Beach Break Resort

Guest rooms and facilities at Beach Break Resort look pretty tired, but it doesn’t seem to bother the crowds sipping drinks at the swim-up bar. Families splash in the kids’ pool, and there are always at least a few people getting surf lessons on the beach. Guests are a mix of international and local travelers, with vacationers from San Jose filling the hotel to capacity on most weekends.

Yellow low-rise buildings open onto green grounds shaded by palm trees. The beach, restaurant, and one pool are set at the front of the property, with a second pool found toward the back, behind the lobby. The front pool is generally the quieter of the two, with the ambiance often getting fairly raucous at the back pool’s swim-up bar. At night, the casino is typically humming with activity. If you’re willing to overlook the hotel’s generic style, it’s a fun and affordable choice -- but those seeking a quiet vacation might want to look elsewhere.

Beach Break Resort is located on the south end of Jaco Beach, along an unremarkable stretch of road. Lively downtown Jaco, which is packed with restaurants, bars, shops, and grocery stores, can be reached in 15 minutes on foot. Alternatively, downtown is just a few minutes’ drive away by car and taxis are quite cheap. The resort offers access to Jaco Beach, while Hermosa Beach is about a 15-minute drive away. Carara National Park can be reached in about 25 minutes by car, while Manuel Antonio National Park is a bit over an hour away. Juan Santamaria Airport is about an 80-minute drive.

Guest rooms at Beach Break Resort are tidy but drab. Beds have busy printed duvets and one or two limp pillows. Furniture is often mismatched, with dressers and closets made of wood of varying shades and duvets clashing with curtains and chairs. Most rooms have a few pieces of bland artwork or artificial potted plants. Wooden closets hold hangers and shelves. All rooms feature flat-screen TVs and coffeemakers stocked with Costa Rican coffee. AC is also standard, but the units don’t always function well. Free Wi-Fi is included, but it can be spotty. Beach Front Rooms add mini-fridges as well as sitting areas with small dining tables and chairs.

Standard Rooms have balconies or patios with views of the back pool and grounds. Beach Front Rooms are closer to the beach, but offer no ocean views, instead they overlook the restaurant and front pool. Ground-floor rooms have sliding glass doors. Balconies are private, but while each patio has its own table and chairs, the space is shared with neighboring rooms. Large bathrooms have half-wall showers and older fixtures. Towels, as well as bars of soap and bottles of shampoo and conditioner are provided.

While rooms can be underwhelming, Beach Break Resort has the facilities expected of a mid-range property in Jaco. The front pool is set on a concrete deck, where it's surrounded by guest rooms and the restaurant. Patio tables with umbrellas and plastic loungers offer seating. A rectangular kids’ pool is found to the side of the main pool. There’s a second, round pool set toward the back of the property, which includes a thatched-roof swim-up bar. This area also features another small kids’ pool.

A small path leads to a wide sandy beach. There are a handful of plastic loungers set up -- far too few for the hotel’s size -- and the beach is attractive and uncrowded. There’s a surf school on the beach, with packages that include rooms plus surf lessons.

Massage services are available for a surcharge on a deck on top of the restaurant. The hotel has 2,000 square feet of event space, and offers wedding packages. Dog-friendly rooms are available, and airport transfers can be arranged for a surcharge. Free Wi-Fi is offered throughout, although the connection isn’t strong in all areas of the property. Free self-parking is available in a gated lot.