Tag Archives: Hostel Reviews

Botella de Leche, Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Posted on by
Reply

Woops! Somehow this post got lost in the mix. It should have been safely nestled between returning from Nicaragua, and getting to Nosara. Enjoy!

After our near tragic return from Nicargua, we returned to our home base of Tamarindo.

Our shuttle didn’t arrive back into Tamarindo until 10pm, so we were pretty thankful that we had decided to stay for two nights. The thought of getting up early the following morning to take another shuttle seemed like a terrible idea.

P1030050Although our day in Tamarindo consisted of little more then doing laundry and regrouping, the place we stayed at was definitely worth writing about.

This wasn’t the first time we had stayed at Botella de Leche. We had actually stayed there for one night back in December, but because it was such a short stay, I never wrote about it.

Botella de Leche is one of the original surf hostels in Tamarindo. They offer a variety of room types at a really reasonable rate. The price point for this hostel is a huge selling feature, as everything in Tamarindo tends to be really expensive. The fact that this place is inexpensive AND has a pool, makes it a really rare find.

the pool

the pool

Outside each room is a hammock, which we are finding is becoming more and more an integral part of our Costa Rican lifestyle. Their shared kitchen is huge, and they offer free coffee in the mornings.

Although the property is small, they have managed to create a wonderful little oasis with papaya trees and other tropical plants growing inside the gates. It feels like you are leaving the dusty busy roads of Tamarindo behind and entering another world.

the kitchen and living space

the kitchen and living space

Botella de Leche is definitely geared towards surfers. You can book a variety of lessons and surf trip options with them. Although they aren’t the closest hostel to the beach, they make up for it with their accommodation and perks. If you are looking for a hostel in Tamarindo that is both affordable and relaxing, I would highly recommend Botella de Leche.

 

Pura Vida!

Kate

Follow me on Twitter: @caketress

4 You Hostel, Playa Guiones, Nosara, Costa Rica

Posted on by
1

I’m going to let you in on a little secret travel delight of mine.

I absolutly LOVE to book things in advance on the wrong day. The joy of waiting for a shuttle that never comes, or arriving at a hostel on the wrong day is totally thrilling.

Well, obviously I’m joking, but this does tend to happen to me often while travelling. No matter how many times I double check, I am the queen of booking things for the wrong day. So I really wasn’t ALL that surprised when we arrived in Nosara only to learn that our reservation had been made for the next day.

P1030056Being the solution oriented couple that we are, we quickly decided that Shaun would stay with the gear, while I trucked down the road to find somewhere to stay. Based on the difficulties we had trying to make a reservation in the first place, we knew that Nosara was filling up fast, so there was no time to waste.

Let me tell you, the lucky horseshoes we had been carrying around since our debacle in Nicaragua continued to be present. The very first place I stumbled upon, 4 You Hostel, had one room left. It was a private room, with its own bathroom, and it was within our budget. I told the owner that I didn’t even need to see it, and that we would take it. She insisted, and frankly I was amazed. It was honest to goodness the nicest room I had seen on our entire trip.

Our room

Our room

We checked in and were in awe of the amenities that 4 You had to offer. Our room was not only immaculate, but felt like it was brand new. Had it not been for the Costa Rican heat, I could have easily mistaken it for a boutique hotel back home. Shaun and I both had long showers in what we dubbed “the best shower in Costa Rica”.

The VERY clean kitchen

The VERY clean kitchen

Across from our room was the shared kitchen, which was amazing. Unlike many of our accommodations, it was evident that 4 You Hostel was built with the intention of being a hostel. The shared kitchen has two of everything, including sinks and stoves as well as tons of storage space and every piece of kitchen equipment you could possibly need. It is perfectly designed to accommodate lots of people making lots of meals. Aside from being well equipped, the kitchen was also immaculate. Another rarity in the land of hostels.

One of the communal living spaces.

One of the communal living spaces.

Aside from the kitchen, the communal living space at 4 You is all outdoors. They have multiple couches ,chairs and benches set up so guests can lounge, relax and enjoy the free WiFi. They also have a deal with the Coffee shop next door, so between 8-10 you can pop over and get a free coffee and a discount on the delicious crepes they make. Can’t beat that. And, if you are looking for some beach time, it’s only a 10 minute walk away.

Although 4 You Hostel wasn’t in our initial plans, we certainly felt pretty fortunate that we got to stay there. If you are looking for accommodation in Guinoes and don’t mind a little bit of a walk to the beach, I would highly suggest checking them out!

Do you have any reservation error stories?

Pura Vida!

Kate

Follow me on Twitter:@caketress