Equal parts budget hotel and guest house, Hotel Las Orquideas offers modest lodging minutes from Monteverde’s most popular attractions. The 12 rooms are divided among an original wing with a charming, homey decor and an expanded wing with a crisp, bright design. All rooms include air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi, plus optional modern essentials like flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges. Aside from free breakfast and parking, there are few common amenities, and the lack of a pool and social scene may further dissuade some guests. However, prices are low and the property is only an eight-minute walk to the restaurants, shops, and services in Santa Elena. Monteverde Inn offers similar amenities in an eco-conscious package for less money.
Equal parts budget hotel and guest house, Hotel Las Orquideas offers modest lodging minutes from Monteverde’s most popular attractions. The 12 rooms are divided among an original wing with a charming, homey decor and an expanded wing with a crisp, bright design. All rooms include air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi, plus optional modern essentials like flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges. Aside from free breakfast and parking, there are few common amenities, and the lack of a pool and social scene may further dissuade some guests. However, prices are low and the property is only an eight-minute walk to the restaurants, shops, and services in Santa Elena. Monteverde Inn offers similar amenities in an eco-conscious package for less money.
Los Pinos - Cabanas y Jardines is a mid-range eco-lodge that consists of 14 stand-alone cabins tucked into the forested hills of Monteverde. Each homey cabin features a full kitchen, free Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning, and many have porches. From the lobby to the rooms, the decor is simple and rustic. There's a tiny lobby lounge and a large, hydroponic vegetable garden, but few other amenities on-site. The shops, restaurants, and attractions of Santa Elena are just five minutes away by road, and there's plenty of outdoor adventures and hiking in the area. Travelers looking for a hotel with a pool and on-site dining should consider the nearby Hotel Fonda Vela, though rates will be higher.
Los Pinos - Cabanas y Jardines is a mid-range eco-lodge that consists of 14 stand-alone cabins tucked into the forested hills of Monteverde. Each homey cabin features a full kitchen, free Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning, and many have porches. From the lobby to the rooms, the decor is simple and rustic. There's a tiny lobby lounge and a large, hydroponic vegetable garden, but few other amenities on-site. The shops, restaurants, and attractions of Santa Elena are just five minutes away by road, and there's plenty of outdoor adventures and hiking in the area. Travelers looking for a hotel with a pool and on-site dining should consider the nearby Hotel Fonda Vela, though rates will be higher.
Barcelo's three-pearl, all-inclusive resort is the biggest hotel option in southern Nicoya Peninsula. Renovated in 2012, its 402 rooms stretch far and wide over manicured grounds for easy access to a remote beach with dark volcanic sand, great for swimming and sunrises. Three room types have balconies with free minimally stocked minibars, while three restaurants include ubiquitous buffet spreads, as well as decent sushi and steaks for those who actually snag an a la carte reservation. Kids stay busy with activities like mini-golf and kayaking, while adults can hit the pool bar, fitness center, and spa. Expect annoyances like waiting at the front desk and unreliable Wi-Fi, which costs a daily fee. Couples looking for a more romantic atmosphere should consider the nearby Tango Mar Beachfront Boutique Hotel & Villas.
Barcelo's three-pearl, all-inclusive resort is the biggest hotel option in southern Nicoya Peninsula. Renovated in 2012, its 402 rooms stretch far and wide over manicured grounds for easy access to a remote beach with dark volcanic sand, great for swimming and sunrises. Three room types have balconies with free minimally stocked minibars, while three restaurants include ubiquitous buffet spreads, as well as decent sushi and steaks for those who actually snag an a la carte reservation. Kids stay busy with activities like mini-golf and kayaking, while adults can hit the pool bar, fitness center, and spa. Expect annoyances like waiting at the front desk and unreliable Wi-Fi, which costs a daily fee. Couples looking for a more romantic atmosphere should consider the nearby Tango Mar Beachfront Boutique Hotel & Villas.
This small hotel is not so small considering it takes up over 100 acres of space on the jaw-dropping, remote coast of Nicoya Peninsula. Owned by an energetic and omnipresent Belgian and her attentive staff, the place ticks like a well-oiled European machine. Most of the 43 minimalist rooms and three villas, as well as two restaurants (breakfast is included) overlook the dreamy ocean. Waves might make swimming a challenge, but the secluded beach is great for strolling and suntanning -- otherwise, three small pools and a swim-up bar will do just fine. Romantic couples and somewhat older groups who are not concerned with nightlife also enjoy the private access to horses, tennis, a waterfall, a (casual) golf course, and spa services. Everything else will require a drive. Younger couples looking for a slightly more hipper scene should consider Ylang Ylang Resort.
This small hotel is not so small considering it takes up over 100 acres of space on the jaw-dropping, remote coast of Nicoya Peninsula. Owned by an energetic and omnipresent Belgian and her attentive staff, the place ticks like a well-oiled European machine. Most of the 43 minimalist rooms and three villas, as well as two restaurants (breakfast is included) overlook the dreamy ocean. Waves might make swimming a challenge, but the secluded beach is great for strolling and suntanning -- otherwise, three small pools and a swim-up bar will do just fine. Romantic couples and somewhat older groups who are not concerned with nightlife also enjoy the private access to horses, tennis, a waterfall, a (casual) golf course, and spa services. Everything else will require a drive. Younger couples looking for a slightly more hipper scene should consider Ylang Ylang Resort.
