Very nice and clean rooms and bathroom with nice hot showers.

The service we experienced while there was always courteous and naturally, some staff more conversational/friendly than others - but no complaints at all on a staff note. The room is exactly as it looks in the pictures - simple but nicely finished.

We stayed for 10 days. During this time, they came each day and made the bed, but only changed the sheets when requested. Likewise, to change the towels it needed to be requested. But they cleaned the bathroom and were always very prompt to answer any requests or questions. It's a quiet area, so don't worry about noise at night - it's very quiet. If you need to get a taxi, they will call one for you if you ask.

One disappointment - the website advertises wireless Internet throughout the hotel. While we stayed there, the wireless Internet was broken. Internet did NOT work in the rooms and even at the two computers in the lobby, the connection was broken for at least half of our stay. When it did work it was very slow - so if you'll need to access e-mail or Internet, I'd suggest to check if it's been repaired or don't count on that part.

Although there's no food on premises, it's close enough to walk to good places to eat. There's a little place just around the corner with cheap local food - or there's a fried chicken place. Both super close, like 1 minute walk - right on the corner. Good food and very cheap. Also, as advertised, RIGHT across the street is the backpacker's hostel - you can go there for the pool, or for food at their really price-friendly bar (very busy on weekends and quiet during the week). That was a nice option to have and so close. There is one "local food" restaurant about two or three blocks away, I forget the name -- but the food is VERY expensive. My guess is a lot of tourists end up there when asking for local food -- but we paid $80 for 2 people to eat a simple meal, no alcohol. You can definitely get food much cheaper and still very good. Careful!

One final note -- at the end of my stay, I found out that different rooms have different setups. Apparently there is a room with a kitchen. I did not known that -- if I had, I would have requested that room from the beginning so that we could prepare some of our own food. If you're interested about this option, make sure to ask. I don't think it was advertised on the site.

Overall, I'd stay there again - I'd just hope they had their Internet fixed (especially being there for 10 days). Staff friendly. Rooms clean. If you want services like fresh towels or sheets changed, just ask and they will be happy to respond. And again, for the price - I don't think you can find any place so nice for such a cheap price.

Costa Rica Guesthouse is a very nice hostel in a city that could easily be in my personal top 3 of worst cities ever visited. The neighborhood is a bit dodgy, but what neighborhood is not in San Jose? The staff is really friendly, the rooms are clean and so are the shared bathrooms. There's free wi-fi and a indoor travel agency run by Sri, who is very helpful and pro-active in answering your questions and booking your tours.

The huge comfortable beds and baking hot showers in these immaculately clean rooms, coupled with the great attitude of the friendly, helpful and english/spanish speaking staff and owners made this a fantastic place to enjoy San Jose. The on-site tour operators were extremely heplful, giving us heaps of good logistical advice whether or not we were booking tours through them. Across the road from Costa Rica Backpackers, and run by the same owners, you also get a pass to hang out in the beautiful gardens, use the pool and order excellent food at the Mochila restaurant as a part of your stay. Cannot recommend this place highly enough - made navigating San Jose a real pleasure!