Alajuela is the mountainside destination of your dreams. Situated 20 kilometres north of San Jose in Costa Rica’s Central Valley region, Alajuela is nicknamed the “City of Mangoes” (yes, there’s an annual mango festival here). It’s a clean, laid-back place to explore, with natural and historical sights in abundance.
Relatively small in size, there’s a ton of local charm here that’s waiting to be discovered. It’s all very easily accessed too, as Alajuela boasts its very own international airport.
There’s also a decent selection of hostels in Alajuela. We’ve made a list of the very best, so you can find the one that’s best for you!
Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Alajuela
- Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Alajuela – Abril de Paso
- Top Party Hostel in Alajuela – Mangifera Hostel
- Best Hostel with a Private Room in Alajuela – Berlor Airport Inn
- Top Hostel for Couples in Alajuela – Hotel Pacande
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Alajuela – Private Room in Downtown
The Best Hostels in Alajuela
Abril de Paso – Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Alajuela
Everything at Abril de Paso is super clean and well looked after. The room comes with everything you need for a comfortable stay, including a private bathroom and shared kitchen.
It’s also ultra-safe with good security measures. The host lives just upstairs, so is always around in case you need anything. Location-wise, it’s just an eight-minute taxi ride away from the airport and in easy reach of the town centre. Eateries and bars are just a five-minute stroll from the property.
Mangifera Hostel – Top Party Hostel in Alajuela
A colourful, friendly place to stay for when you want to discover this part of Costa Rica, Mangifera Hostel comes complete with a whole load of social spaces where you can get to know your fellow travellers.
Choose from either a private room or dormitory, all decked out with bright, modern furnishings and comfy beds. The hostel has ample room for garden BBQs, and it’s also less than 100 metres away from bars and restaurants.
Berlor Airport Inn – Best Hostel with a Private Room in Alajuela
Airport Inn is ideal for travellers arriving on late-night flights, but there’s also way more to it than meets the eye. Rooms here comfortable and convenient, with private bathrooms, wifi, and cable TV.
Not only that, but guests staying at this top hostel also get the full run of an onsite swimming pool, a restaurant, and a bar too. It’s ideal for those who want a little more privacy than staying in a regular hostel in Costa Rica.
Hotel Pacande – Best Hostel for Couples in Alajuela
Situated right in the centre of Alajuela, from here it’s equally convenient to either get to the airport or to hit up a bunch of sights in the centre of town. The accommodation itself is dotted with tropical plants and rooms with comfortable beds.
As well as being a cosy place for couples visiting Costa Rica, this hostel also comes with its very own (if compact) on-site restaurant. But you may be too busy exploring the wide range of eateries that are just on the doorstep!
Private Room in Downtown – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Alajuela
This place is the ideal hostel for digital nomads visiting Alajuela. Staying here means you get an ideal base for everything you need during your trip – sleeping, sending emails and sightseeing. You’ll also get to experience local life since you’ll be staying in a family home.
Offering up great value for money, the hosts at this place are super friendly and will help you get to grips with the city in no time. Perfectly located for exploring Alajuela, you’ll be close to the Downtown district, as well as malls and supermarkets.
Flor de Katty Hostel – Best Cheap Hostel in Alajuela
This is another top hostel in Alajuela that sits right by the airport. But more than just being convenient, this place is also nicely polished, making it great value for money and ideal for budget backpackers.
Here you can stay in a dormitory or private room. The rooms are bright and airy and boast comfortable beds. The hostel is safe, secure and sparklingly clean, and the owner is always on hand when you need anything.
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View on Osprey View on REIAlajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel – Overall Best Hostel in Alajuela
As the name suggests, our choice for the best hostel in Alajuela is pretty near the airport. Ordinarily, “airport hostels” aren’t so nice, but this one is pretty much gorgeous all round – and with an amazing social vibe to boot!
Accommodation here comes in the form of hotel-quality private rooms and cosy dorms, while fun can be had in the rooftop restaurant and bar. The pizza they serve up here is particularly awesome, so make sure to try it out!
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Hide Yo’ Money!What to Pack for your Alajuela Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out my definitive Hostel Packing list for even more top hostel packing tips!
Alajuela Hostels FAQ
How much do hostels in Alajuela cost?
Dorms in Alajuela is pretty cheap, a bed only costs around $13-$20 per night. Private rooms ranges differently depending on the type of accommodation that you prefer, but It usually starts from around $25-$40.
What are the best hostels in Alajuela for couples?
Hotel Pacande is the best hostel for couples. Located directly at the main square where there’s a variety of cafes and restaurants, parks and museums are also within reach. They also serve great breakfast, perfect for those on the budget.
What is the best hostel in Alajuela near the airport?
As the name already suggests Berlor Airport Inn, is no doubt the best hostel near the airport. Aside from the 10 mins drive to the location, they also offer a variety of services like the infamous fabulous breakfast, all year round pool, amazing garden and they would even help you with your itinerary with their guided tour.
Travel Safety Tips for Alajuela
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SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
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Final Thoughts on the Best Hostels in Alajuela
Whether you’re in Alajuela for the Mango Festival or if you just want to soak up the mountain air and local life, staying in a hostel is a great way to experience the area.
If you’re still unsure, Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel is our top pick. or you might want something different. Whichever one you go for, tell us all about it! Let us know what you get up to in the comment section below.
- Check out the best places to stay in Costa Rica before you arrive.
- Our in-depth backpacking packing list has all the info you’ll need for your trip.
- For adventurers check out the best national parks of Costa Rica.
- Check out our ultimate guide to backpacking in Costa Rica.
- Check out all the best places to visit in Costa Rica for planning the most dope trip.
- Then there are the most epic beaches in Costa Rica for the beach bums.
And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!
