Mamma Rosa Apartahotel

Mamma Rosa Apartahotel is located on one of Nosara’s main roads, across the street from a prime section of Playa Guiones. A carved wooden sign hangs beneath an archway leading guests to the hotel’s collective lobby/bar/restaurant. Not much goes on during the day, but handfuls of surfers stop by the bar for happy hours in the evenings. There’s no pool or other communal amenities at Mamma Rosa; the majority of guests spend their days at Guiones. The atmosphere is quiet, but it's definitely better suited for backpackers than families.  

Mamma Rosa Apartahotel is located in Nosara, and for many travelers, this area offers the perfect blend of rustic Costa Rica and modern convenience. Its gravel roads have local coconut vendors next to chic boutiques; Tico “sodas” neighbor vegan smoothie joints; and yoga classes are as widely available as surf lessons. Nosara is known throughout Costa Rica for having some of the best and most consistent wave breaks in the country, which compels surf enthusiasts from around the world to relocate here. The large expat population brings global cuisine and a health-conscious lifestyle to Nosara, evidenced by the town’s numerous trendy restaurants, health cafes, and yoga studios. Travelers come to Nosara to take part in its unique culture; therefore most hotels offer surf lessons, yoga classes, and health-focused restaurants. Nosara’s one glaring flaw is the condition of its roads. The gravel side streets around town add to Nosara’s charm, but its punishing potholed “highway” is a nightmare. All of the major roads that lead to Nosara are horrific, and travelers will likely encounter river crossings without bridges. Four wheel drive is necessary -- so is a healthy dose of patience. Part of Nosara’s allure is its hard-to-reach location, but some travelers may not find the trek worthwhile. The closest international airports in Liberia and San Jose are a whopping three and four hours away.  

The touristy part of Nosara centers around Playa Guiones, one of the country’s best surfing beaches. This area of Nosara is often referred to as the G-section. Mamma Rosa is located in the center of this G-section, directly across the street from the beach and within walking distance of local bars and restaurants. Nosara is a safe, family-friendly destination, but travelers should be careful when walking or driving at night, since there aren’t any street lights. 

Mamma Rosa’s cabins and apartments are meant to be used as surfer crash pads for people who don’t care about superb cleanliness or appealing aesthetics. As such, guest rooms at Mamma Rosa leave a lot to be desired. They’re dark spaces with hodgepodge decor that’s dated and unattractive -- think mismatched bedspreads and sheet sets, random artwork, and cracked tile floors with dirty grout. Walls are grimy, with old white paint that shows lots of stains. Cabins, the hotel’s entry level category, can accommodate three or four people, and are equipped with air-conditioning, mini-fridges, and electronic safes. Apartment units are larger and have kitchenettes with electric burners and small appliances. Bathrooms feature shower stalls and pedestal sinks; alas, many guests complain of dismal water pressure. 

Mamma Rosa Apartahotel doesn’t have a pool, but there is an on-site bar and restaurant. The restaurant serves free breakfast for guests (Costa Rican gallo pinto), and is open to the public for dinner. The bar hosts daily happy hours that are popular with visiting and local surfers, who stop by as they walk off the beach. The hotel’s free Wi-Fi works well across the property and in the rooms. Mamma Rosa also has free, secure board storage for guests.  

Chorotegas Surf School is a ragtag operation on hotel grounds. The surf school’s office is located beneath a corrugated roof, where instructors in board shorts hang out in between lessons. Like Mamma Rosa, the surf school attracts a young crowd, and the “office” tends to smell like weed.