Mai Ke Kai Surf House

This hostel is truly incredible. I stayed at Mai Ke Kai in the upstairs 10-person room for 6 nights after deciding to finally pull the trigger on a much-needed solo trip. My goal for the week was simple: spend time by the beach, take surf lessons, learn something new, and get active. This place delivered on all fronts. I booked everything directly through Mai Ke Kai’s WhatsApp, where the owners, Maria and Matias, helped me create a customized schedule. They worked with me to map out my surf lessons and activities and even coordinated my shuttle from the airport to the hostel. They truly went above and beyond with every detail, and the included breakfast in this package was insane (Maria - you’re an amazing cook). I am so grateful to them and all the volunteers for making the entire experience seamless and special. FYI - if you plan to book directly, be sure to bring cash! As a solo traveler, I will say the vibe is a bit on the quieter side, which is great to know if you are looking for a big party hostel. Quiet hours are from 10:30 PM to 7:30 AM and the lights go out then for anyone heading to bed early. I really appreciated how respectful everyone was during those hours, especially on the days I crashed early. That said, there are definitely other solo travelers looking to connect. If that is you, I recommend starting conversations and inviting people to head to the beach or grab a meal. I met some wonderful people this way and left after 6 nights with strangers I can now call friends. 😊 I highly recommend Mai Ke Kai and will absolutely be back, maybe next time with a few friends, for another week of surfing!

We had a wonderful time at the Mai Ke Kai Surf House in Tamarindo. They offer breakfast and the volunteers, Dafne and Paula, that prepared the pancakes were amazing. They created a very lovely coliving atmosphere. One of our highlights were the warm showers. If you have been traveling through Costa Rica for some time, you’ll understand us. I would highly recommend staying at this hostel.

had an incredible experience at the hostel. Mati was an amazing host his attention was a solid 10/10. I loved connecting with the people there, and most of all, they really helped me feel connected to the place itself. Truly unforgettable.