Hotel Pueblo Dorado

I left after just one night. The room had a strong paint-like smell, outside noise came straight in, and there were ants and other insects. The water pressure was also far too low. The place is very basic, which might be fine, but at $100 a night I expected more. A hostel would be a better choice, and the staff didn’t make us feel very welcome.

The pool was lovely, and having a shared kitchen for cooking plus a fridge in every room was handy. I spent a week at Pueblo Dorado while attending Witch´s Rock Surf Camp. It felt quiet and private, with a nice little path leading right down to the beach. The AC and WI-FI both worked well. I had a great stay.

We arrived by chance just as it was getting dark. I’m an older guy and didn’t want to drive any farther that day, so my wife and I were both pleasantly surprised to find this place. The atmosphere was relaxed, the staff were incredibly friendly and helpful, and there’s a very cool cat hanging around the front desk.

I had to deal with a lot of large ants in my room, about a dozen most nights, and two crawled on me the first night. I guess they might have sprayed if I’d asked, but it was disappointing to walk into a room with so many. There was also noise from guests coming and going right outside the door or window, and the Wi-Fi was unreliable. On the good side, the front desk staff are the best in Tamarindo, and the courtyard has statues and pleasant natural shade. It’s a simple, cozy surf hotel with a nice pool and a well-stocked shared kitchen with big fridges for groceries and drinks. The feel is laid-back and more relaxed than Witch's Rock Surf Camp, with an old-school surf personality.