best hostel we found so far in San Jose. It's very easy to get to downtown, but far away enough that you don't have to worry about your safety.

Very safe. Very polite and helpful staff. They get to know your names, say hi and do whatever they can for you. The coffee is great — the toast not so much. The location is alright... don't bother with the KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken). You can get that at home.

We backpacked in Central America for two months with our 10- and 11-year-old boys. This was their favorite place to stay. They said it felt like home.

Awsome place. The staff are courteous and helpful -- they go out of their way to help you do whatever you want, including wake up calls at 3 am so you can be on your bus or plane. There are lots of people to meet (especially girls) and they let you store your things there while you travel. It is right next to the mall and the security is on top of keeping you and your valuables safe. Thanks for making my stay there a great one.

The people who run the hostel are very helpful and courteous. There is no pool, but I can live without that. I used it as a base for my Costa Rica travels, and found it generally quiet and secure. The "Continental Breakfast" (toast and coffee) can be missed. They're accommodating, and will store your stuff while you tour around Costa Rica. Also very helpful in advising about tours and other hostels in Costa Rica.

This place is a super sweet place to hang out, although it can get boring after a few weeks. There is free internet, good coffee that's free, free toast for breakfast, two lounge rooms with TV, and hot showers. Plus downtown is just a few blocks away when you walk out of the place and turn right and Mall San Pedro, which has a movie theature (movies in English) and pleanty of restaurants, and places to shop is just a few blocks away if you turn left. The best restaurants are downtown though.