Arenal Backpackers Resort
La Fortuna, San Carlos
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20 nights, 2 adults
Includes taxes and charges
20 nights, 2 adults
Includes taxes and charges
Why people book this hotel
“We had the private cylinder as a couple with a shared bathroom”
“We loved the tent very spacious large bed”
“Lovely hostel, relaxed atmosphere, friendly knowledgable staff”
“The staff were friendly and helpful”
“Good location”
“It was easy walking distance to lots of restaurants and bars”
“It was clean and the bathrooms were clean, showers warm”
“Really good pool area, rooms and linen smells good, well cleaned”
“The pool was nice, nice bar area”
“Pool and bar area lovely”
“Resort type feel without the price tag”
“We spent one night in the pod which was a fun experience and very reasonably pri…”
Overview
Located 3.6 km from the slopes of the Arenal Volcano, this hostel offers its guests complimentary Wi-Fi access, luggage storage, and a snack bar. The property also has an outdoor pool. Arenal Backpackers Resort features shared dormitories and tents for up to 2 persons. The dormitories are air conditioned and have lockers. Bathrooms and showers are shared and provide free toiletries. Arenal has an on-site restaurant that serves local dishes, plus there is also a bar. The property also features sun terraces, laundry services and the front desk operates 24 hours. The hostel can help arrange a variety of tours like visiting La Fortuna Waterfall or the hotsprings, hikes to the volcano, horse riding, rafting or canopy tours. The Arenal Lake is reachable in a 16-minute drive, and La Fortuna Waterfall is 14 minutes’ drive away. Juan Santamaría International Airport is 2 hours’ drive from Arenal Backpackers Resort.
Traveller reviews
Nicole
couple
May 22, 2026
“Resort feel, very small cylinders, very poor facilities for preparing own food”
We had the private cylinder as a couple with a shared bathroom. It was clean and the bathrooms were clean, showers warm. The cylinder was cosy and I slept well. The pool was nice, nice bar area. Resort type feel without the price tag. Good location. This was one of the cheaper accommodations that we could find in La Fortuna due to it being so expensive and I think it was pretty good value for money!
Naomi
extended_group
May 6, 2026
“Fantastic location, lovely pool and large hot tub.”
Lovely hostel, relaxed atmosphere, friendly knowledgable staff. We loved the tent very spacious large bed
Guillaume
solo_traveller
May 1, 2026
Really good pool area, rooms and linen smells good, well cleaned.
Laura
solo_traveller
April 17, 2026
“Decent hostel, great location”
The staff were friendly and helpful. It was easy walking distance to lots of restaurants and bars. Nice warm showers.
John
solo_traveller
March 25, 2026
“Great place would recommend”
The vibe
Pia
couple
March 18, 2026
Super Dirty. There were dark brown stains on the wall and ants everywhere. Despite private room extremely noisy.
Rosemary Angela
couple
March 15, 2026
“Exceptional”
So superior to any other hostel in all ways.
Joshua
extended_group
February 25, 2026
“Convenient, social and clean accommodation at a good price, but with a concerning deposit issue at checkout.”
Convenient Location, good accomodation for cost and nice, social, clean common areas.
HUGO
extended_group
January 28, 2026
well positioned
Kate
solo_traveller
January 26, 2026
“Great stat”
Pool and bar area lovely
Lisa
solo_traveller
January 22, 2026
“Cool vibes , great staff with fun facilities”
Cool vibes/ great location/ comfy bed and I felt safe
Rogier
couple
January 7, 2026
We slept in a tent and the tent was nice. The place was very well maintained.
Jasper
solo_traveller
January 2, 2026
Nice vibe
Velazquez
extended_group
December 12, 2025
“Amazing”
All of it
Oliver
couple
December 10, 2025
“Nice pool. Quirky elements but fairly no frills - as you'd probs expect with a hostel.”
The vibe is cool, though very hostel-like. We spent one night in the pod which was a fun experience and very reasonably priced. Then moved to a private room, which was very no frills. The bed was big, but it was probably more basic than expected given the price. We were also next to a plant room which was quite noisy. The staff were pleasant enough, although not overly enthusiastic or engaged.
