My friend and I were slated to stay at Bekuo for four nights. The afternoon a day before we were supposed to stay there (I had emailed the hostel and they told me they had room and we were all set) I received an apologetic email saying that someone else had used a secondary booking site and that our room had been given away. So we stayed at our current hostel one more night, but the next afternoon, I got another email saying that our room had been booked again, and that we'd need to find other accomodations. Twice in a row! So that was a big downer, and a great inconvenience. The honor system didn't really work for us, seeing as people could use the real booking system and steal our room online.
We were going on a few day trips from San Jose, and none of the tour operators had ever heard of Bekuo, and they certainly wouldn't drop us off there. In fact, I took a cab to Spoon and had to walk around for 20 minutes figuring out which direction was west (the sun had set) and I asked five people for help, and no one had ever heard of it, so that was annoying.
The people I asked for help were security guards, which we found on almost every corner in this neighborhood after dark. I did not feel safe on the street around Bekuo. Inside the gate, I did feel very safe.

I stayed at Bekuo for 2 1/2 months last summer. A couple of us were there for school down the street at the Inter-American Court on Human Rights. Storm and the rest of the staff were amazing and unbelievably helpful. We knew little of the country and where to go and what to see. Storm, the owner, is an endless sea of information about Costa Rica. His hand made suishi (all you can eat) on Wednesday's got us through the "tuff" part of the week. His living room/interenet area was perfect for relaxing, communicating with family and friends back home and getting to know all the great and interesting people travelling and in out of the place. There is a pool table and a dining room. Tons of bean bags for lounging. The court yard is exteremely relaxing. There are these amazing circular stones reminscent and worth of the Bekuo name.

Everymorning there is fresh (amazing!) coffee and pine apples, bread and jam to get your day started. There is a grill in the court yard area so you can partake in the local fish markets or shimmy across the street to the supermercado for all kinds of fresh food and grill / cook / back to your heart's content. There was another managing couple that was moving in there when we were leaving and they were amazing. Everyone that works there is so nice and so very helpful. There are all kinds of insider guides and tour information at the front desk.

Security is fantastic. We stayed long enought to "earn" a key with Storm's trust but most guests came in and out via the buzzer. The gate out front is locked all the time and keeps any strangers from coming and bugging but its really not necessary because the neighborhood around all the embassies is really what you would expect. Well patrolled and very clean/quiet etc. There is also a secure lock up that storm has access too. You can leave you valuables there and they are kept under lock and key. Also if you get your own room you get a key and can lock up anything you like. Make sure to book well in advance and let Storm know that you want the room to yourself if you're that worried about security. If you're more adventurous I would recommend sharing the room because the people that travel in and out of Bekuo are just like you....very very laid back, very cool and very excited about visiting one of the most beautiful countries on earth.

Make sure to ask Storm to help you book a flight down to the Osa Penisula. The flight is usualy only about 50 bucks (expensive for the country) but it is completely worth it ! Oh yeah, one last thing... get to the Rio (a restaurant about a block away) for happy hour during futbol games.... you will not have a bad time.

We stayed here based on reviews. We have never stayed at a hostel before but will be open to it in future travels....just not with our kid. Only stayed 1 night. The good feedback about this hostel......friendly staff, not a party place, quiet, nice area with a great restaurant (El Balcon) 3 blocks away, safe ambiance, nice guests..it has that home away from home feel, like you can just kick back and relax. The bad feedback.......run down mattresses, dirty private bathroom, no hot water, terrible plumbing, no window screens, therefore, mosquito central at night which didn't let us sleep from the constant itching from the bites. Would I stay here again....maybe. It was a last minute decision and just glad it wasn't worse. Everything else my husband and I can deal with but when traveling with an 11 year old who is allergic to insect bites, no way. We are a young, adventurous and spontaneous couple.....the little lady isn't. It was an experience....we have traveled to quite a few 3rd world countries and have dealt with bugs in our rooms but having to shower with your flip flops on and sleep on a nasty mattress is not something I would choose to do again. Overall....just ok, could have been worse but also, could have been better. Not sure what other hostels must be like if this one was rated one of the best. Happy travels!

Hostel Bukuo was the first hostel I've stayed in and my boyfriend and I's first destination in Costa Rica. The employees were nice and laid back. Rooms were clean and they have a nice t.v. room and pool table which we used often. We only stayed for two nights but for the two nights we were there it worked out great.

My only complaints were that mosquitos were in my room and I got chewed up badly and the first night we stayed there we got woken up in the middle of the night by some drunks. Other than that, Bekuo is a great place to stay, especially for just a night or two while in San Jose.