Hostel Casa del Parque

Top choice in San José


A 1936 vintage art deco manse houses this cozy, welcoming spot on the northeastern edge of Parque Nacional. Five large, basic private rooms (two are gigantic, with bathrooms), a newer seven-bed dormitory and an older 10-bed dormitory upstairs have parquet floors and simple furnishings. Enjoy some sun on the plant-festooned outdoor patio and dig into the shared kitchen.

The bilingual owner is a good source of local dining information, but the adjacent Maza restaurant is a good choice if you don't feel like leaving.