Calle Central, Playa Tamarindo, Tamarindo, Costa Rica | (888) 616-5829
Great location, steps to Tamarindo Beach and walking distance to town
Low-key surfer vibe and friendly owners
Colorful rooms with air-conditioning a large bathrooms
Daily continental breakfast included in the room rate
Outdoor ping pong table and casual lounge with hammocks
Tequila shots offered upon check-in
On-site kitchen for those who want to prepare their own meals
Refrigerator stocked with free fruit and beverages
Discount on room rates if paid in cash
Basket of sun block and lotion for guests to use
On-site massages within earshot of the ocean
Free Wi-Fi
On a busy road and street noise can be bothersome in some rooms
The rooms lack amenities such as hairdryers and toiletries
The owners' five adorable dogs roam (and pee) freely around the property
The hotel is a bit rough around the edges and lacks polish
The room rate is higher if paying by credit card
The rooms only have double or twin beds, no queens or kings
Stairs to the second floor are slightly unstable
No fitness center
Hotel Villa Amarilla is a funky, laid-back, eight-room, budget-oriented bed-and-breakfast with a surfer vibe, a prime beachfront location, and colorful, friendly owners who go out of their way to make guests feel at home. The hotel lacks a pool, but the ocean and Tamarindo’s famous surf break is just steps outside the back gate. Rooms are basic and bright, individualized by colorful murals of sea life and sunsets. Guests can prepare meals in the communal outdoor kitchen or walk to Tamarindo for a variety of dining options. Hotel Arco Iris is a similar option that does have a pool, but it's not nearly as close to the beach.
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Scene
A laid-back surfer vibe where guests mingle with each other and the owners, lounging in hammocks and watching the sunset from the lawn
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.
Location
Set on a busy road, next door to a small bodega and the upscale Diria Beach Resort, across the street from a mall with a bank and shops
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
Rooms
Eight unique rooms with colorful wall murals, flat-screen TVs, mini-refrigerators, and air-conditioning
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.
Features
Open-air massage services within earshot of the ocean, continental breakfast, discounted surf lessons, and an activities desk
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.
