The quaint 14-room Hotel Blue Conga provides a tranquil stay in Costa Rica's Caribbean leisure town, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. The small value property is owned by a French-speaking couple that resides on the premises. Although not along the actual beach, Blue Conga is located near Playa Cocles. The intimate hotel is surrounded by lush jungle. Rooms are spacious with clean bathrooms, mosquito nets, hammocks, and private terraces, but they do not have air-conditioning. The pool is located right beside the open air rancho, which doubles as both a dining and lounge area. Freebies include breakfast, Wi-Fi, bikes, and parking.
The quaint 14-room Hotel Blue Conga provides a tranquil stay in Costa Rica's Caribbean leisure town, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. The small value property is owned by a French-speaking couple that resides on the premises. Although not along the actual beach, Blue Conga is located near Playa Cocles. The intimate hotel is surrounded by lush jungle. Rooms are spacious with clean bathrooms, mosquito nets, hammocks, and private terraces, but they do not have air-conditioning. The pool is located right beside the open air rancho, which doubles as both a dining and lounge area. Freebies include breakfast, Wi-Fi, bikes, and parking.
La Kukula Lodge is a mid-range eco-hotel housed in the middle of the thick Playa Chiquita rainforest, three miles away from Puerto Viejo's touristy town center. The hotel's 10 rooms are plainly decorated with private terraces, hammocks, and garden views. They lack TVs and air-conditioning, but are built to maximize air circulation. Various jungle animals and exotic birds can be spotted on the grounds, but that wildlife can be disruptive to light sleepers at night. There aren’t many facilities on-site, no gym or spa, but there is a small pool and an ample free breakfast each day. Travelers looking for lodging with more spirited design could try the neighboring mid-range Tree House Lodge.
La Kukula Lodge is a mid-range eco-hotel housed in the middle of the thick Playa Chiquita rainforest, three miles away from Puerto Viejo's touristy town center. The hotel's 10 rooms are plainly decorated with private terraces, hammocks, and garden views. They lack TVs and air-conditioning, but are built to maximize air circulation. Various jungle animals and exotic birds can be spotted on the grounds, but that wildlife can be disruptive to light sleepers at night. There aren’t many facilities on-site, no gym or spa, but there is a small pool and an ample free breakfast each day. Travelers looking for lodging with more spirited design could try the neighboring mid-range Tree House Lodge.
The 50-room Arenal Lodge is like a summer camp in the rainforest. It offers a good likelihood of up-close-and-personal encounters with the local fauna, thanks to the daily guided tour through the hundreds of acres of trails; guests may also be greeted by friendly, hungry coatis at the front gate. Also like summer camp, however, the facilities and rooms are worn and show their age and the ravages of the elements, and the hotel is located just far enough away from the local population centers to make it inconvenient for quick pops into town. Hotel Kokoro also offers a rustic rainforest stay but with on-site hot springs and a location much closer to the town of La Fortuna -- however, its views aren't as impressive.
The 50-room Arenal Lodge is like a summer camp in the rainforest. It offers a good likelihood of up-close-and-personal encounters with the local fauna, thanks to the daily guided tour through the hundreds of acres of trails; guests may also be greeted by friendly, hungry coatis at the front gate. Also like summer camp, however, the facilities and rooms are worn and show their age and the ravages of the elements, and the hotel is located just far enough away from the local population centers to make it inconvenient for quick pops into town. Hotel Kokoro also offers a rustic rainforest stay but with on-site hot springs and a location much closer to the town of La Fortuna -- however, its views aren't as impressive.
In an area beset with modest hotels and traditional guesthouses, the four-pearl Preserve at Los Altos stands out. The sheer number of resort-style amenities outnumbers the competition. There's an ocean-view restaurant, free breakfast, a sparkling infinity pool, and a hillside spa. The 28 condo-style units are the largest in Manuel Antonio, and include gourmet kitchens, multiple bedrooms, flat-screen TVs, and panoramic ocean views from all the balconies. But the rocky beach, hilly grounds, and pricey room surcharges for more than two guests may push some to look elsewhere. Tulemar Resort is the area’s only comparable lodging, offering similar amenities plus a full-featured beach for around the same rates.
