Hostels in San José, Costa Rica

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Get to know San José (no more "I wish I knew this before")

This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in San José.

 Get to know San José (no more

San José is the capital city of Costa Rica. Although it doesn't necessarily concentrate as many touristic attractions as other parts of the country (with beaches, volcanoes, mountains, and national parks) it is the starting point for most travelers when visiting the country. San José receives so many travelers a year that is very likely you'll make friends with other foreigners visiting Costa Rica during your stay.

There are plenty of San José hostels and accommodation options available. There is a high concentration of budget accommodation and hostels in San José. In fact, there might be a shortage of higher-end hotels, but budget travelers and backpackers are guaranteed to have plenty of choice according to their preferences and budget! Depending on your travel plans, you might want to stay in the city centre or closer to the airport (for early departures to the rest of the country, for instance). If the latest suits you best, Alajuela is the place in which to look for accommodation, since the airport is at least an hour-and-a-half drive because of the traffic.

As the main city in the country, it has plenty of little luxuries that might not be that common in the most touristic areas, that tend to be more rural. There are plenty of shopping opportunities and you'll find so many international fast food chains in the main streets that will make you think for a moment that you are somewhere in the USA.

There is a very lively nightlife scene in San José. Street life is important, and, particularly on Thursdays, you'll have the chance to see a lot of people partying in the streets, where entertainers tend to perform. The city is also very open when it comes to the gay scene.

Written by local enthusiast for San José hostels

Written by local enthusiast for San José hostels zararock

FAQ about San José Hostels

We've collected the most common questions for hostels in San José. The more you know, the better you can plan with confidence and ease, right?

A hostel in San José costs $19 for a dorm. A private room in a hostel in San José costs $60. (based on Hostelz.com price comparison)
The only website listing all 30 Hostels in San José is Hostelz.com. We are a specialized hostel price comparison.
Selina San José is the best hostel in San José for couples.
Selina San José is the best rated hostel in San José for female solo travellers.
Hostelz.com compares prices for 30 hostels in San José, Costa Rica. We list for you other cheap places to stay in San José such as
  • 7 hotels
  • 7 guesthouses
  • 1 apartment

This makes Hostelz.com the best place to find cheap accommodation in San José.

Selina San José is the best hostel for partying in San José.

It offers: Pub Crawls, Bar.

San José Hostel Cheatsheet

Above we list every single hostel there is in the city. Let us take a broader look at what you can expect - and what not. We created this cheatsheet for you to get a more complete picture of the hostel quality in San José, average prices and types of hostels to choose from.
30 Total number of hostels
$19 Average dorm price
$60 Average private room price
$12 Cheapest hostel in San José
Lost In Costa Rica is the cheapest
7 Party hostels in San José
Selina San José is the best rated
Most San José hostels are located in
Los Yoses, Barrio Escalante, St. Sabana Park
6.6 Average rating of all hostels

Other Nearby Cities

Heredia (9 Km / 5 mi.)
Ángeles (8 Km / 5 mi.)
Alajuela City (16 Km / 10 mi.)
Alajuela (17 Km / 10 mi.)
Cartago (20 Km / 12 mi.)
Tambor (21 Km / 13 mi.)
Paraíso (26 Km / 16 mi.)

Travel Tips for San José - from the Community

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San José comments only. Don't discuss the hostels here, post a review on the hostel's page instead.

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