Gringo Pete's

I do know that there are people out there who are afraid to stay in a cheap hostel...but this has been one of the best hostels I've ever stayed at.

First off, the staff at Gringo Pete's are very knowledgeable and extremely friendly. They kept the place very clean and they set us up with great adventure tours.

Second, the room was great. Yes, it is a $5 hostel so do not expect a nice bed and huge room. Is a place were you had go at the end of your day. Rooms are clean, with clean sheets, and a fan. There is no air conditioner but I ask you to look around town and you will see that most (95%) of residences and businesses do not have air conditioner.Plus, there is quiet hours which comes very useful after a hectic day.

Third, this placed saved us over $200!! Gringo Pete's doesn't take commission for booking the adventure tours, he gives it to its guest at cost. Our Canopy tour was more than 50% of from the price listed online, we saved about 30% in our horseback ridding to La Fortuna and we got to do most of our trips in two days because they knew how to organize it.

This hostel is absolutely great and I recommended to everyone!

This is your tipicle packpackers hostels. There are a few private rooms and one big room with a bunch of bunk beds. The guy who runs the place is named Pete. He looks a little like Santa but is the nicest guy in the world. There was one thing I didnt like and there is no padio or backyard privliges after 10:00pm. so you etheir sleep or cruz the town. Tours and buses will pick you up throughout the day to take you where ever your heart desires. Also it's a gated community.

I loved Gringo Pete's. So easy to find, bright purple and right on the road into town. Pete is wonderfully helpful. I had problems with my ATM/Credit cards while I was in La Fortuna and he helped me through it, and even pulled over when he saw me walking down the road later on to make sure I was still ok. The staff is great with helping to schedule trips/tours and getting good prices. Place is super cheap but clean, there are locked boxes included for safe-keeping of your things. There's a nice kitchen and living room area, which was always stocked with free coffee!!! There are birds for entertainment every morning. Might consider calling ahead for reservations, especially on the weekends. We almost got stuck without a room at one point.

The Purple Palace aka Gringo Pete's is easily seen from the road! Jump out of the chicken bus and head towards the eyesore, and you are home! Pete is extremely helpful as is his staff. For the amount that one pays, it is amazing! The place is clean, there is a great kitchen, a den area, a patio, and it abounds with flyers advertising tours to Arenal, the Thermal Pools, and other extreme activities. During one of our excursions, one of my friends misplaced $100.00 at the Thermal Pools, and Pete and the staff helped us retrieve the cash from the place.

If you want a place that is cheap (3-5 dollars max), clean, close to any major activity, and filled with great people, go to Gringo Pete's!

Ask around about the watering hole as well! The locals know where it is:) There are a couple of ropes that help you to swing across the river and make a fabulous drop into the water. Just beware when it is the rainy season!