Hakuna Matata Hostel — Hotel in Cahuita

Better late than never. I'm writing this review after my horrible experience at this place. Site didn't allow me to go back to the time this occurred, October 2019. In view of recent events making headlines across the world, I could not keep quiet anymore! Yes, I am a person of color and as such I've grown up experiencing out right, as well as subtle, forms and expressions of racism. My spouse and I travel regularly, both nationally and internationally. Issues of racism we faced always occurred nationally. In Paris, Canada, Amsterdam, Africa, islands of the Caribbean and other places, we were always treated well and extended hospitality. For years we'd heard about the beautiful little town of Cahuita in Costa Rica. So our first post retirement trip included a stop in Cahuita. It took months of planning and coordinating transportation on how to get to this small town. Our meeting point with a friend that lived there, would be Hakuna Matada Hostel, the one stop in town on the route of the van we'd rode in for several hours. We were dropped there along the road in front of the hostel with our several luggages (this was a 3 week vacation with several stops along the way). So we struggled to get all of our bags to the 'lobby' (about a 1/2 city block distance from the road) of the hostel. We explained to the gentleman seated there that we were meeting our friend that lives in Cahuita there. We'd texted her when we arrived, but they were running a late to come pick us up. We asked if we could use the restroom and sit in one of the outdoor spaces on a bench nearby until they arrived. He instantly said 'No'!! During our entire conversation he never smiled, nor responded to our initial greeting. (We thought perhaps it was a language barrier, but a smile and a 'hi' or 'hola' is easily understood everywhere we've traveled) He said unless we were guests at the hostel, we could not use the facilities nor could we sit and wait anywhere on their property!!! So here we are, 2 senior citizens in our late 60's, several luggages in tow, exhausted after a full day of traveling and no where to rest until we could be picked up. So as we're once again dragging our luggages across gravel paths back to the roadside, a van pulls up, a Caucasian man and a young girl hop out and approach the same man we'd just spoken with and the man asks ( in English) if he could take his daughter to the restroom. Immediately the man points and tells them (in English) the location of the restroom!! Meanwhile, we're still walking with our luggages, and the man and daughter pass us by again and hop back on their van and ride away. Apparently they weren't guests either!! Our first impression of Cahuita was not a very good one!! After about 90 minutes of waiting we were able to connect with our friend and the rest of our visit to the town was truly wonderful! No one else ever treated us badly, everyone else was very friendly and hospitable. But I will say this, based on our experience, the Hakuna Matada Hostel will always be a place where people of color are not welcomed. I shudder to think how we would have been treated...

I have no idea why there are any decent reviews on this hostel. Rented a private double room which was hugely overpriced for what it was. Room was dirty, not sure if cleaning was done or just done badly. sheets on bed had stains and there were cockroaches in the room at night.. Mattress was ok. Cockroaches in the bathroom( dead ones initially arrived but live ones later), cobwebs on the shower which I used even though it was indeed cold and the toilet stopped flushing later that night. There was a smell of sewage outside the room and the wifi was intermittent at best. Seem to be a group of young men running this who could do with a lesson on proper hostel management. ||Breakfast included, was pancake batter left in the kitchen for you to make yourself, with lukewarm coffe available from 7 a.m. After seeing cats on top of the aapliances and cockroaches on the floor, I declined to spend any more time here. ||The only good thing about this place is the location beside the...

I spent a wonderful week in this hostel. When we arrived I was informed that due to some guests extending their stay we were given a private room with our own bathroom at no additional cost. Simple but comfortable, clean and cozy rooms. There are hammocks everywhere, a swimming pool and a nice common area with sofas and game table. The kitchen is spacious and has everything you need. Morning coffee available to all. Mario and Lucas are extraordinary hosts who always try to make your stay as pleasant as possible. They guide you on how to do the best tours economically and even take you for free in a van to the entrance of the national park where for 5 dollars you can do the 9 km walk, which I highly recommend. Mario and Lucas are always willing to answer your questions or help you enjoy your time. They made me feel at home from day one. Great music and vibes everyday! I just loved my stay! Queridos pibes gracias por todo! Y visca el Barça...