Hotel Buddha House

There’s a mango tree just outside the room, and the open-air kitchen and dining space is nice. My upstairs room was basic, with very cold A/C, but it worked for a short stay.

The staff were really friendly and helpful, and I liked the decor, the furniture, and the small outdoor pool. It was peaceful much of the time, so I’d recommend staying here. The room did smell musty, which I think can be an issue in a lot of tropical countries. Also, the restaurant only served breakfast, so we couldn’t get food or drinks there in the evening. That wasn’t a big deal, since there are plenty of restaurants and bars within walking distance.

We ended up spending just one night and leaving around midday, but we loved our stay. It’s a cozy, affordable spot that seems especially suited to trekkers and backpackers. We arrived in Jacó on a Sunday night with nowhere to sleep, and after more than three hours of trying hotels, apartments, hostels, and houses, we still hadn’t found anywhere that would take us so late. The hostel welcomed us, understood our situation, and gave us a room, pool access, a great breakfast, and good Wi-Fi.

The location is the big draw here: the beach is a block away, and there are about 5-6 free parking spots on site, though they fill up. We felt safe leaving our things locked in the room, and the gate is locked at 10pm, with a guard there to let guests in afterward. The staff were friendly, and the chef and bartender were especially sweet. Beers at the bar run about $5-6, and the kitchen looked fairly spacious, though we didn’t use it. The pool is small, but the beach is so close that we didn’t need much more. Our private room had its own bathroom and some nice art, though it was simple, as you’d expect in a hostel. The beds and pillows were extremely uncomfortable. For close to $100 a night, that was a drawback. One night was okay, but if we’d stayed longer I might have moved into a hammock. Still, the location, atmosphere, and sense of security make the price understandable.