Catering to the adventurous traveler, the Rio Perdido Hotel & Thermal River is a wonderful jungle property tucked away in 600 acres of natural reserve in the Guanacaste province. The main draw here is the myriad outdoor activities on offer, ranging from zip-lining to hiking to relaxing in the many natural hot springs found on-site. The hotel also features three beautiful pools -- one with a swim-up bar -- as well as yoga classes and a spa offering great body treatments in open-air rooms overlooking the jungle. The 30 stand-alone bungalows have been designed to blend in with the lush surroundings, and are equal parts stylish and eco-conscious, with natural, local materials, modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs or projectors, and great terraces with seating. The value Buena Vista del Rincon is a decent alternative for those wanting something offering a similar range of adventure activities at a lower price point.
Catering to the adventurous traveler, the Rio Perdido Hotel & Thermal River is a wonderful jungle property tucked away in 600 acres of natural reserve in the Guanacaste province. The main draw here is the myriad outdoor activities on offer, ranging from zip-lining to hiking to relaxing in the many natural hot springs found on-site. The hotel also features three beautiful pools -- one with a swim-up bar -- as well as yoga classes and a spa offering great body treatments in open-air rooms overlooking the jungle. The 30 stand-alone bungalows have been designed to blend in with the lush surroundings, and are equal parts stylish and eco-conscious, with natural, local materials, modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs or projectors, and great terraces with seating. The value Buena Vista del Rincon is a decent alternative for those wanting something offering a similar range of adventure activities at a lower price point.
Hotel Cantarana is an intimate, five-room budget-oriented boutique hotel with a laid-back surfer vibe, a shaded pool, personal service, and a notable restaurant set among a canopy of trees. The hotel is located within the Las Baulas National Marine Park, home to hundreds of species of birds and a prominent nesting ground for leatherback sea turtles. The hotel’s biggest draw, though, might be the uncrowded, surfer-friendly Playa Grande, a quick walk away along a dirt road. Those seeking nightlife can drive 30 minutes to reach the bars of Tamarindo, yet most guests at Hotel Cantarana opt to spend their evenings on guided tours observing nesting turtles or holed up in the basic but comfortable rooms outfitted with king-size beds, air-conditioning, and flat-screen TVs.
Hotel Cantarana is an intimate, five-room budget-oriented boutique hotel with a laid-back surfer vibe, a shaded pool, personal service, and a notable restaurant set among a canopy of trees. The hotel is located within the Las Baulas National Marine Park, home to hundreds of species of birds and a prominent nesting ground for leatherback sea turtles. The hotel’s biggest draw, though, might be the uncrowded, surfer-friendly Playa Grande, a quick walk away along a dirt road. Those seeking nightlife can drive 30 minutes to reach the bars of Tamarindo, yet most guests at Hotel Cantarana opt to spend their evenings on guided tours observing nesting turtles or holed up in the basic but comfortable rooms outfitted with king-size beds, air-conditioning, and flat-screen TVs.
Playa Grande Park is a laid-back, mid-range boutique hotel with personal service and a surfer-chic restaurant and bar serving organic burgers and artisan brews. The hotel offers eight rooms set in a two-story building overlooking a pool shaded by an enormous Guanacaste tree as well as more spacious villas enclosed in a private compound. Set within the Marina Las Baulas National Park, an important sea turtle nesting site, the hotel neighbors the park's welcome center and is just a short walk to the sand and surf of the aptly named Playa Grande, one of the area's most sought-after surfing destinations.
Playa Grande Park is a laid-back, mid-range boutique hotel with personal service and a surfer-chic restaurant and bar serving organic burgers and artisan brews. The hotel offers eight rooms set in a two-story building overlooking a pool shaded by an enormous Guanacaste tree as well as more spacious villas enclosed in a private compound. Set within the Marina Las Baulas National Park, an important sea turtle nesting site, the hotel neighbors the park's welcome center and is just a short walk to the sand and surf of the aptly named Playa Grande, one of the area's most sought-after surfing destinations.
