Your dream vacation can become a reality when you travel to Playa Grande in Costa Rica! With its lazy lagoons and beach bars, you’ll be lounging and partying in the sun while exploring this seaside town.
Even when you get tired of hanging out by the waves, Playa Grande is the best place to base yourself before heading to the volcanoes of Rincon de la Vieja National Park. With wildlife safaris and stunning natural beauty, there is so much more to Playa Grande than meets the eye!
The only speed bump you’ll find in your plans to visit Playa Grande is deciding where to call home. Finding a cheap place to lay your head every night is easier said than done, especially if you’re a budget backpacker. With a noticeable lack of hostels, does this mean travelers looking to stretch their money will be forced to splurge on an expensive hotel in Playa Grande? Not with our help!
When it comes to the best hostels in Playa Grande, we’ve got you covered! We’ve brought all the best budget hostels and cheap hotels to one place, so you can find the perfect stay in a matter of minutes!
Let’s get right to it!
Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Playa Grande
- Overall Best Hostel in Playa Grande – Playa Grande Surf Camp
- Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in Playa Grande – Sugar’s Monkey
- Best Cheap Hostel in Playa Grande – La Buena Vida Cabinas
- Best Hostel for Couples in Playa Grande – Hotel El Manglar
- Best Party Hostel in Playa Grande – Pipe House Playa Grande
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Playa Grande – Indra Inn
The Best Hostels in Playa Grande
Backpacking Costa Rica can be a dream if you plan it right. Before you can put your feet up and relax on the beach, we need to find you the perfect hostel that fits how you like to travel. With each stay a little different from the next, keep your eyes peeled for your dream hostel!
Insider Tip: If you plan on travelling around the country, make sure to come up with a rough Costa Rica itinerary before you head out. That applies for adventures in Playa Grande and trips in general.
Best Overall Hostel in Playa Grande – Playa Grande Surf Camp
- $$
- Shared Kitchen
- Outdoor Pool
- Lounge
While staying in Playa Grande, make sure you’re never too far from the beach. And you’re lucky, it’s one of the best beaches in Costa Rica too. Playa Grande Surf Camp is right by the beach, so you’re only ever minutes away from sinking your toes into the sand and taking a dip in the ocean.
We know most days will be spent sprawled out on the beach, but if you’re looking to cool off a little closer to the hostel, Playa Grande Surf Camp has a great swimming pool! With inviting hammocks hooked up between shady palm trees, there’s no better place to relax than this youth hostel! Top it off with a shared kitchen where backpackers can save some extra money by cooking their own meals, and Playa Grande Surf Camp secures its spot as one of the best youth hostels in Playa Grande!
Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in Playa Grande – Sugar’s Monkey
- $$
- Swimming Pool
- Restaurant
- Bar
Traveling as a backpacker isn’t as easy as you may think. After spending days on the road, you’ll probably want nothing more but to crash into a hostel for a few nights and meet up with like-minded travelers. There’s no better place to take a load off in Playa Grande than Sugar’s Monkey! At this youthful backpackers hostel, you get so much more than a relaxing lounge to chat with the other guests; you’ll also be staying just a few steps away from the beach!
With an onsite swimming pool, travelers will have the option of a swim at home or a quick jaunt to the beach. What really sets Sugar’s Monkey apart from the rest is its restaurant and bar, which make Sugar’s Monkey one of the best places in Playa Grande to grab a bite and a drink after another perfect day in paradise!
Best Cheap Hostel in Playa Grande – La Buena Vida Cabinas
- $$
- Swimming Pool
- Cafe
- Bar
Do you want to stay on the road for as long as possible? Don’t let your adventure stop short due to lack of money; be sure to book into one of the best budget hostels in Costa Rica – La Buena Vida Cabinas! At this budget hotel, you’ll not only get some of the best prices in town, but guests will also be treated to a luxury experience!
With its very own onsite bar and restaurant, you may find that the best place to wine and dine is right at your hotel. There’s no need to worry about getting to the beach; the tranquil waters are just a few minutes away from your door. Complete with its very own swimming pool, budget travelers will be able to pamper themselves while saving money when staying at La Buena Vida Cabinas!
