Villaggio Flor de Pacifico

Villaggio Flor de Pacifico consists of five villa complexes (a sixth was under construction during our visit in Spring 2016), which are located within a five-minute walk of one another. Building Five is the newest and the main building; it's home to the small reception area. Short-term guests are generally assigned villas in Buildings Three or Five, with the other three properties focused on long-term renters. The layout of each property differs a bit, but all feature landscaped lawns dotted with trees and blossoming flowers. Shady pathways wind through the greenery, connecting the various villas, and each property has its own sizable pool.

Guests are mainly Costa Ricans and other Spanish speakers, but the staff do speak English. Villas with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms make it a popular choice for families. It’s one of the more affordable villa-style properties in the area, likely because it’s not located on the beach and the villas themselves are hardly luxurious. Although Potrero is a short walk away, it’s a small town with not much in the way of nightlife. Travelers looking for a party scene would be better off elsewhere.

Villaggio Flor de Pacifico is located on the outskirts of Potrero. The road leading to Building Five and the reception is paved, but becomes a bumpy dirt road as it curves around toward the other four buildings. The complexes have few neighbors aside from some other rental properties, but a 10-minute walk west will bring you to the center of Potrero, which is home to a grocery store and a few restaurants.

Playa Penca, a pretty, secluded beach that’s popular with locals, is a 12-minute walk away. Other nearby beaches include Playa Prieta, Playa Flamingo, and Playa Pan de Azúcar, all of which can be reached in under 15 minutes by car. Liberia’s airport is just under an hour away by car, and both Santa Rosa and Rincón de la Vieja National Parks are roughly two hours away.

The one- and two-bedroom units at Villaggio Flor de Pacifico are individually decorated, but all are simple and tidy. Artwork is absent in some units, while others have one or two subtle pieces. Bedrooms feature light wood floating headboards with nightstands as well as cabinets with safes. Most have white bedding with no duvet.

Kitchens with cream-colored cabinets and dining tables are stocked with an adequate selection of cutlery and cookware, along with microwaves, full fridges, and stovetops. Living areas include a flat-screen TV and most have a sofa. Free Wi-Fi is offered in each unit.

Bathrooms are stocked with bottles of shampoo and bars of soap. All have showers with either glass doors or curtains, plus most have bidets. Hairdryers and towels are provided. Villas also offer large furnished balconies or terraces, most with tables and a few cushioned wicker chairs. 

Each of the five Villaggio buildings has its own large outdoor pool. All are surrounded by concrete or stone decks lined with a few lounge chairs, and are bordered by leafy grounds. Most have an attached hot tub, plus some have features like an arched bridge (Building Four) or an infinity edge (Building Five).

The hotel’s restaurant, Marco Polo, is located just across the street from Building One. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the restaurant offers excellent pastas with house-made sauces in addition to wood-oven pizzas. Other dining options include the independently owned Hideout Bar and Grill, which is set directly in front of Building Five. This elevated open-air restaurant has incredible ocean views -- particularly at sunset -- and great happy hour specials.

There’s also a tiny gelateria located in a small complex found at Building Four. Other businesses in this complex are mainly tour operators. Free Wi-Fi is available across all areas of the property, and free parking is also offered.