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.
Funky Monkey Lodge is a two-and-a-half-pearl yoga-focused hotel set on a tranquil Santa Teresa hillside. Its 10 units are a mix of suites, bungalows, apartments, and dorms with safes, refrigerators, and fans. The posher rooms have air-conditioning, ocean views, flat-screen TVs, and kitchenettes, though others are more basic. The small pool is a nice addition, and the open-air yoga studio has ocean views and daily classes (the aerial-silk classes are a particularly cool addition). Expect tasty international cuisine and great ocean views in the restaurant, which often uses organic ingredients. There's also a shared kitchen, billiard and ping-pong tables, free Wi-Fi, and parking. For a yoga-centered stay closer to the beach with cute bungalows, a tasty restaurant, and a small spa, it’s worth pricing out Otro Lado Lodge and Restaurant.
Funky Monkey Lodge is a two-and-a-half-pearl yoga-focused hotel set on a tranquil Santa Teresa hillside. Its 10 units are a mix of suites, bungalows, apartments, and dorms with safes, refrigerators, and fans. The posher rooms have air-conditioning, ocean views, flat-screen TVs, and kitchenettes, though others are more basic. The small pool is a nice addition, and the open-air yoga studio has ocean views and daily classes (the aerial-silk classes are a particularly cool addition). Expect tasty international cuisine and great ocean views in the restaurant, which often uses organic ingredients. There's also a shared kitchen, billiard and ping-pong tables, free Wi-Fi, and parking. For a yoga-centered stay closer to the beach with cute bungalows, a tasty restaurant, and a small spa, it’s worth pricing out Otro Lado Lodge and Restaurant.
Situated on La Fortuna’s main tourist strip, Arenal Hostel Resort offers budget accommodations with a solid list of amenities (for a hostel). A casual, tiki-bar-style restaurant, pool, and swim-up bar are surprising touches while a relaxed garden courtyard offers hammocks and teak outdoor dining tables. Entry-level dorm rooms are minimal and functional with only bunk beds, air-conditioning, and ensuite bathrooms. Upgraded private rooms additionally offer flat-screen TVs with cable and shared, furnished balconies overlooking the garden. Hostel Backpackers La Fortuna offers similarly priced and appointed accommodations with a larger pool.
Situated on La Fortuna’s main tourist strip, Arenal Hostel Resort offers budget accommodations with a solid list of amenities (for a hostel). A casual, tiki-bar-style restaurant, pool, and swim-up bar are surprising touches while a relaxed garden courtyard offers hammocks and teak outdoor dining tables. Entry-level dorm rooms are minimal and functional with only bunk beds, air-conditioning, and ensuite bathrooms. Upgraded private rooms additionally offer flat-screen TVs with cable and shared, furnished balconies overlooking the garden. Hostel Backpackers La Fortuna offers similarly priced and appointed accommodations with a larger pool.
Housed in a 100-year-old bank office building, the 98-room Hotel Indigo San Antonio at the Alamo manages to preserve its historic originality while offering modern amenities and decor. Its prime location -- right next to the Alamo -- makes it a great mid-range pick for people who prefer the uniqueness of a boutique hotel.
Housed in a 100-year-old bank office building, the 98-room Hotel Indigo San Antonio at the Alamo manages to preserve its historic originality while offering modern amenities and decor. Its prime location -- right next to the Alamo -- makes it a great mid-range pick for people who prefer the uniqueness of a boutique hotel.
The Marriott Los Suenos is one of Costa Rica's few large-scale resorts, with 201 comfortable rooms, an 18-hole golf course, a big pool complex, full-service spa, six restaurants, and beautiful Spanish colonial architecture. But the on-site beach is extremely rocky, so you may want to take a taxi to one of the other nearby beaches instead.
The Marriott Los Suenos is one of Costa Rica's few large-scale resorts, with 201 comfortable rooms, an 18-hole golf course, a big pool complex, full-service spa, six restaurants, and beautiful Spanish colonial architecture. But the on-site beach is extremely rocky, so you may want to take a taxi to one of the other nearby beaches instead.
The no-frills, 22-room Hotel El Velero is one of the only beachfront options in Playa Hermosa. Rooms are clean and simply decorated, and rates are often surprisingly affordable, considering the hotel’s prime location. Amenities include a small pool, an on-site restaurant, and freebies like parking and Wi-Fi. There’s not really much to do in the immediate area aside from hitting the beach. Nearby Playas del Coco has tons of bars, restaurants, and touristy attractions -- and Hotel Coco Palms is a short walk from the beach -- but the scenery isn’t nearly as beautiful as that in Hermosa.
The no-frills, 22-room Hotel El Velero is one of the only beachfront options in Playa Hermosa. Rooms are clean and simply decorated, and rates are often surprisingly affordable, considering the hotel’s prime location. Amenities include a small pool, an on-site restaurant, and freebies like parking and Wi-Fi. There’s not really much to do in the immediate area aside from hitting the beach. Nearby Playas del Coco has tons of bars, restaurants, and touristy attractions -- and Hotel Coco Palms is a short walk from the beach -- but the scenery isn’t nearly as beautiful as that in Hermosa.
