Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel

Alajuela 10.01407600, -84.21440400 , Al Frente Del Parque Calian Vargas Alajuela Centro (Show on Map)
7.6
Good


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1 room2 guests 1 room, 2 guests
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Summary of reviewsAlajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel enjoys a prime and convenient location in Alajuela, close to Juan Santamaria International Airport. Its proximity to bus terminals, restaurants, shops and the Historical Cultural Museum Juan Santamaría makes exploring the area easy and enjoyable. The availability of a free airport shuttle enhances the convenience for travelers. The safe, pleasant and centrally located neighborhood adds further appeal to this hostel, making it an excellent choice for both quick stops and longer stays.

Dining receives favorable reviews, particularly the rooftop restaurant and bar that offers stunning city views and reasonably priced, satisfying meals. Guests appreciate the rooftop terrace's ambiance and the on-site restaurant's convenience for late arrivals. The local Mercado Central provides excellent breakfast options despite the hostel not offering breakfast itself. However, the hostel's suggestion to introduce a more comprehensive on-site breakfast service is noted.

Rooms are a mixed bag with positives such as spaciousness, comfortable beds, air conditioning and hot showers ensuring a basic but comfortable stay. Some guests, however, point out the need for better ventilation, noise insulation and overall maintenance. Enhancements in these areas, along with cleanliness in shared bathrooms, could improve the guest experience significantly.

The hostel receives praise for its friendly, helpful and attentive staff, creating a welcoming atmosphere. The 24-hour reception and commendable shuttle service add to the positive feedback, although minor service inconsistencies are occasionally noted. Special mentions go to the night receptionist Roberto for his outstanding helpfulness.

WiFi at the hostel is generally good with guests appreciating the fast and reliable internet access in common areas, although the signal can be weak in some rooms. Nightlife around the hostel is accessible due to its central location but offers a more quiet and less vibrant scene. The rooftop bar is a highlight, though it can be noisy late into the night.

Beds receive varied feedback; many find them comfortable with clean sheets, though some guests report issues with noisy and older bunk beds. Despite these minor issues, the hostel's facilities and overall service make it a sound choice for travelers in transit. Cleanliness is generally adequate with recent renovations contributing to a positive impression, although there are areas needing consistent attention.

Overall, Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel stands out for its prime location, convenience and friendly staff, functioning well as a reliable stopover for many travelers visiting Costa Rica.
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Cheap Hostel
This hostel is located in Alajuela City, near Parque Calian Vargas. It offers budget accommodation with amenities like free WiFi, air conditioning, and laundry facilities. Hostels are a less expensive alternative to hotels.

Hostel near Nightlife Spots

Room Types
Double Room with Private Bathroom This spacious, air-conditioned suite has a seating area, tiled floors and a private bathroom with a shower and free toiletries. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout.

Junior Suite This air-conditioned suite has a small seating area, in addition to a cable TV, tiled floors and a private bathroom with a shower and free toiletries. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout.

Suite This air-conditioned suite has a private bathroom with a shower and free toiletries. There is also a small seating area, black-out curtains and free Wi-Fi.

Bed in 4-Bed Female Dormitory Room One bed in a shared 4-bed female-only dorm with an en suite bathroom. It features air conditioning, black-out blinds and fresh bed linen.

Bed in 6-Bed Dormitory Room One bed in a shared 6-bed mixed dorm with an en suite bathroom. It features air conditioning, black-out blinds and fresh bed linen.

Bed in 6-Bed Dormitory Room This bed in dormitory features a tile/marble floor, air conditioning and private entrance.

Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room This bed in dormitory has air conditioning and tile/marble floor.

10-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room The dormitory room offers air conditioning, a tiled floor, as well as a shared bathroom featuring a bath and a shower. The unit offers 10 beds.

Guest Reviews
7.6
Good
Location
Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel boasts an exceptionally convenient location, ideal for travelers with its close proximity to Juan Santamaria International Airport. Just a short drive or an easy walk away, the hostel is perfect for those arriving or departing from Costa Rica. Guests appreciate the free airport shuttle service, which adds to the convenience.

Situated in the heart of Alajuela, the hostel is surrounded by an array of restaurants, shops and markets, making it an excellent base for both short and longer stays. The central location also provides easy access to bus terminals, making it simple to explore further afield.

The neighborhood offers a pleasant environment with parks, including one right across from the hostel and landmarks like the Historical Cultural Museum Juan Santamaría nearby. Despite being centrally located, the area is noted for its safe and relatively quiet ambiance.

Whether it's for a quick overnight stay or a few days to explore Alajuela, this lodge's prime location, paired with its welcoming staff and useful amenities, makes it a standout choice for many travelers.

Breakfast
Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel is conveniently situated with plenty of breakfast options reachable by a short walk. Guests often choose to visit the nearby Mercado Central for a morning meal, as the hostel itself does not provide breakfast on-site. Though coffee is available in the morning, several visitors have mentioned that having a more comprehensive breakfast on the premises would be a welcome addition. The on-site restaurant is noted for its fair prices and stays open until 11 pm, although it is currently under renovation and doesn't serve breakfast or lunch. The location and dining options nearby generally receive positive feedback and there’s a suggestion that a book exchange library could add to the overall experience.

Dinner
Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel offers a rooftop dining experience that has garnered positive reviews for its convenience and excellent value. Guests frequently mention the stunning city views from the 4th-floor bar and restaurant, making it an enjoyable spot to savor a meal and relax. The food served is often described as good, reasonably priced and satisfying for a basic dinner with particular praise for the fried chicken.

