Welcome dear travellers, to the only collection of best hostels in Tamarindo, Costa Rica you’re ever going to need!
There are over 15 hostels on offer in this seaside town (and counting!). Yet let’s be honest; you only need one, right? We’ve narrowed it down to the very best 3 hostels, with some added extras for budget travellers and party enthusiasts. Tamarindo sits on the Pacific coast in the Guanacaste Province.
It’s known best for its strong surf, nesting leatherback turtles and mangrove-lined estuary which forms part of a wildlife refuge. Oh, and seriously awesome hostels!
Your shortcut:
- Casa Aura: Beachfront Premium Hostel – for couples
- Pura Vida Hostel – top pick for backpackers
- La Botella de Leche – wonderful for solo travelers
Money-saving tip: Compare hostel prices with Hostelz.com. They compare prices from Hostelworld, Booking.com and others with 1 click.
Get ready for beachside accommodation, outdoor pools and super fun surf lessons. Speaking of surf.. we actually created an entire guide featuring the Coolest Surf Hostels in Costa Rica so check it out if you’re interested in the sport!
Read: 44 best hostels in Costa Rica
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
- Introduction
- 3 best hostels in detail
- cheapest hostels in Tamarindo
- best hostels in Tamarindo for solo travellers
- fun party hostels in Tamarindo
- more surf hostels worth a mention
- discounts and promo codes
- How to book?
- all hostel and sights on a map
- Flights
- FAQ
You can find all 5 Star Hostels here with Hostelgeeks and all guides to “Best Hostels In” here.
Quick Introduction to Tamarindo
Average price for a bed: Hostels in Tamarindo cost 9€ – 14€ per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room starts from 28€ up to 70€ 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 Hostelworld.com or Booking.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.
Santa Teresa: This is a common destination for those visiting Tamarindo. Why not see both if you have time? A great hostel option in this area is Pura Vida Mini Hostel.
🎁 New to Hostels? Read our guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. We especially recommend reading:
- How to book hostels? (and websites to save $)
- 23 clever items: the hostel packing list to download
- How does the Hostelworld App work exactly? Our Advanced Guide
The 3 Best Hostels in Tamarindo
Let’s jump right into the boutique hostels in Tamarindo.
We put all three accommodation on the map, you will find the map at the end of the article.
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | La Botella de Leche |
| 🙎♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler: | La Botella de Leche |
| 🥳 Party Hostel: | Selina Hostel |
| 👩❤️👨Couple Hostel: | Casa Aura: Beachfront Premium Hostel |
| 👨👩👦 Family Hostel: | Pura Vida Hostel |
| 👩💻 For Digital Nomads: | La Botella de Leche |
| 🎒 For Backpackers: | Pura Vida Hostel |
1. Casa Aura: Beachfront Premium Hostel
Who’s ready for a great Tamarindo backpackers hostel? When these guys say beachfront, they really mean it.
To be exact, it’s going to take you one entire minute to reach the waves from the hostel front door!
Casa Aura: Beachfront Premium Hostel was built in 2015 and has included everything you’d expect from a beach house.
For starters, how does an outdoor terrace with hammocks under the shade of palm trees sound? The view from here is awesome.
Yup, we know what you like and this is the reason we’ve chosen Casa Aura as your #1 choice.
Let’s discuss the room choices quickly.
- 8-bed mixed dorm
- Double private
- Twin private ensuite
- 4-bed private ensuite
- 2 bedroom apartment ensuite (sleeps 10)
As you can see, there is more of a focus on private rooms here – perfect for cute couples and families.
Yet this hostel attracts a wide range of traveler types, it’s a one size fits all.
If you’re hanging inside, have a go on the swings, or simply enjoy a game of pool.
Roll out of bed in the morning and enjoy a FREE breakfast before jumping in the ocean. What more do you need?
Free parking is also available.
Location: Just steps away from restaurants and supermarkets in the heart of Tamarindo. Playa Conchal is 11km from the property, and Playa Hermosa is 35km away.
This is one of the best hostels in Tamarindo for
- Couples
- Older travellers
- Groups
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
2. Pura Vida Hostel
Alright, Pura Vida Hostel Tamarindo is for the nature and music lovers out there. Interesting mix, right?
Hang out in the ‘Rancho’, the social heart of the hostel, and overlook the gorgeous tropical garden. This is where iguanas and howler monkeys frequently visit!
Relax on a rocking chair, hammock or day bed, and enjoy the chilled atmosphere thanks to great music and fast free Wifi.
And the music doesn’t stop there!
