There are many ideal hotels worth staying at in Puerto Viejo’s four main areas. However, Hotel Banana Azul in Playa Negra has received much praise from tourists for its all-around quality service, making it one of the best hotels for a satisfying experience.
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a popular backpacker destination in Costa Rica. My stay started on a horrible note.
I had an Airbnb, and plans fell through at the last minute. This forced me to spend time researching many hotels in the area before finally settling for Banana Azul, which I never regretted.
Between then and now, I have been to many of the most recommended hotels.
I have created this post to discuss some of the best hotel options in Puerto Viejo.
You’ll learn about the budget range for each of these hotels, what kind of service to expect, and who they are best suited for.
Key takeaways
- If you’re in the Playa Negra area of Puerto Viejo, I absolutely recommend Hotel Banana Azul.
- For couples who want a romantic atmosphere, consider Almonds and Corals Lodge.
- Seline is a budget-friendly hotel in Puerto Viejo that offers high-quality accommodation services.
Comparing the Best Hotels in Puerto Viejo
Verdict | The best hotel in Puerto Viejo | Location | Budget per night |
Best overall | Hotel Banana Azul | Playa Negra, 1 km north of Super SK, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, 70401 Costa Rica | From $151 |
The best hotel for couples | Almonds and Corals Lodge | 2 km before Manzanillo Talamanca, Manzanillo 60111, Costa Rica | From $208 |
The best luxurious-looking hotel | Umami Hotel | Calle 219A, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, 70401 Costa Rica | From $172 |
The Best Hotel on the Beach | Le Cameleon Boutique Hotel | Escuela de Cocles, Limón, 70403, Costa Rica | From $211 |
The best budget-friendly hotel | Selina | Calle 256, 800 Meters To The South Of Puerto Viejo, On The Way To Playa Cocles | From $93 |
The best eco-friendly hotel | Shawandha Lodge | Playa Chiquita, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, 7304 Costa Rica | From $147 |
Honorable mention | Ocean View Lodge | 50 Metros Suroeste De La Estacion De Policia De Cahuita, Cahuita 70403 Costa Rica | From $132 |
Read on to learn what to expect in each of these hotels.
1. Hotel Banana Azul
- Address: Playa Negra Limón, Limón, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, 70401, Costa Rica
- Contact: +506 2750 2035
- Website
- Rating: 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor
If I could recommend only one hotel to stay at in Puerto Viejo, it would be the Banana Azul Hotel. It is adult-only, so it is not ideal for families with kids, as it only accepts guests 16 years of age and older.
Situated north of town on Playa Negra, the property boasts beautiful gardens and several hammocks for napping or reading.
There’s also a winding pond with fish and turtles, adding to the peaceful atmosphere.
The hotel has 25 lovely guest rooms, each with a private bathroom, fans (some with air conditioning), and free Wi-Fi, which many visitors appreciate as reliable.
What I like about this hotel
- The town was a 30-minute walk or $5 by taxi.
- Lush Gardens is kept beautifully.
- Caribe Fun Tours are available.
- A good daily selection of meals to choose from
- The prices for the meals at the hotel and in town were comparable.
What I don’t like about this hotel
- The ocean was too rough to go into the water.
- There is no fridge in the room.
You can check availability on Bookings.com or Trip.com.
2. Almonds and Corals Lodge
- Address: 2 km before Manzanillo Talamanca, Manzanillo 60111, Costa Rica
- Contact: +506-64365454
- Website
- Rating: 3.5/5 on TripAdvisor
Almonds and Corals is a unique place located in the lush jungle of Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge in Costa Rica. It doubles as a unique Caribbean beach resort, a safari camp, and an eco-friendly boutique hotel.
The best part of staying here is being close to both the beach and Manzanillo. Twice during my stay, I used the bikes to ride to Puerto Viejo.
The bungalows are comfortable, with nice beds and hot water. Even though there is no air conditioning, the temperature is just right for sleeping. You can come here for the best wildlife sightings.
It’s a very peaceful spot, and it’s easy to bike to Punta Uva and Puerto Viejo.
What I like about this hotel
- The hotel has a walkway to the beach in Manzanillo.
- It has several hammocks on the beach, too, for guests only, which we enjoyed using.
- The bungalow is spacious, with a hot tub and a separate shower.
What I don’t like about this hotel
- It’s not a great choice if you don’t want wildlife.
You can check availability on Bookings.com or Trip.com.
3. Umami Hotel
- Address: Calle 219A, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, 70401 Costa Rica
- Contact: Whatsapp, +506 2750 3200
- Website
- Rating: 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor
Umami Hotel is a top choice for adults-only accommodation in Puerto Viejo. It’s in a great spot, just a quick walk from restaurants, bars, and beaches.
The hotel also arranges trips to nearby attractions, such as Cahuita National Park, cocoa plantations, the Kekoldi Indian reservation, and the Veragua Rainforest.
You can treat yourself to a massage or other spa treatments or cool off in the outdoor pool.
What I like about this hotel
- Very spacious room on the highest (2nd floor).
- Nice breakfast if you have patience.
- Towel service for the pool, and you can take the towels to the beach.
- It’s a quiet hotel.
What I don’t like about this hotel
- Long wait for breakfast.
- There are not enough parking spaces in front of the hotel.
You can check availability on Bookings.com or Trip.com.
4. Le Cameleon Boutique Hotel
- Address: Escuela de Cocles, Cocles, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, 70403, Costa Rica
- Contact: +506 2750 3096
- Website
- Rating: 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor
If you’re looking for a hotel with access to a private beach in Puerto Viejo, you can consider Le Cameleon Boutique Hotel.
It is in the Playa Cocles part of the destination, just a short distance from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca in Limon.
