The Howler Monkey Hotel

The location is really handy and pleasant, right by the beach, but the place itself didn't feel worth what we paid. The concept is nice, though the execution falls short. Lots of things were broken, including electrical outlets, chairs, and the tap, and the entrance looked more like a work in progress than a hotel entrance. The owner wasn't friendly at all. He barely said five sentences while welcoming us and checking us in. Odd behavior for someone in a customer-facing job. If you don't like customers, why spend your time around them?

The only real upside here is the location. I wouldn't stay unless availability or budget left no other choice. The owner seemed not to care about basic hygiene or repairs, so treat it as a bed for rent, then spend your time at the beach. Don't count on the pool either. It had crabs, leaves, and other debris, though it’s not the main draw since the beach is right there and looks lovely. We booked last minute after a leak in our tent forced us to find somewhere else. Our friends had booked at howler monkey, which was cheap, so we booked without thinking much. The owner welcomed us while barely looking up from his YT videos. Eventually he seemed to realize we needed a key and walked us to the cottage. We had to pay an inflated price in cash first. He seems to think credit card companies charge 9%. The small cottage was, to be fair, decent value for the size, with a tiny cooking stove, shower, toilet, and rickety stairs up to the bedroom. The bedroom was sort of okay. But the fan only worked at its noisy maximum and was caked in dust. Dead insects were scattered around the cabin. Every surface was sticky, dusty, or had old residue, so we couldn't find anywhere to put our toothbrushes. On the stairs, which had nails sticking out, I bumped into toilet paper being used to plug holes in the insect netting. The next morning, looking for a place to put some utensils, I found an electrical box with burned wiring and an ant trail heading toward the dead insects. We wrote off the second night and booked somewhere else. We tried to find the owner in the morning, but he was nowhere around. We left a message and never got a response. Our friends had a bigger cabin, but they had to avoid certain steps because the wood was rotting, and ants were falling through the ceiling onto their bed. To reach the bathroom they had to walk down those stairs in the dark, since there was no direct way from the bedroom. I’ve traveled in Bulgaria, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, and Egypt on a shoestring, and stayed in some pretty rough places. I’ve never seen one this run down or owners who seemed to care so little. The cabin is tiny, so even 15-30 minutes of cleaning a week would make a big difference. It feels like even that is too much effort. If you care at all about guests, there’s no excuse for it. At first I tried to put it down to bad luck, but when we left, I saw another cabin with its doors open, and it looked just as bad. We also checked the reviews on the booking (.com)website. If you think the owner has good intentions, read his replies to the negative reviews there. To get ahead of his usual responses: no, I wasn’t on stimulants. Maybe I’d have liked the place if I was. The dog liked me. And yes, it’s the jungle, but I don't own a hotel, so I don't know how he could stop insects. Perhaps he could ask one of the other 50 hotels in the area that seem to manage. For a start, take the trash out more often than once a season. He mentioned looking for a solution to insects gathering when he left trash out for months. And don't leave dead insects around. I’m not from France, so that isn't why I'm complaining. Yes, that was also something he said to other customers. Just look at the photos. I would have given two or three stars, but his terrible replies to guests brought it down to one. This could be a nice place, but it badly needs a new owner.

Jim, the owner, has helpful tips and funny stories, and there are bikes you can use. It’s an easy ride to Montezuma. I stayed three nights with my travel buddy and would happily have stayed for weeks. The cabins are just the right size, with lots of animals to see and hear and a great sunrise view over the ocean. It’s a wonderful place to get close to nature and forget stress for a while. If you need full amenities like a TV or air conditioning to be comfortable, it may not suit you. I can’t wait to visit again.

A quiet, remote place to get away from the crowds and relax. The hut is spacious, with a big bedroom, kitchen, and hot shower. There’s a swimming pool and direct beach access. The water is mostly rocky underneath and the tides are strong, but it has its own kind of charm. The pool was nice, and Mike cleaned it a couple of times a day as leaves fell in. We heard people mention trash, but we didn't see any. Don’t expect a full-on resort, but I’d still recommend it.