Stay At Hostel Vista Serena In Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

Every traveler heading South as my party headed North regaled us with stories of the beautiful sunset view, authentic in-hostel kitchen, and friendly environment of Hostel Vista Serena.

For those well versed in hosteling, and for those new to the practice, finding the perfect hostel can be spiral into despair. Popular hostel booking sites like Hostel World and Hostel Bookers offer lists of each city’s hostels, accompanied by amenities, ratings, and reviews which can serve to both inspire and distress. Does free breakfast outweigh sleeping in a sixteen person mixed dorm? Do I want to be near the Eiffel Tower or in Montmartre? Do I want a party hostel or a place to relax in private? As you scour the listings, you often find yourself wishing that someone would tell you where the perfect place is; a luxury I encountered when traveling to Manuel Antonio.

I was lucky enough to find that all the rumors were true. So here are four reasons why you should go ahead and book your stay at Hostel Vista Serena now, before they’re all booked up!

1. The unrivaled sunset view:

Yes, it’s a little bit of a trek to get to, but Vista Serena’s elevated spot provides for what they call a “180 Panorama Ocean Sunset Balcony.”  Enjoy the glorious sunset every night with a cold Imperial or while reclining in one of the many hammocks.

2. Delicious and authentic in-hostel restaurant:

While the hours are not always consistent, restaurant serves up delicious Tico specialities like gallo pinto, casados, and ceviche for cheap.

3. Hospitable, friendly staff:

Upon arrival, you’ll meet the helpful and welcoming owners and staff of Vista Serena. Owned and operated by a mother/son duo, Sonia and Conrad are an endless supply of information and tips. Leah can help book any activity (I recommend the snorkel cruise!) with a discount and point you in the direction of anything you need.

4. Special extras:

The hostel just opened a convenient grocery store out back to cater to hungry backpacker’s needs. Steve has strategically priced everything in the store lower than the local grocery stores so you won’t regret stocking up in the convenience of the hostel.

Vista Serena is located on: Puntarenas Costa Rica

Jocelyn Reist

Jocelyn was a contributor for Jetset Times for a year, and has continued to travel around the world. Her stories are often about food, as she's an avid foodie (and knows SO MUCH about it!)