$=
budget $$ = mid-range $$$ = high SP=Bring
your Spanish phrasebook, little or no English spoken.
ALL
OF COSTA RICA
Solutions travel agency
New
small, but comprehensive Italian-owned travel agent in the centre
of bustling Jaco. The staff will give you very personal attention
in planning any or all aspects of your trip not only in Costa Rica,
but also the rest of Central America and overseas destinations. They
will organize everything from plane tickets, hotel reservations, rental
cars, and land transfers to local, group and personalized tours. Solutions
staff speak English, Spanish, Italian and French and can assist you
by email and phone from overseas. Central Jaco Beach.
THE
CENTRAL PACIFIC - ESTERILLOS BEACH
La
Dolce Vita hotel
This
is one of those places that we really wanted to stay longer! Set right
on tranquil Esterillos Beach, this brand new hotel (2005) offers a
handful of quality, self-contained suites, each with two rooms, full
kitchen, sofa lounge, a/c, fan, patio and a beach front pool. All
this at an incredibly affordable price. The town of Esterillos is
very small and quiet with only a couple restaurants and bars just
back from the long and wide beach, frequented mainly only by locals
and surfers. Oceanfront to the right of the main road. $$
NO
WEBSITE
THE
CENTRAL PACIFIC - JACO
Arenal
Pacifico hotel
Situated
on the quieter southern end of lively Jaco, this 30 room hotel offers
comfortable standard, superior and studio rooms with a/c, fan, and
cable TV. Walk across the wooden bridge through the tropical gardens
to the two large swimming pools surrounded by palms and chaise lounges.
Then just a few steps further and you're on a peaceful stretch of
Jaco Beach. They offer a tropical continental breakfast served at
the poolside restaurant, plus laundry services, bicycle rental, and
parking area. 506-643-3419 Oceanfront, south Jaco beach. $$-$$$
Canciones
Del Mar hotel
Some
say that Jaco is too developed and busy, but there is another side
of this town in the form of quiet retreats like this Dutch-owned Spanish
colonial hotel. Cruise the main road of Jaco's restaurants and shops
or just relax minutes away up a rustic lane that leads to this oceanfront
mini-oasis. All of the 10 rooms are bedroom apartments with fully-equipped
kitchens, a/c, fan, cable TV, two queen size beds, and a private patio.
In the tropical courtyard there is a refreshing pool, a loft reading
lounge with rocking chairs, and an open-air cafe and dining area where
your buffet breakfast is served. Quality surf equipment available
for hire, and tours can be arranged at reception. 506-643-3273 Oceanfront,
north Jaco beach. $$
Hotel
Kangaroo hotel / hostel
With
a name like Hotel Kangaroo, how could we not stay here? New French
manager Damien has turned this once backpacker dive into a comfortable
and relaxing chill zone for those who want to travel on a budget without
compromising quality. Just 100 meters from the beach, Kangaroo has
clean dorms, private rooms, a living room with TV, a large patio and
a pool surrounded by tall mango trees. Both Damien and his Tico (Costa
Rican) employee, Victor, live to surf and will make sure you are up
to catch the morning waves. Take a cab from central Jaco and they
will pay for it. 506-643-3351 south Jaco beach. $
THE
CENTRAL PACIFIC - MANUEL ANTONIO
Hotel
Mono Azul hotel
Mono
Azul is more than just a hotel. It is the amalgamation of three hotels
sprawling across lush hills, a locally acclaimed full service restaurant
and bar, and home to the Kids Saving the Rainforest Project (KSTR)
run by the co-owner and her young daughter. Both American owners,
Jennifer and Chip have created a fantastic jungle style atmosphere
where guests can relax in standard and deluxe rooms or villas surrounding
one of three pools. Along with the KSTR souvenir shop, there is a
full library, art gallery, small games room, and massage and yoga
available. 506-777-2572 1km from Quepos towards Manuel Antonio. $$-$$$
THE
CENTRAL PACIFIC - MONTEVERDE
Cabinas
El Pueblo cabinas
The cheap
accommodation in Monteverde is a gem for the budget traveler and doesn't
mean you have to skimp on quality. Cabinas El Pueblo is one of the
newest additions to the area, set on the quiet road a short walk downhill
from Santa Elena town. Owners Marleny and Freddy offer a variety of
comfortable rooms, some with big clean share bathrooms, a cozy reading
room, and a communal kitchen with free coffee and tea. Marleny is
eager to help visitors plan their activities and can do all bookings.
