Expect to get a bang for your buck at the upscale Le Cameleon Boutique Hotel. The Puerto Viejo getaway locale is an ideal option for those who want to mix luxe living with the beauty of nature. It's more Ibiza than San Jose, there's nothing rustic about this property. Think: chic, modern rooms with snow white walls, beddings, and furniture. Bright accessories in the rooms and staff uniforms change color daily like the skin of a chameleon, hence the name of the hotel. There's a sophisticated outdoor pool, but the fancy beach club and sand are more popular spots to sun. A spa, hot tub, and gourmet restaurant round out the romantic offerings. It's a bit far from the center of Puerto Viejo but close to the Parada Jaguar Rescue Center and Manzanillo Wildlife Reserve. To be closer to the action of Puerto Viejo at lower rates, try the Lizard King Hotel, but lose the chic ambience found at Le Cameleon.
Expect to get a bang for your buck at the upscale Le Cameleon Boutique Hotel. The Puerto Viejo getaway locale is an ideal option for those who want to mix luxe living with the beauty of nature. It's more Ibiza than San Jose, there's nothing rustic about this property. Think: chic, modern rooms with snow white walls, beddings, and furniture. Bright accessories in the rooms and staff uniforms change color daily like the skin of a chameleon, hence the name of the hotel. There's a sophisticated outdoor pool, but the fancy beach club and sand are more popular spots to sun. A spa, hot tub, and gourmet restaurant round out the romantic offerings. It's a bit far from the center of Puerto Viejo but close to the Parada Jaguar Rescue Center and Manzanillo Wildlife Reserve. To be closer to the action of Puerto Viejo at lower rates, try the Lizard King Hotel, but lose the chic ambience found at Le Cameleon.
Las Espuelas Hotel is a basic, clean three-pearl property located a 15-minute drive from Liberia’s airport. The hotel’s 44 rooms are chain-like but nice enough, with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and coffeemakers. The property has an uncrowded outdoor pool, a peaceful countryside setting, and a great breakfast buffet included in rates. It’s an adequate choice for a night or two en-route to and from the airport, but with limited entertainment and dining options within walking distance, guests without rental cars may feel stranded. Rates at the upper-middle-range Hilton Garden Inn Liberia Airport are steeper, but its free airport shuttle service saves guests the cost of a pricey cab ride to Las Espuelas.
Las Espuelas Hotel is a basic, clean three-pearl property located a 15-minute drive from Liberia’s airport. The hotel’s 44 rooms are chain-like but nice enough, with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and coffeemakers. The property has an uncrowded outdoor pool, a peaceful countryside setting, and a great breakfast buffet included in rates. It’s an adequate choice for a night or two en-route to and from the airport, but with limited entertainment and dining options within walking distance, guests without rental cars may feel stranded. Rates at the upper-middle-range Hilton Garden Inn Liberia Airport are steeper, but its free airport shuttle service saves guests the cost of a pricey cab ride to Las Espuelas.
This modern169-room Hilton provides oodles of convenience for incoming/outgoing travelers by way of Liberia's growing international airport. Because the hotel opened from scratch in 2008, many will be impressed by the chain name's contemporary decor and work-friendly amenities that include spacious working desks, ergonomic desk chairs, and free Wi-Fi. Kids can stay busy at the outdoor pool, and parents can splurge on a bottle of Robert Mondavi wine at the bar. Free breakfast and coffee starts in the wee hours of the morning, but room service is restricted to dinner only (microwaveable meals are also sold in the gift shop). Typical stays are only one or two nights, hence front desk service may suffer; half-day rates are also available.
This modern169-room Hilton provides oodles of convenience for incoming/outgoing travelers by way of Liberia's growing international airport. Because the hotel opened from scratch in 2008, many will be impressed by the chain name's contemporary decor and work-friendly amenities that include spacious working desks, ergonomic desk chairs, and free Wi-Fi. Kids can stay busy at the outdoor pool, and parents can splurge on a bottle of Robert Mondavi wine at the bar. Free breakfast and coffee starts in the wee hours of the morning, but room service is restricted to dinner only (microwaveable meals are also sold in the gift shop). Typical stays are only one or two nights, hence front desk service may suffer; half-day rates are also available.
