La Botella de Leche Hostel — Hotel in Tamarindo

I unfortunately did not have a great experience here.

I'll start with the positives--the location is good, the price is good, and there is a big kitchen and nice common areas with games, couches, hammocks, tables, and a pool. Also, some people I interacted with behind the desk were quite nice.

However, I did have some major issues that led to me leaving and finding alternative accommodation 3 days into my 6-day reservation.

The most major issues were security and the conditions of the room. I booked a group room with 10 people in it.

Every hostel I have been to previously has some sort of basic physical or electronic key system both for getting into the hostel late at night and for getting into your specific room at all hours. This one did not--even at night, they never lock the gate to the hostel, and I was told that my room did not have a key. I was assured it was "very safe."

The first of two major incidents that took place my last night there was that a strange man entered the hostel undetected by the security guard. I was sitting outside the front gate around midnight, because they turn the lights off inside at 11 pm, which makes it very dark, and I wanted to look at a bug bite I had under the light. Almost instantly, a man I had never seen in the hostel before approaches the gate, unnecessarily grazes my shoulder while entering, and gives me an odd look. Your gut knows when something is off, and something was off. He goes inside and exits a moment later, again unnecessarily brushing past me and staring at me. I tell the security guard, who as far as I could tell over Google Translate was appropriately concerned, but the fact of the matter is he did not see the man. The security guard is NOT positioned by the gate, and the way the common area is set up makes it easy for someone to enter undetected unless you are right next to it, especially when it is dark. I did not feel confident after this that anyone with bad intentions would be noticed or prevented from entering the hostel where I was sleeping as a solo female traveler in a room with no lock.

The second major issue was the condition of the rooms. In every hostel I have stayed in, when you book a large group room, there is some sort of dorm-style bathroom with AT LEAST two toilets and two showers. This room had a single toilet and a single shower to 10 people. This alone was not enough for me to have a major issue, but it is worth mentioning. Pretty much right after the strange man entered the hostel, I went back to my room, feeling a bit creeped out. I was greeted by none other than an ootheca (egg sac laid by a roach) directly next to my pillow, where I had been putting my head the last two nights and had to again this night. I removed it myself and tried to ignore it, but I soon realized that there were small German cockroaches crawling around the walls on either side of my head.

I understand that Costa Rica is a tropical country and that it is impossible to completely prevent bugs from entering buildings, but this felt uniquely dirty and infested to me. This was the third place I had stayed in CR during my trip, the other one being another hostel and the first one being a literal farm, and while both had the odd bugs coming in and out of the space, neither had an infestation so bad that roaches were laying egg sacs on my pillow and visibly crawling around the wall next to where I put my head to sleep. Also, it is worth noting here that it is actually possible to bring home a roach infestation with you if a roach decides to drop an egg sac in your luggage.

I slept terribly that night and left in the morning. I explained why and though I did not ask for any money, it was also not offered. I should also mention I did not feel able to communicate with the staff before deciding to leave because it was not clear who worked there--often, someone would be manning the desk who said they didn't even work there, and the woman with long dark hair I interacted with was quite rude.

It seems like people who booked the smaller rooms had a...

During my recent surf trip to Tamarindo, I stayed at La Botella de Leche. This hostel exceeded my expectations in every way. Located just a short walk from the beach, the hostel's prime location made it incredibly convenient for morning and afternoon/sunset surf sessions.

The atmosphere at the hostel was vibrant and welcoming, thanks to the very lovely staff who were always eager to help with any questions or recommendations for local surf spots. The communal areas (with pool) were clean and well-maintained, perfect for socializing with fellow travelers and swapping surf stories.

The dormitory rooms were comfortable and equipped with everything I needed for a relaxing stay after a day out in the waves. The beds were comfy, and I enjoyed the thoughtful addition of curtains. This simple feature added a touch of privacy and coziness to the dormitory experience, making it feel more like a personal space despite being in a shared room.

One of the highlights of my stay was the hostel's yoga room equipped with air conditioning. This thoughtful amenity provided a comfortable space for yoga practice, especially beneficial after days spent surfing.The yoga room itself was spacious, clean, and well-maintained, with plenty of natural light filtering through large windows. The addition of air conditioning was a game-changer, ensuring a cool and refreshing environment for yoga sessions, regardless of the outside temperature.

Overall, my experience at La Botella de Leche was exceptional. Whether you're a solo traveler looking to meet new people or a group of friends seeking a surf adventure, I highly recommend this hostel for its great location, friendly atmosphere, and excellent facilities. I can't wait to return for another surf trip and stay at this fantastic hostel again.

Thank you so...

My sister and I stayed in a private room at La Botella de Leche for 4 nights. It feels like it hard to add to the many other fantastic reviews but I wanted to write one because our stay here truly was a highlight of our trip. We stayed at a total of three hostels in Costa Rica during our trip and La Botella was the best. In all regards - the amenities, programming, staff, location. I used the fitness space a couple of times in my stay - the equipment is minimal but perfectly sufficient and the space is comfortable, has AC, and a great view. The kitchen is fully equipped for cooking. Being able to relax at the pool and in the hammocks after long days in the sun was a huge plus also. In general the common areas were clean, lively, and inviting. We also did the surf lesson on our first full day in Tamarindo and I 110% recommend. The instructors were lots of fun but more importantly, very patient (I struggled at the beginning LOL). From that point on, we felt even more comfortable with the staff and with the other guests we did the lesson with.

Overall, I can’t help but think about how different our trip would’ve been if we’d stayed at another hostel - the staff and volunteers (whether reception, surf, maintenance, all-night security guard, etc.) at la Botella are one of a kid. My sister and I ended up spending a lot of time with them, sharing meals with them, going out a couple nights, etc. We felt so welcomed and loved the vibe. If I didn’t have another trip booked so soon after our stay there, I honestly might’ve stayed longer. I hope to visit again or connect with the La Botella staff elsewhere around the world :) If you’re coming to Tamarindo, do yourself a favor...