When most people think of Costa Rica, images of long-stretching beaches, surf sessions, and fresh coconuts come to mind; but Monteverde paints a slightly different picture.
The mountain town is in the northern part of the Puntarenas province, where the cloud forest reserve is located.
The crisp air and foggy environment are a fun twist in your Costa Rica journey you just can’t miss.
Planning to visit other parts of Costa Rica? We got you! Take a look at our guide to the best hostels in Costa Rica.
Your Shortcut:
- Hostel Cattleya - best for solo-traveler
- OutBox Inn - best for party lovers
- Monteverde Backpackers - best for backpackers
- Extra: Hakuna Matata Guest House - best for families
Money-saving tip: Compare hostel prices with Hostelz.com. They compare prices from Hostelworld, Booking.com and others with 1 click.
The main town of Montverde is relatively small compared to some of the country’s other destinations, but there are several accommodation options to sift through.
Let’s dive into Monteverde’s top hostels and find the right place for you!
This guide is perfect for YOU, when you…
- are tired of crappy hostels!
- want a social Hostel to actually meet people
- are happy to spend $1 to $2 more for a much better experience
What we cover in this article?
You can find all 5 Star Hostels here with Hostelgeeks and all guides to “Best Hostels In” here.
Quick Introduction to Monteverde
Average price for a bed: Hostels in Monteverde cost 9€ – 16€ per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room starts from 21€ up to 32€ per night. This is a rough average just to give you an idea.
Prices always depend on season and holidays. Please always check exact rates on Hostelz.com or Hostelworld.com.
Check-In and Check Out: The average check-in time is from 15:00 (3pm), while the Check-Out time is before 11:00 (11am). Hostels usually offer luggage storage in case you arrive earlier or leave later. Make sure you check if luggage storage is free or if there is an extra cost.
Skywalk in Monteverde: Doing the Skywalk tour is a must in Monteverde. The pathway will take you across six dramatic hanging bridges that sit above the lush, green forest. You do have to pay to experience the Skywalk, but it’s worth it. Guided tours with a naturalist are also available if you’re interested in learning about the flora and fauna you see along the way.
Night Walks in Monteverde: In the cloud forest, some wildlife is best spotted under the darkness of the night. There are several night walk tours through the forest where a guide will take you to see some of the region’s most exotic animals. Get ready to see vipers, poison dart frogs, sloths, stick bugs, tarantulas, and more! Don’t worry; you’ll be kept at a safe distance from anything dangerous.
Nightlife in Monteverde: Monteverde does not have the same party atmosphere as Costa Rica beach towns, so don’t expect a rager. However, if you want to throw back a few drinks, Bar Amigos stays open until 2 am and serves cheap beverages!
New to Hostels? Read our full hostel starter guide here. We especially recommend reading:
- how to book hostels (and websites to use)
- 23 items for the hostel packing list
- Are hostels safe? 13 safety tips for hostels
The 3 Best Hostels in Monteverde are …
Let’s jump right into the coolest hostels in Monteverde.
- Hostel Cattleya – best for solo-traveler
- OutBox Inn – best for party lovers
- Monteverde Backpackers – best for backpackers
- Extra: Hakuna Matata Guest House - best for families
We put all accommodations on the map, incl. our own tips for restaurants, things to see, and more.
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | Hostel Cattleya |
| 🙎♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler: | Hostel Cattleya |
| 🥳 Party Hostel: | OutBox Inn |
| 👩❤️👨Couple Hostel: | Hakuna Matata Guest House |
| 👨👩👦 Family Hostel: | Hakuna Matata Guest House |
| 👩💻 For Digital Nomads: | OutBox Inn |
| 🎒 Backpackers Hostel: | Monteverde Backpackers |
| 🧘 Cozy Hostel: | OutBox Inn |
1. Hostel Cattleya
Hostel Cattleya can fit the needs of any type of traveler. The hostel is made up of a spacious two-story home with plenty of parking space for those who rent a car.
Rooms range from privates to four-person dorms with or without a private bathroom. It’s a great spot for solo travelers looking for a safe, friendly place to call homebase.
The rooms are pet friendly, so bring the whole gang along!
There are chill areas to sit and relax outside while you sip a cup of coffee before heading out for your adventure.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Backpackers will be happy to know that there is an onsite laundry service, so you can finally wash those soiled travel clothes.
Make sure to ask the front desk about tours and other local suggestions nearby–you don’t have to plan your trip alone!
Location: All the top attractions are accessible from Hostel Cattleya. The Skywalk (cloud forest nature reserve) is just 3 km away, and the ecological sanctuary can be walked to in less than 10 minutes.
Talk to the hostel staff about arranging taxis to the nature reserve.
The best choice in Monteverde for
- solo travelers
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
2. OutBox Inn
OutBox Inn is the newest hostel on the block and does not disappoint! It has a modern, open design that’s unlike any other option in the area.
No matter what your budget is, you should be able to find a room option that exceeds expectations.
You can book an affordable bed in an 8-person dormitory or private ensuites that are still listed at reasonable prices.
There’s nothing better than staying at a hostel with an onsite restaurant.
