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.
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 Tropico Latino is a three-pearl oceanfront hotel on the south side of Santa Teresa, a tranquil (and dusty) Costa Rican surf and yoga town. The hotel’s 20 air-conditioned rooms (some with ocean views) are a mix of modern, clean-lined hotel rooms with flat-screen TVs and comfortably rustic bungalows with vaulted ceilings and hardwood and stone accents. All rooms have big balconies or patios. The tasty, oceanfront restaurant has beautiful views and breakfasts are especially delicious. Hotel amenities include a gorgeous beach with lots of hammocks and chairs, a rain forest surrounded freshwater pool with cold-water whirlpool, daily yoga classes (for a fee), and ocean-view massage rooms. However, rocks make it too dangerous to swim directly off the beach. For a beachfront stay with gorgeous open-air villas, quiet beach, and infinity pool, it’s worth exploring Latitude 10 Beachfront Resort.
Hotel Tropico Latino is a three-pearl oceanfront hotel on the south side of Santa Teresa, a tranquil (and dusty) Costa Rican surf and yoga town. The hotel’s 20 air-conditioned rooms (some with ocean views) are a mix of modern, clean-lined hotel rooms with flat-screen TVs and comfortably rustic bungalows with vaulted ceilings and hardwood and stone accents. All rooms have big balconies or patios. The tasty, oceanfront restaurant has beautiful views and breakfasts are especially delicious. Hotel amenities include a gorgeous beach with lots of hammocks and chairs, a rain forest surrounded freshwater pool with cold-water whirlpool, daily yoga classes (for a fee), and ocean-view massage rooms. However, rocks make it too dangerous to swim directly off the beach. For a beachfront stay with gorgeous open-air villas, quiet beach, and infinity pool, it’s worth exploring Latitude 10 Beachfront Resort.
Asia meets Costa Rica at this small, upper-mid-range hotel run by an Israeli couple, Gali and Yoav. The walk-up setting (good for the glutes!) offers stunning Pacific Ocean views from the tea house, where healthy fare is served from the organic garden. Above here, with even better views, is the wooden yoga deck for daily classes: Sivananda and/or Vinyasa, and sometimes Pilates. Eight units are made mostly of pine and include balconies, kitchenettes, and three pools -- two of which are for the villas only. Surfing waves, restaurants, and groceries are a walk away, and massages can be arranged on-site. Take note that the hotel closes annually during the months of September and October. Those looking for a beach setting with a similar yogi vibe should consider Pranamar Villas and Yoga Retreat, though rates will be higher.
Asia meets Costa Rica at this small, upper-mid-range hotel run by an Israeli couple, Gali and Yoav. The walk-up setting (good for the glutes!) offers stunning Pacific Ocean views from the tea house, where healthy fare is served from the organic garden. Above here, with even better views, is the wooden yoga deck for daily classes: Sivananda and/or Vinyasa, and sometimes Pilates. Eight units are made mostly of pine and include balconies, kitchenettes, and three pools -- two of which are for the villas only. Surfing waves, restaurants, and groceries are a walk away, and massages can be arranged on-site. Take note that the hotel closes annually during the months of September and October. Those looking for a beach setting with a similar yogi vibe should consider Pranamar Villas and Yoga Retreat, though rates will be higher.
This mid-range home-away-from-home offers just four standalone villas on the edge of Santa Teresa, and manages to be both kid-friendly and romantic. Canadian owners -- Brad and Tara -- have successfully created a relaxed environment that keeps visitors coming back. Breakfasts are served each morning, and then it's time for surfing, hanging by the pool, or perhaps an ATV tour given by Brad himself. Comfortable and clean units have air-conditioning, kitchens, and outdoor space, but luxurious they are not. The hotel lacks a fitness center, but offers free Wi-Fi and a small playground.
This mid-range home-away-from-home offers just four standalone villas on the edge of Santa Teresa, and manages to be both kid-friendly and romantic. Canadian owners -- Brad and Tara -- have successfully created a relaxed environment that keeps visitors coming back. Breakfasts are served each morning, and then it's time for surfing, hanging by the pool, or perhaps an ATV tour given by Brad himself. Comfortable and clean units have air-conditioning, kitchens, and outdoor space, but luxurious they are not. The hotel lacks a fitness center, but offers free Wi-Fi and a small playground.
The Red Palm Villas is a three-and-a-half pearl oceanfront resort on a fabulous Santa Teresa surf beach. It’s five air-conditioned villas and suites are rustically luxe with live-edged furniture, hardwood accents and built-ins, mosaic-tiled bathrooms, king-size beds, and plush futons. Two of the villas have ocean views, while the others have garden views. It’s a quiet and private property with villas spaced out throughout the sandy grounds. Red Palm can arrange surf lessons, yoga classes, tours, and also has free boogie boards to borrow -- but there's no pool or restaurant. For a luxurious eco-chic stay with a gorgeous pool, delicious (but expensive) restaurant, and an open-air spa, it’s worth pricing out the nearby Latitude 10 Resort.
The Red Palm Villas is a three-and-a-half pearl oceanfront resort on a fabulous Santa Teresa surf beach. It’s five air-conditioned villas and suites are rustically luxe with live-edged furniture, hardwood accents and built-ins, mosaic-tiled bathrooms, king-size beds, and plush futons. Two of the villas have ocean views, while the others have garden views. It’s a quiet and private property with villas spaced out throughout the sandy grounds. Red Palm can arrange surf lessons, yoga classes, tours, and also has free boogie boards to borrow -- but there's no pool or restaurant. For a luxurious eco-chic stay with a gorgeous pool, delicious (but expensive) restaurant, and an open-air spa, it’s worth pricing out the nearby Latitude 10 Resort.