Guests willing to brave the rough, winding road to Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel will be well rewarded. Everything about the hotel -- including the remote location and the lush, green grounds -- helps this hotel truly live up to its name. The three-and-a-half-pearl property’s list of noteworthy amenities includes an open-air restaurant, an outdoor pool, and an eclectic Turkish-inspired lounge. The 26 rooms draw on modern and rustic aesthetics and come with minibars, bathrooms with outdoor garden showers, and spacious furnished balconies. Beyond the adjacent volcano park and the Rio Celeste river, there are few attractions of any kind in the immediate area. The nearest comparable accommodations can be found at Celeste Mountain Lodge -- a slightly cheaper, three-pearl alternative with an eco-conscious philosophy.
Guests willing to brave the rough, winding road to Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel will be well rewarded. Everything about the hotel -- including the remote location and the lush, green grounds -- helps this hotel truly live up to its name. The three-and-a-half-pearl property’s list of noteworthy amenities includes an open-air restaurant, an outdoor pool, and an eclectic Turkish-inspired lounge. The 26 rooms draw on modern and rustic aesthetics and come with minibars, bathrooms with outdoor garden showers, and spacious furnished balconies. Beyond the adjacent volcano park and the Rio Celeste river, there are few attractions of any kind in the immediate area. The nearest comparable accommodations can be found at Celeste Mountain Lodge -- a slightly cheaper, three-pearl alternative with an eco-conscious philosophy.
Casa Del Caribe Bed & Breakfast is a two-pearl guesthouse located in San Juan’s Condado district. The hotel’s 13 guest rooms are tidy and homey, with just a touch of tropical style, but the dated look could use an update and bathrooms are dreadful, with peeling paint and worn bathtubs. The hotel offers a free simple breakfast in a lovely open-air dining area, but the main draw here is the location. Condado's lovely beach is a five-minute walk from the hotel's front door and there's high-end shops, restaurants, and bars in almost any direction. For an equally intimate alternative, travelers should check out The Dreamcatcher, where rooms have a ton of modern character. Rates will be a good bit higher, though, and it doesn't have the hip Condado address.
Casa Del Caribe Bed & Breakfast is a two-pearl guesthouse located in San Juan’s Condado district. The hotel’s 13 guest rooms are tidy and homey, with just a touch of tropical style, but the dated look could use an update and bathrooms are dreadful, with peeling paint and worn bathtubs. The hotel offers a free simple breakfast in a lovely open-air dining area, but the main draw here is the location. Condado's lovely beach is a five-minute walk from the hotel's front door and there's high-end shops, restaurants, and bars in almost any direction. For an equally intimate alternative, travelers should check out The Dreamcatcher, where rooms have a ton of modern character. Rates will be a good bit higher, though, and it doesn't have the hip Condado address.
S.J. Suites is a straightforward budget option in the heart of Old San Juan. While its 27 rooms are basic and dark (most lack windows and views), the location is a hit with guests. Situated in Calle Fortaleza, the property keeps historic sites, restaurants, and bars within walking distance. That's a good thing, as on-site features are pretty much limited to a lobby lounge with free all-day coffee. In short, S.J. Suites operates as a basic motel-style option best suited to travelers seeking a central, no-frills base from which to explore Old San Juan. Those looking for basic digs with more Old World character could try Da House Hotel.
S.J. Suites is a straightforward budget option in the heart of Old San Juan. While its 27 rooms are basic and dark (most lack windows and views), the location is a hit with guests. Situated in Calle Fortaleza, the property keeps historic sites, restaurants, and bars within walking distance. That's a good thing, as on-site features are pretty much limited to a lobby lounge with free all-day coffee. In short, S.J. Suites operates as a basic motel-style option best suited to travelers seeking a central, no-frills base from which to explore Old San Juan. Those looking for basic digs with more Old World character could try Da House Hotel.
Tulemar Bungalow & Villas manages to combine the privacy of bungalow living and the convenience of full hotel services, without any sense of pretension. There are 45 luxury residences spread out on a 33-acre resort that includes private access to Tulemar Beach, which has one of the only beach-facing restaurants in Manuel Antonio. Rooms range from homey, but older, Bungalows with floor-to-ceiling windows to over-the-top Casa Las Nubes with gasp-inducing architecture and a semi-indoor infinity-edge pool. All units come with free Wi-Fi and a personal concierge. Buena Vista del Sol serves up food and drinks near one of the four infinity-edge pools, but breakfast isn't included with the price of a room. There's an air of seclusion on the property, but it's still conveniently located near a grocery store and laundromat. This is one of the best, and most popular, options in the area.
Tulemar Bungalow & Villas manages to combine the privacy of bungalow living and the convenience of full hotel services, without any sense of pretension. There are 45 luxury residences spread out on a 33-acre resort that includes private access to Tulemar Beach, which has one of the only beach-facing restaurants in Manuel Antonio. Rooms range from homey, but older, Bungalows with floor-to-ceiling windows to over-the-top Casa Las Nubes with gasp-inducing architecture and a semi-indoor infinity-edge pool. All units come with free Wi-Fi and a personal concierge. Buena Vista del Sol serves up food and drinks near one of the four infinity-edge pools, but breakfast isn't included with the price of a room. There's an air of seclusion on the property, but it's still conveniently located near a grocery store and laundromat. This is one of the best, and most popular, options in the area.