Hotel El Velero

Walking up to Hotel El Velero feels sort of like going to your friend’s house -- you know, your friend who just happens to live on one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. There’s a casualness about the place that makes it feel like the neighborhood joint where everyone likes to hang out. El Velero doesn’t have a lobby or a grand entryway; instead, guests walk across a gravel parking lot to a two-story white building, where a faded hand-painted sign depicts a sailboat floating into the sunset ("velero" means "sail" in Spanish). On the other side of the wall is a small courtyard area where the pool, the restaurant, and the front desk bump elbows with one another. Guests are almost exclusively adults -- usually couples or backpackers making a pit stop in Hermosa. Anyone traveling with little ones might prefer the nearby Hotel & Villas Huetares, which has a more family-friendly atmosphere; it's a two-minute walk from the sand. The only other options right on the beach are the much more expensive Playa Hermosa Bosque del Mar, and La Gaviota Tropical, a charming bed-and-breakfast that's only slightly more expensive. 

Hotel El Velero is one of the few hotels in Playa Hermosa that’s located directly on the beach. Velero guests can consider Playa Hermosa their backyard for the duration of their stay -- it’s that close. Other than enjoying the beach however, there’s not really much to do or see in the immediate area. There are a handful of small stores and restaurants within walking distance, but that’s about it. Playa Hermosa is without a doubt more beautiful than nearby Playas del Coco or Playa Panama, but some people may find the town itself to be a bit boring. Playas del Coco, which has more shops, restaurants, and touristy attractions, is about a 15-minute drive from the hotel. Liberia Airport is about a 35-minute drive. Major roads and highways in this part of Guanacaste are generally well paved, but side streets, like the one Velero is located on, are typically unpaved and riddled with potholes.

Rooms at Hotel El Velero are small and simply decorated, with terra-cotta tile floors and walls that are painted in subtle shades of sand and tropical green. Beds are dressed in thin white sheets and green bedspreads, and all are decorated with an elaborate display of towel animals and fake flowers. Some second-floor rooms have gorgeous vaulted wood ceilings, which make them feel a bit bigger. All rooms are equipped with tall wooden wardrobes, full-length mirrors, and flat-screen TVs, but mini-fridges are noticeably missing. Across the board, bathrooms are small and lack space for storage. They are equipped with a shower stall, pedestal sink, and toilet -- none have tubs. Interestingly, the rooms aren't the most stylish part of the hotel. It’s the hallways that are worth writing about. When Velero’s owners noticed that the hallways carried a serious echo, they wanted to create a sound barrier that would also act as artwork to liven up the property. The result? Canvas board covered in colorful, locally made sarongs, which bring life to the white walls and help tamper echoing sounds across the hallways.     

There’s no denying that Playa Hermosa is Hotel El Velero’s greatest asset. The gorgeous beach is known worldwide to be one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful. It’s recognized as a “Blue Flag” beach, meaning it has achieved the highest standards of beauty, cleanliness, and accessibility in the country. Besides the beach, Velero has an on-site restaurant and a small swimming pool. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in an open-air setting that's practically on the sand. It’s a popular spot where locals and guests alike come for casual food and a few drinks. Velero’s pool is small and hardly used -- probably because there’s a larger, more beautiful “pool” only a few feet away. Nevertheless, the blue mosaic tile square has a tiny water feature and is a nice place to lounge. The hotel also offers free parking and free Wi-Fi to all guests.