An avid surfer and his wife (both American) opened this mid-range boutique property in 2007 to capitalize on stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Six Standard Rooms and Suites wrap around an infinity pool, while two enormous three-bedroom Condos are great for families or groups. Units have kitchens, kitchenettes or mini-fridges, and guests are a short, but steep, walk to the grocery store, dining options, and beach. The hotel's laid-back guests can rent from a large collection of surfboards and boogies boards, or use the open-air yoga deck for self-practice. Those looking for a beach locale within the same price point might consider Villas Hermosas.
An avid surfer and his wife (both American) opened this mid-range boutique property in 2007 to capitalize on stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Six Standard Rooms and Suites wrap around an infinity pool, while two enormous three-bedroom Condos are great for families or groups. Units have kitchens, kitchenettes or mini-fridges, and guests are a short, but steep, walk to the grocery store, dining options, and beach. The hotel's laid-back guests can rent from a large collection of surfboards and boogies boards, or use the open-air yoga deck for self-practice. Those looking for a beach locale within the same price point might consider Villas Hermosas.
Canaima Chill House is a three-pearl boutique hotel in the jungle-filled hills above Santa Teresa. Its eight air-conditioned rooms are a mix of suites and lofts with kitchenettes, stone-walled showers, and private balconies or patios. Canaima’s romantic pool is covered by a lush canopy and there’s also a big hot tub (an uncommon treat in Santa Teresa). The hotel doesn’t have an on-site restaurant, but they do have a menu book of restaurants that deliver. Freebies include tour booking, a bottle of water, Wi-Fi, and parking. It’s a quiet, Zenned-out spot, but with its hillside location and minimally-railed balconies, children under 8 aren’t allowed. For a more family-friendly stay with a yoga studio, tasty restaurant, and ocean views, it’s worth checking out Funky Monkey Lodge instead.
Canaima Chill House is a three-pearl boutique hotel in the jungle-filled hills above Santa Teresa. Its eight air-conditioned rooms are a mix of suites and lofts with kitchenettes, stone-walled showers, and private balconies or patios. Canaima’s romantic pool is covered by a lush canopy and there’s also a big hot tub (an uncommon treat in Santa Teresa). The hotel doesn’t have an on-site restaurant, but they do have a menu book of restaurants that deliver. Freebies include tour booking, a bottle of water, Wi-Fi, and parking. It’s a quiet, Zenned-out spot, but with its hillside location and minimally-railed balconies, children under 8 aren’t allowed. For a more family-friendly stay with a yoga studio, tasty restaurant, and ocean views, it’s worth checking out Funky Monkey Lodge instead.
Catering to the adventurous traveler, the Rio Perdido Hotel & Thermal River is a wonderful jungle property tucked away in 600 acres of natural reserve in the Guanacaste province. The main draw here is the myriad outdoor activities on offer, ranging from zip-lining to hiking to relaxing in the many natural hot springs found on-site. The hotel also features three beautiful pools -- one with a swim-up bar -- as well as yoga classes and a spa offering great body treatments in open-air rooms overlooking the jungle. The 30 stand-alone bungalows have been designed to blend in with the lush surroundings, and are equal parts stylish and eco-conscious, with natural, local materials, modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs or projectors, and great terraces with seating. The value Buena Vista del Rincon is a decent alternative for those wanting something offering a similar range of adventure activities at a lower price point.
Catering to the adventurous traveler, the Rio Perdido Hotel & Thermal River is a wonderful jungle property tucked away in 600 acres of natural reserve in the Guanacaste province. The main draw here is the myriad outdoor activities on offer, ranging from zip-lining to hiking to relaxing in the many natural hot springs found on-site. The hotel also features three beautiful pools -- one with a swim-up bar -- as well as yoga classes and a spa offering great body treatments in open-air rooms overlooking the jungle. The 30 stand-alone bungalows have been designed to blend in with the lush surroundings, and are equal parts stylish and eco-conscious, with natural, local materials, modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs or projectors, and great terraces with seating. The value Buena Vista del Rincon is a decent alternative for those wanting something offering a similar range of adventure activities at a lower price point.
This secluded, 45-room upscale boutique hotel exudes European elegance and sits atop a 1,100-foot-high cliff. Stunning rainforest and Pacific Ocean views are the highlight -- especially from the jaw-dropping Greek amphitheater and the martini bar popular at sunset. There are also two beautiful restaurants (with more views). Guests can spend the day using the infinity pool, private pebble beach (bring hiking shoes!), open-air fitness center and spa, or partaking in one of the dizzying array of excursions. Most guest are couples. A smaller but no less spectacular area next door called Zephyr Palace offers seven themed suites and has its own amazing infinity pool. Wi-Fi and parking are free. Those seeking a boutique closer to Manuel Antonio National Park should compare rates with Makanda by the Sea.
This secluded, 45-room upscale boutique hotel exudes European elegance and sits atop a 1,100-foot-high cliff. Stunning rainforest and Pacific Ocean views are the highlight -- especially from the jaw-dropping Greek amphitheater and the martini bar popular at sunset. There are also two beautiful restaurants (with more views). Guests can spend the day using the infinity pool, private pebble beach (bring hiking shoes!), open-air fitness center and spa, or partaking in one of the dizzying array of excursions. Most guest are couples. A smaller but no less spectacular area next door called Zephyr Palace offers seven themed suites and has its own amazing infinity pool. Wi-Fi and parking are free. Those seeking a boutique closer to Manuel Antonio National Park should compare rates with Makanda by the Sea.