Costa Rica Backpackers

San José


This popular hostel has 19 basic but clean dormitories and 14 private rooms (no bathroom) surrounding a spacious hammock-filled garden and a free-form pool. Two bars, a restaurant and chill-out music enhance the inviting, laid-back atmosphere. Other benefits include a communal kitchen and TV lounge, free luggage storage, internet access, an onsite travel agency and low-cost airport transfers (US$26).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby San José attractions

1. Museo Nacional de Costa Rica

0.24 MILES

Entered via a beautiful glassed-in atrium housing an exotic butterfly garden, this museum provides a quick survey of Costa Rican history. Exhibits of pre…

2. Estación del Ferrocarril de Costa Rica

0.25 MILES

Less than a block east of Parque Nacional is San José's historical train station to the Atlantic, built in 1908. Nowadays offering weekday train service…

3. Asamblea Legislativa

0.27 MILES

Costa Rica's congress meets in this grand structure – known as the 'blue castle' – in the center of San José. It's scheduled to be replaced by a…

4. Plaza de la Democracia

0.27 MILES

Between the Museo Nacional and the Museo de Jade is the stark Plaza de la Democracia, which was constructed by President Oscar Arias in 1989 to…

5. Parque Nacional

0.29 MILES

One of San José’s nicest green spaces, this shady spot lures retirees to read newspapers and young couples to smooch coyly on concrete benches. At its…

6. Museo del Jade

0.3 MILES

This museum houses the world’s largest collection of American jade (pronounced ‘ha-day’ in Spanish), with an ample exhibition space of five floors…

7. Parque Francia

0.33 MILES

A lovely little space of former farmland, bordered by a French cafe and French-Spanish bookstore, as well as some restaurants. Shade trees and plenty of…

8. Museo de Arte y Diseño Contemporáneo

0.39 MILES

Commonly referred to as MADC, the Contemporary Art & Design Museum is housed in the historical National Liquor Factory building, which dates from 1856. It…