Hotel Playa Surf Barú

We had a memorable time and found two or three nights just right for this special place at the end of Playa Blanca. The restaurant was excellent, and we're foodies. The property is simple, clean, and comfortable, with everything you need. The beach is narrow all along Playa Blanca. By late morning you can put your chair in the water, and by 2 PM the water reaches your whole lounge chair. You hear the small waves crashing day and night.

The rooms are comfortable, have air conditioning, and offer a good ocean view. The location is less convenient: it's at the start of the beach, and the hotel currently has no direct beach access, so you have to walk over. Restaurant prices are high, and breakfast could be improved.

We came in January with our 3-year-old daughter. Baru is nice, though I wouldn't stay more than two days. The hotel itself was great for comfort and service, with good rooms and a really friendly, attentive staff. There was no beach right by the hotel. From October through January the tide is very high and covers it, though there's another beach about 50 meters away. The unpleasant part happened as soon as we arrived. We were tired, and they offered us massages inside the hotel. We accepted after asking if we could pay by card, and were told yes. Then we were charged 240,000 per person plus a 15% card fee, which nobody had mentioned. We later learned the same service cost 160,000 for the whole island. We felt scammed, and found out the massage providers weren't hotel staff, despite being presented as a hotel service. I don't think the accommodation was involved, but visitors to Baru should watch out for people taking advantage.

The service was fantastic and the food was really delicious. I'd recommend it 100%.