I love this hostel! I’ve stayed here two different times while in Costa Rica and my experience has been fabulous both times.

Costa Rica Backpackers has been around for over 15 years and is located in the capital city of San Jose and it’s a popular stopover for those just entering the country as well as those finishing up their time here and headed back home.   It’s located in a safe and walkable area and there are tons of stores, restaurants, bars and more within a couple of blocks.  It’s also within walking distance of the Central Market, the National Theatre, and some of the nicest parks in San Jose.

Let’s get the basics out of the way.  It’s a large hostel and almost always filled with people from all over and it tends to be a loud and very social place.  The common areas are absolutely fabulous with a great outdoor kitchen,  a beautiful pool and a really nice restaurant and bar area.   The rooms, frankly, are not that great…but they’re only $10 a night and you don’t come to Costa Rica Backpackers to sleep…  you can do that when you’re dead!  If you like quiet, this is not the Hostel experience for you!

To give you just one example, the last time I stayed there we were joined by a traditional Panamanian band that was on tour.  There must have been 20 of them…drums, flutes, singers, dancers….it was amazing.  Every night they would break out their gear and start a jam session and within 10 minutes everyone in the Hostel was drawn by the music and standing around watching in awe.  Within 20 minutes we were all dancing with glee with the band!  It was an amazing experience and the kind of thing I have come to expect at Costaa Rica Backpackers.

@quinntheeskimo6 Panamanian Celebration at our Hostel #costarica🇨🇷 #costaricatiktok #puravida🇨🇷♥️ #digitalnomadlife #hostelvibes #hostellifestyle #costaricatrip #panamamusica ♬ original sound – Quinn the Eskimo

The first time I was there I met a guy named Stan who is a Tattoo artist from France. Next thing I knew, I was getting inked! So, an old guy from the US got an Italian Tattoo from a French guy in a Costa Rican Hostel… if that doesn’t sum up travel and Hostel life the I’m not sure what does!

@quinntheeskimo6 I got a tattoo in a Hostel #newtattoosbelike #dolcefarniente #hostelvibes #costaricatrip ♬ Awkward Silence – The Elevator Music Jazz Trio

However, the best part of this Hostel in my opinion is the ability to make new friends and find people to travel with.  Both times I have stayed there I have made lifelong friends and found tons of folks who want to hit the road with me.  Many of the people I met there were going in different directions but we’ve stayed in touch and ended up connecting later and traveling together.  This has honestly been one of my favorite parts of travel…connecting with other people and sharing the experience with them.

It’s also a fantastic place for learning about the country and figuring out where you want to explore.  I was able to give recomendations to other people based on my personal experience in Costa Rica and I was also able to get advice from other people to help me plan my itinerary.  For example, I wasn’t planning on going to Nicaragua at all and instead my intention was to head south after Costa Rica and enter Panama.

However, I met an amazing dude named Remi from Switzerland the first time I was there.  We stayed in touch for a month as we went different directions and then met up again at CRB last week.  After hearing about his experience on Corn Island in Nicaragua, I knew I had to change my plans.  So now I am headed north and then I’ll return to Costa Rica and head down the Caribbean side to Panama.  I literally had never heard of Corn Island before, and wouldn’t have ever planned on going there if I hadn’t met Remi.

This type of thing is common at CRB because everyone there is social and sharing with each other in the common areas and everyone is looking for people to hit the road with them.

If you’re in San Jose, stay a few night there and let me know what you think!

@quinntheeskimo6 Hanging with Remi… #costarica🇨🇷 #costaricatiktok #puravida🇨🇷♥️ #digitalnomadlife #hostelvibes #hostellifestyle #dominical #costaricatrip ♬ Costa Rica – Benjamin Ingrosso

@quinntheeskimo6 San Jose Walk! #costarica🇨🇷 #costaricatiktok #puravida🇨🇷♥️ #digitalnomadlife #hostelvibes #hostellifestyle #costaricatrip ♬ Costa Rica – Benjamin Ingrosso

@quinntheeskimo6 Hostel Life be like… #costarica🇨🇷 #costaricatiktok #puravida🇨🇷♥️ #digitalnomadlife #hostelvibes #hostellifestyle #panamamusic🇵🇦 #costaricatrip ♬ original sound – Quinn the Eskimo

@quinntheeskimo6$12 in Costa Rica…♬ Awkward Silence – The Elevator Music Jazz Trio

@quinntheeskimo6 Meeting my buddy Remi tonight! #costarica🇨🇷 #costaricatiktok #puravida🇨🇷♥️ #digitalnomadlife #hostelvibes #hostellifestyle #costaricatrip #swankytunes ♬ original sound – Quinn the Eskimo

@quinntheeskimo6 Kam San Jose! #costarica🇨🇷 #costaricatiktok #puravida🇨🇷♥️ #digitalnomadlife #hostelvibes #hostellifestyle #sanjosecostarica ♬ original sound – Billianne

@quinntheeskimo6 What $10 a night gets you in Costa Rica! #costaricatrip #costaricapuravida #digitalnomadlife #hostellife #sanjosecostarica🇨🇷 ♬ Steven Universe – L.Dre