Reviews of Luminosa Montezuma Hostel
Road to Cabuya, 100m after waterfall access, 50 metros Hacia Montezuma de la Soda Las Palmeras Montezuma, Costa Rica, Distance from city centre: 2.4km, 60111 Montezuma, Costa Rica

Loading
Guests also reviewed these properties:
How guest reviews work
Each review score is between 1-10. To get the overall score that you see, we add up all the review scores we’ve received and divide that total by the number of review scores we’ve received. We use a weighted review system which means that the more recent the review, the bigger the impact on the total review score calculation. In addition, guests can give separate ‘subscores’ in crucial areas, such as location, cleanliness, staff, comfort, facilities, value for money and free Wi-Fi. Note that guests submit their subscores and their overall scores independently, so there’s no direct link between them.
You can review an Accommodation that you booked through our Platform if you stayed there or if you arrived at the property but didn’t actually stay there. To edit a review you’ve already submitted, please contact our Customer Service team.
We have people and automated systems that specialise in detecting fake reviews submitted to our Platform. If we find any, we delete them and, if necessary, take action against whoever is responsible.
Anyone else who spots something suspicious can always report it to our Customer Service team, so our Fraud team can investigate.
Ideally, we would publish every review we receive, whether positive or negative. However, we won’t display any review that includes or refers to (among other things):
- Politically sensitive comments
- Promotional content
- Illegal activities
- Personal or sensitive information (e.g. emails, phone numbers or credit card info)
- Swear words, sexual references, hate speech, discriminatory remarks, threats, or references to violence
- Spam and fake content
- Animal cruelty
- Impersonation (e.g. if the writer is claiming to be someone else)
- Any violation of our review guidelines.
To make sure reviews are relevant, we may only accept reviews that are submitted within 3 months of checking out, and we may stop showing reviews once they’re 36 months old – or if the Accommodation has a change of ownership.
An Accommodation may choose to reply to a review.
When you see multiple reviews, the most recent ones will be at the top, subject to a few other factors (what language a review is in, whether it’s just a rating or contains comments as well, etc.). If you like, you can sort and/or filter them (by time of year, review score, etc.).
We sometimes show external review scores from other well-known travel websites. We make it clear when we’ve done this.
Guidelines and standards for Reviews
These guidelines and standards aim to keep the content on Booking.com relevant and family-friendly without limiting expression of strong opinions. They are also applicable regardless of the sentiment of the comment.
Contributions should be travel related. The most helpful contributions are detailed and help others make better decisions. Please don’t include personal, political, ethical, or religious commentary. Promotional content will be removed and issues concerning Booking.com’s services should be routed to our Customer Service or Accommodation Service teams.
Contributions should be appropriate for a global audience. Please avoid using profanity or attempts to approximate profanity with creative spelling, in any language. Comments and media that include 'hate speech', discriminatory remarks, threats, sexually explicit remarks, violence, and the promotion of illegal activity are not permitted.
All content should be genuine and unique to the guest. Reviews are most valuable when they are original and unbiased. Your contribution should be yours. Booking.com property partners should not post on behalf of guests or offer incentives in exchange for reviews. Attempts to bring down the rating of a competitor by submitting a negative review will not be tolerated.
Respect the privacy of others. Booking.com will make an effort to obscure email addresses, telephone numbers, website addresses, social media accounts, and similar details.
The opinions expressed in contributions are those of Booking.com customers and properties and not of Booking.com. Booking.com does not accept responsibility or liability for any reviews or responses. Booking.com is a distributor (without any obligation to verify) and not a publisher of these comments and responses.
By default, reviews are sorted based on the date of the review and on additional criteria to display the most relevant reviews, including but not limited to: your language, reviews with text, and non-anonymous reviews. Additional sorting options may be available (by type of traveller, by score, etc.).
Translations disclaimer
This service may contain translations powered by Google. Google disclaims all warranties related to the translations, express or implied, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
Reviewed: 3 August 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 26 May 2025 · Stayed in May 2025
Verified reviewView was beautiful Area is beautiful Shared kitchen is great Close to nice soda Friendly atmosphere Cheap stay Not too far from port Two beautiful beaches either side
Didnt get shown around at all Couldn't pay on card Room wasnt that clean Fuego Ants Loads of bugs and mossies got bitten alot
Reviewed: 24 May 2025 · Stayed in May 2025
Verified reviewthis hostel was amazing! the view was unbelievable so close to the beach and waterfalls! Only a 15 minute walk into town. the room and bathroom was cleaned daily, so it felt very clean with no bugs! The staff was super friendly as well. Loved sitting in the hammocks looking at the view!
Reviewed: 15 May 2025 · Stayed in May 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 27 April 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 26 April 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewStunning views, location
Plumbing. (Consistent with CR normal)
Reviewed: 23 April 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewIncredible view and good price. Close to town but the road is very dark and empty at night. Overall a really great place to stay if you are on a budget
Reception hours were not always accurate and many of the outlets did not work.
