This industrial-strength hostel – 25 dorm beds, 25 private rooms, and five cushy suites – has been a popular twentysomething backpacker hangout for years. It’s not difficult to see why: it’s smack in the middle of the city and comes stocked with a pool and a rooftop restaurant-lounge/speakeasy-style bar with stellar views. Needless to say, it's a party spot. Wristband-controlled entry.
Rooms are tidy, mattresses firm and the shared bathrooms enormous and clean. The five suites (one Presidential) have king-size beds and flat-screen TVs. Other perks include free internet, luggage storage and 24-hour airport shuttles (from US$12 shared). They've got a sister hostel in La Fortuna.