From the lobby to the restaurant to the quaint, two-story chalets, the mid-range Hotel Chalet Tirol is like a pitch-perfect -- and surreal -- imitation of an alpine lodge in the middle of tropical Costa Rica. The only on-site restaurant and bar provides a gourmet, French-inspired menu and live piano music on select nights. Most of the 35 rooms offer rustic, cabin-like accommodations, and all include modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and gas or electric fireplaces. There’s little within walking distance, however, and Heredia is a 30-minute drive away -- but that’s a definite pro for some guests. Cabanas Las Ardillas offers rustic, similarly-priced, three-pearl accommodations with a small on-site spa.
From the lobby to the restaurant to the quaint, two-story chalets, the mid-range Hotel Chalet Tirol is like a pitch-perfect -- and surreal -- imitation of an alpine lodge in the middle of tropical Costa Rica. The only on-site restaurant and bar provides a gourmet, French-inspired menu and live piano music on select nights. Most of the 35 rooms offer rustic, cabin-like accommodations, and all include modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and gas or electric fireplaces. There’s little within walking distance, however, and Heredia is a 30-minute drive away -- but that’s a definite pro for some guests. Cabanas Las Ardillas offers rustic, similarly-priced, three-pearl accommodations with a small on-site spa.
This budget-friendly eight-room hotel overlooking the Pacific Ocean was opened in 2001 by an Argentinian couple who keeps the place clean and simple (they also live on-site). The picturesque lawn -- great for sunsets -- is located above surfer town Santa Teresa, and guests stay in shape by hoofing it back and forth to Playa Carmen's beach and steady waves. Low-priced rooms (either with fans or air-conditioning) do not have TVs or much outdoor privacy, but each is equipped with a private bathroom and mini-fridge. A walking path leads to an outdoor pool and open-air restaurant, but the natural, unfenced property is not safe for little kids or those who have had one too many cocktails.
This budget-friendly eight-room hotel overlooking the Pacific Ocean was opened in 2001 by an Argentinian couple who keeps the place clean and simple (they also live on-site). The picturesque lawn -- great for sunsets -- is located above surfer town Santa Teresa, and guests stay in shape by hoofing it back and forth to Playa Carmen's beach and steady waves. Low-priced rooms (either with fans or air-conditioning) do not have TVs or much outdoor privacy, but each is equipped with a private bathroom and mini-fridge. A walking path leads to an outdoor pool and open-air restaurant, but the natural, unfenced property is not safe for little kids or those who have had one too many cocktails.
This 18-room, no-frills surfing mecca sits on a prime stretch of Tamarindo Beach perfect for learning to surf. The vibe is friendly, laid-back, and fun. Guests are encouraged to kick back in the two lively restaurants, the brewery, or the tiny pool. There's also a busy surf shop that outfits guests with surfing gear. Rooms are bare-bones basic, lacking clocks, TVs, and adequate lighting, but that’s part of the plan. Guests don’t come to Witch’s Rock to lounge on high-thread-count sheets (they're pretty thin) or linger in luxurious bathrooms (hot water is sporadic), they come to hone their surfing skills and embrace the camaraderie and campy lifestyle that goes along with the sport.
This 18-room, no-frills surfing mecca sits on a prime stretch of Tamarindo Beach perfect for learning to surf. The vibe is friendly, laid-back, and fun. Guests are encouraged to kick back in the two lively restaurants, the brewery, or the tiny pool. There's also a busy surf shop that outfits guests with surfing gear. Rooms are bare-bones basic, lacking clocks, TVs, and adequate lighting, but that’s part of the plan. Guests don’t come to Witch’s Rock to lounge on high-thread-count sheets (they're pretty thin) or linger in luxurious bathrooms (hot water is sporadic), they come to hone their surfing skills and embrace the camaraderie and campy lifestyle that goes along with the sport.
This small but spacious three-pearl, eco-friendly hotel has 20 rooms and suites. Spread out over five acres of jungle -- home to exotic birds and monkeys -- guests are a five-minute drive to Jaco's bars, restaurants, and beach. The laid-back and private vibe is ideal for groups who want the entire property; yogis in particular love having two studios: one indoors and one outdoors. Spacious rooms are spotless and have double-purified drinking water on tap. Free breakfast at the restaurant is followed by locally-sourced fare for lunch and dinner. Though it's stranded during the day, there's a nice outdoor pool for staying cool. Those who prefer a beach locale should consider Jaco Laguna Resort & Beach Club.
