Casa Conde Beach-Front Hotel is a laid-back all-inclusive property with an outstanding beachfront location. The upper-middle-range hotel has 50 rooms split between older and newer sides -- newer rooms are worth the upgrade, considering they’re larger, brighter, and have more modern amenities, while older rooms have paper-thin walls and lack natural light. Casa Conde's best features are its two large pools and direct access to the humongous Playa Panama. While there is only one restaurant, food at the hotel is surprisingly tasty for an all-inclusive. Additional amenities include free Wi-Fi, a small fitness center, and a kids' club, but most of the guests here are adults. Families may prefer the more lively Flamingo Beach Resort & Spa in Playa Flamingo.
Casa Conde Beach-Front Hotel is a laid-back all-inclusive property with an outstanding beachfront location. The upper-middle-range hotel has 50 rooms split between older and newer sides -- newer rooms are worth the upgrade, considering they’re larger, brighter, and have more modern amenities, while older rooms have paper-thin walls and lack natural light. Casa Conde's best features are its two large pools and direct access to the humongous Playa Panama. While there is only one restaurant, food at the hotel is surprisingly tasty for an all-inclusive. Additional amenities include free Wi-Fi, a small fitness center, and a kids' club, but most of the guests here are adults. Families may prefer the more lively Flamingo Beach Resort & Spa in Playa Flamingo.
In a town with an abundance of budget-friendly accommodations, there is no need to seek out a place like Coco Azul. Although the tiny eight-room “hotel” is within walking distance of the beach, the immediate area has a hidden, sketchy sort of feel. And while the owner is wonderfully hospitable, the dusty, moldy, rooms reeking of cigarettes aren’t worth the warm welcome. Plus, if you saw the mangled cars in the parking lot, you probably wouldn’t want to leave yours there for free overnight. Instead, use the hotel’s free Wi-Fi to book yourself a room at any other hotel nearby. You might have to cough up an extra 30 bucks a night for Coco Beach Hotel and Casino, but trust us, it’s well worth the upgrade.
In a town with an abundance of budget-friendly accommodations, there is no need to seek out a place like Coco Azul. Although the tiny eight-room “hotel” is within walking distance of the beach, the immediate area has a hidden, sketchy sort of feel. And while the owner is wonderfully hospitable, the dusty, moldy, rooms reeking of cigarettes aren’t worth the warm welcome. Plus, if you saw the mangled cars in the parking lot, you probably wouldn’t want to leave yours there for free overnight. Instead, use the hotel’s free Wi-Fi to book yourself a room at any other hotel nearby. You might have to cough up an extra 30 bucks a night for Coco Beach Hotel and Casino, but trust us, it’s well worth the upgrade.
Don't be fooled by the name -- Nammbu isn’t beachfront and doesn’t have any bungalows. Instead what you'll find is a simple three-pearl property masquerading as an upscale resort. Its rooms, while spacious and somewhat modern, are bare bones with little storage. Nammbu’s mosaic tile infinity pool is its nicest feature, however, reaching the beach requires descending a massive staircase and crossing a busy road. The hotel also offers free Wi-Fi, but the connection is slow and spotty. Overall, the property is quiet, and there isn’t much to do at the hotel or in the immediate area. Travelers looking for a property with a bit more character might prefer Lodge Las Ranas, which is a five-minute drive from the lively town of Samara.
Don't be fooled by the name -- Nammbu isn’t beachfront and doesn’t have any bungalows. Instead what you'll find is a simple three-pearl property masquerading as an upscale resort. Its rooms, while spacious and somewhat modern, are bare bones with little storage. Nammbu’s mosaic tile infinity pool is its nicest feature, however, reaching the beach requires descending a massive staircase and crossing a busy road. The hotel also offers free Wi-Fi, but the connection is slow and spotty. Overall, the property is quiet, and there isn’t much to do at the hotel or in the immediate area. Travelers looking for a property with a bit more character might prefer Lodge Las Ranas, which is a five-minute drive from the lively town of Samara.
