Nested on the northern coast of Costa Rica lies the quaint village of Tortuguero, named after the marine turtles that call this place their home. This tiny town has been attracting backpackers from across the globe due to its tranquil atmosphere, lush rainforests, and sea turtles!
Today, we would like to show you why this village is unique and significant for the environment and give you our recommendations for the best hostels in Tortuguero!
Tortuguero is located in the heart of the Tortuguero National Park in Costa Rica. What makes it stand out is that this area is a collection of canals intertwined with vast expands of tropical rainforests.
There are no roads anywhere! In addition, Tortuguero is home to incredibly exotic wildlife, like colorful birds, lizards, and monkeys! However, the most remarkable feature of this village is that it is a nesting ground for endangered green turtles!
Our favorite hostels in Tortuguero are:
- Aracari Garden Hostel - best for Couples
- El Hostel del Patio - best for Solo Travelers
- Hostel Tortuguero 7BackPackers - best for Backpackers
Money-saving tip: Compare hostel prices with Hostelz.com. They compare prices from Hostelworld, Booking.com and others with 1 click.
1. Aracari Garden Hostel
2. El Hostel del Patio
3. Hostel Tortuguero 7BackPackers
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
You can find all 5 Star Hostels here with Hostelgeeks and all guides to “Best Hostels In” here. We also have a guide on the best hostels in San Jose.
Quick Introduction to Tortuguero
Average price for a bed: Hostels in Tortuguero have an average cost of around$13 per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room averages $43 per night. This is a rough average, just to give you an idea!
Prices always depend on the season and holidays. Please always check the exact rates on Hostelz.com or Hostelworld.com.
Check-In and Check-Out: The average check-in time is from 15:00 (3 pm), while the Check-Out time is before 11:00 (11 am). 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.
Transportation in Tortuguero: There are no roads in the entire village, which poses the question – how do you navigate from one spot to another? With the help of canoes and water taxis – they’re scattered throughout the area!
For further clarity, Tortuguero is separated into two parts: small inlets that are fully explorable and lush rainforests that contain exotic wildlife.
Best Time to visit Tortuguero: You should carefully consider the timing of your trip, especially if you want to witness baby turtles hatching! The nesting season begins from May until the middle of October, the peak being August.
However, you may be limited to trying certain experiences during the summer since there are strict rules to prevent disturbing wildlife.
🎁 New to Hostels? Read my guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. I especially recommend reading:
- How to book hostels?
- Understanding Hostels in Europe - and what makes them special
The 3 Best Hostels in Tortuguero are …
Let’s jump right into the coolest hostels in Tortuguero.
- Aracari Garden Hostel – best for Couples
- El Hostel del Patio – best for Solo Travelers
- Hostel Tortuguero 7BackPackers – best for Backpackers
These are our favorite hostels in Tortuguero. We want to make your life even easier, so we put all accommodations on a map for you. We even added our own tips for favorite restaurants, things to see, and more.
1. Aracari Garden Hostel
2. El Hostel del Patio
3. Hostel Tortuguero 7BackPackers
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | El Hostel del Patio |
| 🎒 for Backpacker: | Hostel Tortuguero 7BackPackers |
| 🙎♀️ Female Solo Traveler: | El Hostel del Patio |
| 👩❤️👨 Couple Hostel: | Aracari Garden Hostel |
| 👯For Groups: | Hostel Tortuguero 7BackPackers |
| 👨👩👦 Family Hostel: | Hostel Tortuguero 7BackPackers |
1. Aracari Garden Hostel
If you’re looking for a place with a pretty laid-back vibe, then Aracari Garden Hostel is the place to be! It’s been named one of the finest hostels in the area, providing exceptional hospitality.
The Tortuguero National Park is close by, so you’ll have the opportunity to explore the area’s exotic flora and fauna!
The Aracari Garden Hostel includes 9 rooms in total, 7 of which are private. It’s the ideal spot for couples to enjoy their vacation in their own space! All the rooms are equipped with en-suite bathrooms, nightlights, power sockets for each bed, and fans for every individual.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
There are wardrobes and storage spaces for small, intricate items. However, there’s no space to put your luggage in the actual room – there’s a separate room for that. The bathrooms always have access to hot water and complimentary shampoos, shower gels, and soaps.
The cleanliness of the Aracari Garden Hostel is on another level! The whole place is thoroughly cleaned constantly, and bed linens are changed on a daily basis – towels included!
Furthermore, security is guaranteed since all of the doors contain locks, which is not a standard for most hostels in Central America. All in all, you’ll be getting a great deal for your money!
