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 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.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Monteverde Lodge & Gardens is a quaint, off-rustic hotel an intimate, garden setting high in Monteverde's mountains. The lovely, rainforest-view pool area, excellent local food in the restaurant, and indoor butterfly garden are all noteworthy. Each of the 27 rooms is modern and bright, with amazing jungle views, free Wi-Fi, and contemporary bathrooms, plus many rooms have balconies or terraces. Keep in mind that there are no televisions or air-conditioning to keep with the hotel's quiet, eco-friendly focus. Santa Elena’s dining and shopping are less than 10 minutes away on foot while the famous Monteverde Cloud Forest is 15-minute drive from the hotel. It's also worth considering the nearby El Establo, which offers more amenities in a larger, resort-style setting at similar rates.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Monteverde Lodge & Gardens is a quaint, off-rustic hotel an intimate, garden setting high in Monteverde's mountains. The lovely, rainforest-view pool area, excellent local food in the restaurant, and indoor butterfly garden are all noteworthy. Each of the 27 rooms is modern and bright, with amazing jungle views, free Wi-Fi, and contemporary bathrooms, plus many rooms have balconies or terraces. Keep in mind that there are no televisions or air-conditioning to keep with the hotel's quiet, eco-friendly focus. Santa Elena’s dining and shopping are less than 10 minutes away on foot while the famous Monteverde Cloud Forest is 15-minute drive from the hotel. It's also worth considering the nearby El Establo, which offers more amenities in a larger, resort-style setting at similar rates.
This small, mid-range hotel, more like a home-away-from-home, has five villas on a hillside, where the highlight is an infinity pool (said to be the first in Nicoya Peninsula) from which guests can watch surfers in the distance. Owned and operated by a lovable, eccentric family of four, along with their team of expats, the hotel encourages guests interaction, including eating the free breakfast together. Anyone is able to use the pool and swim-up bar for a buzzy happy hour designed for meeting friends -- and yes, it will happen. After sunset, guests can enjoy prime steaks on the grill or head to Santa Teresa for more options. Spotlessly clean, but simple, villas come with Egyptian cotton sheets, empty mini-fridges, and outdoor bathrooms. Two sons (both easy on the eyes) offer surf lessons, ATV tours, and airport transfers. For more privacy and romance, consider Casa Chameleon down the road.
This small, mid-range hotel, more like a home-away-from-home, has five villas on a hillside, where the highlight is an infinity pool (said to be the first in Nicoya Peninsula) from which guests can watch surfers in the distance. Owned and operated by a lovable, eccentric family of four, along with their team of expats, the hotel encourages guests interaction, including eating the free breakfast together. Anyone is able to use the pool and swim-up bar for a buzzy happy hour designed for meeting friends -- and yes, it will happen. After sunset, guests can enjoy prime steaks on the grill or head to Santa Teresa for more options. Spotlessly clean, but simple, villas come with Egyptian cotton sheets, empty mini-fridges, and outdoor bathrooms. Two sons (both easy on the eyes) offer surf lessons, ATV tours, and airport transfers. For more privacy and romance, consider Casa Chameleon down the road.
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.
Hotel Cantarana is an intimate, five-room budget-oriented boutique hotel with a laid-back surfer vibe, a shaded pool, personal service, and a notable restaurant set among a canopy of trees. The hotel is located within the Las Baulas National Marine Park, home to hundreds of species of birds and a prominent nesting ground for leatherback sea turtles. The hotel’s biggest draw, though, might be the uncrowded, surfer-friendly Playa Grande, a quick walk away along a dirt road. Those seeking nightlife can drive 30 minutes to reach the bars of Tamarindo, yet most guests at Hotel Cantarana opt to spend their evenings on guided tours observing nesting turtles or holed up in the basic but comfortable rooms outfitted with king-size beds, air-conditioning, and flat-screen TVs.