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View on Osprey View on REIBest Hostel for Couples in Playa Grande – Hotel El Manglar
- $$$
- Breakfast 9 USD
- Cafe
- Swimming Pool
While staying in a paradise like Playa Grande, make sure dorm beds don’t separate you and your better half. Give yourself an upgrade by staying in this resort-style hotel for a price not all that much more than you’d pay for a private room at a youth hostel! It’s not just the cozy rooms that will make you fall in love with Hotel El Manglar; the location will also have you within a stone’s throw of the beach! Complete with its very own swimming pool, you may find yourself wanting to sunbathe a bit closer to the onsite cafe of this hotel. With delicious food and an unbeatable location, don’t be surprised if you end up staying in Playa Grande longer than you expected!
Best Party Hostel in Playa Grande – Pipe House Playa Grande
- $$$
- Bar
- Shared Kitchen
- Terrace
If you’re looking to kick off your booze-filled holiday in Playa Grande with a bang, there’s no better place to start than Pipe House. While Pipe House isn’t your average hostel, this budget boutique-style hotel is right on the beach, and there’s an onsite bar that knows how to get the party started!
After a few beers and shots, when you look at the unique bungalows nestled into the sand, you may see that they even resemble kegs! Other than the alcohol and the nearby beach, Pipe House also has a shared kitchen and inviting terrace, perfect for hanging out and meeting the other guests!
Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Playa Grande – Indra Inn
- $$$
- Breakfast Included
- Bar
- Shared Kitchen
Are you a digital nomad looking for a relaxing beachside hostel where you can catch up on some work? One of the best places in Playa Grande to open up your laptop and work in peace is Indra Inn! If you want to get away from the noise of your average dorm room, this luxury style hotel will put you up in a private room for around the same price as a youth hostel. With a lounge and a terrace, you’ll have ample room to spread out if you’re looking for a change of location from your room. Boasting a bar and a cafe, guests won’t have to worry about traveling too far to find a great place to eat and drink!
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Hide Yo’ Money!More of the Best Hostels in Playa Grande
Haven’t found the right hostel yet? Don’t worry, we’ve got more coming your way. Staying in Costa Rica means tropical paradise, chilled vibes and the occasional sunburn – so make sure that your chosen accommodation is just as awesome as your time in this stunning country.
Flor Y Bambu
- $$$$
- Breakfast Included
- Cafe
- Swimming Pool
Be sure to treat yourself while you’re exploring the tropical paradise of Playa Grande by checking into the luxurious Flor y Bambu! Although you may think this budget hotel is out of the reach for the average backpacker, the price is actually super reasonable! With Flor y Mabu’s stylish decor and laid back atmosphere, the cost is worth every penny! With an onsite swimming pool, shared kitchen, and even a cafe, you’ll have everything you need to feel right at home. Top it off with a free breakfast served every morning, and Flor y Bambu is one stay that checks all the boxes!
What to Pack for Your Playa Grande 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!
Why You Should Travel to Playa Grande
Whether you want to explore the marshes, hike up volcanoes, or relax on the beach with a cold beer, the holiday of your dreams is waiting in Playa Grande. With nightlife unlike any other, this Costa Rican holiday will truly be one for the books!
Are you torn between two or three great hostels in Playa Grande? Let us help you get the ball moving by giving you our recommendation for where to stay at this beach paradise. For the best backpacker’s experience, be sure to book yourself into Playa Grande Surf Camp, our pick for the best hostel in Playa Grande!
FAQ about Hostels in Playa Grande
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Playa Grande.
Travel Safety Tips for Playa Grande
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.
Over to you
No matter if you are looking to strap up your boots or slip on your flip-flops, in Playa Grande, you’ll be having an adventure unlike any other! There are zip-lines taking you through the lush jungle and secluded lagoons perfect for laying out a towel and cracking open a cold one; regardless of how you like to travel, you’ll find your own little piece of heaven in Playa Grande. This beach town has so much more than meets the eye. You may plan on only staying for a few days but end up exploring the coast for weeks!
What will really make or break your trip to Playa Grande is the hotel you book yourself into. With everything from laid back homestays to luxury style villas, you need to find a stay that will properly set the tone. Lucky for you, our list of the top hostels in Playa Grande makes finding that perfect hostel a cinch!
Have you ever traveled to Playa Grande? We’d love to hear about your trip! Let us know in the comments below if there are any great hostel we may have missed.
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!
