The Sunset Shack

The included breakfast was quite good, and for the price we thought the Sunset Shack was good value, with rates that seemed more reasonable than some nearby places, even though Nosara prices are high and still feel steep for what guests get. We’ve visited Nosara many times, but this was our first stay here. The location is great, just a short walk from the main entrance to Playa Guiones. Some upgrades have been made to the rooms, but there’s still room for improvement. The old slat windows don’t seal properly, letting AC out and humidity in. The room sometimes felt damp, and we noticed it on the sheets and pillows, which had a bit of a musty smell, likely from the weather and those windows. The old doors and locks also need replacing, since gaps let humidity in. Our AC leaked a little from time to time, but closing the vent stopped it dripping on us while we slept. The staff at Al Chile weren’t rude, but they didn’t seem to enjoy their jobs, and nobody smiled. That felt odd for a Harmony run hotel. We had lunch across the street at the Harmony and found the staff there very friendly. I think Al Chile’s team could use more training. Harmony has a strong service reputation, and someone should step in to maintain quality. We liked our stay, and a few more improvements could make it even better.

The people at the Sunset Shack were the highlight of our stay. They were incredibly helpful and accommodating, even bringing in a desk and chair so my husband could work. The place was spotless, there were never any bugs inside, and the decor was cute. It’s quiet, and the beach is very close. There’s a great surf shop on the way, where I rented a board every evening for sunset. If you want a cute, peaceful place with truly wonderful hospitality, I highly recommend it. I’m so grateful to the team.

The Sunset Shack is small, friendly, and fairly cheap by Nosara standards. The staff were always kind and helpful, and housekeeping was excellent. I loved relaxing by the pool, and you can take yoga classes at its sister property, the Harmony Hotel, across the street. The included breakfast at Al Chile was really good, especially the French toast. The beach is very close, with one of the best surf spots about a five-minute walk away. Right next door there’s also a great surf shop for board rentals or ding repair, along with a juice bar, quad rental, and massage place.

This little place has a real, distinctive feel in a world of so much sameness. We stayed three weeks, and room 2 worked perfectly: quiet AC, a ceiling fan, a big bathroom, and superb housekeeping. We liked that the property is small, with just eight rooms. Breakfast was included and had a variety of choices. Al Chili serves the best fish tacos in Nosara, and Paulo at the bar makes stunning cocktails. Try the gin and tonic with fresh botanicals and Fever Tree tonic water. The rooms are much larger than at the Harmony. A local tip: since the sunset is a sister property of the Harmony, a drop-in yoga class costs $9 rather than $15. Friendly team, clean rooms, great location, and no complaints.