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Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel

2.0 star property
Travelers gather in the arcade for games or unwind with coffee in hand, while the knowledgeable staff stands ready to help plan exciting local adventures

Choose dates to view prices

Located in Carmen, Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel offers a free airport shuttle. Guests can enjoy meals at Pizza Los Olivos, connect to WiFi, or play billiards. The multilingual staff receives consistently positive reviews from visitors.

Reviews

7.6 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
  • Air conditioning
  • Breakfast available
  • Laundry

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 6 of 6 rooms

View all photos for Bed in 4-Bed Female Dormitory Room

Free WiFi

Bed in 4-Bed Female Dormitory Room

Highlights

Air conditioning
Separate bedroom
Rainfall showerhead
Daily housekeeping
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed

View all photos for Double Room with Private Bathroom

Double Room with Private Bathroom | Free WiFi

Double Room with Private Bathroom

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(2 reviews)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
Rainfall showerhead
Daily housekeeping
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room

Free WiFi

Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room

Highlights

Air conditioning
Separate bedroom
Rainfall showerhead
Daily housekeeping
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for Bed in 6-Bed Dormitory Room

Bed in 6-Bed Dormitory Room | Free WiFi

Bed in 6-Bed Dormitory Room

Highlights

Air conditioning
Separate bedroom
Rainfall showerhead
Daily housekeeping
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 3 Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for 10-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room

10-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room | Free WiFi

10-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room

Highlights

Air conditioning
Rainfall showerhead
Daily housekeeping
  • 194 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Suite

Suite | Free WiFi

Suite

Highlights

Air conditioning
Separate bedroom
Rainfall showerhead
Daily housekeeping
  • City view
  • 194 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
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About the neighborhood

Located in Carmen, a neighborhood in Alajuela, Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel is near the airport. City Mall and Plaza Real Cariari are worth checking out if shopping is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Sabana Park. Consider Parque Viva for a night out, and don't miss Hacienda Alsacia, a top local attraction. Visit our Alajuela travel guide
View more Hostels in San José
Map
SJO Airport Ave, 4th street, Alajuela, Alajuela

What's nearby

  • Costa Rica, Alajuela, Santo Cristo de la Agonia church
    Alajuela Cathedral
    6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Juan Santamaría Park
    3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Central Park
    5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Central Market Alajuela
    6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • City Mall
    11 min walk - 1.0 km

Getting around

  • San Antonio de Belen Station
    17 min drive
  • Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO)
    7 min drive

Restaurants

  • KFC
    5 min walk
  • Subway Alajuela Centro
    3 min walk
  • Campero Alajuela
    3 min walk
  • El Pollo Parrillero
    5 min walk
  • Trigo Miel
    5 min walk

About this property

Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel

Hostel near City Mall
Located close to Parque Viva and Plaza Real Cariari, Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel provides a free roundtrip airport shuttle, an arcade/game room, and dry cleaning/laundry services. Guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.
You'll also enjoy perks such as:
  • Full breakfast (surcharge), a cruise ship terminal shuttle, and multilingual staff
  • A TV in the lobby, luggage storage, and a billiards/pool table
  • Tour/ticket assistance, coffee/tea in the lobby, and a 24-hour front desk
Room features
All guestrooms at Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel feature comforts such as air conditioning, as well as amenities like free WiFi.

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • No onsite parking available
  • Free roundtrip airport shuttle from 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM at scheduled times and on request
  • 24-hour train station drop-off shuttle (surcharge)
  • Bus station shuttle (surcharge)
  • Cruise terminal shuttle (surcharge)
  • Ferry terminal shuttle (surcharge)

Food and drink

  • Daily full breakfast available for a fee
  • Coffee and tea in common areas

Restaurants on site

  • Pizza Los Olivos

Things to do

  • Arcade/game room
  • Billiards/pool table
  • TV in common areas

Family friendly

  • Arcade/game room
  • Laundry facilities

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage
  • Shared microwave

Guest services

  • Change of bedsheets (on request)
  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Accessible train station shuttle

More

  • 1 building
  • 4 floors
  • Built in 2007
  • Communal living room
  • Designated smoking areas

Room amenities

Bathroom

  • Rainfall showerhead

More

  • Air conditioning

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 2 PM

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM

Special check-in instructions

This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply); to arrange pick-up, guests must contact the property 24 hours prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are available for CRC 7500.0 per night

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Rollaway bed fee: CRC 7500.0 per night

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards

We should mention

A car is not required for transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

Alajuela Backpackers
Alajuela Backpackers Hostel
Backpackers Alajuela
Backpackers Hostel Alajuela
Hostel Alajuela Backpackers
Alajuela Backpackers Boutique Hostel Costa Rica
Alajuela Backpackers Boutique Hotel Alajuela
Hostel Alajuela Backpackers
Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel Alajuela

Frequently asked questions

How much is parking?

Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel doesn't offer parking.

What time is check-in at Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel?

Check-in begins at 2 PM.

What time is check-out at Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel?

Check-out is at 11 AM.

Does Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel provide a shuttle to the airport?

Yes, there's a free airport shuttle that runs 4:00 AM–10:00 PM on request.

Where is Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel located?

Located in Carmen, this hostel is 0.8 mi (1.2 km) from City Mall and within 6 mi (10 km) of Parque Viva and Plaza Real Cariari. Hacienda Alsacia and Costa Rica Convention Center are also within 9 mi (15 km).

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Reviews

Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel Reviews

7.6

Good

7.8

Cleanliness

7.2

Location

7.8

Staff & service

7.4

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 76 out of 216 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 61 out of 216 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 49 out of 216 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 18 out of 216 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 12 out of 216 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Sarah

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Easy check-in, easily upgraded to a private room, and good spots to eat close by! Really appreciated the free airport shuttle included.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

James

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The hostel was simple but was exactly what we needed the night before an early morning flight. The free shuttle to the airport made it a very convenient stay
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

Tomasz

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Goos value for money and transport to the airport.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Tom

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Everything was good, friendly staff, room as expected.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Brandon

I find this place to be pretty cool and a great value. We really just needed a place to crash for the night and its location and prices suited us well. The rooms have minimal amenities and the windows allow ALL of the busy, busy street noise in but what can ya say, the price is right.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026

6/10 Okay

Sha-lynn

It was a good location, building with a lot of character and potential. I know it is a budget hotel but could have improved in cleanliness. Room had a smell to it, shower head was full of mineral build up and maybe even mold(?). I would probably look for another option next time
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026

10/10 Excellent

Ruth

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Courteous staff
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kerrie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good place and location with airport shuttle. Air conditioning is nice and has a restaurant within the hostel.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kerrilyn

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff was so welcoming and helpful. The rooms were clean and the price cannot be beat. Highly recommended!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Shaneese

Good location, helpful staff.
Stayed 1 night in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Had a private room that was surprisingly large was very close to airport perfect hostel to kill 24 hours before a flight.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Derick

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Close to the airport for a quick layover, wonderful staff and nicely located close to the market and everything you need
Stayed 1 night in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Samuel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Quiet and well located
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alex

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good location. Useful transit to airport. Easy checkin and nice affordable rooms. Restaurant was decent too
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Donna

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Easy check in. Helpful staff.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

Ana

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
As advertised: a place to sleep and shower. No frills. Decently clean. Shuttle service was prompt and it took no more than 10 min to get to the sleepy at mid morning. The only disappointment was that the rooftop bar is closed on Mondays (which was the only night I was there). I was looking forward to cooling off in the breeze up there and having a drink.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Katelyn

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff were very helpful and the rooms were large and comfortable. We arrived late at night and found the area the hostel to be quite sketchy. I would not recommend walking the streets at night. The hostel itself felt very safe though. Great place to stay if you are looking for something cheap near the airport.
Stayed 1 night in May 2024

4/10 Poor

Rachel

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property seems to be not well cared for. Extremely noisy! Dirty bathroom.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

6/10 Okay

Samantha

This is ideal for a quick stop over if you've had a late flight into SJO, before you travel elsewhere in Costa Rica. The room was basic, very rickety old bunk beds that I was concerned might break as I was climbing up and down the ladder! The drains smelled absolutely terrible, I'm not sure what it was, but you can't spend long in the bathroom! Airport transfer was very helpful. Staff were reasonably helpful but not particularly friendly, which now I find unusual, after going elsewhere in Costa Rica, and people being SO nice! Essentially, good for a quick layover, I wouldn't stay longer.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brigitte

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Quirky hotel/hostel, I had an individual room with bathroom. Room was lovely, clean, comfortable bed. This is a great place to stay over close to San Jose airport, and they run free airport shuttles! All in all, a really cost effective but very comfortable place to stay! Staff were always lovely and helpful, and there is an elevator if anyone's worried that there are 4 floors :) Great place.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026

10/10 Excellent

Wadiyyah

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
The room was standard and private🇨🇷. I got a good nights sleep
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

Alex

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
Fantastic value for the price. But zero amenities no soap or anything in the bathrooms no towels provided just bare bones all the way around and no kitchen.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Aijia

The staff
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

avalon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I've stay there a few times over the years. Convenient location and comfortable.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Hilarie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
8min from airport. First time at an hostel. Really convenient for a night. I was excepting worst but I was lucky. Clean place.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025