Each room has its own musical theme. Perhaps you’d like to sleep with Pink Floyd, The Beatles or Bob Marley.
It all depends on which room type you choose, of course. Here’s an overview:
- 6 and 8-bed mixed dorms
- Twin private
- Triple Private
- Double room “Rolling Stones”
- Quadruple room
- Family room (6-8 people)
No matter which you choose, we’re sure you’ll appreciate the unique design and wall art.
Super cool: Pura Vida is also located just a few hundred metres from the beach! It’s a beautiful Tamarindo hostel resort.
There are many cool aspects about this friendly, inexpensive hostel.
For instance, pets are welcome and there are various art performances throughout the week. Including an awesome fire show!
There are bikes for rent, surfboards for hire and a delicious breakfast on offer each morning.
One last thing: the staff here would love to help set you up for adventures in the area. Anything from turtle tours to Arenal volcano.
Location: Right by the beach, minutes from central Tamarindo and a 5-minute walk from bars and beach-side seafood restaurants. Las Baulas National Park is around 2km from the property.
This is one of the best hostels in Tamarindo for
- Backpackers
- Families
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
3. La Botella de Leche
Welcome to La Botella de Leche, the best place to…
“…enjoy your life, relax, meet friends and share experiences.”
Sounds pretty good, right? Well, to be honest, we expect these things from hostels. So let’s see why our #3 stands out from the crowd.
Here are a few things that might tickle your fancy:
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Book exchange & board games
- An open-air kitchen
- Hammocks
- Yoga studio + massages, workout sessions
Read: 🧘♀️ best yoga retreats in Costa Rica
The list just goes on and on, so let’s not stop there.
Other perks include free coffee 24/7, TV lounge and great hostel security.
Not only is there yoga on offer, but aerial yoga, too! Or if you prefer, sign up to go diving with one of the affiliated professional dive instructors.
Bonus: the concierge office can help with transfers, excursions and local information. Just pop in and have a chat anytime.
As far as rooms are concerned, nobody will be disappointed with what’s on offer.
There’s an 8-bed mixed dorm, plus a range of privates that sleep between 2 and 5 people.
ALL rooms come with a private bathroom and that all important air conditioning. Win!
Location: Situated just 5-minutes from the centre of Tamarindo town. This is where great restaurants, supermarket and that all important beach are located.
This is one of the best hostels in Tamarindo for
- Solo travellers
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
What about cheapest hostels in Tamarindo?
Of course, there are always cheap hostels.
We think, it’s not worth it to go with the cheapest hostel out there.
Why?
The difference is usually 1-2€ ($1-2) per night, and a lot of amenities are not included. This can be breakfast or linen.
However, if you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you wanna save every penny, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Tamarindo.
- Open Hostelworld with full list of budget places to stay in Tamarindo
- Order the listing by price
Simple as that.
Read: 15 hacks for booking hostels
Make sure you use then the other filters and rank per price.
Also keep a close eye on the ratings, especially the “extreme ratings”. Meaning, the best and worst. These ratings can give great insight on what to expect.
Best Hostels in Tamarindo for Solo Travellers?
What is seriously the best hostel in Tamarindo for solo-travellers?
We’d actually like to include two options here which suit different kinds of solo travellers.
Casa Aura: Beachfront Premium Hostel is great for those that prefer to suit themselves and aren’t too interested in organised events/activities. It’s right by the beach and offers a free breakfast. Note that there is only one 8-bed mixed dorm on offer here. Older solo travellers can enjoy a private room.
La Botella de Leche on the other hand is all about fun activities: yoga, scuba diving, board games. It’s more social, also with an 8-bed mixed dorm which is perfect for meeting others. Female solo travellers will feel right at home here, too.
Party Hostels in Tamarindo
Time to discover a hostel that specialises in a vibrant social atmosphere and fun activities. This one is for the party animals out there!
Update: Unfortunately, La Oveja Negra & Surf Camp closed its doors for good. Our new top choice to have a fun night in a hostel is Selina Hostel.
If you’re looking at learning to surf, you’ll love staying at Selina Hostel in Tamarindo. Learn how to surf, go horseback riding on the beach, or put on a snorkel and mask to head below the water’s surface. You can also go sports fishing and even take a canoe tour through the waters of the Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge.
They run their own bar with cocktails, beers and so much more. The swimming pool is obviously the place to be. There are live music performances taking place; always a massive plus for us.
