Costa Paraiso

Costa Paraiso is a smaller property with low-lying buildings that blend into the stunning natural scenery. Guests drive down a steep hill and turn left into the cramped parking lot in front of yellow and green one-story bungalows with gardens and front porches strung with hammocks. The reception area and lobby are outfitted with surfboards on the ceiling, a painted map of Costa Rica and a tropical mural, and a small book exchange. ¿Por Que No? restaurant is just adjacent to the lobby. It's set on a covered terrace with wooden tables and chairs. The views and sounds of large waves crashing against huge rocks are dramatic and breathtaking; the water shoots as high as 30 feet into the air. A crows nest seating area upstairs offers even better views. There's a lawn and garden between the restaurant and ocean, and a cute swimming pool with a tiled gecko at the bottom. Colorful hammocks hang from a palapa-style roof. 

Costa Paraiso isn't visible from busy Route 34, so keep an eye out for signs on the coastal side of the highway. The property is built directly on a rocky stretch of Playa Domincalito, with access to a sandy (but still pretty rough) beach just next to the rocks. There isn't much within fast walking distance, but many people do walk (and hitchhike) along the road. It's about a two-minute drive to the main drag on the beach in front of Playa Dominical, and a 20-minute drive south to Playa Uvita. Dominical isn't as built up or touristy as nearby Manuel Antonio, and the area has more of a laid-back surfer vibe. Outdoor parking is free. Many hotels and restaurants close during low season, but Costa Paraiso is open all year round. 

There are just five available rooms at Costa Paraiso: four bungalow-style rooms with limited ocean views, and a suite, Toucan Nest, with awesome views of a rocky peninsula and crashing waves. Each room is built into a cute one-story bungalow with green or yellow painted exteriors and green roofs; shared front porches are hung with hammocks and set with wooden furniture. Inside, there are orange tile floors and tall ceilings with wooden beams. The decor is a bit basic, but spotlessly clean, and paintings of birds add a splash of color. Some rooms have one king-bed while others have two queens; small cots can be added to most rooms for an additional charge. Kitchenettes, coffeemakers, air conditioners, and jugs of drinking water are included. The Coconut Room has a tiled single sink, step-in shower, and surfboard-shaped towel rack. In keeping with the natural ambiance, the rooms don't have TVs. 

Costa Paraiso offers some excellent features, especially for a small hotel. ¿Por Que No? restaurant gets rave reviews, both for its unique ocean views, and for food quality and creativity. The menu consists of sandwiches, wraps, salads, and smoothies. It's open to the public and hugely popular for dinner; sometimes diners are turned away. Unfortunately, breakfast isn't included with the price of a room -- a rarity in Costa Rica. There's an outdoor swimming pool set in a garden, with ocean views. A palapa provides shade and houses hammocks and table tennis. Guests are strongly discouraged from walking on the rocks in front of the hotel, but there's private access to the adjacent, public sandy beach. The hotel hosts weekly yoga classes, for a charge, and rents surfboards. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. Staff can assist with booking tours and excursions in the area.