Fans of the great outdoors heading to Costa Rica should definitely make a beeline for Monteverde. A hotspot for eco-tourism, the region is rife with canopy walkways, chances to spot rare, exotic and endangered wildlife, and generally embark on other jungle adventures from treks on ground level to adventurous canoeing journeys.
This is what it’s ALL about in Costa Rica, and Monteverde is one of the best places to come if what you love about travelling is seeing as much nature as possible – staying in this Puntarenas locale makes getting into the thick of it all pretty simple!
But now is the time to ask yourself: what are you in Monteverde for? Do you want a chilled jungle retreat? Or do you just want a base for exploring everything you possibly can? There’s a load of good hostels in Monteverde, but they can vary wildly.
That’s where we come in! We’ve got you covered with this epic guide to the best hostels in Monteverde – we made sure we sourced hostels for all sorts of budgets and itineraries to give you as many options as you need.
So, let’s go and see what’s going on with the top hostels in Monteverde, shall we?
Quick answer: The Best Hostels in Monteverde
- Best Overall Hostel Monteverde – Sleepers
- Best Party Hostel in Monteverde – Selina Monteverde
- Best Hostel for in Monteverde for Solo Travellers – Monteverde Backpackers
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Monteverde – Outbox Inn
- Best Hostel with a Private Room in Monteverde – Camino Verde Hostel and Bed & Breakfast
Best Hostels in Monteverde
Deciding where to stay in Costa Rica can be hard. When it comes to Monteverde, it is definitely worth a visit, especially if you’re into outdoor activities, nature, and being active.
That means that you’ll also need a comfy bed to rest your head during your backpacking Costa Rica trip. The following hostels are the best in Monteverde and a great accommodation option for all backpackers on a budget.
Best Overall Hostel in Monteverde – Sleepers
- $
- Communal Kitchen
- Free Breakfast
- Luggage Storage
Sleepers is basically, without doubt, the best overall hostel in Monteverde. It’s the kind of place you check in to and end up loving your stay from start to finish. What helps a lot is the amazingly friendly and helpful family who run this place – they actually care about what they’re doing. And then there are the likeminded, fellow guests who may end up becoming travelling buddies!
Set in a great location close to the main centre of town, you’ll be able to walk pretty easily to bars and eateries from this Monteverde backpackers hostel. There’s a free breakfast on offer here and it’s really, really good.
Best Party Hostel in Monteverde – Selina Monteverde
- $$
- On Site Bar
- Outdoor Swimming Pool
- Good Location
A clean, modern place that also happens to have a FUN bar, this place is easily the best party hostel in Monteverde. Everything here revolves around the bar. There’s good drinks deals, tasty cocktails, beer on tap, and there’s even some good food coming out of the kitchen here too.
Hang around the fireplace, play a game of pool, or have a soak in a hot tub. Or, you know, just spend all your time in the bar. Whatever floats your boat. This youth hostel in Monteverde also features some pretty cool design throughout, which is something we can always get on board with.
Learn more about the nightlife in Monteverde here.
Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in Monteverde – Monteverde Backpackers
- $
- Amazing Social Atmosphere
- Free Breakfast
- 24 Hour Security
If you’re solo travelling in Costa Rica and have come to Monteverde to meet new people, here’s the place for you. Not only is it perfectly located for exploring the area, and very well run by the team who work here, but it’s the best hostel in Monteverde for solo travellers. The staff here make sure everyone’s getting along and really make you feel welcome.
Other perks for solo travellers at this Monteverde backpackers hostel is the location: it’s right near the bus stop (good for not having to wander around for ages by yourself), the staff sort out tours and onward travel for you. And the free breakfast is a massive bonus. So is the cute sloth who sometimes swings by to chill out in the garden! There really is a ton of things to do in Monteverde and Monteverde backpackers makes for a great base.
Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Monteverde – Outbox Inn
- $$
- On Site Bar
- Good Places To Work
- Outdoor Terrace
One of the coolest hostels in Monteverde, this place SERIOUSLY looks the part. It’s honestly so cool – more like something you’d see in a design magazine than in a Monteverde backpackers hostel, but there you go. And then there’s the food: it’s so Instagrammable that you’ll wonder how this place doesn’t cost more than it does.
With the chilled vibes going on in the restaurant (as well as some super fast wi-fi), it’s without a doubt THE best hostel for digital nomads in Monteverde. Showers, as seasoned digital nomads know, are very important, so you’ll be pleased to hear the showers here are awesome.
