The 6 Best Hostels in Santa Teresa: Where I’ve Actually Stayed + 2 I’d Skip
I booked three nights at a Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, hostel and ended up staying 30. That pretty much sums up how this town gets you. But finding the best hostels in Santa Teresa was no easy job. That’s why I put together this list.
In almost four months here, I’ve stayed in a hostel, rented my own place, and spent a lot of nights at other hostels’ bars and parties. So this is where I’d actually send a friend. Still planning the trip? Start with my Santa Teresa surf guide.
In a Rush? Here’s the Santa Teresa Costa Rica Hostel I’d Book
Zeneidas Surf Garden is the surf hostel I’d book. It’s on the beach, it’s clean, the coffee is free, and the main peaks are a couple of minutes’ walk away. Dorms start around $12 a night.
The one I’d book
I came for three nights and stayed a month. Beachfront, spotless, free coffee, and two minutes from the main peaks.
Heads up: some links in this post are affiliate links. If you book through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. 🤙
Quick Comparison: The Best Hostels in Santa Teresa
| Hostel | Best for | Dorms from | Vibe | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zeneidas Surf Garden | Surfers (my pick) | ~$12 | Chill and social, on the beach | Check current price |
| House of Somos | Social surfers | ~$19 | New, stylish, parties on Thu and Sat | Check current price |
| Lost Boyz | Solo travelers and partying | ~$13 | Bar, pool table, big events | Check current price |
| Akih Pods Hostel | Privacy on a budget | ~$11 | Friendly, pod beds | Check current price |
| Surf Paradise | Private rooms | ~$25 | Clean and quiet, not very social | Check current price |
| Hostel La Posada | Free breakfast and a pool | ~$13 | Social, near Playa Carmen | Check current price |
Prices are Hostelworld’s lowest dorm rates as of my last check. They change a lot with the season.
What Matters More Than a Cheap Nightly Rate
In Santa Teresa, almost every hostel on the main road is within a 10-minute walk of the sand. The real question is whether you’re close to the peak you want to surf.
A few other things I’d check:
- Air conditioning. It’s hot here. For me, AC was non-negotiable, but fan-only rooms are cheaper.
- The kitchen. Every hostel has a shared kitchen. Whether it’s any good is another story, so check the reviews.
- Dorm rooms vs. private rooms. Dorms usually have a shared bathroom. Some private rooms have en-suite bathrooms.
- Free WiFi. Standard, but check recent reviews if you work online.
- Board racks and a rinse shower. Honestly, everyone has board racks here, even places that aren’t surf-focused.
1. Zeneidas Surf Garden: Best for Surfers
I came for three nights and stayed a month. That should tell you everything.
The dorms are a one- or two-minute walk from the sand, and one dorm is literally on the beach. You’re steps from the main Santa Teresa peaks, so dawn patrol is easy.
What I loved:
- It’s clean. They clean the place every day.
- Free towels. You just leave a $10 deposit.
- Free coffee. Every morning. Big win.
- A properly equipped kitchen.
- Yoga on site. Classes cost extra.
- Great location. Cafes nearby, and House of Somos is a short walk away for the Thursday and Saturday parties. Go party, walk back, sleep.
My one complaint: the stoves are old and rusty, and they don’t all work, so at dinnertime you sometimes wait your turn.
Who should book it: surfers who want to be close to the waves, meet people and still sleep well. It’s great for long stays too. I paid about $450 for a month in a dorm.
Want lessons and yoga sorted for you? Zeneidas also runs a 6-day surf and yoga package.
2. House of Somos: Best for Social Surfers
I haven’t slept at Somos, but I’ve spent a lot of nights there. I go for the parties, and it’s where we watched the World Cup. A friend of mine stayed there and only had good things to say.
It’s on the main road, a short walk from the beach. The facilities look new, there’s a swimming pool, DJ nights on Thursdays and Saturdays, surf lessons, and boards shaped on site. It scores a 9.8 on Hostelworld from over 300 reviews.
Who should book it: people who want a stylish, social stay and don’t mind paying a bit more.
3. Lost Boyz: Best for Solo Travelers and Partying
I’ve been to Lost Boyz a few times, and the vibe is amazing: a bar right outside, a pool table, good design and friendly people. If I wasn’t renting my own place, I’d look here first. It’s adults-only, with events most nights and a 9.8 from almost 800 reviews.
Who should book it: solo travelers who want to meet people fast. It’s a party hostel, so bring earplugs if you’re planning on dawn patrol.
4. Akih Pods Hostel: Best for Privacy on a Budget
Akih Pods is one of the cheapest well-rated hostels in town, with dorms from around $11. The beds are pods, so you get more privacy than a normal bunk, which helps when your dorm mates come home at 2 am. Guests rave about the staff (a 9.7 from 500+ reviews), but say the rooms and beds are small.
