Smile Jungle Hostel

Five minutes on foot from Puerto Viejo's Caribbean shore, Smile Jungle Hostel on Calle El Tucán earns a 9.5 rating across 245 reviews — one of the highest scores for budget accommodation on Costa Rica's southern Caribbean coast.

The ground-floor property is fully wheelchair accessible and leans heavily into community: cooking classes, bike tours, walking tours, and local culture sessions run regularly from the tour desk. A shared kitchen with oven, stovetop, and full kitchenware lets guests self-cater, while a snack bar and outdoor dining area cover lighter needs. Bicycle rental makes the reef break at Salsa Brava and Cahuita National Park day-trips rather than logistics.

Mosquito nets and fans equip each room for jungle-edge sleeping. The garden and open-air terrace serve as the social hub after dark.