La Isla

I only came for dinner at the restaurant, where the service was great and the local food was good.

At the end of 2023, we booked dinner for a New Year's fiesta with my wife's family. The good things I said about the previous year didn't hold true on this visit. We were a large group of about 12, and even though we ordered our meals ahead, the waiter seemed completely lost. My sister-in-law's chicken never came, and her daughter was served fish as if it were chicken. Another family member said her meat tasted like a bag of salt. Drinks had to be ordered twice because the young woman taking care of them forgot the first time. Some of us didn't get cutlery until the food had gone cold. The meat I had was so-so, the vegetables were overcooked, and we didn't like the warm cheesecake, which seemed like it had been made in the late afternoon or early evening. I don't know whether the staff or management had changed, but the whole dinner was a fiasco and a terrible experience. I hope they sort things out before the summer season. I won't return until I see serious improvement in the food and service.

The beach nearby is amazing, with black sand and sunsets that take your breath away. The food is great too, mixing familiar Western dishes with local flavors. Rooms are comfortable and have great air conditioning, though the beds are mediocre. The road in has some erosion damage, but vehicles can still get through if you take it slow.

Playa Palo Seco was the highlight for me, a 12 km stretch of beach and one of the best I've seen in Costa Rica so far. We were five people who couldn't find rooms around Manuel Antonio or Quepos, so my friend searched online and found Hotel La Isla. We planned to stay five days. There wasn't room for all of us on the first night, so they put us in a suite where we could all be comfortable, then promised separate rooms from the next day. It worked out, and we were all happy with the modern, spotless, comfortable rooms. Breakfast offered four choices during the week and a buffet on the weekend. The waitress was attentive, always smiling, and gave amazing service. I'd definitely recommend the place and its staff.