Loris
solo_traveller
December 6, 2025
“Really good place for backpackers and travellers”
a space where people could meet and introduce each other. Staff always there for any help
Mistry
solo_traveller
November 29, 2025
Great location & clean!
Nicolai
couple
November 27, 2025
“The place is okay, the pool is very nice”
Nice Pool area Private rooms are big Warm water Quiet at night
Gun
solo_traveller
November 26, 2025
Everything was just like in the pictures Staffs were nice and helpful pool and the hot tub were very clean. The rooms and the beds were comfortable. In the dorms you have your own bathrooms but there are few available outside too. In the dorm we had a problem with the AC it stopped working in the middle of the night and it was because some guests left the window open. And the staff at night shift was so nice to bring his fan for us
Marlon
solo_traveller
November 20, 2025
“Very nice place and good facilities, unfortunately the staff lacked.”
The hostel is really beautiful and has a very tropical swimming pool and hot tub (which is great when walking in the rain the whole day). Rooms are clean and nice.
Facilities
Activities
Billiards, Canoeing, Hiking, Horse riding, Evening entertainment, Happy hour
Cleanliness & disinfecting
Use of cleaning chemicals that are effective against Coronavirus, Linens, towels and laundry washed in accordance with local authority guidelines, Guest accommodation is disinfected between stays, Guest accommodation sealed after cleaning, Property is cleaned by professional cleaning companies
Food & Drink
Breakfast options, Restaurant, Bar
Food & drink safety
Physical distancing in dining areas, All plates, cutlery, glasses and other tableware have been sanitized, Breakfast takeaway containers
General
Bicycle parking, Non-smoking rooms, Safety deposit box, WiFi available in all areas, Non-smoking throughout, Air conditioning
Internet
WiFi, Internet services, Free WiFi
Outdoors
Garden, Terrace, Outdoor pool, Sun terrace, Outdoor pool (all year)
Parking
Accessible parking, Parking, Free parking, Parking on site, Private parking
Physical distancing
Contactless check-in/check-out, Physical distancing rules followed
Pool and wellness
Swimming Pool, Sun loungers or beach chairs, Swimming pool
Reception services
Invoice provided
Safety & security
24-hour security, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguishers
Safety features
Staff follow all safety protocols as directed by local authorities, Hand sanitizer in guest accommodation and key areas, Process in place to check health of guests, First aid kit available, Access to health care professionals, Thermometers for guests provided by property
Self check-in
Passport/ID information collected online before you arrive
Services
Shuttle service, Daily housekeeping, Shuttle service (additional charge), Airport shuttle (additional charge), Lockers, Shared lounge/TV area, Airport shuttle, 24-hour front desk, Luggage storage, Tour desk
Comfort Double Room
This double room has air conditioning and tile/marble floor
Cylinder Room
The double room includes a shared bathroom fitted with a shower. The unit has 1 bed.
Cylinder Room (Adults Only - Shared Bathroom)
Featuring colourful glass doors, these adults-only rooms offer views of the Arenal Volcano and the surrounding mountains. The cylindrical rooms are set amidst tropical plants and flowers, specially designed for nature lovers.
Small Double Room
This double room's special feature is the pool with a view. The double room includes a shared bathroom equipped with a shower. This double room provides air conditioning and a flat-screen TV. The unit offers 2 beds.
Standard King Room
The double room includes a private bathroom equipped with a shower. This double room offers a flat-screen TV. The unit offers 1 bed.
Deluxe Double Room with Two Double Beds
The pool with a view is a top feature of this twin room. The twin room provides air conditioning, as well as a private bathroom featuring a shower. This twin room features a flat-screen TV. The unit offers 2 beds.
Standard Double Room with Two Double Beds
The twin room includes a private bathroom equipped with a shower. This twin room provides a flat-screen TV. The unit offers 2 beds.
Single Room with Private Bathroom
Guests will have a special experience as this single room provides a pool with a view. The single room offers air conditioning, as well as a private bathroom boasting a shower. This single room features a flat-screen TV. The unit has 1 bed.
Hotel Policies
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