Best Hostel with a Private Room in Monteverde – Camino Verde Hostel and Bed & Breakfast
- $$$
- Super Clean
- Free Breakfast
- Outdoor Terrace
All about privacy? Don’t feel like sharing a room with 11 other people? Then you might want to book yourself a private room at this place: they’re INSANE. We’re talking huge wooden beds, big comfy mattresses, and an altogether much more expensive, luxurious vibe than you would think.
Ok, so it’s not exactly cheap here, but we’d say if you feel like treating yourself… go for it! Camino Verde is the best hostel you’re going to get with a private room in Monteverde, so don’t pass up the chance to enjoy this slice of paradise in high-class style!
Best Cheap Hostel in Monteverde – Que Tuanis
- $
- Free Breakfast
- Fully Equipped Kitchen
- Views Of The Cloud Forest
A brilliant little hostel – especially if you’re travelling to a shoestring budget – Que Tuanis definitely offers up some killer value for money. The rooms may be pretty basic, but good enough, and if you’re a seasoned, unfussy traveller, you probably won’t care too much anyway!
The staff at this top cheap hostel in Monteverde are super nice, but the common area is the best part of this place. It hangs over the side of a mountain (basically) and has INSANE views of the cloud forest. Monkeys pop by to say hi. It’s that sort of place. Just unreal.
Que Tuanis is one of our favourites in Monteverde but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
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Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!
View on Osprey View on REIBest Hostel for Couples in Monteverde – Cabinas Vista Al Golfo
- $
- Shuttle Bus
- On Site Cafe / Restaurant
- Free Breakfast
Not only is this a great place to stay on a budget, but it also happens to be the best hostel for couples in Monteverde. It’s a cosy hostel complete with spectacular views of the surrounding area and is ideal for exploring what Monteverde has to offer. That sunset though… Wow.
The free breakfast served up here is great – AND there’s free coffee on offer all day, too. Perfect to set you up for a day of exploring. And when you’re done, returning to a chilled, rustic room with awesome views of the mountains is something that we reckon is one of the most romantic things going for nature-loving travellers.
Cabinas Vista Al Golfo is one of our favourites in Monteverde but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
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Hide Yo’ Money!More Best Hostels in Monteverde
Hammock House
- $
- Outdoor Terrace
- Communal Kitchen
- Free Breakfast
A great little hostel that comes with a well-equipped kitchen, Hammock House is perfect if you’re looking for a budget stay. It’s more than just saving money staying here though: it feels like a family home and there’s no doubt you’ll feel welcome as soon as you arrive.
Nice and relaxed and with staff who can give you all the information you could ever need, this budget hostel in Monteverde may not have all the party vibes or nomad shizz you could wish for, but there are a load of hammocks to kick back in (the clue is in the name).
Hostel Cattleya
- $$
- Laundry Service
- Free Breakfast
- 24 Hour Reception
Hostel Cattleya is clean, friendly and boasts a quiet location just outside the main part of Santa Elena. From here it’s a breeze to walk to town, pick up some ingredients and cook up a storm in the communal kitchen – helping to keep to that shoestring budget of yours, no doubt.
The whole place has a good vibe and is professionally run by people who could not be more welcoming, even if they tried. The staff here are willing to help out with pretty much any question. If this sounds good to you, we think you’ll love it at this modern Monteverde backpackers hostel.
Rainy Days BnB
- $$
- Tours/Travel Desk
- 24 Hour Security
- On Site Cafe
Don’t take any notice of the name: it doesn’t really sell it. This Monteverde backpackers hostel is a homely, cosy place to stop off for a few nights while you explore the area. It’s also run by super friendly family, which is a bonus. We also like their motto: “Rainy days, sunny days, windy days, any day is a good day if you’re staying with us.”
It’s located in walking distance of both the bus stop and downtown Santa Elena, meaning you get to find places to eat and drink AND have easy access to public transport. Back at the hostel, the dorms are clean, comfortable and safe. Perfect for the short-term, we say.
Rainy Days BnB is one of our favourites in Monteverde but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
What to Pack for your Monteverde 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 Monteverde
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Monteverde.
Travel Safety Tips for Monteverde
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Conclusion
And now we’ve come to the end of our list of the best hostels in Monteverde. And, man, are there a load of gems here!
Whatever you’re looking for, we think it’s safe to say you’ll find something that’s perfect for your trip.
With our guide to the best Monteverde backpackers hostels, we made sure that there’s a lot of choice: high-end, budget, rooms for couples, even places to party or just meet new people, we’ve got it all.
If that’s still too much for you, no worries. Make life easy for yourself and book a bed at Sleepers – our top pick for the VERY best hostel in Monteverde. You won’t be disappointed with this place!
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!