Our room was spacious, with two large beds, a seating area, and a garden patio. It was clean and had a very spacious bathroom (two, actually). I highly recommend it for your trip to the area.
A tuc-tuc ride to town costs about $8, making it easy to reach restaurants and the lively city scene while enjoying the hotel’s peaceful ambiance.
They also offer complimentary yoga classes, which were really enjoyable.
What I like about this hotel
- A beautiful jungle-like property
- 2 pools + hot tub
- Easily accessible restaurant across the street
- Quiet (except for the nature sounds!) (There is lots of wildlife on the property, so you will definitely hear them.)
- 10 minutes walk from the Jaguar Sanctuary
- It has a spa on the property.
What I don’t like about this hotel
- I haven’t observed any so far.
You can check availability on Bookings.com or Trip.com.
5. Selina
- Address: Calle 256, 800 Meters To The South Of Puerto Viejo, On The Way To Playa Cocles, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca 70403 Costa Rica
- Contact:
- Website
- Rating: 4/5 on TripAdvisor
If you’re on a tight budget but still looking for a decent hotel option in Puerto Viejo, I totally recommend the Selina Hostel.
The location is perfect for getting to all the different beaches and renting a scooter.
It’s pretty cool that there’s a tattoo shop on the premises—I couldn’t resist! I loved the artwork, paint night, and morning pool time.
The rooms are clean, and the staff are friendly! The hostel is about a 5-minute walk from Playa Cocles and 10 minutes from town.
It’s a great place to meet people, with daily events and lots of activities nearby. It’s one of my favorite Salinas! They even have a resident sloth.
And you can get booking offers as low as $93 per night.
What I like about this hotel
- It is a fantastic location with a beachfront and proximity to nearby beaches and the town.
- Great setup with different chill areas
- The kitchen cooks your food, and most of the staff were super helpful and friendly.
- Affordable
What I don’t like about this hotel
- I stayed in an 18-bed dorm. This room was not big enough for 18 beds. 14 beds would be ideal for the size of the room.
You can check availability on Bookings.com or Trip.com.
6. Shawandha Lodge
- Address: Playa Chiquita, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, 7304 Costa Rica
- Contact: +506 27500701
- Website
- Rating: 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor
Shawandha Lodge is a fantastic base for exploring Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, and Manzanillo. The pool and beach access are perfect for a family.
Thanks to Shawandha Eco-Lodge, you can truly get the entire South Caribbean Costa Rica experience, with its laid-back, diverse, and eco-friendly atmosphere set to a calypso soundtrack.
If you’re looking for 5-star luxury, air conditioning, and top-notch service, you might prefer a big-name hotel on the Pacific coast or in Turks and Caicos.
But if you’re after a family-friendly, nature-loving rainforest experience on the Caribbean coast, I highly recommend this hotel.
What I like about this hotel
- You can see sloths, monkeys, and beautiful birds around the grounds.
- The hotel is in the middle of nowhere, so it is best to rent a bike or car.
- There is a great Italian restaurant nearby (try the pizzas; they were great!).
- The poolside is nice.
- Eco-friendly vibe
What I don’t like about this hotel
- Wi-Fi is only available in restaurant and lounge areas, not in rooms.
- You will get creatures visiting your rooms, especially the bathrooms.
You can check availability on Bookings.com or Trip.com.
7. Ocean View Lodge
- Address: 50 Metros Suroeste De La Estacion De Policia De Cahuita, Cahuita 70403, Costa Rica
- Contact: +506 2755 1166
- Website
- Rating: 4/5 on TripAdvisor
At Ocean View Lodge, you get precisely what the name promises—a breathtaking view of the Caribbean Sea right from your room’s terrace. The hotel is just an eight-minute walk from the beach.
Your room at Ocean View Lodge has all the basic amenities you need: a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, a desk, and a private bathroom. It might seem simple, but trust me, you won’t be spending much time indoors once you see the stunning backyard.
Just a few steps away from your room, you’ll find a sparkling pool with a waterfall, perfect for cooling off on hot days. And if you’re still feeling the heat, grab a martini from the pool bar and chat with the friendly mixologists.
As the sun sets, the backyard comes alive with twinkling string lights, creating a beautiful backdrop for your photos.
What I like about this hotel
- After 4 p.m., the pool bar opens, offering many cocktails and drinks.
- Parking was also easy and secure.
- Five minutes from the center of Cahuita and in front of the sea.
- One of the entrances to the national park is a 10-minute walk from the hotel.
- It’s a pleasure to wake up in the morning with the sound of the sea in the background.
What I don’t like about this hotel
- The rooms’ decoration may be too simple and poor for some visitors’ taste, but that makes them functional, and there is enough space to put suitcases.
You can check availability on Bookings.com.
Where’s the Best Area in Puerto Viejo to Stay?
As mentioned earlier, you must first consider this destination’s four main areas to determine the best place to stay.
The chart below will help you understand navigating these areas more, with their respective pros and cons:
In downtown Puerto Viejo, everything you need is within walking distance. It’s the heart of the action, primarily known for its lively party scene. If you’re into that vibe, the best hotels are in the town center.
Playa Cocles is more laid-back here compared to downtown, and you’ll be close to the famous Jaguar Rescue Center, one of the top wildlife rescue centers in Costa Rica.
Manzanillo, the southernmost town from Puerto Viejo, offers tranquility since there are no roads leading further south. However, there aren’t many facilities available in town.
Cahuita is also a small town with limited activities and amenities, but it’s conveniently close to the entrance of Cahuita National Park, one of the most popular parks in Costa Rica.
So before you choose any of the recommended hotels in this review, consider where they are among these four Puerto Viejo areas to determine if the environment is what you want.
I hope you found this helpful.