Hotel Playa Carmen is a two-and-a-half-pearl hotel a short walk from Playa Carmen Beach, one of the many gorgeous Santa Teresa beaches. The hotel recently changed ownership and is slated for a big overhaul. During our winter 2017 visit, its 23 available air-conditioned rooms were a mix of Suites, Standard, and Deluxe Rooms with flat-screen TVs, hardwood armchairs, and private balconies. The Standard Rooms could use some TLC, as we spotted worn furniture. There's also a small pool, and hotel freebies are limited to parking and Wi-Fi. For a more tropical stay with a lush grounds, a pool, a yoga studio, and a short walk to the beach, it's worth pricing out Otro Lado Lodge and Restaurant.
Hotel Playa Carmen is a two-and-a-half-pearl hotel a short walk from Playa Carmen Beach, one of the many gorgeous Santa Teresa beaches. The hotel recently changed ownership and is slated for a big overhaul. During our winter 2017 visit, its 23 available air-conditioned rooms were a mix of Suites, Standard, and Deluxe Rooms with flat-screen TVs, hardwood armchairs, and private balconies. The Standard Rooms could use some TLC, as we spotted worn furniture. There's also a small pool, and hotel freebies are limited to parking and Wi-Fi. For a more tropical stay with a lush grounds, a pool, a yoga studio, and a short walk to the beach, it's worth pricing out Otro Lado Lodge and Restaurant.
Hotel La Laguna del cocodrilo is a low-key, two-and-a-half-pearl property located on Playa Tamarindo beach. The hotel’s eight rooms and suites are basic but inviting, and some offer private balconies or patios. The direct access to Playa Tamarindo is the property’s stand-out feature, with a little bakery and a quality restaurant further enhancing its appeal. Although there’s no pool and the path to the beach isn’t always easily accessible, La Laguna represents one of the best deals in Tamarindo. Budget travelers may also want to check out Casa Cook, but La Laguna’s rates are usually better.
Hotel La Laguna del cocodrilo is a low-key, two-and-a-half-pearl property located on Playa Tamarindo beach. The hotel’s eight rooms and suites are basic but inviting, and some offer private balconies or patios. The direct access to Playa Tamarindo is the property’s stand-out feature, with a little bakery and a quality restaurant further enhancing its appeal. Although there’s no pool and the path to the beach isn’t always easily accessible, La Laguna represents one of the best deals in Tamarindo. Budget travelers may also want to check out Casa Cook, but La Laguna’s rates are usually better.
On paper, the three-pearl El Tucano Resort & Spa is among the best full-featured resorts in the area. It has thermal hot spring pools, a river-view restaurant, and one of the largest spas in Costa Rica. However, obvious maintenance issues and a dated decor reveal that the property is well passed its prime. The mediocre buffet food and overcrowded pools don’t help matters. All 87 rooms are similarly aging and minimal amenities include small flat-screen TVs, spotty Wi-Fi, and optional terraces. The quiet location next to Juan Castro Blanco National Park is convenient. For a bit more money, Arenal Paraiso Hotel Resort & Spa offers more polished rooms, beautifully manicured grounds, and all the same amenities.
On paper, the three-pearl El Tucano Resort & Spa is among the best full-featured resorts in the area. It has thermal hot spring pools, a river-view restaurant, and one of the largest spas in Costa Rica. However, obvious maintenance issues and a dated decor reveal that the property is well passed its prime. The mediocre buffet food and overcrowded pools don’t help matters. All 87 rooms are similarly aging and minimal amenities include small flat-screen TVs, spotty Wi-Fi, and optional terraces. The quiet location next to Juan Castro Blanco National Park is convenient. For a bit more money, Arenal Paraiso Hotel Resort & Spa offers more polished rooms, beautifully manicured grounds, and all the same amenities.
The three-and-a-half-pearl El Establo offers an extensive list of resort-style amenities in a stunning, hilltop setting overlooking the rainforests of Monteverde. A full-service spa, mountain-view pool, zip-lining canopy tour, and a reasonably priced gourmet restaurant are among its most notable highlights. This is one of the larger hotels in the area, with 155 rooms that are spacious and simple and include rustic details, modern bathrooms, and private balconies or terraces with lovely views. While the hotel serves a decent free breakfast buffet, the lack of free in-room Wi-Fi -- and a steep, expansive layout that requires a shuttle to navigate -- may discourage some guests. Check rates at the nearby Monteverde Lodge & Gardens for a cheaper boutique alternative with just slightly fewer amenities.