Hotel Cantarana is an intimate, five-room budget-oriented boutique hotel with a laid-back surfer vibe, a shaded pool, personal service, and a notable restaurant set among a canopy of trees. The hotel is located within the Las Baulas National Marine Park, home to hundreds of species of birds and a prominent nesting ground for leatherback sea turtles. The hotel’s biggest draw, though, might be the uncrowded, surfer-friendly Playa Grande, a quick walk away along a dirt road. Those seeking nightlife can drive 30 minutes to reach the bars of Tamarindo, yet most guests at Hotel Cantarana opt to spend their evenings on guided tours observing nesting turtles or holed up in the basic but comfortable rooms outfitted with king-size beds, air-conditioning, and flat-screen TVs.
Playa Grande Park is a laid-back, mid-range boutique hotel with personal service and a surfer-chic restaurant and bar serving organic burgers and artisan brews. The hotel offers eight rooms set in a two-story building overlooking a pool shaded by an enormous Guanacaste tree as well as more spacious villas enclosed in a private compound. Set within the Marina Las Baulas National Park, an important sea turtle nesting site, the hotel neighbors the park's welcome center and is just a short walk to the sand and surf of the aptly named Playa Grande, one of the area's most sought-after surfing destinations.
Playa Grande Park is a laid-back, mid-range boutique hotel with personal service and a surfer-chic restaurant and bar serving organic burgers and artisan brews. The hotel offers eight rooms set in a two-story building overlooking a pool shaded by an enormous Guanacaste tree as well as more spacious villas enclosed in a private compound. Set within the Marina Las Baulas National Park, an important sea turtle nesting site, the hotel neighbors the park's welcome center and is just a short walk to the sand and surf of the aptly named Playa Grande, one of the area's most sought-after surfing destinations.
Hotel RipJack Inn is a three-pearl hotel located a short walk from striking Playa Grande beach. The hotel’s 21 guest rooms are tidy and charming, and some have separate living areas and kitchenettes. The hotel’s small, green grounds offer two fine outdoor pools, an excellent restaurant, and a serene yoga shala. There are a few other dining options within walking distance, with this quiet town mainly appealing to guests interested in surfing or watching turtle nesting on the beach. Travelers may want to compare amenities and rates with nearby Hotel Cantarana.
Hotel RipJack Inn is a three-pearl hotel located a short walk from striking Playa Grande beach. The hotel’s 21 guest rooms are tidy and charming, and some have separate living areas and kitchenettes. The hotel’s small, green grounds offer two fine outdoor pools, an excellent restaurant, and a serene yoga shala. There are a few other dining options within walking distance, with this quiet town mainly appealing to guests interested in surfing or watching turtle nesting on the beach. Travelers may want to compare amenities and rates with nearby Hotel Cantarana.
It's hard to find an experience quite like the one offered at the three-pearl Samasati Retreat and Rainforest in Hone Creek, Puerto Viejo. With a peak position atop a mountain with scenic views overlooking the town of Puerto Viejo and Playa Negra below, guests occupying the 10 bungalows and private houses are totally surrounded by the high trees and lush greenery of undisturbed rain forest with monkeys and sloths. Bungalows here are all comfortably sized with private verandas and sweeping views of Samasati's gardens. The tranquil and self-sufficient hotel offers three buffet-style meals a day (including a free breakfast), all of which are healthy, vegetarian-friendly, and made from locally grown foods. Unfortunately, there isn't a pool and the rustic ambience (no TVs and limited Wi-Fi) isn't for everyone. Samasati's early morning and evening yoga and meditation classes are the hotel's high points. This is a popular spot for yoga teacher trainings.
It's hard to find an experience quite like the one offered at the three-pearl Samasati Retreat and Rainforest in Hone Creek, Puerto Viejo. With a peak position atop a mountain with scenic views overlooking the town of Puerto Viejo and Playa Negra below, guests occupying the 10 bungalows and private houses are totally surrounded by the high trees and lush greenery of undisturbed rain forest with monkeys and sloths. Bungalows here are all comfortably sized with private verandas and sweeping views of Samasati's gardens. The tranquil and self-sufficient hotel offers three buffet-style meals a day (including a free breakfast), all of which are healthy, vegetarian-friendly, and made from locally grown foods. Unfortunately, there isn't a pool and the rustic ambience (no TVs and limited Wi-Fi) isn't for everyone. Samasati's early morning and evening yoga and meditation classes are the hotel's high points. This is a popular spot for yoga teacher trainings.