The best choice in Tortuguero for
- Couples
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
2. El Hostel del Patio
It’s no surprise that the El Hostel del Patio is on our list of the best hostels in Tortuguero – and for all the right reasons! Primarily, the accommodation is nested in front of the river, offering exceptional views of the surrounding nature.
Secondly, the place is ideal for solo travelers as there are plenty of common areas where you can meet some incredibly fun people! The area is also very safe, perfect for female solo travelers.
Finally, the hostel was recently renovated, and the atmosphere is simply unmatched!
The El Hostel del Patio rooms are relatively spacious, amply lit, and spotless. The settings are chic and stylish, and the patio is enriched with vibrant hanging lights and colorful furnishings.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Hostelz.com
It’s the best place to form some new acquaintances and share experiences with fellow travelers. Additionally, there’s a small kitchenette equipped with all the necessary appliances, where you can get freshly-brewed local coffee every morning!
However, the finest quality of the El Hostel del Patio is the unparalleled hospitality of the owner and staff!
Since the accommodation is right in front of the river, you can book many guided tours at the reception. For the more adventurous types, you can rent out a kayak and explore by yourself.
Once you’re done, you can chill out on the deck by the river or enjoy a dining experience in the hostel restaurant and bar. Social butterflies are going to adore this place!
A great choice for
- Solo travelers
- Female solo travelers
- Social butterflies
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Hostelz.com
3. Hostel Tortuguero 7BackPackers
Finishing off our list of the best hostels in Tortuguero is Hostel Tortuguero 7BackPackers. Its location is ideal – only a 1 minute’s walk away from the beach! Since the hostel is family-owned, you’ll get homey and cozy vibes as soon as you enter.
As the name suggests, the accommodation is most suited for backpackers and large groups, as there are many organized activities in the area.
The dorms of 7Backpackers are clean, though they’re not really spacious. In addition, there are no windows in the rooms; however, they’re all equipped with several fans to beat the humidity.
Bed linens are changed regularly, and all showers have hot water. Finally, the kitchen has a gas stove and microwave to make your meals, although reception can provide a delicious breakfast.
Check prices at:
Booking.com | Hostelz.com
The common areas are a highlight of this hostel. There are plenty of seating options, as well as a pool table!
The owner and helpful staff will help you with anything you might need, including booking tours for the best price! The only downside of the hostel is that the place can get quite hot at times since there are no AC facilities.
This is one of the best hostels in Tortuguero for
- Backpackers
- Group of friends
- Families
Check prices at:
Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Best Hostels in Tortuguero for Solo Travelers?
The best hostel in Tortuguero for solo travelers is El Hostel del Patio . It provides all the facilities you’d need as a solo traveler and a safe space to call your base.
You can book many tours with this hostel, and the staff is also incredibly helpful, which will come in handy if you run across any issues.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Hostelz.com
What about the cheapest hostels in Tortuguero?
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 Tortuguero.
- Open Hostelz.com with a full list of all hostels in Tortuguero
- 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?
From time to time, I receive special promo codes for booking platforms, hotels, or hostels. I will be sharing these here once received. Bookmark this page to get an update.
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.
I 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.
I recommend booking your hostel as early as possible! All of Tortuguero 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.
My Best Hostels in Tortuguero for Female Traveler on a Map + Sights
Although the main focus in Tortuguero is observing nature and being a part of it, there are still plenty of other activities you can do in the area! Here are our helpful tips to make the most out of your stay.
Take a guided night walk: You can see that many of the tours are held during the night, and the reason for that is that some wildlife can only be seen under a dark sky.
Your guide will most likely take you on a boat and show you the surrounding nature with the help of a flashlight – you’re bound to see some incredible snakes, the famous red-eyed frogs, and a huge variety of spiders!
If you’re craving traditional cuisine: you can head down to the famous Katonga floating restaurant! The boat takes you on a little tour around the village while you dine! This could be a great location for a dinner date!
Explore the canals of Tortuguero: take a kayaking tour in the very early morning. The early bird gets the worm – you may be lucky to see some rare animals, like manatees and even crocodiles!
FAQs
Here we share with you the most asked question:
What are the best hostels in Tortuguero?
The best hostels in Tortuguero are:
- Aracari Garden Hostel – best for Couples
- El Hostel del Patio – best for Solo Travelers
- Hostel Tortuguero 7BackPackers – best for Backpackers
What is the best hostel for solo travelers in Tortuguero?
The best hostel for solo travelers in Tortuguero is:
El Hostel del Patio
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