The Hotel Liberia is a budget property with loads of historic charm and a convenient, downtown Liberia location 15 minutes' drive from the airport. Dating back to the early 20th century, the property maintains distinctive original features like adobe walls and stone tile floors. Some of the 20 rooms are dorm-style with shared bathrooms, while the others are standard rooms with flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and private bathrooms. However, all guest rooms are spartan, with cold-water showers and no air-conditioning. There’s a nice restaurant on-site that serves Costa Rican-influenced cuisine for breakfast (for a fee), lunch, and dinner. The hotel is within walking distance of just about anything there is to see and do in Liberia. Another nearby option, the mid-range Las Espuelas Hotel, offers free breakfast, a pool, and rooms with air-conditioning, but it’s comparatively generic and farther from downtown.
The Hotel Liberia is a budget property with loads of historic charm and a convenient, downtown Liberia location 15 minutes' drive from the airport. Dating back to the early 20th century, the property maintains distinctive original features like adobe walls and stone tile floors. Some of the 20 rooms are dorm-style with shared bathrooms, while the others are standard rooms with flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and private bathrooms. However, all guest rooms are spartan, with cold-water showers and no air-conditioning. There’s a nice restaurant on-site that serves Costa Rican-influenced cuisine for breakfast (for a fee), lunch, and dinner. The hotel is within walking distance of just about anything there is to see and do in Liberia. Another nearby option, the mid-range Las Espuelas Hotel, offers free breakfast, a pool, and rooms with air-conditioning, but it’s comparatively generic and farther from downtown.
Best Western El Sitio Hotel & Casino is an unfussy, three-pearl property located a 10-minute drive from Liberia’s airport. The hotel’s 52 rooms are generic but large and clean, featuring flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and coffeemakers. The property offers two pleasant outdoor pools and a roomy fitness center, plus a decent breakfast buffet is included in the rate. The location is handy for travelers en route to and from the airport, and there are a few dining options within walking distance. However, most of the attractions that draw visitors to Guanacaste are over an hour’s drive away. The nearby Hilton Garden Inn Liberia Airport is a more polished and contemporary alternative, but rates are significantly steeper.
Best Western El Sitio Hotel & Casino is an unfussy, three-pearl property located a 10-minute drive from Liberia’s airport. The hotel’s 52 rooms are generic but large and clean, featuring flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and coffeemakers. The property offers two pleasant outdoor pools and a roomy fitness center, plus a decent breakfast buffet is included in the rate. The location is handy for travelers en route to and from the airport, and there are a few dining options within walking distance. However, most of the attractions that draw visitors to Guanacaste are over an hour’s drive away. The nearby Hilton Garden Inn Liberia Airport is a more polished and contemporary alternative, but rates are significantly steeper.
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.
When El Mangroove opened in 2014, the upscale boutique asserted itself as one of the premier properties on the Papagayo Peninsula. Set amid 15 acres of beachfront mangroves, the hotel has a stunning natural setting and a secluded feel. The 85 rooms are thoughtfully designed, featuring hammocks, minibars, and rainfall showers. Amenities are top-notch, including two restaurants, a stunning outdoor spa, a modern fitness center, and an upbeat pool area. The major drawbacks? Rooms don’t overlook the water, Wi-Fi can be spotty, and many guests feel prices are too high for the quality offered. For more tried-and-true luxury, guests can check out the Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort across the bay, though rates are more expensive.
When El Mangroove opened in 2014, the upscale boutique asserted itself as one of the premier properties on the Papagayo Peninsula. Set amid 15 acres of beachfront mangroves, the hotel has a stunning natural setting and a secluded feel. The 85 rooms are thoughtfully designed, featuring hammocks, minibars, and rainfall showers. Amenities are top-notch, including two restaurants, a stunning outdoor spa, a modern fitness center, and an upbeat pool area. The major drawbacks? Rooms don’t overlook the water, Wi-Fi can be spotty, and many guests feel prices are too high for the quality offered. For more tried-and-true luxury, guests can check out the Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort across the bay, though rates are more expensive.
