La Casa Roa Hostel

It was lovely to see that the facilities have improved since our stay back in 2009, and apparently there’s now an ATM near Casa Roa. We found this place when Caramoan was only beginning to grow as a tourist destination because of the Amazing Race series. The island trip they arranged was wonderful, too. Our boatman, Lito, was friendly and helpful, and my husband and I still remember him.

Our family had a great time here, even though we only stayed one day. The place looks small from the street, but inside it’s laid out compactly and has 17 rooms. We were the only guests when we arrived. The room and grounds were clean, and the back has a lovely nature view. It’s about a 10-15 minute drive from Caramoan beach and close to a convenience store. The rates for rooms and food were affordable, and everything went smoothly. The food was delicious, with lots of credit to the chef. Staff were friendly, especially Sally, who looked after our family. They also set up our island hopping and had people ready to help at the port. The internet was weak. A TP-Link booster around the property and a faster plan would help, especially for people working from home who need a steadier connection. One glass we were served had a chipped edge that could have cut someone’s lip, so please check the cups. It would also be good to use refillable mounted containers for liquid soap and shampoo in the C.R. to cut down on waste and single-use plastic. I’d recommend staying here.

The food was delicious, and we got a welcome tarpaulin for our group, which was a fun surprise. The interior design makes the place feel cozy and relaxing. Sir Ron and the rest of the staff were accommodating, helpful, and flexible, and they were happy to assist with guests’ needs and requests. I’d recommend it to anyone visiting Caramoan. :-)

Having the beaches and islands to ourselves felt like heaven on earth. We chose our boat and islands, and the staff arranged the rides from the hotel to the boats by tricycle, about 30 minutes away. There were no other visitors with us, although Survivor was filming and we saw some activity on Gota. We were the only guests at the hotel, so I wondered if people knew it was open. The rooms and bathrooms were clean and had no smell. Staff were friendly, attentive, and helpful. Since it was during Covid restrictions, there was no restaurant service and amenities were limited, though the place was DOT approved to receive guests.