Hotel Villa Amarilla

Forget the fruity rum punch -- a chilled shot of tequila is the welcome drink offered to guests when they check-in at Hotel Villa Amarilla. The cheery yellow façade with its painted iguanas and monkeys adequately represents the vibe that its owners, T.J and Cinde, intend -- colorful and fun.

Upon check-in, guests are greeted by the owners, shown around the grounds, introduced to their five dogs, and then served icy shots of tequila. The tiny bed-and-breakfast sits on a sliver of prime land that stretches from the road to the beach. In between, there's a two-story building that houses the eight rooms and small lobby. The rest is a hodgepodge of hut-like structures and a swath of lawn that combine to create a playful, surfer-shack oasis.

A ping-pong table is positioned just outside the communal kitchen, where guests (specifically young, male surfer types) congregate to cook meals. The owners keep the refrigerator stocked with free fruit for guests as well as beverages (soda and beer) left behind by previous visitors. A large mural that reads "Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink the wild air," reminds guests to embrace a "live in the moment" lifestyle. A series of colorful rope hammocks hang beneath a palapa roof, musical instruments (drum, tambourine, and violin) are available for those who feel inspired, a bookshelf is full of left-behind reads, and there's even a basket full of sunglasses for guests to borrow.

A narrow path bordered with small palms leads past a stretch of grassy (sometimes muddy) lawn strewn with a variety of beach chairs, ideal for watching the sunset and enjoying impromptu salsa and homemade chips prepared by the owners. A group of massage therapists operate a daily business in one corner of the property, enticing guests and beach-goers with no-frills treatments and budget rates. Finally, a metal gate that's locked after sundown opens to Tamarindo's long stretch of golden-sand beach. Head to the left to access restaurants and the core of the town or head right to get to the surf and the river that separates Playa Grande from Tamarindo.

It's not easy to miss the bright yellow façade of Hotel Villa Amarilla when driving the busy road to Tamarindo. The property is just a few feet from the road while the back of the hotel portrays a much more relaxed scene with the ocean and the sand of Tamarindo Beach just a few steps from the hotel’s back gate.

• Five-minute walk to downtown Tamarindo
• 25-minute drive to Playa Avellana
• 30-minute drive to Playa Grande
• 70-minute drive to Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport, Liberia
• Two-hour drive to Rincón de la Vieja National Park
• Three-hour-30-minute drive to Juan Santamaria International Airport, San Jose
• Three-hour-45-minute drive to Arenal Volcano National Park

Colorful murals in soft, muted colors are the distinguishing factor of the hotel’s eight rooms. Painted generously across the walls, they portray a bleeding heart, a sultry mermaid, a rambling octopus, a vibrant sun, and a pink seahorse. Standard Rooms come equipped with two twin beds, Deluxe Rooms have one double bed, and the Double Deluxe Rooms feature two double beds.

Rooms on the first floor are tucked around the corner from the front desk, accessed via a narrow hallway decked with colorful canvas paintings and additional murals. Rooms on the second floor are accessed via an open staircase -- that requires careful stepping due to one step being higher than the others. The second-floor rooms share a terrace with a small lounge area with rattan sofas that overlook the grounds and the beach.

All of the rooms feature similar finishes, with ceramic tile floors, open shelving in lieu of closets, mini-refrigerators, and flat-screen TVs. The furniture is sparse and the beds are basic, finished with white sheets, a thin decorative throw, and foam pillows. Bathrooms, finished with multi-colored glass tile work or red and black ceramic tiles, are generous, offering walk-in showers and large vanities, although they lack toiletries and hairdryers.

Tucked into one corner of the property, close to the fence that separates the hotel from the beach, is one of the best deals in Tamarindo. A series of red massage tables are arranged beneath a palapa roof, the sound of the ocean and buzz of the beach is within earshot, and the scent of coconut oil wafts in the breeze. On the beach and outside the hotel, a talented crew of massage therapists entices hotel guests and random beach-goers to give in to a massage, for a cost of less than half the price of what most resort spas charge. Hotel Villa Amarilla also has a small activities desk on-site to help guest arrange activities such as zip-line canopy tours, volcano sledding, surf lessons, horseback riding on the beach, catamaran tours, and wildlife river tours. In the morning, a selection of pastries, fresh fruit, and strong Costa Rican coffee (included in the rate) helps guests kickstart their day.