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All 44 La Fortuna de San Carlos accommodations

Arenal Backpacker's Resort: Traveler Reviews

2.0 of 5
350 meters west of central park, towards volcano | PO Box 6824 (in San Jose), La Fortuna de San Carlos, Arenal Volcano National Park 1000, Costa Rica
Hotel amenities
Arenal Backpacker's Resort
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215 reviews from our community

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Traveler rating
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Date Rating
Los Angeles, California
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“The best place in La Fortuna BUT...”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 5, 2013

This hostel is very nice! we stayed in a tent which is comfortable, clean, kind of a different experience (good one). The pool is a good hang out place. The people at the front desk are very helpful. But there is a bar/club right across the street which plays loud music all the way to 2 or 3 in the morning which makes for a bad night of sleep.

  • Stayed January 2013, traveled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 2 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Ask christian a about Arenal Backpacker's Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
“Blasting Club Music”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed February 1, 2013

We rented tents, very expensive for what they are. No free breakfast. Very very loud club music playing through the night, EVERY night. Staff were stuck up and not very helpful. Was clean enough but not worth the lack of sleep.

  • Stayed January 2013, traveled with friends
    • 2 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 1 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 2 of 5 stars Service
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Ask A L about Arenal Backpacker's Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Middlebury VT
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
7 hotel reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“I'm being generous with 3.5 stars”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed January 26, 2013

This is a hostel. No free breakfast. couple minute walk out of town. Huge place so not very cozy.
This is a bed and a pool if you want it.
If you want more don't stay here.
When I look for a hostel I look for a friendly atmosphere with the staff trying to make it an inviting space. This is not set up as such. This would be an awesome place if you are traveling with friends, but it doesn't really make for a great place to meet people.
Go here if you want a bed and a pool. If you want an experience find somewhere else.
They did have hot showers and a nice bed.
La fortuna is expensive and the volcano is not active i.e. not erupting. It is not a number one place to visit in Costa Rica in my book.

  • Stayed January 2013, traveled solo
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 2 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 3 of 5 stars Service
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Ask annieb003 about Arenal Backpacker's Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
UK
Contributor
17 reviews 17 reviews
11 hotel reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
“Great place”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 19, 2013

Great location, 2 min walk to the town centre where lots of restaurants/sodas/shops/Bank etc can be found. Very clean, fantastic swimming pool and the view of Arenal Volcano. We paid $28pppn for a twin room with a private bathroom, unfortunately there was no hot water, due to some problems they had, so we had to use a common shower instead... The room was huge, had it's own TV and a/c. There is a restaurant as well as some sofas and tables in front of the reception to chill out. Free internet cafe + wifi.

They also organise tours and shuttles to Monteverde for $22 but you can get it cheaper for $18 in the town centre. So it's good to shop around.

All in all it's a good place with a great vibe and pleasant staff. We would definitely stay there again.

  • Stayed November 2012, traveled as a couple
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 3 of 5 stars Service
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See 3 more reviews by evcia999 for La Fortuna de San Carlos
Ask evcia999 about Arenal Backpacker's Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Senior Contributor
25 reviews 25 reviews
3 hotel reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
“Friendly Bi'lingual Staff; Chill atmosphere”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed January 17, 2013

Spent 3 nights here, and enjoyed it - decent value, with lockers in the shared room; a pool with a swim-up bar! Met some friendly travelers; had a touristy feel... some of the local 'soda restaurantes' are much more enjoyable for a local, typical, meal... especially worth the price if you use the "costa rica backpackers network membership card" which gives you a discount for staying 5 nights among any of the several hostels around the country!!!

Room Tip: just spent the night in the shared dorm rooms...
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  • Stayed October 2012, traveled solo
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Ask phreebornman about Arenal Backpacker's Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
 
 
Arenal Backpacker's Resort
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Arenal Hostel Resort
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Additional Information about Arenal Backpacker's Resort

Also Known As:
Arenal Backpacker`s Hotel La Fortuna De San Carlos
Arenal Backpacker`s Hotel
Arenal Backpacker's Resort Costa Rica/Arenal Volcano National Park
Address: 350 meters west of central park, towards volcano | PO Box 6824 (in San Jose), La Fortuna de San Carlos, Arenal Volcano National Park 1000, Costa Rica
Region: Costa Rica > Province of Alajuela > Arenal Volcano National Park > La Fortuna de San Carlos
Amenities:
Free High-Speed Internet Restaurant Swimming Pool
Hotel Style:
Ranked #11 of 44 Specialty lodging in La Fortuna de San Carlos
Price Range: $
Hotel Class:2 star (2*)
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