Alajuela Backpackers Reviews

Great stay if leaving for the airport. There are hourly shuttles, but only for certain hours (I think 4am to 10am). Way better choice to stay there than somewhere in San Jose, even if you had to take a cab it is a 3 minute cab ride v. the usual $30 to San Jose. Beds were really comfy. Nothing to special, really is just a place / and a city for airport closeness.

My sister and I booked a reservation here and we very displeased with our stay. Despite our reservation we ended up in different rooms. The kitchen was closed all night and the next morning. We booked a reservation for the shuttle via email in advance and were bumped because we didn't arrive 'early enough'. No towels in the bathrooms. The ATMs in the area were not working. The hostel told us it doesn't accept credit cards but later accepted it after the ATMs wouldn't work. It was the worst.

The staff were incredibly unhelpful and rude. The 'free' shuttle was late and there was no meal service during my time there. I could not have been more unhappy.

Well, sadly that evening when I required most was the use of the Internet and there was no room connection. The main router was shut down and I wasn't in the mood in leaving my room because that is the purpose for WiFi. Also, hot water taken its time the next morning when needing an early morning shower. Overall, the overnight stay wasn't that bad at all. I do appreciate that the location was very close to the airport, yes, I would stay there again.

the door to the dorm room I stayed in needs to be oiled or changed because it is extremely loud and woke me up each time someone came in. overall the hostel was worth my money

We told the staff we wanted the cheapest room. He told us that the cheapest was the four-bed dorm. Lucky for us we knew that they also had 10 bed dorms which he gave us for a higher price then it says on the internet. Free airport shuttle is only in the morning and it is walking distance to the airport if you don't have very heavy bags.

Great hostel and shuttle to the airport!

I have stayed at Alajuela Backpackers many times now, at the beginning and ending of my travels in Costa Rica. It has always been a great place to stay and so easy to and from the Airport. The staff seems to be always changing, but everyone is helpful and friendly. We particularly enjoyed talking with Lester in the rooftop bar, where he was the bartender that night, one of his many occupations there. We will definitely use this Hostal again!

We emailed the hostel about our late arrival to request a shuttel from the airport.There was no free shuttle like it promised on the website. We rented a car and talked to the man at the desk who did not help us to find a safe place to and said there was no shuttle becaouse it was so late. In the end, we slept in the car and cancelled our second night with the hostel because there is no shuttle. We were billed for a deposit for 2 nights and 1 night stay. Very poor experience.

great spot for staying before a flight. seems that most are doing that anyway who stayed there.

great place, although a few of the staff were pretty rude to my boyfriend when he innocently and politely asked about the air conditioning.

Good because close to the airport and free shuttle. Really nice bartender on the roof top terrace and yummi pizza. Only bad thing there was only 1 computer to use internet and 3 other didn't work and there were many people waiting.s

Please correct the prices of the dorms in the internet! And the prices for the tours too (especially the tour to volcane poas etc.!! we had to pay 100 $, but in the internet the price is 49$) Please correct this fast!

very good was the free taxi to the airport,which is very very close :)

nice rooftop bar and a 2nd floor balcony

very large kind of impoersonal hostal but facilities are nice. No kitchen so must order own food from resturaunt or go out to eat.

Wifi did not work in my room. I would have liked a towel and and soap in the bathroom. Airport shuttle was great, and very friendly staff!

Great hostel! I felt safe and secure. Extremely convenient!

This hostel left me stranded at an airport and then charged my credit card despite never spending a night there. Before my trip, I made a reservation with them based on their advertisement that they offer a free airport shuttle to and from the San Jose airport. When I called them from the airport around noon to ask them to pick me up, they said they wouldn't and I should take a bus or a taxi. It's really not that far from the airport, so I could have taken a taxi. But when they were so rude on

Nice location. Friendly staff. The place is nothing special but a great starting or stopping point to your trip if you need to get to the airport, and they have a free shuttle. There is no kitchen for the guests which is my one largest complaint. They do offer food and drinks, and the view from the top story is pretty cool. Other complaint: You have to very specifically ask for the $12 room if you do not book online. They will charge you $17 at the desk otherwise.