Hotel Coco Palms

From its entrance, Hotel Coco Palms looks like most of the other tiny hotels in Playas del Coco. But the yellow and red building’s exterior is deceiving; behind its unassuming entryway is a fairly spacious hotel, with 40 rooms, a large outdoor restaurant, and a swimming pool. Throughout the day, the hotel’s American owner can be found about the grounds, checking guests in, serving diners at the restaurant, or chatting with locals around the bar. The vibe at Coco Palms is relaxed and friendly. It’s a great place for families, couples, and backpackers, but definitely not for travelers looking for a round-the-clock party scene. Coco Palms is within walking distance of all the downtown bars and restaurants, but the party never travels back to the hotel itself. Some guests complain that they can hear downtown noise at night, but during our stay, we found the grounds to be quiet and peaceful.   

Hotel Coco Palms is located in a tiny beach town called Playas del Coco (El Coco to locals). Known for its round-the-clock party scene and laid-back beach town vibe, Playas del Coco is popular with young Canadian and American backpackers. Families and couples looking for a quieter escape may prefer nearby Playa Hermosa. There’s one main road that travels through downtown Coco and leads straight to the beach. While Hotel Coco Palms isn’t on this main thoroughfare, it’s easy enough to find. Just turn left at the soccer field, and then a quick right for Coco Palms. If you hit the beach, you’ve gone too far. Major roads in this area are well paved, but side streets, like the one in front of the hotel, are riddled with potholes. From the hotel, the beach is a mere 30-second walk. Most downtown bars and restaurants can be reached on foot within 10 minutes. There are two major grocery stores within a five-minute drive, but travelers should note that the nearest gas station is almost 15 minutes away. Liberia Airport is about a 35-minute drive from the hotel.  

There are several room types at Hotel Coco Palms. Budget travelers and backpackers may be interested in smaller Economy Rooms, while couples may prefer Standard Rooms or Suites. There are family-friendly rooms with bunk beds and also larger apartment-style rooms with living areas and kitchens. There are also a few accessible rooms with spacious layouts and single-level bathrooms. Across the board, decor is dated and a bit haphazard. No two rooms are exactly alike, but all have simple, mismatched furnishings. Beds are dressed in a variety of multicolor, threadbare sheets, some of which feel well worn. Bathrooms are tiny, and equipped with a shower stall, a single pedestal sink, and a toilet. All rooms have flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges, but only some have microwaves and coffeemakers. Some rooms don’t have windows -- making open doorways the only source of natural light. Most rooms are located on the ground floor, but there are several on a small second floor as well. Second-floor rooms are only accessible by stairs, as there is no elevator on the property.    

For a small hotel, Coco Palms has a lot of nice amenities. Behind the lobby there is a large, open courtyard where the restaurant, bar, and pool are located. The courtyard is lushly landscaped, and feels secluded from the busy street out front. The open-air restaurant is a popular spot where guests come to eat, but also to hang out during the day.  Red fans and flat-screen TVs (usually tuned in to CNN or MSNBC) hang from the corrugated tin ceiling, and wicker chairs and round tables sit atop red stone tile floors. The restaurant’s diverse menu features items such as typical Costa Rican casado, pad Thai, and sushi -- all of which are surprisingly pretty good. The chef is also happy to prepare your freshly caught fish in the style of your choosing. While the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, breakfast is not included in the room rate, as it is at most Costa Rican value hotels. The tiny bar is a great place to grab drinks before dinner, but isn’t a destination where outside guests come to hang out. Beyond the restaurant, the beautiful blue mosaic tile pool sits in a rough L-shape with a fountain in its center. The pool is surrounded by lounge chairs and a few patio tables. Coco Palms also has an on-site 24-hour market. The store sells everything from snacks and water to bottles of wine and ice cream. You can also find necessities like toothpaste, laundry detergent, shampoo, and bug spray. As far a freebies are concerned, Coco Palms offers guests free parking, Wi-Fi, phone calls to the U.S. and Canada, and access to a small take-a-book-leave-a-book library in the lobby.