Rio Celeste Backpackers

OMG, the pictures are not good enough to give you a real idea of this paradise. I fell in love with the house, the garden and the owners. Dinorah and Willy are a couple who work really hard to maintain this beautiful house and help you have the best stay. They speak only Spanish but their kids (young adults now) speak English. If you have a question, they have the answer. I had a list of places I wanted to visit and their recommendations came in really handy. The family lives in one half of the house, and the guests are in the other half of the house, but you all share the kitchen and living room, which is nice for chatting and practicing your Spanish. Breakfast provided is delicious and really filling! I was in the very spacious dorm room with 6 beds and enough chairs and tables to put everyone's stuff. One bathroom is dedicated to this room. There is another room for 1-2 people with private bathroom. The garden just makes you want to stay there for a month doing nothing but admire the exotic fruits, flowers and birds everywhere. If you come by bus, ask for the Cementerio bus stop, which is nearby the house. Grocery stores are nearby also. You'll need a taxi to go to Tenorio National Park, but the owners can put you in contact with one. I also went to Tapir Valley and Frog's Paradise for 2 night visits that were totally worth it. You can also walk around the little village of Bijagua during late afternoon, the houses are beautiful and the light on the surrounding mountains is just amazing.

We had a wonderful experience here. The owners are a very welcoming and helpful family. The place is very clean and comfortable. We stayed at a 6 bed dorm that has enough space, with comfortable beds. Breakfast was included and it was really well served. They helped us with insider tips for our visit, and pointed us to good places to eat. I definitely recommend.