Rancho Armadillo Estate

If the mid-range Rancho Armadillo Estate feels like a private home, that's because it is. All of the buildings on the property once belonged to a single family, before the current owner, Rick, bought the estate and transformed it into a small hotel. Rick lives at Rancho Armadillo, which means he’s always around to offer helpful advice about where to eat or what to do in the local area. There's no lobby or formal reception area, furthering the feeling of being at home. Rick typically greets guests in the driveway upon arrival, shows them to their rooms, and hands them the keys. The laid-back atmosphere at Rancho Armadillo is Rick’s way of introducing guests to the Costa Rican way of life known as Pura Vida. Also expect to see howler monkeys, exotic birds, and the resident cats. Rancho Armadillo sees all types of guests, from solo travelers to couples to families with children. It’s also a popular spot for large groups, who typically rent the entire property for weeks at a time. 

Playas del Coco, affectionately referred to as “El Coco” by locals, is a beach town in Costa Rica’s northwestern Guanacaste region. Due to its party scene and laid-back atmosphere, it attracts a lot of young backpackers from the US and Canada. However, Rancho Armadillo guests don’t usually fit the mold of the typical Coco traveler. Because it’s a bit removed from downtown (a five-minute drive), and totally separated from its party atmosphere, Rancho Armadillo is more of a family-friendly place. Many guests use Rancho Armadillo as their home base for exploring Guanacaste. The closest beach is about a seven-minute drive from the hotel. Playa Hermosa is about a 12-minute drive, the Papagayo Peninsula is about a 50-minute drive, and Rincon de la Vieja and Palo Verde are each about a 90-minute drive from the hotel. Libera Airport is approximately 30 minutes away by car.   

Rancho Armadillo Estate has three room types: Standard Room, Deluxe Suite, and Two Bedroom Apartment. There are two types of each room, all of which are spread between three separate buildings across the property. Standard Rooms are best for couples or solo travelers, while Deluxe Suites are a bit larger but have similar amenities, including tube-style TVs, coffeemakers, free Wi-Fi, and mini-fridges. The Two Bedroom Apartments are ideal for families or groups -- although the name “apartment” is a bit misleading, as these rooms do not have kitchens or separate living spaces. All rooms have authentic Costa Rican decor, though some features, such as the shower curtains and electronics, are dated. 

It should be noted that rooms at Rancho Armadillo cannot be reserved on booking engines. Reservations must be made by contacting Rick directly, either by calling the hotel or filling out an inquiry form on the hotel’s website. While this may sound tedious, the process is helpful for potential guests who have questions about the hotel. Each of the six rooms is somewhat different, so guests who have specific needs or wants are encouraged to express them when booking. Rancho Armadillo is also popular with large groups, such as wedding parties or family reunions, who often book the entire hotel for weeks at a time.   

The Rancho Armadillo property is spread across a large hill, but the hotel’s three prime amenities -- the pool, communal kitchen and dining area, and covered terrace -- are essentially right next to one another. From this part of the property, there are views of the ocean and the distant Papagayo Peninsula. The freeform pool is a popular spot for guests to hang out during the day; although tiny, it's surrounded by a patio with a few lounge chairs and cafe tables. 

Next to the pool is the communal kitchen and dining area. Although it’s not a full-service restaurant for outside customers, Rick (a former culinary instructor) is happy to cook for guests, as long as the service is pre-arranged. The kitchen is also available for guest use. The dining area has a few scattered wooden tables and chairs, as well as shelves of old board games and random paraphernalia such as clay carvings and a telescope. One level above the pool area is the hotel’s covered terrace. The lovely open-air room is a retreat space for guests -- complete with hammocks, rocking chairs, a few computers, and a small library of old, sun-damaged books. Freebies include excellent Wi-Fi throughout and parking in the hotel’s small gravel lot.