La Fortuna is a town with a few nice buildings going on – and a lot of tourists, too. But it’s not necessarily the town ITSELF that you should be visiting for: this place is pretty much basecamp for the Arenal Volcano National Park (complete with two volcanoes) which makes La Fortuna more than worth a few nights.
Couple that with a load of other natural goodies in the surrounding area, everything from hot springs resorts to trekking for a swim in a waterfall plunge pool, and there’s a lot going for this formerly quaint little town.
Depending on what you want to do in La Fortuna, and how long you want to do it for, finding accommodation right for the task can be a little tricky. There’s a fair range of hostels here, so cherry picking the perfect one can take a while.
Don’t you worry. We’ve done the hard work for you and come up with this categorised guide to the best hostels in La Fortuna, so you can easily find the hostel that suits you, your budget and your itinerary.
Without further ado, let’s go through and find your perfect hostel!
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Quick answer: The Best Hostels in La Fortuna
- Best Party Hostel in La Fortuna – Arenal Backpackers Resort
- Best Cheap Hostel in La Fortuna – La Choza Inn Hostel
- Best Hostel for Couples in La Fortuna – Arenal Hostel Resort
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in La Fortuna – Selina La Fortuna
Best Hostels in La Fortuna
Deciding where to stay in Costa Rica can be tough. But when it comes to choosing whether to visit La Fortuna or not, the answer is pretty clear. Hell yes! If you’re a nature lover, this place will look like paradise to you.
As a popular backpacking Costa Rica destination, booking your accommodation early enough is recommended, especially during peak season. Check out the following hostels in La Fortuna!
Arenal Backpackers Resort – Best Party Hostel in La Fortuna
If you want to party in La Fortuna, then book yourself a bed at Arenal Backpackers Resort. Even in off season this place has party vibes. And yes, it can get pretty wild. That’s probably down to the awesome happy hour (partly, anyway). Shots all round! No wonder it’s the best party hostel in La Fortuna.
And to ease your hangover the next day, you can chill out with some food from the on site cafe and simply stare at the views of the Arenal Volcano – or take a dip in the pool. Your call.
La Choza Inn Hostel – Best Cheap Hostel in La Fortuna
With its free welcome drink, we’re pretty much sold on this place being the best cheap hostel in La Fortuna. That’s on top of all its other free-of-charge perks, like a free breakfast and even a free shuttle to the nearby hot springs for a VERY chilled soak indeed.
There’s also a great location going on at this relaxed La Fortuna backpackers hostel: staying here means being in walking distance to pretty much every bite to eat and drinking hole there is in town. But that free stuff – that REALLY adds the value for money to La Choza Inn Hostel.
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View on Osprey View on REIArenal Hostel Resort – Best Hostel for Couples in La Fortuna
A hostel that’s… also a RESORT (no, really), this is easily the best hostel for couples in La Fortuna. Spend your time chilling in on site bar, snacking on some of the free pizza, and generally enjoying the laid back atmosphere of this place.
The people who work at this place are super nice and will make sure your stay goes without a hitch. Did we mention the swimming pool? With the swim-up bar? No? Well, there’s one of those here, making this La Fortuna backpackers hostel feel much more like an upmarket hotel. We mean, their slogan is “More than you thought”!
Selina La Fortuna – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in La Fortuna
Well, if you’re looking for somewhere to work – here’s the place. Possibly THE coolest hostel in La Fortuna, this place has pretty much everything you could want: yoga classes, cinema room, design-led interiors and even a swimming pool. We think all these perks make it the best hostel for digital nomads in La Fortuna, too.
You can get your work done in one of their cool work space areas, whilst sipping on a coffee from the cafe, and then once you’re done – the world is literally your oyster at this place. Thanks to its decent location you can even walk just a few minutes and explore the town, too.
Arenal Container Hostel – Best Overall Hostel in La Fortuna
A lovely little place that’s set in a great location for exploring the area, pretty much EVERYTHING is in walking distance from this La Fortuna backpackers hostel. The people who run the show are super friendly and put on a bunch of activities that will make sure you never get bored, too.