Who should book it: budget travelers who still want a bit of personal space.
5. Surf Paradise: Best for Private Rooms
I just met two guys staying at Surf Paradise, and they love it. It’s privates only, very close to the beach (about 400 meters from Santa Teresa Beach), clean and quiet to sleep. The trade-off: it’s not very social, so you have to go out of your way to meet people.
Who should book it: couples, or surfers who want their own room without paying hotel prices.
6. Hostel La Posada: Best for Free Breakfast and a Pool
La Posada is on the Playa Carmen side of town, a few minutes from the beach. Breakfast is free, there’s a swimming pool and a coworking space, and dorms start around $13. The staff get great reviews, but opinions on the vibe are split: some guests love the party feel, others say it gets quiet.
Who should book it: people who want to stay near Playa Carmen with breakfast sorted.
2 Hostels I’d Skip (If You’re Here to Surf)
Not because these hostels are bad, but because, in my experince and based on other reviews, they’re not the best option in town for surfers looking for a good surf hostel.
Abacaxi Hostel
I’ve been to Abacaxi, and I really like it. The vibe is amazing, and it’s about $10 a night in the low season.
But for surfers, it’s in a weird spot: between Playa Carmen and Playa Santa Teresa, so the actual peaks are a 10 to 15-minute walk in either direction. The kitchen also wasn’t great. If you’re not surfing, go for it. If you are, you’ll get better value closer to the waves.
Pura Vida Mini Hostel Santa Teresa
I haven’t stayed here, so this one’s based on the reviews. It has a pool and a social vibe, but it scores lower than the others for cleanliness (7.8 on Hostelworld), and recent guests mention bugs. It’s also a fair walk from the main Santa Teresa peaks. For the same money, I’d pick Zeneidas or Akih Pods.
Red Flags to Check Before You Pay
- A place far off the main road. Without a car or a scooter, you’ll be walking dirt roads in the dark. I cover this in my Santa Teresa safety guide.
- No AC. Rooms get really hot. That being said, no AC means cheaper rooms.
- Bad kitchen. Check reviews, or contact the property if you plan to cook most of the time. Eating out here gets expensive really fast.
Other Santa Teresa Hostels Worth a Look
- Salty Enthusiasts Share House & Villas: a quieter shared house just off the main road. I rented a private studio there for a while, just behind the hostel, and it’s a solid long-stay option. The dorms get mixed reviews on cleanliness.
- ICO Living Hostel: a central garden hostel with AC and a shared kitchen, listed on Booking.com.
- Hostel Tuanis, El Gato Rojas Surf Hostel and Cabinas Playa Surf Hostel: smaller surf hostels with fewer reviews. Worth checking if the big names are full.
Choose the Right Area Before You Choose a Hostel
Santa Teresa is basically one long main road along the beach, and where you stay on it decides where you’ll surf.
Central Santa Teresa
The main peaks at Playa Santa Teresa, plus cafes, bars and supermarkets. Zeneidas and Somos sit on the northern part, while Lost Boyz is more central. Best for most surfers.
South Santa Teresa and Playa Carmen
Where the public buses drop you off, with the most shops. The waves are easier on smaller days. La Posada is here.
Playa Hermosa Area
Quieter, can handle bigger swells, and has more surf houses than hostels. Plan on renting scooters or an ATV to get into town. Dream Surf House Santa Teresa (Playa Hermosa) runs 8-day surf camps for all levels.
Conclusion: Book a Santa Teresa Surf Hostel That Fits Your Trip
Popular hostels sell out, especially during peak season (roughly December to April), so book early. In the rainy season, you can often just turn up.
If I had to pick one, it’s Zeneidas Surf Garden. If you want something different, browse every hostel in Santa Teresa on Hostelworld. New to surfing? Book a few surf lessons in Santa Teresa, or get bed, lessons and meals sorted at one of the surf camps in Santa Teresa.
Still need to get here? Here’s how to get to Santa Teresa from San José, ferry crossing and all.
FAQs: Santa Teresa Costa Rica Hostels
Which hostel in Santa Teresa is best for surfers?
Zeneidas Surf Garden. It’s on the beach, a couple of minutes from the main peaks, and clean, social and good value.
How much does a hostel in Santa Teresa cost?
Dorms usually cost $10 to $20 a night, depending on the hostel and the season. Private rooms cost more.
Can I find a Santa Teresa hostel with a private room?
Yes. Zeneidas, Somos, Lost Boyz and La Posada all have private rooms as well as dorms, and Surf Paradise has only private rooms.
Can I stay in a Santa Teresa hostel long term?
Yes. Ask the hostel directly about monthly rates. I paid about $450 for a month in a dorm at Zeneidas.