Hotel and Villas Nacazcol is a down-to-earth, three-pearl hotel located a 10-minute drive from Playa del Coco. The property's 185 guest rooms, suites, and villas are dated but adequately equipped, offering coffeemakers, flat-screen TVs, and minibars. Its grounds feel more like a small neighborhood than a typical hotel property, featuring two sizable pools, a handful of aging sports facilities, and two low-key, poolside restaurants. Free a la carte breakfast is included in the room rate, and guests also have access to a beach club near Playa Panama with two additional pools. Travelers who would prefer to stay right on the beach might consider Bahia Pez Vela Resort, an all-villa property on nearby Playa Ocotal.
Hotel and Villas Nacazcol is a down-to-earth, three-pearl hotel located a 10-minute drive from Playa del Coco. The property's 185 guest rooms, suites, and villas are dated but adequately equipped, offering coffeemakers, flat-screen TVs, and minibars. Its grounds feel more like a small neighborhood than a typical hotel property, featuring two sizable pools, a handful of aging sports facilities, and two low-key, poolside restaurants. Free a la carte breakfast is included in the room rate, and guests also have access to a beach club near Playa Panama with two additional pools. Travelers who would prefer to stay right on the beach might consider Bahia Pez Vela Resort, an all-villa property on nearby Playa Ocotal.
JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa is a four-and-a-half pearl hotel located on Playa Mansita beach. The resort’s 310 guest rooms are subtly luxurious, offering marble bathrooms and roomy private balconies or terraces. Excellent on-site amenities include a sprawling infinity pool, an array of first-rate dining options, a swanky spa and fitness center, along with access to pretty (if tiny) Playa Mansita. The property earns top marks in all areas, but everything, from the restaurants to the minibars, is expensive. Travelers may want to compare rates and amenities with the equally fabulous Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo.
JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa is a four-and-a-half pearl hotel located on Playa Mansita beach. The resort’s 310 guest rooms are subtly luxurious, offering marble bathrooms and roomy private balconies or terraces. Excellent on-site amenities include a sprawling infinity pool, an array of first-rate dining options, a swanky spa and fitness center, along with access to pretty (if tiny) Playa Mansita. The property earns top marks in all areas, but everything, from the restaurants to the minibars, is expensive. Travelers may want to compare rates and amenities with the equally fabulous Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo.
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.
The Hotel Liberia is a budget property with loads of historic charm and a convenient, downtown Liberia location 15 minutes' drive from the airport. Dating back to the early 20th century, the property maintains distinctive original features like adobe walls and stone tile floors. Some of the 20 rooms are dorm-style with shared bathrooms, while the others are standard rooms with flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and private bathrooms. However, all guest rooms are spartan, with cold-water showers and no air-conditioning. There’s a nice restaurant on-site that serves Costa Rican-influenced cuisine for breakfast (for a fee), lunch, and dinner. The hotel is within walking distance of just about anything there is to see and do in Liberia. Another nearby option, the mid-range Las Espuelas Hotel, offers free breakfast, a pool, and rooms with air-conditioning, but it’s comparatively generic and farther from downtown.
The Hotel Liberia is a budget property with loads of historic charm and a convenient, downtown Liberia location 15 minutes' drive from the airport. Dating back to the early 20th century, the property maintains distinctive original features like adobe walls and stone tile floors. Some of the 20 rooms are dorm-style with shared bathrooms, while the others are standard rooms with flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and private bathrooms. However, all guest rooms are spartan, with cold-water showers and no air-conditioning. There’s a nice restaurant on-site that serves Costa Rican-influenced cuisine for breakfast (for a fee), lunch, and dinner. The hotel is within walking distance of just about anything there is to see and do in Liberia. Another nearby option, the mid-range Las Espuelas Hotel, offers free breakfast, a pool, and rooms with air-conditioning, but it’s comparatively generic and farther from downtown.
