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7 Saf. - 9 Saf.

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In one month

28 Saf. - 2 Rab. I

In two months

28 Rab. I - 30 Rab. I

Compare 42 Hostels in Arenal with updated reviews, rates, and availability.

"Not as good as the other Selina’s in Latin America but still good. Quiet, food expensive but overall nice hotel with friendly staff. However local children do come in to use the pool so that area is not quiet."

SAR 273 total

includes taxes & fees

5 Mar - 6 Mar

"I stayed for 3 nights at Selina and my experience was wonderful! The hotel had a lovely, clean room and the hotel grounds were lush, beautiful and green. Getting around by foot is a bit difficult given how remote the hotel is but you are across the street from a shuttle that can take you directly to the cloud forest, the hotel has a transit stop outside of it and the hotel can provide you with a reliable, safe ride share option. There is also a restaurant on site where you can get very good...

SAR 264 total

includes taxes & fees

13 Feb - 14 Feb

"Great value in walking distance of Bogarin sloth trail. Plenty of bars & restaurants nearby too. Staff very friendly and helpful. Lovely freshly prepared breakfast. Good sized rooms & cold showers are very refreshing! "

SAR 174 total

includes taxes & fees

3 Feb - 4 Feb

"Food options nearby. Shared dorms were very open. "

SAR 125 total

includes taxes & fees

3 Feb - 4 Feb

"They didn't clean my room during my 3 day stay but it was a decent place to stay, and cheap in a country that is expensive, I would stay again"

SAR 134 total

includes taxes & fees

3 Feb - 4 Feb

"Pros: refrigerator, 2nd floor (bars on windows, blinds, and locks on windows/doors), parking, A/C in the bedroom, additional blankets, towels provided, sugar, tea/coffee and basic cooking utensils. Lots of facecloths in the bathroom. Soap dispensers. Geckos (they were cute). Walkable to downtown/restaurants. Kind hosts. Responsive and proactive - replaced towels, and recommended driving through Rio Celeste to get to the location from Liberia airport as it’s a safer roadway. We understood...

"Nice two bedroom studio apartment about 200 meters from main hostel building. Managers were exceptionally helpful and accommodating. Only slight negative, really more of a surprise, was that they didn't accept payment via credit card."

SAR 85 total

includes taxes & fees

13 Feb - 14 Feb

"Host was real friendly and very helpful "

SAR 265 total

includes taxes & fees

3 Feb - 4 Feb

"Great place to stay! Staff very knowledgeable of the area and willing to help. My room was very nice. Night winds were high so it was a bit loud. Nothing the hotel can change, just part of the area. Just something to be aware of in the area."

"Overall a great place to stay! The showers in the room I stayed at were kind of weird and looked broken but for the price, I will take it any day. They have wonderful service and a guitar which I was able to play while I was not doing anything. I would totally recommend it. "

SAR 144 total

includes taxes & fees

3 Feb - 4 Feb

"Mother & daughter hosts are a delight and ready to assist you with all your adventuring needs. Assisting with bookings, tours, transport, advice, directions, dining queries - super lovely and kind. The accommodation is perfectly located. So convent to Santa Elena - grocery store 5 mins, food, shops- perfection.👌 The amenities are what you’d imagine for the affordability but certainty not without a feeling of local charm. Hosts have provided all one needs and are quick to assist if there is...

SAR 182 total

includes taxes & fees

3 Feb - 4 Feb

"Great hostel situated in a nice neighbourhood, 5 minutes walk from the centre including the supermarkets and bus terminal (the centre is frankly not as pleasant as the suburbs). Rooms have secure key codes, and lockers are situated in the communal kitchen which is large, clean and well equipped. Everything was good. Would recommend."

SAR 276 total

includes taxes & fees

15 Feb - 16 Feb

"Very nice hostel for a very reasonable price. I would recommend this hostel for other travelers"

SAR 150 total

includes taxes & fees

3 Feb - 4 Feb

"We had a wonderful time. We visited La Fortuna years ago and since we’ve been back, many things have changed. We liked Cascada because it gave us the experience we had before; a modest and humble place where you see true Tic@ hospitality "

SAR 127 total

includes taxes & fees

3 Mar - 4 Mar

"The reception was very nice, it felt very safe and clean"

SAR 229 total

includes taxes & fees

7 Feb - 8 Feb

"Loved this backpackers! Super cool rooms, and the view is excellent looking straight at the Arenal volcano! Awesome pool and bar right on property and downtown is so walkable from the front of the property! "

"Great location, Staff is friendly and helpful! reasonably priced"

"Alexandra is an amazing host. She was very accommodating, warm and helpful. She even brought us bread and pinto gallo in the morning. LIttle Paradise is well situated and all the major sights (La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano, Monteverde) are at most an hour drive away. The property is scenic and vast, with a beautiful view of the lake. Alexandra has big plans for the future too - a restaurant, spa and more. My travel buddy and I agree that we would have been happy to stay 2 weeks at Little Paradise -...

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"The property is in a beautiful location. Patrick is knowledgeable and helpful, he is very accommodating welcoming. Breakfast was so good. The stay was great and Costa Rica is gorgeous! I would certainly stay here again. "

New pool off main patio - New August 2024

"We loved the location and the house. Very responsive and accommodating host."

2 story villa on private estate nature preserve with Lake Arenal view & access

"This home is special even though it poured most of our week there. We were told by several locals and neighbors that the torrential rain was unusual for January ( we thought we were going during the dry season). Luckily the house has several areas protected from the rain and we saw many dozens of incredible birds we had never seen in the U.S. Also had Coati wandering through the backyard.We highly recommend this home.One thing to know is that the roads closest to the house are very curvy and...

