Funky Monkey Lodge

Like many Santa Teresa hotels, Funky Monkey is a quiet place that attracts a friendly cast of yoga practitioners and surfers. It’s a sociable scene centered around the open-air restaurant, with its pool and ping-pong tables (though the gorgeous ocean-view yoga studio up the hill is another major center of action here). The resort’s lush grounds are covered in mango, banana, lemon, and lychee trees. Buddha statues are scattered throughout the grounds and a set of lava rocks are carved into the Three Monkeys ("See no evil," "Hear no Evil," and "Speak no evil") that watch over the restaurant. Rocky pathways (that aren’t great for walking barefoot) connect the rooms and restaurant. Overall, it’s a mostly quiet, tranquil spot – especially during the nightly quiet hours – but the screeching howler monkeys living in the trees follow their own schedule. There’s a ton of stairs to navigate here, but the gorgeous ocean views make it a worthwhile trek to some parts of the property. In general, the hotel attracts surf and yoga groups, and couples of all ages. 

Funky Monkey Lodge is located at the end of a bumpy street in Santa Teresa. The beach is a seven-minute walk from the lodge and has perfect rolling waves. Within a four-minute walk of Funky Monkey are a grocery store, a burger restaurant, pizza, a bar, and a coffee shop. The nearest ATM, bank, pharmacy, and bakery are a seven-minute drive away. Playa Hermosa, a quieter beach that's also good for surfers, is a 15-minute drive away, as is the small fishing village of Mal Pais. Cabo Blanco Nature Preserve is just beyond Mal Pais, and has plenty of hiking trails. The backpacker town of Montezuma -- home to beautiful beaches, a waterfall, and restaurants and shops -- is a 40-minute drive away. Tambor Airport is the closest, and is an hour away by car. Getting to Liberia requires either a 25-minute flight from Tambor Airport or a four-hour-and-15-minute drive. San Jose is a 20-minute flight from Tambor Airport, or a five-hour-and-40-minute drive from Funky Monkey.

Rooms at Funky Monkey run the gamut from rustic, fan-cooled dorms to air-conditioned Luxury Garden View Apartments. The swankiest units -- mostly in the latter category -- have flat-screen TVs with cable and Netflix, air-conditioning, kitchenettes, king beds, and glass-walled stand-up showers. They're also the fanciest when it comes to decor, though this is in no way uniform. We spotted details like Scandinavian-style furniture, wood-blank flooring, and pops of bright colors in the soft features (as in the Luxury Bungalow that we visited). The bungalows, meanwhile, are lofted, lack TVs, and are only fan cooled (watch out -- they can get pretty steamy). Expect IKEA-style dining tables and chairs, double beds and twin bunk beds with lime green comforters, refrigerators, and slatted wood windows and doors. Their open-air showers are a big plus. The large, air-conditioned apartments that sleep up to seven are at the top of the hill. They’re perfect for groups, and have private balconies with great ocean views. They’re also conveniently located next to the shared kitchen and close to the pool. All rooms have refrigerators or mini-fridges, umbrellas, safes, ceiling fans, and private patios or balconies with hardwood Adirondack-style chairs. A few also have hammocks. Hand soap and shampoo are standard in all bathrooms. Free Wi-Fi is also available throughout the hotel. 

Funky Monkey definitely focuses on its yoga-practicing clientele. The hillside, open-air studio has ocean views and daily yoga classes. They also offer aerial-silk classes -- not common in the area. The freshwater pool is steps from the yoga studio and surrounded by tables and chairs, umbrellas, and metal lounge chairs. There isn’t much shade though. Near the hotel’s entrance, the open-air restaurant serves delicious international and local cuisine. They have themed dinners like sushi and barbecue nights, and the restaurant uses many organic ingredients. There are also pool and ping-pong tables, and couches for relaxing. The hotel can arrange surf lessons and also rents surfboards. They also set up car and ATV rentals, tours, kayak tours, fishing, horseback riding, and both ground and air transportation. A big shared kitchen has everything needed to cook a proper meal. It’s a great place to dine, too, with its panoramic ocean views. Funky Monkey has free parking and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.