The rooftop terrace is highlighted as a lovely and chill place to unwind, enhancing the overall appeal of dining there. Despite the lack of nearby independent dining options, the hostel makes up for it with its on-site restaurant, open evenings, which adds a touch of convenience for late arrivals or those preferring to dine in.

However, it's worth noting that there have been instances when the rooftop bar and restaurant were closed, leading to disappointment among guests who were not informed in advance. For those seeking alternatives, the surrounding area does offer plenty of shops and eateries within easy reach, including nearby sodas and takeout options. Overall, while the rooftop dining can be a hit or miss depending on its availability, its scenic view and decent food make it a highlight when open.

Rooms
The rooms at Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel offer guests a mixed experience, combining comfort and essential amenities with some areas needing improvement. On the positive side, the rooms are generally spacious with comfortable beds, air conditioning and hot showers. They come well-equipped with everything necessary for a basic stay, including en-suite bathrooms in some cases. Cleanliness is notably adequate, providing a safe and secure environment for travelers.

However, several issues detract from the overall experience. The rooms tend to be dark, poorly ventilated and hot with some lacking windows or fans for air circulation. Noise insulation is inadequate, allowing street sounds and noises from adjacent rooms to disturb guests. Maintenance concerns include dated decor, moldy bathrooms and occasional cleanliness lapses, such as hair in the shower and stale odors. Additionally, some rooms lack essential furnishing elements like lockers, power outlets near beds and places to hang or store belongings.

While the hostel is convenient for short stays before or after flights, guests should be prepared for the very basic and somewhat aged condition of the rooms. Improvements in ventilation, cleanliness and noise management could significantly enhance the guest experience.

Beds
The beds at Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel receive mixed feedback from guests. Most reviews highlight that the beds are generally comfortable with some guests describing them as very comfortable and featuring clean-smelling sheets. There are mentions of spacious rooms and good bedding, contributing to a pleasant sleeping experience for many. However, several guests noted issues with noisy, squeaky and old bunk beds with some feeling the mattresses were saggy or had springs poking through, leading to discomfort. Privacy concerns in dorm rooms were also raised, as beds were not isolated by sheets. While some guests enjoyed restful sleep and appreciated the comfort of their beds, others found the mattresses to be less than ideal, impacting their overall satisfaction.

Cleanliness
Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel receives mixed reviews from guests about its cleanliness. Many guests find the beds clean and comfortable and the rooms themselves are often praised for being clean, tidy and spacious with clean en-suite bathrooms. Some reviews highlight the cleanliness of common areas and the overall property. However, the hostel appears to struggle with maintaining consistent cleanliness, particularly in shared bathrooms, which multiple guests described as dirty, wet or lacking necessary supplies like toilet paper and soap. There are mentions of dust accumulation and occasional issues with pests such as cockroaches. Despite these issues, the hostel has undergone recent renovations, contributing to a generally positive impression of its structure and rooms. Improvements in the cleaning routine, particularly in the bathrooms and shared spaces, could enhance guest experiences and address some of the recurring complaints.

Staff
The Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel is highlighted for its incredibly friendly, helpful and attentive staff. Guests consistently praise the positive and welcoming atmosphere created by the team. The reception operates 24 hours, ensuring convenience for travelers at any time of day or night. The shuttle service to and from the airport is particularly commended for adding to the ease of transit, although there are occasional mentions of misinformation regarding its schedule.

Despite a few isolated incidents of unfriendliness and some minor service hiccups, the overall feedback leans heavily towards the positive. The staff are described as going out of their way to assist guests, offering comprehensive information, handling check-ins smoothly and providing excellent customer service. The night receptionist, Roberto, receives special mention for his helpfulness and kindness.

The hostel also features a pleasant atmosphere with good amenities, such as hot water and a nice rooftop bar. This combination of excellent service and facilities makes the stay comfortable and enjoyable for travelers.

Wi-Fi
The WiFi at Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel generally receives positive feedback. Guests appreciate the powerful and fast WiFi with many describing the connection as good or decent. There is free internet access available with a good WiFi connection in common areas. However, there are issues with the WiFi not reaching the rooms, which is noted as a temporary problem by some. Despite occasional cutouts and the signal not being strong in every corner, the WiFi overall works fine and meets the basic needs of travelers.

Nightlife
The nightlife around Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel offers a mix of convenience and lively atmosphere but comes with some considerations. While centrally located to access nearby bars and restaurants, the immediate surroundings are quiet and relatively dark at night, which may not be ideal for walking around after dark. For those looking to unwind, the rooftop bar provides a beautiful view and is a popular spot for guests, though it can get noisy with loud music playing late into the night. The former ground-floor pub is no longer in operation, adding to the general quietness of the area after hours.

The hostel can be bustling and fun in the afternoons, but tends to have a distant or transient atmosphere with many guests just passing through. Nighttime activities within the hostel can be noisy with people coming and going and the noise from the bar can often be heard from the rooms. Despite this, the rooftop bar remains a highlight, noted for its lovely view and inexpensive food. In summary, while the nightlife options are present and conveniently accessible, the overall atmosphere may not suit everyone, especially those seeking a quieter or more social hostel experience.


No, Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel doesn't have any pool.

No, a spa isn't available at Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel.

No, Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel doesn't allow dogs.

No, parking facilities aren't available at Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel.

No, Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel doesn't have a gym.

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