Here is the list of all the amenities you can expect:
- Free WiFi
- Tour Desk
- Surf Club
- Social Events
- Surf Lessons
- Movie Room
- Live Music
- Shared Kitchen
- Swimming Pool
- Bar
- Pet Friendly
- Yoga Lessons
- Free Parking
- Spa
To top it off, there is a range of dorms including a female-only, 4-bed mixed, and bigger dorms. They also offer a wide range of private rooms.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
More Surf Hostels worth a Mention
In case you’re specifically heading to Tamarindo to do nothing but surf, surf and surf; here are some surf hostels you’re going to fall in love with. If you want a longer more in-depth list, check out our Coolest Surf Hostels in Costa Rica guide.
Coral Reef Surf Hostel
Coral Reef Surf Hostel is 100% dedicated to surfing and laid-back pura vida atmosphere.
These guys have their very own surf instructor offering lessons for all levels.
When you’re not out surfing, you can relax in the common area which boasts hammocks, a TV and a super cool skate ramp in the backyard.
Make use of the shared kitchen, or treat yourself at a nearby restaurant – you’ll be situated in the heart of Tamarindo and there’s a food court across the street, after all.
We wrote a guide on the best surf camps in Costa Rica.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Selina Tamarindo
What we love about Selina Tamarindo is that they’ve done well to blend naturally with their environment. So, they deserve the number two spot!
Of course, this isn’t the only reason we so enjoy this hostel, oh no.
Have a look at some more of the highlights:
- Morning yoga, salsa lessons, surfing lessons
- Swimming pool & playground
- DJ sets at the weekend
- Onsite restaurant & bar
If you’re the kind of traveller that appreciates having pretty much everything you need under one roof, Selina Tamarindo will easily tick your box.
To add to the splendor, the entire hostel is so well designed and utterly gorgeous.
Modern, clean, all necessary amenities – yep, you’re sorted for comfort as well as convenience here.
As with most Selina hostels & hotels, there is a great array of room choices here. From shared dorms to family rooms and standard/deluxe double privates.
Spend your time here eating good food, drinking fresh drinks, surfing, playing with new friends or simply by relaxing by the poolside.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
What about the cheapest hostels in Tamarindo?
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 Tamarindo.
- Open Hostelz.com with a full list of all hostels in Tamarindo
- 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. We even have special discount codes we only share in the 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 Tamarindo 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, ask questions, 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!
Our Favorite Hostels in Tamarindo put on a map + sights
Let us have a look on the map. Below we list all three best Tamarindo hostels on a map. Which Tamarindo hostel is your favourite?
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.
We also included the main tourist attractions you’ve to know in this list:
- Marino Las Baulas National Park
- Tamarindo Night Market
- Playa Tamarindo
- Playa Avellanas
Any questions about hostels in Tamarindo? 🤔
Join our Facebook Group!
Ask all your questions and connect with like-minded wanderers 🔥
Flights to Tamarindo?
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.
FAQ
Alright, you should have found your accommodation already. Below we list all the frequently asked questions. Have a look.
More guides
Alright, this is your answer to where to stay in Tamarindo.
We did the leg work for you and bring you more hostel guides:
- best hostels in Costa Rica
- Best Hostels in San José
- best hostels in Uvita
- best hostels in Quepos
- best Hostels in La Fortuna
- best hostels in Manuel Antonio
- best hostels in Tortuguero
- best hostels in Monteverde
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- best hostels in Samara
- best hostels in Bahía Drake
- best hostels in Playa Grande
- best hostels in Santa Teresa
- best hostels in Puerto Viejo
- Coolest Surf Hostels in Costa Rica
- 8 Best Yoga Retreats in Costa Rica
And other destinations:
- best hostels in Panama City, Panama
- 13 best hostels in Nicaragua
- best hostels in Antigua, Guatemala
- best hostels in Havana, Cuba
You can find all our new and updates articles for Best Hostels in here.
We also created a huge guide to hostels. Here we cover how to build lifetime friendships in hostels, the perfect packing list and more.
Over to you
So there you have it, the absolute best hostels in Tamarindo Costa Rica!
Was this useful? Do you have any questions, doubts?
Then please please leave us a comment. This list of awesome Tamarindo hostels should be as informative and useful as possible.
Your question will help me to understand what I have missed to mention.
Therefore, drop us a comment, we are keen to help you!
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 ONLY recommend places we know you will enjoy, no matter what.
At Hostelgeeks we will never recommend you any place we haven’t evaluated or are not convinced by. Our promise is to only share with you places we also recommend to our best friends and family!
Enjoy this fine hostel selection and all 5 Star Hostels.
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