This small but spacious three-pearl, eco-friendly hotel has 20 rooms and suites. Spread out over five acres of jungle -- home to exotic birds and monkeys -- guests are a five-minute drive to Jaco's bars, restaurants, and beach. The laid-back and private vibe is ideal for groups who want the entire property; yogis in particular love having two studios: one indoors and one outdoors. Spacious rooms are spotless and have double-purified drinking water on tap. Free breakfast at the restaurant is followed by locally-sourced fare for lunch and dinner. Though it's stranded during the day, there's a nice outdoor pool for staying cool. Those who prefer a beach locale should consider Jaco Laguna Resort & Beach Club.
This mid-priced, 120-room resort -- popular with Americans -- looks onto a white sand beach in Costa Rica's Guanacaste region. Several types of accommodations (most with balconies) have varying views with contemporary furnishings, coffeemakers, and stocked minibars. Optional dining packages include themed buffets at the main restaurant, which serves international food (there's also a romantic dinner spot down the beach). Guests stay busy with games in the outdoor pool, tennis, and workouts in the fitness center, or pay for water sports, scuba diving lessons, and treatments at the spa. The swim-up bar receives a steady cocktail crowd, as does the Sunset Lounge in evenings when the vibe turns more adult-friendly -- read: after the kids are in bed. Freebies include parking, Wi-Fi, and use of beach chairs.
This mid-priced, 120-room resort -- popular with Americans -- looks onto a white sand beach in Costa Rica's Guanacaste region. Several types of accommodations (most with balconies) have varying views with contemporary furnishings, coffeemakers, and stocked minibars. Optional dining packages include themed buffets at the main restaurant, which serves international food (there's also a romantic dinner spot down the beach). Guests stay busy with games in the outdoor pool, tennis, and workouts in the fitness center, or pay for water sports, scuba diving lessons, and treatments at the spa. The swim-up bar receives a steady cocktail crowd, as does the Sunset Lounge in evenings when the vibe turns more adult-friendly -- read: after the kids are in bed. Freebies include parking, Wi-Fi, and use of beach chairs.
The mid-range Hotel Fonda Vela has a lovely, garden setting a 10-minute drive from central Santa Elena. The location is secluded enough to guarantee excellent bird- and wildlife-watching yet close to town for access to dining and shopping. Noteworthy amenities include a lovely, fireside dining room and a modern, covered pool complex with two hot tubs and a bar. The 42 rooms are a little bit cabin and a little bit old school, and while they are well kept, they are undeniably dated. In-room amenities include cable TV and mini-fridges, but not much else. As a nearby alternative, the similarly priced Monteverde Lodge & Gardens offers nicer amenities -- including a gourmet restaurant and a butterfly garden -- in a more sophisticated package.
The mid-range Hotel Fonda Vela has a lovely, garden setting a 10-minute drive from central Santa Elena. The location is secluded enough to guarantee excellent bird- and wildlife-watching yet close to town for access to dining and shopping. Noteworthy amenities include a lovely, fireside dining room and a modern, covered pool complex with two hot tubs and a bar. The 42 rooms are a little bit cabin and a little bit old school, and while they are well kept, they are undeniably dated. In-room amenities include cable TV and mini-fridges, but not much else. As a nearby alternative, the similarly priced Monteverde Lodge & Gardens offers nicer amenities -- including a gourmet restaurant and a butterfly garden -- in a more sophisticated package.
The 701-room Riu Guanacaste is a lot like a Riu anywhere, with a good beach, a huge, raucous pool, an energetic entertainment staff, and a party-hearty, booze-fueled atmosphere. Rooms are nothing special, and a la carte restaurant reservations need to be made a day in advance. If you're after a convenient, typical all-inclusive experience, this is it; if you're looking to experience local charm, not so much.