Recent reviews of Arenal hotels

5/5 Excellent

Beautiful, amazing stay!

"We loved our stay at Lost Iguana!! ALL of the staff were very helpful, friendly and responsive. The resort was beautiful with a hiking trail and other activities. The room was fantastic with a private patio and super cool outdoor shower. We will definitely be back!"

A verified traveler stayed at Lost Iguana Resort and Spa

Posted 1 day ago

5/5 Excellent

"Unfortunately due to tight international layovers we missed our first two days in the area, and only stayed one night here. The staff was so accommodating and nice and even tried to look to extend our stay with them (even though we couldn’t because we already had another stay booked elsewhere). Most of the staff was fluently bilingual. The reception desk was very helpful at finding good local places. What a beautiful, unique place! I wish we could’ve actually enjoyed being here. Breakfast was delicious! "

A verified traveler stayed at Camino Verde Bed & Breakfast

Posted 3 days ago

5/5 Excellent

Relaxing, Beautiful, Comfortable

"The staff were friendly and helpful. The parking (on-site) is monitored as are the grounds which provided a good sense of security. The property was immaculately maintained in terms of landscaping and cleanliness. The included breakfast buffet was plentiful and clean. Our room was clean, but we did not find the bed to be all that comfortable (it was a bit too hard). The room service took extra time and attention to fold our pool towels into a beautiful design, which was an unexpected and appreciated touch! We were a little underwhelmed with the buffer dinner option at the Pyramid restaurant and did not try the Italian restaurant on site. The pools were clean and not very crowded! We also had a great time at the spa (massage and facial) with prompt service and therapists who went the extra mile to help us have a relaxing experience! "

A verified traveler stayed at Baldi Hot Springs Hotel and Spa

Posted 3 days ago

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Frequently asked questions

Should I stay in a hostel in Arenal?

By staying at a hostel you can cut your spending on lodging and use more of your trip funds for fun things to do during your trip. You can enjoy activities like hiking, and the rainforests create an appealing natural setting.

What is a hostel?

No two hostels look exactly alike, but these dormitory-style accommodations all feature shared rooms (though many have private options too), low prices, and a social environment.

What are the best hostels in Arenal?

While you’re deciding on where to stay, check out this top hostel in Arenal: Little Paradise Hostel - You can take advantage of free WiFi and free parking, as well as a picnic area. You’ll find towels, showers, and bed sheets in all rooms.

When is the best time of year to stay in a hostel in Arenal?

Good weather’s always better when you want to venture out and explore, so here’s some information that might be helpful: The hottest months are usually April and May with an average temp of 77°F, while the coldest months are January and February with an average of 74°F. The rainiest months in Arenal are July, October, June, and August, with each month seeing an average of 16 inches of rainfall.

What is there to see and do in Arenal?

Overall, Arenal is known for its ziplining, rainforest, and hot springs. Major attractions include Arenal Volcano National Park, Tabacon Hot Springs, and Arenal Volcano. Get out into nature with places like Lake Arenal, Tenorio Volcano National Park, and Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park. Additional attractions include Rio Celeste Waterfall, Costa Rica Sky Adventures, and Los Lagos Hot Springs.

What's the best way to get to and around Arenal while staying at a hostel?

Keep this information about transit options in Arenal in your back pocket to make the most of your stay: You can fly into the closest airport, which is La Fortuna (FON-Arenal), located 18.3 mi (29.4 km) away from the city center.

Search Hostels in Arenal

Plan, book, stay with confidence

Check prices for these dates

Compare 42 Hostels in Arenal with updated reviews, rates, and availability.

Selina - La Fortuna

Selina - La Fortuna

Selina - Monteverde

Selina - Monteverde

Hostel La Choza Inn

Hostel La Choza Inn

Poshtel Arenal

Poshtel Arenal

Sleepers Sleep Cheaper Hostel

Sleepers Sleep Cheaper Hostel

coati del arenal

coati del arenal

Hostel Cattleya

Hostel Cattleya

Hotel Sloth Backpackers

Hotel Sloth Backpackers

Cabinas Vista Al Golfo - Hostel

Cabinas Vista Al Golfo - Hostel

Hostel SantaFe

Hostel SantaFe

Cabinas El Pueblo - Hostel

Cabinas El Pueblo - Hostel

Arenal Sloth Hostel

Arenal Sloth Hostel

Río Danta Hostel

Río Danta Hostel

Alpha Arenal - Hostel

Alpha Arenal - Hostel

Hotel La Cascada - Hostel

Hotel La Cascada - Hostel

Asha Hostel

Asha Hostel

Arenal Backpackers Resort

Arenal Backpackers Resort

Arenal Poshpacker - Hostel

Arenal Poshpacker - Hostel

Little Paradise Hostel

Little Paradise Hostel

Hospedaje Linda Vista - Hostel

Hospedaje Linda Vista - Hostel

Other property types in Arenal

Simply the best, incredible views,pool,delicious food and a friend in the area.

Simply the best, incredible views,pool,delicious food and a friend in the area.

On Lake Arenal - Near La Fortuna - New Pool and Deck August 2024 - Bird Watching

On Lake Arenal - Near La Fortuna - New Pool and Deck August 2024 - Bird Watching

Private Villa is Paradise with Tropical Gardens & Rain Forest Trail by River

Private Villa is Paradise with Tropical Gardens & Rain Forest Trail by River

Recent reviews of Arenal hotels

Recent reviews of Arenal hotels

Lost Iguana Resort and Spa

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Explore a world of travel with Expedia

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Frequently asked questions