It was a very nice spot by the motorway, very convenient stop for us on our way to the Santa Rosa park. The family who lives there is lovely, so welcoming and our host, the mother, made us delicious food. There were howler monkeys to spot, a big swing over the river, hammocks to relax in. We had a nice night in a clean room and stopped by on our way back down south to eat there because it had been so nice. Thank you for the excellent service and great food!

We felt so at home here with this wonderful family atmosphere that we relaxed a bit too much in the sense that it is also a place where truckdrivers heading to the border stop to use the bathroom or eat. I left a pair of expensive shoes outside my room while loading the car and they most likely got snatched by a truckdriver. This is in no way our host's fault, who was very apologetic over the incident- it just comes as a reminder that even in the nicest places, bad people can come - so just keep an eye on your things!

Welcomed by a little family. Friendly atmosphere and quiet place. It’a close the a river where you can see animals like crocodiles, cayman and monkeys.

All good

the river next to the house has crocodiles where the children of the family took us. we saw trails and heard sounds. scary but fun! The kitchen is well equipped and the common area is cozy.

there is no breakfast included and no shop around. i would recommend to include a breakfast in the price.

This may be the nicest family/management we have met throughout our travels. They went out of their way to make us feel welcomed. They showed us animals on their property, helped with buses, and even offered help cooking. Highly recommend, wish we could've stayed longer!

We had a great stay at Balboa’s. Nothing was too much trouble while we were there. They are so knowledgeable about the surrounding area and the options available which made our life much easier. The food was delicious as well! Would definitely recommend this place.

Nothing to mention

Very nice family. They are very helpful and interessted. Private parking. Clean rooms. Good location to travel to Nicaragua.

The room near to the street with shared bathroom, was especially in the morning cause of the trucks loud.

A peacfull place to spend a night between one point to another. I was in a ride to the Nicaraguan boarder and found myself to late to cross same day. Balbo's is right on the main road to the boarder and 10miters from the bus stop to couth a bus next day . The room was ready and clean .

There are no restuarants or stores around . You better bring your own food to the stay.. Threre is a kitchen to use .

The host gossiping about us on the phone, after she thought I had left. Saying she thought we were sneaky and my girlfriend looks like a baby. Super rude after asking us to record a video saying we liked the place.

The hostel didn't appear to be expecting guests.. The common room area was not accessible, and the kitchen area was locked and inaccessible from 8am. The kitchen area was also not available for guests from 6pm. The room was made, however when we were being shown around the owner was mopping and sweeping simultaneously (suggesting it had not been cleaned in preparation for guests). The shower heads sparked with electricity when we used them, which made us feel unsafe.

First, the place is not at all as described on the announce : there is a big route next to the hotel and the person working here is full of mal intention. We gently asked to stay here and work and that in exchange we could stay here to sleep. The person in charge of the hotel was very nice but the person working here is far from nice. She decided we should get out and said it to us the most disrespectful way. :(

That the woman always closed the kitchen and the room for sit when i want to take the bus to la cruz she wasnt awake for open the kitchen to take my stuf (cafe presto)

The person taking care of the place is very nice but only speaks spanish.

This place might have been a good one in the past, but what is left today is not. It does not look like the pictures. The whole place is dirty and not very clean, has cold shower, cocroaches...and is falling down. As is it placed remotely in the national road, only accessible by car. There are no more restaurant there as shown on pictures. The surrounding is not very safe because of the border nearby...

sweet family and neighbors, beautiful scenery

far from city. hard to get to.

The staff were excellent. Super super helpful. Food was very good. Capuchin monkeys in the backyard.

The facilities. The lighting was bad, the water was only working intermittently, the highway is very close, and while I was there the internet wasn't working. The price was really high compared to other hostels in Costa Rica for similar quality. I liked the staff so much that I hate to give a negative review but this property needs a little investment and I hope the owners will either address issues or lower the prices.

I loved my stay at Balbo's, so much so that I came back a second time. I've been travelling for a few months and no where else have I felt immediately at home as I did at Balbo's. Lily gave me such a warm welcome, very friendly and fun to talk to. She led me in a rejuvenating meditation session with her singing bowls and we had many an interesting conversation about life. I took a horse tour with Kenneth and it was super fun. I enjoyed practicing my Spanish with him and learning about the land and wildlife that we saw. Another exceptional staff member, great guy. I immensely enjoyed my days and evenings spent at Balbo's, just getting to know the staff and the other traveller who was staying there. I truly feel like I have a family at Balbo's. I liked this place so much that I cancelled my plans to go Santa Rosa just to help out at the hostel, give back a little to this special little place. The river view is gorgeous-- lots of birds for bird lovers, plus you can see the crocodiles every once in a while! 10/10 experience, excellent budget hostel with amazing vibes. Lots of great hammocks. Cute dogs.

The views are amazing. Lots of wildlife to spot! from crocodiles to monkeys. The staff and family that live there are amazing! Lily was full of knowledge and gave us singing bowl meditations. It truly was amazing. The put on a show of local dancing too. Will definitely return. Plus this hostel had the best pillows I experienced in Costa Rica!

great people there, who have so many interesting stories to tell, guided meditation is provided and there are many animals to see. howler monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas

it’s a pretty far from libera centro, but that’s also part of the charme

the owner and his familly was so sweet and helpful with everything you could imagine. Will go again! greetings from the danish guys

only problem is the placememt if you dont have a car, then you have to take the bus by the Road, hitch-hike or just ask the owner if he wants to drive you! super Nice