The 701-room Riu Guanacaste is a lot like a Riu anywhere, with a good beach, a huge, raucous pool, an energetic entertainment staff, and a party-hearty, booze-fueled atmosphere. Rooms are nothing special, and a la carte restaurant reservations need to be made a day in advance. If you're after a convenient, typical all-inclusive experience, this is it; if you're looking to experience local charm, not so much.
La Lancha is one of a handful of exclusive Central American hideaways owned by Francis Ford Coppola. This small 10-room rainforest retreat has a lakeside location 40 minutes away from the famous Mayan ruins at Tikal National Park. Rooms are rustic and comfortable with fantastic balconies and hammocks for admiring the views. Hotel highlights include a split-level pool, the beautiful Lake Peten Itza with canoes, and an on-site restaurant and bar serving Guatemalan cuisine and Coppola wines. Some guests have complained about the lack of a hot tub and the thin walls between casitas. There are no TVs, and climbing stairs is required on this hillside property.
La Lancha is one of a handful of exclusive Central American hideaways owned by Francis Ford Coppola. This small 10-room rainforest retreat has a lakeside location 40 minutes away from the famous Mayan ruins at Tikal National Park. Rooms are rustic and comfortable with fantastic balconies and hammocks for admiring the views. Hotel highlights include a split-level pool, the beautiful Lake Peten Itza with canoes, and an on-site restaurant and bar serving Guatemalan cuisine and Coppola wines. Some guests have complained about the lack of a hot tub and the thin walls between casitas. There are no TVs, and climbing stairs is required on this hillside property.
Casa Conde Beach-Front Hotel is a laid-back all-inclusive property with an outstanding beachfront location. The upper-middle-range hotel has 50 rooms split between older and newer sides -- newer rooms are worth the upgrade, considering they’re larger, brighter, and have more modern amenities, while older rooms have paper-thin walls and lack natural light. Casa Conde's best features are its two large pools and direct access to the humongous Playa Panama. While there is only one restaurant, food at the hotel is surprisingly tasty for an all-inclusive. Additional amenities include free Wi-Fi, a small fitness center, and a kids' club, but most of the guests here are adults. Families may prefer the more lively Flamingo Beach Resort & Spa in Playa Flamingo.
Casa Conde Beach-Front Hotel is a laid-back all-inclusive property with an outstanding beachfront location. The upper-middle-range hotel has 50 rooms split between older and newer sides -- newer rooms are worth the upgrade, considering they’re larger, brighter, and have more modern amenities, while older rooms have paper-thin walls and lack natural light. Casa Conde's best features are its two large pools and direct access to the humongous Playa Panama. While there is only one restaurant, food at the hotel is surprisingly tasty for an all-inclusive. Additional amenities include free Wi-Fi, a small fitness center, and a kids' club, but most of the guests here are adults. Families may prefer the more lively Flamingo Beach Resort & Spa in Playa Flamingo.
Reserva Conchal is a stylish, four-pearl property located on gorgeous Playa Conchal beach. Its 40 condos are polished and modern, with each offering between one and five bedrooms. Every unit is individually decorated, but all have full kitchens, furnished balconies or terraces, homey living areas, as well as washers and dryers. The property’s main building is home to an extensive line-up of upscale amenities, including two wonderful pools, an open-air restaurant, as well as a spa, a fitness center, and a golf course shared with the neighboring Westin Playa Conchal resort. The primary drawback here is the condos' location: They aren't located on the beach and require a short drive or shuttle ride away to reach the main building. Travelers may want to compare rates and features with Hacienda Pinilla, just outside Tamarindo.
Reserva Conchal is a stylish, four-pearl property located on gorgeous Playa Conchal beach. Its 40 condos are polished and modern, with each offering between one and five bedrooms. Every unit is individually decorated, but all have full kitchens, furnished balconies or terraces, homey living areas, as well as washers and dryers. The property’s main building is home to an extensive line-up of upscale amenities, including two wonderful pools, an open-air restaurant, as well as a spa, a fitness center, and a golf course shared with the neighboring Westin Playa Conchal resort. The primary drawback here is the condos' location: They aren't located on the beach and require a short drive or shuttle ride away to reach the main building. Travelers may want to compare rates and features with Hacienda Pinilla, just outside Tamarindo.