In an area beset with modest hotels and traditional guesthouses, the four-pearl Preserve at Los Altos stands out. The sheer number of resort-style amenities outnumbers the competition. There's an ocean-view restaurant, free breakfast, a sparkling infinity pool, and a hillside spa. The 28 condo-style units are the largest in Manuel Antonio, and include gourmet kitchens, multiple bedrooms, flat-screen TVs, and panoramic ocean views from all the balconies. But the rocky beach, hilly grounds, and pricey room surcharges for more than two guests may push some to look elsewhere. Tulemar Resort is the area’s only comparable lodging, offering similar amenities plus a full-featured beach for around the same rates.
The Courtyard is a mid-range Marriott property designed as a convenient modern stopover, with free airport shuttles and a decent line up of features. It's a solid overnight option for airport and business travelers seeking a smooth and easy stay pre- and post-flight, or while conducting business. Shuttles and breakfasts starting super early are a major plus for early morning departures and arrivals. Features include a fitness center, a nice pool and sun terrace, good business facilities, free Wi-Fi, and Centro restaurant and bar serving all meals. Rooms are basic but comfortable, and feature coffeemakers, mini-fridges, iPod docks, and Paul Mitchell toiletries. A major highlight is the great little strip of international eateries over the road, along with a Walgreens. Travelers seeking a little more quirk factor and a bigger pool could try the Adventure Inn.
The Courtyard is a mid-range Marriott property designed as a convenient modern stopover, with free airport shuttles and a decent line up of features. It's a solid overnight option for airport and business travelers seeking a smooth and easy stay pre- and post-flight, or while conducting business. Shuttles and breakfasts starting super early are a major plus for early morning departures and arrivals. Features include a fitness center, a nice pool and sun terrace, good business facilities, free Wi-Fi, and Centro restaurant and bar serving all meals. Rooms are basic but comfortable, and feature coffeemakers, mini-fridges, iPod docks, and Paul Mitchell toiletries. A major highlight is the great little strip of international eateries over the road, along with a Walgreens. Travelers seeking a little more quirk factor and a bigger pool could try the Adventure Inn.
Hotel Pumilio is an upper-middle-range boutique hotel located just outside downtown Jaco. Its 10 guest rooms are delightful and modern, and all include outdoor kitchens. These cozy rooms, along with a picturesque pool and a peaceful spa, give the hotel the feel of a relaxing retreat. The only thing Hotel Pumilio doesn’t have going for it is location -- it’s about a 10-minute drive to downtown Jaco and its beach. Guests interested in vacations focused on nightlife and the beach may prefer Jaco Laguna Resort & Beach Club, which is set right on Playa Jaco, but its rooms are less stylish and it doesn’t offer free breakfast.
Hotel Pumilio is an upper-middle-range boutique hotel located just outside downtown Jaco. Its 10 guest rooms are delightful and modern, and all include outdoor kitchens. These cozy rooms, along with a picturesque pool and a peaceful spa, give the hotel the feel of a relaxing retreat. The only thing Hotel Pumilio doesn’t have going for it is location -- it’s about a 10-minute drive to downtown Jaco and its beach. Guests interested in vacations focused on nightlife and the beach may prefer Jaco Laguna Resort & Beach Club, which is set right on Playa Jaco, but its rooms are less stylish and it doesn’t offer free breakfast.
Tambor Tropical Beach Resort is a three-and-a-half pearl oceanfront resort in Tambor, a sleepy Costa Rican fishing village. The hotel’s 10 air-conditioned suites are made of gorgeous hardwoods and come with platform queen beds, full kitchens with free coffee, and wraparound patios or balconies with pool or ocean views. The sand and rocky beach is a one-minute walk from the resort and a family of scarlet macaws lives in the lush canopy grounds. Hotel amenities include a big freshwater pool with a cold-water whirlpool, a tasty open-air restaurant, and stand-up paddle board rentals. Freebies include a welcome cocktail, daily afternoon surprise dessert, continental breakfast, and airport transfers from the nearby Tambor Airport. For a beachfront all-inclusive stay with two pools, a golf course, three restaurants, and lots of activities, compare rates at the nearby Barcelo Tambor Beach.