Well, OutBox Inn is home to The Open Kitchen, which serves outstanding meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Or head over to the hostel’s tap house to sip on a few drinks and socialize with other guests.
Inside the hostel, there are comfy beanbags to post up on while you unwind after a great day of exploring the area.
If you just can’t get enough of the crisp outside air, stroll around the property’s garden or hang out in the outdoor seating section.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Location: OutBox Inn is located in Monteverde’s main town of Santa Elena, next to all the area’s attractions, restaurants, and tours.
Right across the street from the property, you can chow down on local dishes at Restaurante Tico y Rico!
A great choice for
- party lovers
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
3. Monteverde Backpackers
Solo travelers who want a fun, social experience can’t go wrong by staying at Monteverde Backpackers. The hostel is a hub for young backpackers from all around the world.
It’s a top-notch spot for solo travelers looking for a few buddies to go on adventures with. Another cool part about Monteverde Backpackers is that it is owned and operated by a total Costa Rican staff.
Staying at locally owned establishments is a wonderful way to ensure the money you spend during your travels is going into the pockets of the local people.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Don’t worry about spending an arm and a leg because the dormitories (four to six beds) are offered at an excellent price.
If you need a break from dorm rooms, book a few nights in the three-bed suite for some alone time–we all need it. All room rates include a traditional breakfast each morning.
Location: The hostel is just a five-minute walk from the bus terminal and is centrally located in Santa Elena.
You’ll be just around the corner from grocery stores, restaurants, and bars. Monteverde Backpackers has a 24/7 security guard, so you can stumble back to your room at any time you’d like!
This is one of the best hostels in Monteverde for
- budget travellers
- backpackers
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
4. Hakuna Matata Guest House
Sometimes you just need to get away from it all, and Hakuna Matata Guest House is the place to do it.
The property is just down the road from the center of town, so you’ll be away from cars and the foot traffic of other travelers (Monteverde has an overall relaxed vibe year-round).
The house is a lovely house on a beautiful plot of land. It’s the perfect size for a couple who wants something more than just a private room in a hostel. Inside, you’ll find a delightful living room, dining table, fully stocked kitchen, and five spacious rooms with a shared bathroom.
To start or end the day, you can sit on the porch swing on the back patio as you take in the stunning scenery–sounds pretty nice, right?
The property managers are excited to point guests toward local recommendations or to help organize your tours. So, don’t hesitate to ask!
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Location: Walking to the town center from Hakuna Matata Guest House takes around 15 minutes, but it’s worth it.
You’ll feel conveniently located next to food and drink establishments but can still get the ultimate relaxation experience away from the crowd.
The nature reserve and popular tours will be about a 10-minute drive away.
This is one of the best hostels in Monteverde for
- families
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Best Hostels in Monteverde for Solo Travelers?
What is seriously the best hostel in Monteverde for solo-travelers?
Hostel Cattleya is perfect for travellers who want to explore Monteverde and also meet new friends along the way.
Make sure to ask the front desk about trips and other local recommendations nearby–you don’t have to arrange your vacation alone!
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Party Hostels in Monteverde
Monteverde does not really have this party atmosphere compared to other places in Costa Rica.
But if you want to have a few drinks and just have a chill night, you can have a look at OutBox Inn.
This hostel has a super nice lounge area that you’ll surely enjoy. They have dorms and private bedrooms.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
More Hostels worth a mention
We have presented the best hostels in Monteverde, but if you are looking for something a bit extra, there is always one more.
Cowboy Hostel
Staying at Cowboy Hostel in Monteverde feels like being in a cabin in the mountains–because you are! The building has a charming look with a mostly wood interior.
It’s a prime accommodation option for couples who want to get away from the backpacker scene and have something private and cozy. Each night you jump into bed, you’ll be snug as a bug in a rug in your lovely room.
Speaking of rooms, there are private rooms that can accommodate up to three people. So, if you’re looking for something for a big group, this isn’t the spot.
Outside of every room, there are a couple of wooden chairs you can relax on and take in the gorgeous atmosphere of Monteverde. Don’t worry if you have a few work emails to knock out because the property’s Wi-Fi is strong and reliable.
If you’re heading back to the airport after your trip in the mountains, Cowboy Hostel can organize a shuttle service for you–booyah!
Location: Cowboy Hostel is conveniently located in town next to local restaurants (known as Sodas) for cheap, tasty meals.
Top spots like the Orchid Garden and ecological sanctuary are within walking distance, while the cloud forest is just a quick drive away.
This is one of the best hostels in Monteverde for
- couples
Check prices: Booking.com
Tips for Staying in Monteverde
Pack warm clothes
When you’re packing your bags for Monteverde, make sure to bring some warm clothes. Don’t expect hot weather like you’d expect at the beach.
A couple of layers and a warm jacket should do the trick. The area does get its fair share of sunshine, too, so a hat is never a bad idea.
Raincoats are a must during the rainy season
From May to November, expect it to rain most days in Monteverde. That’s not to say you shouldn’t visit–not a chance!
We just want you to be prepared for some potential downpours during your trip. Bring a raincoat so that you’ll be prepared for anything!