Hotel RipJack Inn is a three-pearl hotel located a short walk from striking Playa Grande beach. The hotel’s 21 guest rooms are tidy and charming, and some have separate living areas and kitchenettes. The hotel’s small, green grounds offer two fine outdoor pools, an excellent restaurant, and a serene yoga shala. There are a few other dining options within walking distance, with this quiet town mainly appealing to guests interested in surfing or watching turtle nesting on the beach. Travelers may want to compare amenities and rates with nearby Hotel Cantarana.
Hotel RipJack Inn is a three-pearl hotel located a short walk from striking Playa Grande beach. The hotel’s 21 guest rooms are tidy and charming, and some have separate living areas and kitchenettes. The hotel’s small, green grounds offer two fine outdoor pools, an excellent restaurant, and a serene yoga shala. There are a few other dining options within walking distance, with this quiet town mainly appealing to guests interested in surfing or watching turtle nesting on the beach. Travelers may want to compare amenities and rates with nearby Hotel Cantarana.
The mid-range, 59-room beachfront Hotel Villas Playa Samara perfectly emulates the town's laid-back, casual vibe. Its beachy, modern restaurant with terraced seating and the adjacent, huge free-form pool with a pretty swim-up bar and volleyball net are the main hubs for guests, mostly families. The gray-sand, crescent-shaped beach with its calm waters makes it lovely for swimming and strolling, but serious surfers will be disappointed. The hotel has simple, modern hotel rooms, but the more spacious villas appeal to guests who prefer to cook their own meals (a nice option given there is only one restaurant on-site, and none within walking distance). Those seeking lower rates should consider the nearby The Hideaway Hotel Playa Samara, though it's not right on the beach.
The mid-range, 59-room beachfront Hotel Villas Playa Samara perfectly emulates the town's laid-back, casual vibe. Its beachy, modern restaurant with terraced seating and the adjacent, huge free-form pool with a pretty swim-up bar and volleyball net are the main hubs for guests, mostly families. The gray-sand, crescent-shaped beach with its calm waters makes it lovely for swimming and strolling, but serious surfers will be disappointed. The hotel has simple, modern hotel rooms, but the more spacious villas appeal to guests who prefer to cook their own meals (a nice option given there is only one restaurant on-site, and none within walking distance). Those seeking lower rates should consider the nearby The Hideaway Hotel Playa Samara, though it's not right on the beach.
Hotel Sol Samara is a simple two-pearl property located on the outskirts of downtown Samara. Its 14 rooms offer colorful decor and a few nice amenities, such as mini-fridges, plus they have shared outdoor balconies that overlook hotel grounds. A small pool, free daily breakfast, and free Wi-Fi add to its appeal, but many guests complain that the internet connection is spotty and that hot water is hard to come by. The property is a five-minute walk from the beach, but it’s far from shops and restaurants in the downtown area. Travelers looking to be within walking distance of town might prefer Hotel Belvedere - Playa Samara, though rates are typically pricier.
Hotel Sol Samara is a simple two-pearl property located on the outskirts of downtown Samara. Its 14 rooms offer colorful decor and a few nice amenities, such as mini-fridges, plus they have shared outdoor balconies that overlook hotel grounds. A small pool, free daily breakfast, and free Wi-Fi add to its appeal, but many guests complain that the internet connection is spotty and that hot water is hard to come by. The property is a five-minute walk from the beach, but it’s far from shops and restaurants in the downtown area. Travelers looking to be within walking distance of town might prefer Hotel Belvedere - Playa Samara, though rates are typically pricier.
With affordable nightly rates and an excellent location in downtown Samara, Hotel Belvedere - Playa Samara is one of the best bang-for-your-buck options in the area. This budget hotel is located on a quiet, residential street that’s within a five-minute walk of local shops, restaurants, bars, and the beach. Hotel Belvedere has 22 colorfully decorated rooms, beautifully landscaped gardens, and a small pool and secluded hot tub. Guests can purchase breakfast for an additional fee, but it isn’t always available during the off-season. Wi-Fi is free and works well across the property. Travelers looking for something a bit more polished might prefer Hotel Villas Playa Samara, a beachfront property with pricier nightly rates.