Hotel La Laguna del cocodrilo is a low-key, two-and-a-half-pearl property located on Playa Tamarindo beach. The hotel’s eight rooms and suites are basic but inviting, and some offer private balconies or patios. The direct access to Playa Tamarindo is the property’s stand-out feature, with a little bakery and a quality restaurant further enhancing its appeal. Although there’s no pool and the path to the beach isn’t always easily accessible, La Laguna represents one of the best deals in Tamarindo. Budget travelers may also want to check out Casa Cook, but La Laguna’s rates are usually better.
Hotel La Laguna del cocodrilo is a low-key, two-and-a-half-pearl property located on Playa Tamarindo beach. The hotel’s eight rooms and suites are basic but inviting, and some offer private balconies or patios. The direct access to Playa Tamarindo is the property’s stand-out feature, with a little bakery and a quality restaurant further enhancing its appeal. Although there’s no pool and the path to the beach isn’t always easily accessible, La Laguna represents one of the best deals in Tamarindo. Budget travelers may also want to check out Casa Cook, but La Laguna’s rates are usually better.
Chic retro decor and a happening atmosphere make upscale The Harmony Hotel one of Nosara’s most sought after spots. The hotel’s juice bar and open-air yoga shalas attract health conscious guests during the day, while its trendy restaurant, sushi lounge, juice bar, and cocktail bar are popular nighttime hangouts. Harmony’s 24 rooms are scattered across its lush property, and feature Midcentury inspired decor with vaulted wood ceilings and private patios with hammocks and outdoor showers. Amenities include a beautiful pool and small spa, plus great freebies like Wi-Fi, breakfast, daily yoga classes, beach bikes, and loaner iPads -- but nightly rates are among the highest in Nosara. Travelers looking for something a bit more affordable might prefer the nearby Living Hotel -- which still offers free breakfast, yoga, and bikes.
Chic retro decor and a happening atmosphere make upscale The Harmony Hotel one of Nosara’s most sought after spots. The hotel’s juice bar and open-air yoga shalas attract health conscious guests during the day, while its trendy restaurant, sushi lounge, juice bar, and cocktail bar are popular nighttime hangouts. Harmony’s 24 rooms are scattered across its lush property, and feature Midcentury inspired decor with vaulted wood ceilings and private patios with hammocks and outdoor showers. Amenities include a beautiful pool and small spa, plus great freebies like Wi-Fi, breakfast, daily yoga classes, beach bikes, and loaner iPads -- but nightly rates are among the highest in Nosara. Travelers looking for something a bit more affordable might prefer the nearby Living Hotel -- which still offers free breakfast, yoga, and bikes.
Hotel Sugar Beach is a three-pearl property located on Playa Pan de Azúcar, a 15-minute drive north of Playa Flamingo. The hotel’s 27 guest rooms are tasteful and simple, with some including kitchenettes and separate living areas. There’s a decent restaurant on-site as well as a yoga pavilion, both of which are set in distinctive wooden rotundas. With a peaceful stretch of beachfront and a large forested property that attracts diverse wildlife, the hotel is a good choice for guests who want to relax and connect with nature. There’s nothing within walking distance, however, making the location too remote for some. Costa Rica Yoga Spa in Nosara gives an excellent alternative for yoga-focused travelers, although it doesn’t offer beach access.
Hotel Sugar Beach is a three-pearl property located on Playa Pan de Azúcar, a 15-minute drive north of Playa Flamingo. The hotel’s 27 guest rooms are tasteful and simple, with some including kitchenettes and separate living areas. There’s a decent restaurant on-site as well as a yoga pavilion, both of which are set in distinctive wooden rotundas. With a peaceful stretch of beachfront and a large forested property that attracts diverse wildlife, the hotel is a good choice for guests who want to relax and connect with nature. There’s nothing within walking distance, however, making the location too remote for some. Costa Rica Yoga Spa in Nosara gives an excellent alternative for yoga-focused travelers, although it doesn’t offer beach access.