Reviewed: 19 April 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewThe view was nice of the ocean
If I could rate this place zero stars, I would. The only thing this place has going for it is the view — and trust me, it’s not worth the trauma we went through. At 11pm, while lying in bed, a scorpion stung my boyfriend on his back and finger. We were absolutely terrified and didn’t sleep that much, afraid to even get back into bed because the scorpion disappeared and we had no idea if it was still crawling around. I messaged the staff in the middle of the night and was told the owner would get back to me the next day. I also asked for a refund — and surprise, it’s been nearly two weeks with zero response. Clearly, they do not care about the safety or wellbeing of their guests. The staff were indifferent at best. The woman who checked us in was polite initially, but when we brought up this terrifying situation, she quickly became defensive and rude. Would have rather saved my money and stayed in a cheaper place closer to town. The room itself was in terrible condition — holes in the wall, bugs easily getting in, and a filthy, disgusting kitchen that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in ages. The tin roof made sleep impossible after 5am with the heat and noise. We barely slept the entire time. This was one of the worst stays of my life. I understand we are in Costa Rica but it was completely traumatizing, and the lack of care or even a follow-up from the owner is inexcusable. Do yourself a favor — don’t stay here. Ever.
We are sorry for what happened, but we are in the middle of the jungle and it can happen that a scorpion appears, although honestly it has never happened before. We were threatened with a bad review if we did not return the money and we have the evidence so we will denounce via booking, the evidence in our favor is that the vast majority of comments are positive. On the subject of cleanliness there is always someone cleaning the hostel and you can read it in many comments and finally I was never rude to you I attended every time you wrote to me even in the middle of the night.
We are sorry for what happened, but we are in the middle of the jungle and it can happen that a scorpion appears, although honestly it has never happened before. We were threatened with a bad review if we did not return the money and we hav… Show more
Reviewed: 16 April 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewI absolutely loved everything: the place is amazing, it's clean, the staff is friendly, and I slept really well! It's by far the best hostel I've stayed at in Costa Rica.
Nothing 🙃
Reviewed: 13 April 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewNati & the staff are so kind and welcoming ✨🧡
Reviewed: 5 April 2025 · Stayed in February 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 2 April 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewClean and quiet and on the beach, neaNar town and the waterfall. Beds are made daily and sheets are changed regularly. Pleasant staff and helpful tours and transport services. Nataly is the best.
Na
Reviewed: 20 March 2025 · Stayed in March 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 3 March 2025 · Stayed in March 2025
Verified reviewReally clean . Great people . Beautiful location
Great location . Right infront of swimming pool
Reviewed: 24 February 2025 · Stayed in February 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 20 February 2025 · Stayed in February 2025
Verified reviewExcellent location, easy walk into town but far enough away to be quiet. Property overlooks the ocean, amazing sunrises. Naty was a wonderful host, very accommodating and helpful with local information.
Reviewed: 20 February 2025 · Stayed in February 2025
Verified reviewThe hostel is very comfortable, you feel like home. The highlight is the view and the distance to the beach (a small beach, almost always empty). You can be eating or chilling and always see the ocean. The staff is very sympathic, the others customers too. There is a kitchen, many bathrooms. The hostel propose some tours so it's easier to book. I wanted to stay longer but the hostel was already full... In conclusion, I totally recommand this place !!
Reviewed: 11 February 2025 · Stayed in February 2025
Verified reviewSecond time here. Incredible spot! It’s rustic so don’t expect high end. Absolutely perfect.
Reviewed: 6 February 2025 · Stayed in January 2025
Verified reviewNice vibe overall and incredible sunrise on the ocean. The common area with hammocks is relaxing and inviting. The room and kitchen areas were clean. The staff is very friendly and helpful with any questions and doubts, Luís helped us organise our activities. The Montezuma waterfall is at walking distance, a few minutes away from the hostel and it’s breathtaking! We had a great time in Montezuma and the area around it!
The lighting of the common area at night should be improved to make it cosier and a little brighter. Some warm light could really improve the already great terrace at night.
Reviewed: 5 February 2025 · Stayed in January 2025
Verified reviewBest hostel I have been in Costa Rica. AMAZING location, stunning sunrise view. Right on the ocean, you could here the sound of waves from the room. Mi
Reviewed: 3 February 2025 · Stayed in January 2025
Verified reviewI stayed for 4 nights at Luminosa and I would have loved to expand my stay but it was fully booked! The hostel has everything you could ask for: Big, spacious kitchen with lot of equipment and free coffee, clean and comfortable rooms, hammocks, a balcony and a terrace, a little garden, right at the beach with a little private beach. It‘s not far from the center, has various restaurants in near distance and is only 5 minutes from the Montezuma water falls. They offer laundry service for a few dollars too. The staff is great as well, especially Luis! Ask him about the natural pools :) Definitely the best hostel I stayed at in Costa Rica.
Reviewed: 28 January 2025 · Stayed in January 2025
Verified reviewSimply amazing especially the location... - Exceptional place to watch the sunrise Great kitchen facilities Two immaculate fridges Exceptionally clean knocks the bathroom Lockers available Comfortable bed Beds made every single day ❤️ Rooms are big too Late check when mecca Total respect and appreciation to the cleaners 👌🏼
Nothing to report
Reviewed: 19 January 2025 · Stayed in January 2025
Verified reviewAmazing location, super kind staff, great value. Cleaners
Reviewed: 12 January 2025 · Stayed in January 2025
Verified reviewThe view is very beautiful. The host/owner was not there for the check-in but gave me a description of where my bed was.
The rooms are mixed-gender. The one that I slept in was shared with 6 other people. Overall there are two rooms and there is one bathroom for both these rooms.