In and Basic is a very good hostel not too far from the local university in Pan Pedro. Ron and Karlis take good care of their guests and are more than happy to offer travel advice. The rooms are basic, nothing special but the common area is very nice and is great to meet other backpackers.

We stayed there for three nights. The rooms are very simple but comfortable. To get into the city or a bus station you simply let them know and they call a cab for you (approx.4-6dollars), works fine. There are plenty of places to eat nearby. The breakfast is "just" pancakes and jam or peanut butter, some fruit...but it fills you up until lunch.
The staff is friendly and always happy to help you out with whatever you need. I would go there again!

This place has everything going for it, but the greatest value is the guidance and travel tips the friendly family/staff have to offer.

After flying in and taking the bus to San Jose, we had a hard time finding this hostel. We asked many of the locals and still had a very difficult time. The staff was kind enough, but our plans changed and we weren't refunded our room for our second night even though we didn't stay (but they did follow their policy so it was fair). To us, it didn't seem like an exciting area although we did find a nice restaurant attached to another hostel. The room was private and clean but smelled overly perfumed. The whole experience was only okay.