Tambor Tropical Beach Resort is a three-and-a-half pearl oceanfront resort in Tambor, a sleepy Costa Rican fishing village. The hotel’s 10 air-conditioned suites are made of gorgeous hardwoods and come with platform queen beds, full kitchens with free coffee, and wraparound patios or balconies with pool or ocean views. The sand and rocky beach is a one-minute walk from the resort and a family of scarlet macaws lives in the lush canopy grounds. Hotel amenities include a big freshwater pool with a cold-water whirlpool, a tasty open-air restaurant, and stand-up paddle board rentals. Freebies include a welcome cocktail, daily afternoon surprise dessert, continental breakfast, and airport transfers from the nearby Tambor Airport. For a beachfront all-inclusive stay with two pools, a golf course, three restaurants, and lots of activities, compare rates at the nearby Barcelo Tambor Beach.
Tambor Tropical Beach Resort is a three-and-a-half pearl oceanfront resort in Tambor, a sleepy Costa Rican fishing village. The hotel’s 10 air-conditioned suites are made of gorgeous hardwoods and come with platform queen beds, full kitchens with free coffee, and wraparound patios or balconies with pool or ocean views. The sand and rocky beach is a one-minute walk from the resort and a family of scarlet macaws lives in the lush canopy grounds. Hotel amenities include a big freshwater pool with a cold-water whirlpool, a tasty open-air restaurant, and stand-up paddle board rentals. Freebies include a welcome cocktail, daily afternoon surprise dessert, continental breakfast, and airport transfers from the nearby Tambor Airport. For a beachfront all-inclusive stay with two pools, a golf course, three restaurants, and lots of activities, compare rates at the nearby Barcelo Tambor Beach.
Doubletree Resort by Hilton, Central Pacific is an upper-middle-range all-inclusive property on the coast of Puntarenas province. With its restaurants and bars, fitness and spa facilities, big pools, outdoor activities, beach access, and kid-friendly amenities, it checks all the mega-resort boxes, offering a steady stream of food, drinks, and organized entertainment. Its 315 rooms, some of which have balconies, terraces, and hot tubs, are pleasant but chain-hotel generic, which isn't necessarily a negative. There aren't many dining and nightlife choices outside the resort, and most guests stay on the property to take advantage of its all-inclusive rates. Travelers might want to compare rates and amenities with Barcelo Tambor Beach, another all-inclusive on the other side of the Gulf of Nicoya.
Doubletree Resort by Hilton, Central Pacific is an upper-middle-range all-inclusive property on the coast of Puntarenas province. With its restaurants and bars, fitness and spa facilities, big pools, outdoor activities, beach access, and kid-friendly amenities, it checks all the mega-resort boxes, offering a steady stream of food, drinks, and organized entertainment. Its 315 rooms, some of which have balconies, terraces, and hot tubs, are pleasant but chain-hotel generic, which isn't necessarily a negative. There aren't many dining and nightlife choices outside the resort, and most guests stay on the property to take advantage of its all-inclusive rates. Travelers might want to compare rates and amenities with Barcelo Tambor Beach, another all-inclusive on the other side of the Gulf of Nicoya.
For those who want a clean room, free made-to-order breakfast, and a quiet night's sleep without paying higher prices found in nearby Manuel Antonio, two-and-a-half pearl La Sirena Hotel is an excellent choice. The property is built on a side street in Quepos, a block from the water and about a 20-minute drive or bus ride to Manuel Antonio National Park and Beach. There's a bus stop and bank just around the corner and several restaurants, gift shops, and the ocean within walking distance -- though there isn't a proper beach. The 14 guest rooms are clean and have tube-style TVs with English cable channels. A small swimming pool provides a spot to cool off. Overall, there's a convivial atmosphere among the guests, many of them older couples and travelers on a budget.
For those who want a clean room, free made-to-order breakfast, and a quiet night's sleep without paying higher prices found in nearby Manuel Antonio, two-and-a-half pearl La Sirena Hotel is an excellent choice. The property is built on a side street in Quepos, a block from the water and about a 20-minute drive or bus ride to Manuel Antonio National Park and Beach. There's a bus stop and bank just around the corner and several restaurants, gift shops, and the ocean within walking distance -- though there isn't a proper beach. The 14 guest rooms are clean and have tube-style TVs with English cable channels. A small swimming pool provides a spot to cool off. Overall, there's a convivial atmosphere among the guests, many of them older couples and travelers on a budget.
Pacific Paradise Resort (formerly Layla Resort) is a budget-friendly hotel on the outskirts of Quepos, a three-minute drive to the airport. As of our visit in 2015, the hotel seems to be in a bit of a transition from a property that's popular with locals (and, maybe, working girls) to a family-friendly resort. An outdoor swimming pool is adjacent to the palapa-style bar and breakfast area. Freebies include parking, Wi-Fi, and made-to-order breakfast, but there isn't a full restaurant. The 20 rooms feature dark wood furniture and coffeemakers. Travelers may want to compare prices at La Sirena, an intimate budget hotel right in the center of Quepos.
Pacific Paradise Resort (formerly Layla Resort) is a budget-friendly hotel on the outskirts of Quepos, a three-minute drive to the airport. As of our visit in 2015, the hotel seems to be in a bit of a transition from a property that's popular with locals (and, maybe, working girls) to a family-friendly resort. An outdoor swimming pool is adjacent to the palapa-style bar and breakfast area. Freebies include parking, Wi-Fi, and made-to-order breakfast, but there isn't a full restaurant. The 20 rooms feature dark wood furniture and coffeemakers. Travelers may want to compare prices at La Sirena, an intimate budget hotel right in the center of Quepos.