La Casa de Rolando

A nice, fairly cheap hostel with comfortable rooms. There's no AC, but the shade keeps it from getting too hot, and the rooms have hot water. The kitchen is basic. Special mention for Benji, the cute dog!

The two guys working here were cheerful and tried to be helpful. My room was clean, and although plenty of things were broken, they still did their job. For what it is, the price should be around 30 US dollars. It's about the second cheapest place in puerto viejo.

My stepdad was my travel partner, and he just never came back. Once you meet the owners, Rolando and Glenda, your trip can really begin. Toros es Magnifico!!! Don't look anywhere else, this is the place to be, my friend! I can tell you that.

The owners are a big part of what makes this place lovely. Ronaldo, who is Swiss-Costarican, is super friendly, and we loved his pets, Benji the dog and Griselda the cat. Rooms have two beds, a fan, hot water, and a patio with a hammock, a table, and two chairs. The place is really well located in Puerto Viejo, and finding street parking was easy when we had the car. There's a shared kitchen for guests. The only downside for us was that coffee wasn't free, unlike most of the other places we stayed in Costa Rica. There is a coffee machine, so you can make your own if you bring some. They also run Caribbean food cooking classes. Book ahead if you want to join, as they fill up quickly.