Birdwatching
The best time to birdwatch in the area is between February through July when the quetzals are breeding.
Bring a pair of binoculars and a camera to capture some stunning moments in nature.
What about the cheapest hostels in Monteverde?
Of course, there are always cheap hostels. But how do you actually find them? When you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you want to save every dollar, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Monteverde.
- Open Hostelz.com with a full list of all hostels in Monteverde
- add your dates
- Order the listings by price
Simple as that.
Hostelz.com is a price comparison site for hostels. They list every single one in the world and tells you exactly which website is cheaper to use.
Another smart Tip: Check what is actually included, and what is excluded. Take a closer look at the location, too. A further location might mean more costs in transport.
Any Discounts?
You can find all our hostel discounts worldwide here. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the freshest hostel discounts directly in your inbox. There are even special discount codes that we only share in our newsletter.
It is completely free to join!
How to book?
The most popular booking platforms are Booking.com and Hostelworld.com. On both platforms, your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.
We included some handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.
Read: step-by-step guide on how to book with Hostelworld
We recommend booking your hostel as early as possible! All of Monteverde best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish and good hostels, secure your room/ bed as soon as you have your travel dates fix.
The coolest Hostel App you need comes as well from Hostelworld. It gives you super cool features like you can contact your hostel mates beforehand and make plans together. Find more details in our review of the app
Scan the QR Code with your Smartphone to download the Hostelworld App from the App Store - like a real Hostel Geek!
All Top Hostels put on a map + sights
Let us have a look at the map. Below, we list all three best Monteverde hostels on a map.
Personally, we love to plan our trips with a map having all sights and potential hostels on it. We thought this map will help you with planning your trip too.
In Monteverde we absolutely enjoyed:
- Monteverde Cloudforest
- Colibri cafe
- Frog Pond & Butterfly Garden
- Night Walk in Monteverde Cloud Forest
- Horse Trekking
- Ziplining at Skyadventures
- Canyoning, Monteverde
- Coffee Tour, Monteverde
FAQs
Here we share with you the most asked question:
What are the best hostels in Monteverde?
The best hostels in Monteverde are:
- Hostel Cattleya - best for solo-traveler
- OutBox Inn - best for party lovers
- Monteverde Backpackers - best for backpackers
- Extra: Hakuna Matata Guest House - best for families
Where can I find a good and cheap accommodation in Tenerife?
Hostelworld.com and Booking.com are the easiest way to find cheap places and compare prices. Make sure you read our guide on how to book hostels with 15 tips to save money.
Are there night walk tour in Montecerde?
There are several night walk tours through the forest where a guide will take you to see some of the region’s most exotic animals. Get ready to see vipers, poison dart frogs, sloths, stick bugs, tarantulas, and more! Don’t worry; you’ll be kept at a safe distance from anything dangerous.
Staying at one of these hostels? ❤️
Share your photo and tag us @hostelgeeks on Instagram.
Flights to Monteverde?
We use Skyscanner and Omio.com to find cheap flights and good connections all over the globe.
Skyscanner has a bunch of cool features like Multi-City Trip. Instead of doing this research step-by-step, Skyscanner offers this flight planning tool.
More handmade Guides for you
We did the leg work for you and bring you more hostel guides to great destinations:
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- Best Hostels in San José, Costa Rica
- 17 Surf Hostels in Costa Rica
- 8 Best Yoga Retreats in Costa Rica
- Best Hostels in Caribbean
- Best Hostels in Tamarindo
- Best Hostels in Samara
- best hostels in Quepos
- best hostels in Santa Teresa
- best hostels in Jaco
- best hostels in Bahía Drake
- best hostels in Puerto Viejo
- best hostels in Granada Nicaragua
- best hostels in Tortuguero
Over to you
Do you have any questions left, maybe doubts? Then please leave it in the comment below. We are very keen to help you - and actually you would even do us a favor!
Your question will help us to improve this Monteverde guide.
Last note: Our commitment
This is a genuine article to help you travel a bit smarter, and find the best place on a budget! We will never recommend you any place we haven’t evaluated or are not convinced by. We are constantly updating all our guides to keep them as fresh and accurate as possible.
Safe travels,
The Hostelgeeks
Best Travel Websites we recommend ❤️
(Fresh Update 2023)
Booking Hostels and Discounts 👏👏👏
As a user of Hostelgeeks, you also have access to exclusive hostel discounts. For booking hostels, we use:
- Hostelz.com - hostel price comparison
- Hostelworld
We recommend installing the Hostelworld App. It is very useful!
How to find cheaper Flights ✈️
The first websites we always check are Skyscanner and Google Flights.
Find our step-by-step process in our review about Skyscanner.
Travel Insurance made easy 🤒
We are currently using Safetywing and Hey Mondo. We wrote detailed guides about these insurances:
- Our review of Safetywing, compared to others
- a detailed review of HeyMondo Travel Insurance
Smartest Travel Tools you need to know 🤓
- Onward Ticket - get a proof for onward travel
- iVisa - get your visa online fast
- Get Your Guide - for activities and sightseeing tickets
- Omio.com - for all types of transport
Find all our recommended travel tools and websites here.
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