Coco Beach Hotel

Hotel Coco Beach & Casino is located off the main road in Playas del Coco, and guests make their way to the open-air lobby by walking up a set of stairs flanked by statues. The space has a thatched roof, a couple of couches, and natural stone accents, giving it a Costa Rican feel. There's a welcoming atmosphere, particularly as staff members greet guests with a free drink (non-alcoholic). A long wooden bar takes up the back wall, and a small set of stairs leads to the restaurant and pool area. Playas del Coco, and more specifically, Hotel Coco Beach & Casino is a place where people come to party throughout the night. Still, we found almost exclusively middle-aged couples lying around the pool during out visit; this is likely because the hotel’s rooms and amenities are higher quality than the many budget "cabinas" nearby. The property remains fairly quiet during the day, save for the inevitable traffic noise, but nighttime is an entirely different story. Because it’s surrounded by trendy nightclubs, has an on-site sports bar, and is home to one of the largest casinos in town, Coco Beach Hotel and Casino is not somewhere guests can expect a good night’s sleep.  

Playas del Coco, affectionately referred to as “El Coco” by locals, is a beach town in Costa Rica’s northwestern Guanacaste region. Known for its around-the-clock party scene and laid-back vibe, Playas del Coco attracts lots of young backpackers from the US and Canada. For this type of traveler, Hotel Coco Beach & Casino couldn’t have a better location -- the property is right in the center of all the action, surrounded by bars and restaurants. The beach is also a five-minute walk from the hotel. But its prime location has one major flaw -- the hotel is subject to constant street noise during the day and at night. Families might prefer the nearby town of Playa Hermosa, which is quieter and calmer than El Coco, but has few restaurants or entertainment options. Hotel Coco Beach & Casino is about a 30-minute drive from Liberia Airport.

The 32 rooms at Hotel Coco Beach & Casino are either Standard or Superior rooms, the difference being that the latter comes with a mini-fridge and possibly pool views. Though they’re on the smaller side, rooms are tastefully decorated and well air-conditioned (which can’t be said about all accommodation options in Playas del Coco). All rooms have white walls and tile floors, plus bright green accents in the curtains, bed runners, and pillows. Fat-screen TVs and coffeemakers can be found on or around the simple wood dressers. Bathrooms are also small, and they include showers, wall-mounted hairdryers, and toiletries. Accessible rooms with spacious bathrooms are available. The free Wi-Fi typically only reaches the rooms near the lobby.

Immediately off the lobby, the pool and restaurant are located in an open courtyard. The rectangular pool is small and has a weathered floor. Despite the area’s lack of maintenance, plenty of guests still choose to spend their days lounging around the pool. Others head to the beach, which is about a five-minute walk from the hotel. The casual restaurant Casa del Mar overlooks El Coco’s main street, and has wooden floors and tables, and a thatched roof. Serving a mediocre menu of seafood and Mediterranean specials, it’s not the best restaurant in town, but rather a solid place for people watching and a few drinks. A simple breakfast of toast, fruit, and coffee is included in the room rate, or guests can pay for a more substantial meal. The on-site sports bar is a popular spot for travelers and locals alike to watch big games. The room itself is tiny, but there are a bunch of flat-screen TVs and a menu of beer and appetizers. After the game, most patrons head next door to the casino. The large (by El Coco standards) two-story complex has plenty of slot machines and card tables, and even its own poker room. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi, but it's spotty and doesn't reach most rooms.