Walaba Hostel and Beach Houses Reviews

Awesome, awesome, awesome :)

Walaba is excellent--very welcoming with lots of character, great communal space, basically right in the rainforest. As an unseasoned, solo traveler, I was concerned about meeting people and finding things to do--Walaba facilitated both. Though it's in Punta Uva, you can easily join tours run out of Puerto Viejo, or just rent a bike and explore on your own. Don't let Google Maps fool you--coming from PV, it is 100 meters after Selvins Restaurant, on the right (interior-side, not beach-side). Go!

The hostel has plenty of things to do, games, movies, bike rentals. The atmosphere was very relaxed. It's a $10US taxi ride from downtown Puerto Viejo but the beach is nearly a 3 min walk(you can actually hear the waves at night). There was a key to the front gate to enter at all times and a key to enter the main house at night. There are lock boxes(bring your own lock). The shower has it's own character and can be finicky. For the price, the place exceeded my expectations.

it is a very relax hostel with the beach at a 3 min walk the staff is realy frendly and helpfull and the all speak englisch i loved my stay there and recomend it to everyone!!

The location is wonderful, if u r not planning on doing anything other than relaxing on the beach and hanging about around the hostel. I´d recommend accomodations in the nearby Puerto Viejo if u r interested in a more upbeat atmosphere. The owner, Amanda, was awesome and helpful, though she took off suddenly during the week, which was slightly strange. Come to Walaba to relax.

This place is at Punta Uva not in Puerto Viejo so you can add $6 to the cost of the accommodation for bike hire as you will need one as the buses are sparce but even with that it's still good value as far as Costa Rica goes. The place is rustic and charming and you'll probably extend your stay... Most including us did! Amanda is great and location wise if you want to be by the best beach and half way between the partying of town and beautiful Manzanillo it's spot on.

Great location, not exactly on Playa Uva, but a 15min walk away from it. Great atmosphere, wooden cabins and the main house, I liked the reception area with candles in the evening and the common hang out space on the second floor with hammocks. The only downside that could be improved is to have the maid help them keep the kitchen clean, the dishes were sticky and there was no dish-washing liquid. Also if you need privacy reserve a separate cabin. The family that owns the hostel is really nice

A truly wonderful hostel with exceptional people running it. Great location, a warm welcome and pura vida !

Far from puerto viejo, but in front of punta uva beach, witch is the best. Not the best service to organise tours. Very quiet

It was the best hostel in Costa Rica. I loved the place and the staff

I loved Walaba. I felt like Robinson Crusoe. The ambiance was delightful, very Caribbean ie laid back, colorful, and peaceful (except at night when the party goers came in). Location was perfect for me, away from town and but close to Punta Uva beach, Sterlin's restaurant (a must) and close proximity to my friends who live there. I give Walaba two thumbs up. I hope to return again, maybe with my family when they come to visit me.

A brilliant hostel if you want to experience the Costa Rica Caribbean. The hostel is a treehouse style with lots of character open to the nature. It was made very comfortable as the rooms had fans and beds had Mosquitoe nets. The staff were very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable with things to do in the area and assisted me with my on going journey. This is not a party hostel but I met allot of great people we cooked together, played games and shared a few beers in the evening. Thanks Walaba!!

Half treehouse, half beachcombers shack, it really is a great place if you need to get away from it all. If you are looking for a party hostel better stay in Puerto Viejo. This is 6km away in a sleepy hamlet (Punta Uva). Enjoy the hummingbirds buzzing around you and the call of the local howler monkeys. Just make sure you bring your walking boots - its a hike to a decent supermarket. Loved it here, booked for 3 days, stayed for 5!

Staff was extremely rude and patronizing. A 6ltr bottle of water was $7.00. The private room walls did not connect to the roof so there was no privacy between rooms. NO fly screen between walls and roof. We where eaten alive all night. We left early the next morning and where changed for all 3 nights even though we had the worst night ever. Stay here if you like bugs and being patronized!

batisse avec beaucoup de cachet! personnel acceuillant et qui nous met a l'aise ! humidite ambiante de la jungle se faire sentir dans les chambres, l'odeur d'humidite reigne ...

The owners are really great and the day I arrived, there were three cute chihuahua that were running around. They were taken to San Jose, but I'm not sure if they are there regularly or not. Too cute. The beach is right across the street along with excellent Selvins for food. You hear all kinds of wildlife while staying here too. Overall an excellent stay and everyone was so nice and helpful.

Excellent place to relax and the owners are very generous and accomodating

Best Hostel I have ever stayed in. Amazing people, place, and time we had.