With affordable nightly rates and an excellent location in downtown Samara, Hotel Belvedere - Playa Samara is one of the best bang-for-your-buck options in the area. This budget hotel is located on a quiet, residential street that’s within a five-minute walk of local shops, restaurants, bars, and the beach. Hotel Belvedere has 22 colorfully decorated rooms, beautifully landscaped gardens, and a small pool and secluded hot tub. Guests can purchase breakfast for an additional fee, but it isn’t always available during the off-season. Wi-Fi is free and works well across the property. Travelers looking for something a bit more polished might prefer Hotel Villas Playa Samara, a beachfront property with pricier nightly rates.
The Lodge las Ranas is a mid-range, mountaintop boutique hotel close to the town of Samara. Its 10 tidy, tree-house-like rooms offer canopy beds and lovely balconies equipped with wooden rocking chairs, perfect perches for up-close viewing of local howler monkeys and toucans as well as gazing upon the distant Pacific. Hot breakfasts, a shaded pool, and a tiny lounge keep guests occupied but most spend their days away from the hotel, exploring the local beaches. Walking to town is possible, but it requires navigating the steep driveway, followed by a trek down a dirt road.
The Lodge las Ranas is a mid-range, mountaintop boutique hotel close to the town of Samara. Its 10 tidy, tree-house-like rooms offer canopy beds and lovely balconies equipped with wooden rocking chairs, perfect perches for up-close viewing of local howler monkeys and toucans as well as gazing upon the distant Pacific. Hot breakfasts, a shaded pool, and a tiny lounge keep guests occupied but most spend their days away from the hotel, exploring the local beaches. Walking to town is possible, but it requires navigating the steep driveway, followed by a trek down a dirt road.
This 13-room, mid-range boutique hotel has beachy contemporary style, a crescent-shaped pool, and an intimate restaurant known for its daily specials and homemade ice cream. The rooms are spacious and bright, outfitted with traditional furnishings and private terraces. While not located on the beach, Playa Samara and its calm waves are just a quick walk down a gravel road. The nearby Hotel Villas Playa Samara is right on the sand, but accordingly has higher rates.
This 13-room, mid-range boutique hotel has beachy contemporary style, a crescent-shaped pool, and an intimate restaurant known for its daily specials and homemade ice cream. The rooms are spacious and bright, outfitted with traditional furnishings and private terraces. While not located on the beach, Playa Samara and its calm waves are just a quick walk down a gravel road. The nearby Hotel Villas Playa Samara is right on the sand, but accordingly has higher rates.
Hotel Chantel is a simple three-pearl property located in Playas del Coco with gorgeous views of the surrounding area. The hotel’s 11 guest rooms are cute and tidy with shared balconies, and some feature separate living areas and full kitchens. This relaxed inn offers a nice little infinity pool, widely acclaimed rooftop restaurant, and free local-style breakfast. The hotel’s hilltop setting offers scenic vistas over the surrounding countryside and out toward the coast, but it does place guests a long (30-minute) walk from the entertainment and dining of downtown, and it's almost equally far to reach the beach. Travelers who prefer to stay closer to the beach might also consider the budget property Hotel Coco Palms, although its rooms are far less charming.
Hotel Chantel is a simple three-pearl property located in Playas del Coco with gorgeous views of the surrounding area. The hotel’s 11 guest rooms are cute and tidy with shared balconies, and some feature separate living areas and full kitchens. This relaxed inn offers a nice little infinity pool, widely acclaimed rooftop restaurant, and free local-style breakfast. The hotel’s hilltop setting offers scenic vistas over the surrounding countryside and out toward the coast, but it does place guests a long (30-minute) walk from the entertainment and dining of downtown, and it's almost equally far to reach the beach. Travelers who prefer to stay closer to the beach might also consider the budget property Hotel Coco Palms, although its rooms are far less charming.