PLANET B — Hotel in Quepos

I booked a five-night stay in a women-only four-bed dormitory. I shortened my stay by three nights for two reasons.

Firstly, I was not comfortable with the level of cleanliness. While the bedsheets and towels were clean, the room was dusty, the floor was dirty, the bathroom showed signs of damage from humidity, and the bin for disposing of toilet paper was full when I arrived and had not been emptied by the time I left. I also heard an animal chewing under my bed at night.

Secondly, I felt unsafe. On the second night, I was the only person in the dormitory. I could not close the door to my bedroom. Technically I could have locked it, but the key to open it from outside is lying carelessly on the reception desk, which is open for anyone to access, and is less than 40 cm from our door. The hostel is open at night too, so anyone could enter. I'm glad I didn't read the Google reviews written several months ago, which mentioned people visiting at night and entering bed rooms. I can confirm that there was no one guarding the building at night. I couldn’t sleep the second night, even without knowing that.

During my entire stay, I only saw one member of staff. (I apologise for judging you without knowing your story, but) the man had a black eye, a broken nose and several stitches on his face that resemble injuries one would get from being in a fight. As he was the only person I met from the hostel, this did not help my sense of security. That being said, the same guy was preparing a lovely breakfast in the morning, doing the laundry in the afternoon, and welcoming guests in the evening. That's a lot for one person, and he was nothing but kind and welcoming.

Overall, I saw people really enjoying their stay, but I would not recommend anyone come here because it felt unsafe, and I don't want anyone to...

Planet B was such a perfect vibe! I was meant to stay only 2 nights but I kept extending until I stayed almost a week!! Not only for the comfortable beds with hot showers and AC; or the delicious free breakfast that consists of eggs, pancakes, papaya, watermelon and coffee with milk, but from the kindness of the staff and volunteers- Jose is the kind of person that will give the shirt off his back to make you feel at home. The location is also excellent, right in between quepos and Manuel Antonio, its a bit on a hill so you have a nice view where you can see macaws and sometimes other animals like agoutis (giant hamsters) while chilling on the hammocks or doing yoga on the rooftop. The place also has really cool colorful murals and motivational messages on the walls. There are buses that pass very often for 370 Cordovas and there's also a semi-challenging hike to a free waterfall to visit, where you can jump 5-6 meters off into the water- it was so precious, I highly recommend visiting it!! (But probably best to not go alone, read the google maps comments on how to get there from the south, and bring water shoes!). Lastly, there's a free laundry service, which was really, really appreciated for a long-term backpacker like myself. Thank you for everything, planet B, I'm sad to leave this...

Walking into Planet B, Sounds like a tragedy: It implies that Planet A, Will surely, no doubt, die some day.

But upon arrival I must say, My oh my, I was blown away. For walking into Planet B, Is so far very from catastrophe.

Just one night, only a day, Is all the time I had to stay, From my first glimpse of coloured walls, Complete with quotes in artistic scrawls, I felt joy, wonder and delight, Regretting that here I'd have just one night.

A smile, a shower, a kindly greeting, Here a place perfect for meeting, An olá, a bonjour, a hallo said thrice, Made me feel so wonderfully nice.

Chill-out area, and social kitchen, Comfy bed and nice clean linen. Hammocks, outdoor gym, yoga mats, Two friendly, furry, fluffy cats.

Greenery and jungle all around, Exotic trees and leaves abound, An enormous grin stretches my face, All because I found this place.

I had popped out to the local shops, And saw bursting free from green treetops: Two giant majestic red macaws, Now I'm sitting here, caressing cat paws, Dodging, avoiding, playful claws, Contemplating that, of all my stops, There is just one memory that endures,

A memory filling me with glee, Of many on a great journey, And that single lone memory, Is the wonder to be found...