This affordable all-inclusive resort by Spain-based Barcelo has 198 rooms and suites on the far end of Tamarindo, with access to a rugged beach, large outdoor pool, and manicured grounds. The main restaurant (though repetitive) offers all three meals buffet-style; there's also a snack bar, as well as an à la carte restaurant -- free for guests who stay three nights or more. Basic rooms include sodas and drinking water, and two bars serve national liquors, house wines, and draft beer. A schedule of activities keeps guests entertained, culminating each night with two shows in the amphitheater -- one for kids, one for adults -- and then the ubiquitous disco. Service at this hotel seems to be more genuine that some other Barcelo properties. Parking is free, but guests who require consistent Wi-Fi should look elsewhere.
This affordable all-inclusive resort by Spain-based Barcelo has 198 rooms and suites on the far end of Tamarindo, with access to a rugged beach, large outdoor pool, and manicured grounds. The main restaurant (though repetitive) offers all three meals buffet-style; there's also a snack bar, as well as an à la carte restaurant -- free for guests who stay three nights or more. Basic rooms include sodas and drinking water, and two bars serve national liquors, house wines, and draft beer. A schedule of activities keeps guests entertained, culminating each night with two shows in the amphitheater -- one for kids, one for adults -- and then the ubiquitous disco. Service at this hotel seems to be more genuine that some other Barcelo properties. Parking is free, but guests who require consistent Wi-Fi should look elsewhere.
Nepenthe is a remote, modest seven-room hotel off the beaten track from the Arenal tourist circuit and just outside small-town El Castillo, close to the lake and the southwest slope of the volcano. It offers a choice of modest motel-like rooms in the main building or kitchenette-appointed cabins below. The hotel is too far to be convenient to La Fortuna's tourist hub, but it's within a 40-minute drive of the entrance to Arenal National Park and offers a slice of local tico culture. The unofficial hotel restaurant next door, Tres Cabras, serves seasonal fare; the pool has an excellent view of the lake; and treatments are available at a small, simple spa. Travelers who want a similar hotel closer to La Fortuna may want to check out the Hotel Cerro Azul just south of town -- though it lacks Nepenthe's pool and views.
Nepenthe is a remote, modest seven-room hotel off the beaten track from the Arenal tourist circuit and just outside small-town El Castillo, close to the lake and the southwest slope of the volcano. It offers a choice of modest motel-like rooms in the main building or kitchenette-appointed cabins below. The hotel is too far to be convenient to La Fortuna's tourist hub, but it's within a 40-minute drive of the entrance to Arenal National Park and offers a slice of local tico culture. The unofficial hotel restaurant next door, Tres Cabras, serves seasonal fare; the pool has an excellent view of the lake; and treatments are available at a small, simple spa. Travelers who want a similar hotel closer to La Fortuna may want to check out the Hotel Cerro Azul just south of town -- though it lacks Nepenthe's pool and views.
This ultra-remote, rustic luxe hideaway is worth the bumpy, two-and-a-half hour drive from Liberia Airport. The rooms aren't as impressive as those at larger luxury resorts in the region, but the unparalleled views, stunning infinity pool, and ruggedly beautiful (if rocky) beach more than compensate. Plus, this is a hotel with a heart: Punta Islita is environmentally friendly, and gives back to the local community.
This ultra-remote, rustic luxe hideaway is worth the bumpy, two-and-a-half hour drive from Liberia Airport. The rooms aren't as impressive as those at larger luxury resorts in the region, but the unparalleled views, stunning infinity pool, and ruggedly beautiful (if rocky) beach more than compensate. Plus, this is a hotel with a heart: Punta Islita is environmentally friendly, and gives back to the local community.