506-645-6192 50 meters SW from the supermarket SP
$
Cabinas
Vista al Golfo cabinas
Another
affordable quality accommodation choice on the quiet road down the
hill from Santa Elena, Vista al Golfo stands up to it's name 'View
to the Gulf' with balconies that afford views of the mountains and
Nicoya Gulf. Though the price would suggest it, this place is not
just for backpackers, and guests can choose from a variety of rooms
including two fully-equipped villas. Owners Jorge and Anali offer
a communal kitchen overlooking the gulf or a great soda next door
for all your meals. 506-645-6321 300 meters SW from the supermarket.
$
THE
CENTRAL PACIFIC - QUEPOS
Quepos
is the small town that resides just northwest of the famed Manuel
Antonio National Park. The further you go towards the park the more
expensive the accommodation so if you are on a budget, Quepos is the
place to stay. It's only a short bus ride or taxi ride away from the
park. There are several local run budget hotels and one great new
backpacker hostel, The Wide Mouth Frog.
THE
ZONA NORTE - LA FORTUNA / ARENAL
Arenal
Volcano Inn hotel
In Costa
Rica, you don't have to pay a fortune to enjoy the comforts of a fine
new hotel like this one, situated a few kilometers out of La Fortuna
town in the countryside surrounding Arenal Volcano. Each adobe style
Spanish-tiled room has two large beds, cable TV, a/c, breakfast bar,
mini-bar, large stylish bathroom and giant picture window facing the
volcano. You can also gaze at the volcano and lush surrounds from
the pool and jacuzzi or from the wooden reception tables where the
large breakfast buffet is served. Kitchen also serves light meals
all day or can order delivery from town. 506- 461-2021 6.5 km west
of La Fortuna. $$
Hotel
Dorothy hostel
This
is a great budget option is La Fortuna, set in a quiet part of town
with a view to Arenal Volcano. All simple rooms have private bathrooms,
fans and large windows. Guests can use 15 minutes of free internet
at Hotel Dorothy's adjacent soda and relax with other travelers in
a rocking chair on one of the two-story building's patios. Owner Noel
Samuels, from Costa Rica's caribbean, has an infectious smile and
laugh that makes you want to hang out here for longer. Ask him about
bookings for local tours.
506- 479-8068 200 meters south from the central park. $
THE
ZONA SUR - DOMINICAL
Dominical
has a wide range of accommodation spread along several kilometers
of this stretch of beach. For the immediate area around the village,
the general standard of budget accommodation is still very low while
prices remain high, though in outlying areas, there are more upmarket
and quality options. Dominical is still developing though, so check
the internet before you go to see what's on offer.
THE
ZONA SUR - UVITA
Tucan
Hotel hostel
If you
really want to get away from it all, go to Uvita, a tiny town nestled
in the lush mountains a few kilometers back from the Pacific coast.
Here, backpackers will find Tucan Hotel to be a place where they can
relax for days in the shaded courtyard with a dozen hammocks, wicker
furniture, pool table, book exchange, internet, bar, open kitchen,
a fantastic cafe and a daily afternoon movie shown in the hammock
lounge. Close by is a refreshing water hole and falls, while the pretty
beaches of Ballena Marine National Park are an enjoyable 40-minute
walk away. 506-743-8140 150m inland from the highway at Uvita Crossing.
$
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