Tambor Tropical Beach Resort is a three-and-a-half pearl oceanfront resort in Tambor, a sleepy Costa Rican fishing village. The hotel’s 10 air-conditioned suites are made of gorgeous hardwoods and come with platform queen beds, full kitchens with free coffee, and wraparound patios or balconies with pool or ocean views. The sand and rocky beach is a one-minute walk from the resort and a family of scarlet macaws lives in the lush canopy grounds. Hotel amenities include a big freshwater pool with a cold-water whirlpool, a tasty open-air restaurant, and stand-up paddle board rentals. Freebies include a welcome cocktail, daily afternoon surprise dessert, continental breakfast, and airport transfers from the nearby Tambor Airport. For a beachfront all-inclusive stay with two pools, a golf course, three restaurants, and lots of activities, compare rates at the nearby Barcelo Tambor Beach.
Bahia Pez Vela Resort is a three-pearl hotel located a short walk from Playa Ocotal. There are 40 individually decorated three- and four-bedroom villas -- some more stylish than others -- all of which have dining and living areas, washer/dryers, and full kitchens. On-site amenities include two infinity pools, a wonderful restaurant, and access to a small private beach. The low-key atmosphere and quiet location are best for families and those focused on relaxing rather than partying. Travelers who want to be closer to more entertainment and nightlife options should compare rates and amenities with Sunrise Condos of Tamarindo.
Bahia Pez Vela Resort is a three-pearl hotel located a short walk from Playa Ocotal. There are 40 individually decorated three- and four-bedroom villas -- some more stylish than others -- all of which have dining and living areas, washer/dryers, and full kitchens. On-site amenities include two infinity pools, a wonderful restaurant, and access to a small private beach. The low-key atmosphere and quiet location are best for families and those focused on relaxing rather than partying. Travelers who want to be closer to more entertainment and nightlife options should compare rates and amenities with Sunrise Condos of Tamarindo.
This off-the-radar getaway for couples may not be on the beach, but those seeking secluded luxury will love the location high up in the hills, neighbor-free. Ten stylish villas -- all stand-alone and individually decorated -- have private pools with flora, fauna, and ocean views beyond. Most of the focus takes place in the villas themselves, but the hotel has a great home-base where guests come together for food and drink. Meals are often prepared one-on-one from the personable chef, and a chic lounge serves quality cocktails. Four additional villas will be added by the end of 2015, and the group also manages other rental properties like Mel Gibson’s vacation house. But travelers who prefer direct beach access could consider Florblanca Resort.
This off-the-radar getaway for couples may not be on the beach, but those seeking secluded luxury will love the location high up in the hills, neighbor-free. Ten stylish villas -- all stand-alone and individually decorated -- have private pools with flora, fauna, and ocean views beyond. Most of the focus takes place in the villas themselves, but the hotel has a great home-base where guests come together for food and drink. Meals are often prepared one-on-one from the personable chef, and a chic lounge serves quality cocktails. Four additional villas will be added by the end of 2015, and the group also manages other rental properties like Mel Gibson’s vacation house. But travelers who prefer direct beach access could consider Florblanca Resort.
A six-room motel on the sparsely populated road on the way to La Fortuna waterfall, Cerro Azul Arenal is a 10-minute drive south of La Fortuna and has commanding views of the rainforest in back and the volcano in front. Wooden-shack-style rooms are clean and have porches overlooking the rainforest, as well as AC and cable TV, but the fact that the front doors look right onto the parking lot makes it impossible to escape the feeling of a roadside motel. Still, there's plenty of rustic charm and it's hard to do much better for the price, but if a pool is a priority consider Hotel Vista del Cerro. Hotel Kokoro Arenal is sometimes only slightly pricier and has on-site hot springs.
A six-room motel on the sparsely populated road on the way to La Fortuna waterfall, Cerro Azul Arenal is a 10-minute drive south of La Fortuna and has commanding views of the rainforest in back and the volcano in front. Wooden-shack-style rooms are clean and have porches overlooking the rainforest, as well as AC and cable TV, but the fact that the front doors look right onto the parking lot makes it impossible to escape the feeling of a roadside motel. Still, there's plenty of rustic charm and it's hard to do much better for the price, but if a pool is a priority consider Hotel Vista del Cerro. Hotel Kokoro Arenal is sometimes only slightly pricier and has on-site hot springs.