It’s our top pick for the best overall hostel in La Fortuna, naturally. Next door there’s a Tex-Mex bar next door, which is good for drinks at night, as much as for its free coffee in the mornings. An awesome base for exploring the area.
Oh, as a bonus: it’s also set in an old shipping container!
La Fortuna Backpackers Resort – Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in La Fortuna
Not only is this the best hostel in La Fortuna for solo travellers, but it’s also a great option if you’re looking for somewhere that can save you a bit of money. There’s a free breakfast on offer here AND the chance to get your laundry done for free, too! What more could you want on a budget?
But it’s also a small, friendly hostel with welcoming vibes (attracting a nice mix of people) and staff who can tell you a lot of tips about the area. It all feels very safe, being in walking distance to a load of restaurants and bars – always a plus if you’re travelling by yourself.
Cerro Chato Eco Lodge – Best Hostel with a Private Room in La Fortuna
If you want a bit of privacy, Cerro Chato Eco Lodge will NOT disappoint. Not only has it got some awesome private rooms, but the location is pretty much one of the best in town. We’re talking unobscured volcano views, which you can soak up whilst toucans hang out in the trees around the cabins you stay in.
It’s, without doubt, the best hostel with a private room in La Fortuna. The cabins you stay in at Cerro Chato Eco Lodge are cosy, comfortable, clean and nicely designed; staying in one of these feels like you’re having a sleepover in the jungle!
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Hide Yo’ Money!More Best Hostels in La Fortuna
Hostel Backpackers La Fortuna
With its big, clean dorms and a huge bar (perfect for meeting other travellers), this place is one of the best hostels in La Fortuna for solo travellers. Not only that but the staff are helpful, and will help you book up all sorts of activities and stuff to keep you occupied.
There’s even a swimming pool here. And we all know a swimming pool is the best place to meet people. Chill out, catch some rays, go for a swim, and then retire to the bar after the sunset. It’s a great place to go if you’re travelling to this town by yourself, so we’d recommend booking if you’re here to be social!
Nice Place Hostel
Nice Place Hostel really IS a nice place. It really is. For starters, this La Fortuna backpackers hostel has a great location: close to a bunch of bars and nightclubs, which means getting out and having a few drinks is easy. Thankfully the hostel itself is pretty quiet and surrounded by greenery, meaning you can get a good night’s sleep.
There’s a pretty decent communal kitchen here, perfect for keeping costs low by making a few midnight snacks for yourself, as a well as a chilled garden area. If you’re not expecting a top-notch social (or party) atmosphere, then this chilled out spot is the place for you.
Sagu Hostel
A great option if you’re looking for a budget hostel in La Fortuna, Sagu has a great location, good nightly rates and a good vibe. It’s definitely a good place to stay if you want to make your trip easy on your wallet. Even the bus station is nearby, making your onward travels pretty easy, we gotta say.
This one is a pretty rustic hostel. That’s code for “don’t expect anything glamorous”. But besides all of the no-frills aspects of this La Fortuna backpackers hostel, there’s a lot going for this quirky little place. Free use of the gym next door is an unexpected but definitely massive perk!
What to Pack for your La Fortuna Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from us, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straight forward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art we 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 our definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!
FAQ about Hostels in La Fortuna
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in La Fortuna.
Travel Safety Tips for La Fortuna
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Conclusion
That marks the end of our handy guide to the best hostels in La Fortuna. And there’s a LOT of choice in pretty much all aspects.
No matter what, we reckon you are going to be able to find one that’s perfect for you while you backpack your way through Costa Rica. There are so many great hostels all over Costa Rica that you can be sure to always find a comfy bed and a safe place to rest your head at.
Our guide to the best La Fortuna backpacker hostels takes in everything from the chilled to the not so chilled, the budget-friendly, to the not so budget-friendly, so there’s a lot going on here for you to think about!
If it’s all too much, don’t panic! Just take a look at Arenal Container Hostel – our top pick for the best overall hostel in La Fortuna. Booking a bed in this cool spot guarantees an amazing stay in this mountain town.
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!
