Harbor Reef Hotel

Tucked away in what feels like the middle of a tropical forest, Harbor Reef Hotel is only noticeable thanks to a painted bamboo sign at its entrance. The property embodies Nosara’s Costa Rican-cool aesthetic made up of thatched roofs, hammocks, a health-conscious restaurant, and a craft beer bar. It's equal parts trendy and authentic. The atmosphere around Harbor Reef is quiet and laid back. Guests can lounge by the pool, swim-up to the bar, or nap in one of the hammocks strung between the palms. However, the majority of guests spend their days off-property, taking advantage of Nosara’s famous surf. Harbor Reef is popular with all kinds of travelers, including families, couples, solo travelers, and surf enthusiasts. 

Harbor Reef Hotel is located in Nosara, and for many travelers, this area offers the perfect blend of rustic Costa Rica and modern convenience. Its gravel roads have local coconut vendors next to chic boutiques; Tico “sodas” neighbor vegan smoothie joints; and yoga classes are as widely available as surf lessons. Nosara is known throughout Costa Rica for having some of the best and most consistent wave breaks in the country, which compels surf enthusiasts from around the world to relocate here. The large expat population brings global cuisine and a health-conscious lifestyle to Nosara, evidenced by the town’s numerous trendy restaurants, health cafes, and yoga studios. Travelers come to Nosara to take part in its unique culture; therefore most hotels offer surf lessons, yoga classes, and health-focused restaurants. Nosara’s one glaring flaw is the condition of its roads. The gravel side streets around town add to Nosara’s charm, but its punishing potholed “highway” is a nightmare. All of the major roads that lead to Nosara are horrific, and travelers will likely encounter river crossings without bridges. Four wheel drive is necessary -- so is a healthy dose of patience. Part of Nosara’s allure is its hard-to-reach location, but some travelers may not find the trek worthwhile. The closest international airports in Liberia and San Jose are a whopping three and four hours away.  The touristy part of Nosara centers around Playa Guiones, one of the country’s best surfing beaches. This area of Nosara is often referred to as the G-section. Harbor Reef Hotel is located in the center of the G-section, about a five-minute walk from the beach. It’s also within walking distance of local shops, restaurants, bars, and surf schools. Though Nosara is one of the safest destinations in Costa Rica, the hotel employs 24/7 security. There are no street lights in Nosara, so travelers should be careful when walking or driving at night. 

Harbor Reef’s rooms are clean and simply decorated with a playful color scheme and locally inspired decor. White walls are brought to life by mint-green trim and painted doors. Coral-red curtains add another colorful component and bamboo furnishings bring the outdoors in. Beds are dressed in simple white sheets and topped with lightweight quilts. The decor is cheery, but a bit too plain. Rooms could benefit from additional furniture or some type of artwork on the walls. Guests will notice that rooms lack TVs and other modern conveniences like iPod docks or USB ports, though free Wi-Fi is available. In-room amenities include air-conditioners, coffeemakers, electronic safes, and mini-fridges stocked with local beers. Harbor Reef also equips rooms with thoughtful extras like umbrellas and eco-friendly toiletries. During the day, rooms feel light, bright, and airy, but at night, they lack sufficient lighting and become inconveniently dark. Bathrooms have bright red sinks and showers, but alas no tubs. There’s plenty of open storage space. We recommend second-floor rooms because they have vaulted ceilings and private outdoor balconies. The ground level’s low hanging ceilings can feel basement-like and their outdoor patios aren't as secluded as the balconies.  Harbor Reef has a handful of room types ranging from one-room studios to suites with separate living spaces. We’d like to point out, however, the the hotel’s handicap accessible suites aren’t truly accessible. They’re located on the ground level and are a bit more spacious than average rooms, but they don’t have widened doorways or accessible showers. 

For a small hotel, Harbor Reef has a few nice features, the highlights being a pool and on-site bar and restaurant. These are located next to one another on the communal side of the property, across from the side where the rooms are located. The mosaic tile pool is tiny, but it has a swim-up bar and a lovely surrounding patio with navy cushioned lounge chairs and umbrellas. Its water is handicap accessible thanks to a wide entry ramp. Harbor Reef’s restaurant is a casual, open-air space located beneath a massive thatched-roof structure. Exposed beams and rattan hanging lanterns give the restaurant a tropical jungle vibe, while a peacock blue bar and slatted chairs add some whimsy. The restaurant’s relaxed vibe is enhanced by the seated orange hammocks and display of board games on the bar. This venue serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but menu options are limited -- the same menu is used for lunch and dinner. Breakfast is included in the hotel’s nightly room rates. Guests can choose dishes like omelets, yogurt parfaits, and traditional Costa Rican breakfasts with eggs, tortillas, rice, and beans. The lunch an dinner menu changes seasonally, but offers health conscious options like chilled soups, quinoa salads, and vegetable fritters. There’s also a small selection of pastas, pizzas, and focaccia sandwiches. In the evenings, the garden next to the restaurant transforms into “La Ventanita” -- the little window. From this window patrons can order light bites and craft beers. La Ventanita is popular with guests and locals alike. Additional Harbor Reef amenities include free Wi-Fi, free bikes, and free secure surfboard storage. The hotel also has an elevated pavilion that’s occasionally used for free yoga classes.