The three-and-a-half-pearl El Establo offers an extensive list of resort-style amenities in a stunning, hilltop setting overlooking the rainforests of Monteverde. A full-service spa, mountain-view pool, zip-lining canopy tour, and a reasonably priced gourmet restaurant are among its most notable highlights. This is one of the larger hotels in the area, with 155 rooms that are spacious and simple and include rustic details, modern bathrooms, and private balconies or terraces with lovely views. While the hotel serves a decent free breakfast buffet, the lack of free in-room Wi-Fi -- and a steep, expansive layout that requires a shuttle to navigate -- may discourage some guests. Check rates at the nearby Monteverde Lodge & Gardens for a cheaper boutique alternative with just slightly fewer amenities.
Chic retro decor and a happening atmosphere make upscale The Harmony Hotel one of Nosara’s most sought after spots. The hotel’s juice bar and open-air yoga shalas attract health conscious guests during the day, while its trendy restaurant, sushi lounge, juice bar, and cocktail bar are popular nighttime hangouts. Harmony’s 24 rooms are scattered across its lush property, and feature Midcentury inspired decor with vaulted wood ceilings and private patios with hammocks and outdoor showers. Amenities include a beautiful pool and small spa, plus great freebies like Wi-Fi, breakfast, daily yoga classes, beach bikes, and loaner iPads -- but nightly rates are among the highest in Nosara. Travelers looking for something a bit more affordable might prefer the nearby Living Hotel -- which still offers free breakfast, yoga, and bikes.
Chic retro decor and a happening atmosphere make upscale The Harmony Hotel one of Nosara’s most sought after spots. The hotel’s juice bar and open-air yoga shalas attract health conscious guests during the day, while its trendy restaurant, sushi lounge, juice bar, and cocktail bar are popular nighttime hangouts. Harmony’s 24 rooms are scattered across its lush property, and feature Midcentury inspired decor with vaulted wood ceilings and private patios with hammocks and outdoor showers. Amenities include a beautiful pool and small spa, plus great freebies like Wi-Fi, breakfast, daily yoga classes, beach bikes, and loaner iPads -- but nightly rates are among the highest in Nosara. Travelers looking for something a bit more affordable might prefer the nearby Living Hotel -- which still offers free breakfast, yoga, and bikes.
Situated on a remote hilltop, upper-middle-range Peace Lodge offers stunning rainforest views from almost every room and common area. While the eco-lodge themed decor nears amusement-park levels of heavy-handedness, the property is charming enough to pull it off. The list of amenities includes a grotto-style outdoor pool, three restaurants, and a rainforest activity park with waterfall hikes and wildlife exhibits. Each of the 21 large, rainforest-themed rooms offers furnished balconies, minibars, and stone whirlpool tubs with waterfalls. The lack of a spa is notable, and there are steep stairs throughout the property. The hotel’s decor and location are unique in the area with few direct competitors, though Pura Vida Spa & Yoga Retreat offers cheaper accommodations with yoga and spa amenities.
Situated on a remote hilltop, upper-middle-range Peace Lodge offers stunning rainforest views from almost every room and common area. While the eco-lodge themed decor nears amusement-park levels of heavy-handedness, the property is charming enough to pull it off. The list of amenities includes a grotto-style outdoor pool, three restaurants, and a rainforest activity park with waterfall hikes and wildlife exhibits. Each of the 21 large, rainforest-themed rooms offers furnished balconies, minibars, and stone whirlpool tubs with waterfalls. The lack of a spa is notable, and there are steep stairs throughout the property. The hotel’s decor and location are unique in the area with few direct competitors, though Pura Vida Spa & Yoga Retreat offers cheaper accommodations with yoga and spa amenities.
Hotel Sugar Beach is a three-pearl property located on Playa Pan de Azúcar, a 15-minute drive north of Playa Flamingo. The hotel’s 27 guest rooms are tasteful and simple, with some including kitchenettes and separate living areas. There’s a decent restaurant on-site as well as a yoga pavilion, both of which are set in distinctive wooden rotundas. With a peaceful stretch of beachfront and a large forested property that attracts diverse wildlife, the hotel is a good choice for guests who want to relax and connect with nature. There’s nothing within walking distance, however, making the location too remote for some. Costa Rica Yoga Spa in Nosara gives an excellent alternative for yoga-focused travelers, although it doesn’t offer beach access.
