Arenal Backpackers Resort

Best hostel I've stayed at in Costa Rica
The staff always seemed friendly. The dorm rooms are immaculate. The AC goes on automatically at certain time slots. Very organized internet room, pool, and good cheap restaurant right at the hostel. You get into the rooms with a key card, which was really surprising to see at a hostel in Costa Rica. I admit, the tours they posted were much more expensive than what you could get in town. They also have a security guard at the gate door at night and he will only let you in as long as you are wearing the wristband that they give you at the front desk. It definitely seems more like a resort than a hostel.

Great, clean hostel!
One of the best I stayed in in Costa Rica! Nice sized room and a great big bathroom with each room was great! (no wandering around the halls looking for an available bathroom) The people were very helpful with tours... definitely do the canopy tour and baldi hot springs and if you are going to Monteverde, opt for the jeep-boat-jeep tour. Its shorter and more fun! I didn't go in the pool but it looked like fun.