Hotel Villa del Sueño

Our spacious suite had a mini fridge and microwave, which made it easy to pack food for day trips. The staff were all really nice and helpful, and even packed breakfast to go early when we had to leave. The grounds are beautiful, full of flowers and birds. We saw flocks of parrots almost every day, and on the five-minute walks to and from the beach we spotted howler monkeys, turquoise-browed motmots, a hawk, and a pygmy owl. The pool was refreshing without being too cold. We had a great time here!

The dinner at the restaurant was good, though more expensive than I’d expected, about the same as other meals in town. Staff were really helpful when we had questions. The rooms were simple but clean, and the pool was small but looked clean. It’s not right on the beach, which saved us money, but the walk there was short and didn’t involve a busy road. The included breakfast was one of the main reasons we booked, and it delivered: eggs, yogurt, or crepes with fruit and juice, plus excellent coffee. I’d recommend it for a middle-of-the-road traveler.

Bringing food into the room in a container was a big mistake: ants completely took over. Otherwise, it’s near the beach in a safe, quiet area. The rooms are modest, but the hotel itself is nice, and the pool and breakfast were the highlights. They often have live music with dinner. It’s pricey, but worth it because it was so fun.

My wife and I loved it here. The food was delicious and getting to a spectacular beach was easy. Our room was clean, spacious, and quiet, and the service was great. A wonderful introduction to Costa Rica.