Hotel Sugar Beach is a three-pearl property located on Playa Pan de Azúcar, a 15-minute drive north of Playa Flamingo. The hotel’s 27 guest rooms are tasteful and simple, with some including kitchenettes and separate living areas. There’s a decent restaurant on-site as well as a yoga pavilion, both of which are set in distinctive wooden rotundas. With a peaceful stretch of beachfront and a large forested property that attracts diverse wildlife, the hotel is a good choice for guests who want to relax and connect with nature. There’s nothing within walking distance, however, making the location too remote for some. Costa Rica Yoga Spa in Nosara gives an excellent alternative for yoga-focused travelers, although it doesn’t offer beach access.
Both affordable and stylish, Hotel Nahua delivers more than the average mid-range option. Nahua’s 10 clean rooms have a simple industrial chic vibe with poured concrete floors and crisp white bedding. There’s an on-site health cafe, a beautiful pool, and free Wi-Fi, plus the hotel’s hands-on owner is always available to help guests during their stay. Hotel Nahua’s quiet location is ideal for travelers who want to be within walking distance of the beach and downtown Tamarindo, but don’t mind being slightly removed from the center of the action. Rooms could definitely use more lighting, and we wish the on-site restaurant was open year-round, but for the price, you’ll be hard pressed to find better value in Tamarindo. It’s worth comparison shopping with Hotel Pasatiempo across the street, which has warmly decorated rooms but is typically pricier.
Both affordable and stylish, Hotel Nahua delivers more than the average mid-range option. Nahua’s 10 clean rooms have a simple industrial chic vibe with poured concrete floors and crisp white bedding. There’s an on-site health cafe, a beautiful pool, and free Wi-Fi, plus the hotel’s hands-on owner is always available to help guests during their stay. Hotel Nahua’s quiet location is ideal for travelers who want to be within walking distance of the beach and downtown Tamarindo, but don’t mind being slightly removed from the center of the action. Rooms could definitely use more lighting, and we wish the on-site restaurant was open year-round, but for the price, you’ll be hard pressed to find better value in Tamarindo. It’s worth comparison shopping with Hotel Pasatiempo across the street, which has warmly decorated rooms but is typically pricier.
A simple, but bold design sets the two-and-a-half-pearl Hotel Vela Bar apart from most budget hotels in the area. All 20 rooms are crisp, bright, and sleek with modern amenities like air-conditioning, mini-fridges, and luxury Britt espresso makers. Lush, tropical greenery envelopes every inch of the intimate grounds creating a relaxed, quiet feel that’s conducive to its adult-only policy. However, with a small pool and breakfast-only dining space (no full restaurant/bar), guests will need to venture off-site for dining and entertainment options. Thankfully, it's located right next to the entrance of Manuel Antonio National Park and near Playa Espadilla. Falls Resort at Manuel Antonio offers the same amenities and a similarly great location, but it’s a bit pricier and it lacks contemporary flair
A simple, but bold design sets the two-and-a-half-pearl Hotel Vela Bar apart from most budget hotels in the area. All 20 rooms are crisp, bright, and sleek with modern amenities like air-conditioning, mini-fridges, and luxury Britt espresso makers. Lush, tropical greenery envelopes every inch of the intimate grounds creating a relaxed, quiet feel that’s conducive to its adult-only policy. However, with a small pool and breakfast-only dining space (no full restaurant/bar), guests will need to venture off-site for dining and entertainment options. Thankfully, it's located right next to the entrance of Manuel Antonio National Park and near Playa Espadilla. Falls Resort at Manuel Antonio offers the same amenities and a similarly great location, but it’s a bit pricier and it lacks contemporary flair
Hotel Coco Beach & Casino is a comfortable mid-range option with a prime location in the center of downtown Playas del Coco. With 32 rooms, a small pool, free breakfast and Wi-Fi, and an on-site restaurant, sports bar, and casino, the hotel is arguably the top spot in town for travelers who have come to revel in El Coco’s all-night party scene. There are obvious signs of wear and tear throughout, and downtown noise is inevitable, but it offers a great value for the area. The slightly more expensive Hotel Coco Palms is closer to the beach and has a quieter, more family-friendly atmosphere, though rooms are dated.
Hotel Coco Beach & Casino is a comfortable mid-range option with a prime location in the center of downtown Playas del Coco. With 32 rooms, a small pool, free breakfast and Wi-Fi, and an on-site restaurant, sports bar, and casino, the hotel is arguably the top spot in town for travelers who have come to revel in El Coco’s all-night party scene. There are obvious signs of wear and tear throughout, and downtown noise is inevitable, but it offers a great value for the area. The slightly more expensive Hotel Coco Palms is closer to the beach and has a quieter, more family-friendly atmosphere, though rooms are dated.