Villas del Caribe ★★★

"Very good"

Le Cameleon Boutique Hotel ★★★★

"Beautiful hotel, delicious food and great views. Love the plants and green spaces around the hotel. We had a great time."

Terrazas del Caribe Hotel ★★★

Finca Chica Lodge & Villas ★★★

"What an amazing place to stay. The homes are so cool. Ideal location right on the border of the nice beaches to south and the hustle of Puerto Viejo to north. The owners and staff are amazing. Tip of the hat to Aurelio for the grounds tour! Highly recommended!"

Casa Moabi ★★

"Unfortunately, I did not have a great experience with this hotel. When I first got there, they gave me a different room than what I booked. They told me they "upgraded" me, but this was a lie to manipulate me into being content with the fact that they gave my room away to someone they were familiar with who was coming back to stay with them. The room smelled TERRIBLY of mold. It was such a profound smell that I asked for a different room. They then showed me two rooms that smelled exactly the same that I could choose from. I was assured it wasn't mold, and that "we are in a rainforest and things get wet and damp." I have been to costa rica five times, and never have smelled rooms that smell like this for this price. I was not willing to take the risk, so I left and went to an air bnb. I was really hoping to get a refund, so I asked them. They avoided me and never gave me the refund. I felt this was unjust, rude, and strange behavior. I really tried to be kind and resolve this in a way that felt fair, but they are not communicating with me and refused to give me my money back. Please don't waste your money here. I am a budget traveler, but refuse to let that get in the way of my health."

Cariblue Beach and Jungle Resort ★★★

Caribe Town Bungalows ★★★

"I have no idea how this place has 5 stars — it was a complete disappointment. We booked it based on the 5 star reviews and the photos of the outside area (mainly the pool). We'd been in Costa Rica for 6 days by the time we arrived at Caribe Town and had nothing but terrific experiences at the three other places we'd booked (all supposedly on par with this hotel). We arrived to drove down a single lane alley-type road that is the path to the beach. To our left was a building with piles of trash in the back yard (not the hotel's fault obviously, just setting a scene here), with chickens and a myriad of other creates feasting. We continued down the road to a fence with a "Caribe Town" sign outside, caution tape on the fence. We messaged the owner or manager or whatever and she told us the receptionist/host would meet us at the gate and that it wasn't locked. We proceeded in. Natalia was very pleasant and welcoming. She showed us what breakfast would be and charged my card for the breakfast and the remainder of the reservation fee. Then she showed us the property. The overall property is 100% not what it looks like in the photos. The pool (the main reason we booked) was not something I would ever step foot into. In the photos, the pool is clean and crystal clear. Real life: green with a dirty, stained bottom, rusty looking where the stools meet the bottom, and generally dirty looking. The room itself was fine and looked clean but we were so disgusted with the outside area that we decided to book somewhere else. We left without touching the state of the room, notified Natalia and messaged the owner asking for a refund based on false advertising. I got an immediate response, asking me to clarify. I told her that the state of the property did not remotely live up to the photos advertising it and pointed out the pool situation. She told me that ALL of her guests have been completely satisfied and no one has said the photos don't match. I checked reviews — complete lie. If you click on the 1 star reviews, those people pretty much say the same thing I am and she responds saying that it's "western expectations" that she's trying to meet. I don't enjoy being made to feel like I'm unreasonable with my expectation that the current state of the hotel actually match the photos. All of the other places we stayed matched their photos exactly. Regarding the specifics I gave, I was told that the road was out of her control (true, but they sell that it's a quick, safe walk to the beach and that road didn't feel like a breezy, safe, pleasant walk to the beach), that the caution tape was because a guest hit the fence and they were dealing with insurance and regarding the pool that "Well, when you are in the Caribbean, the wind blows and leaves fall in the pool". The pool didn't have leaves in it and the condescension was unnecessary and not the great customer service she quoted that they are known for. I replied that the bottom was completely stained (green "

Playa 506 Beachfront Hostel ★★

"One of the best places I've stayed. Super quiet and friendly atmosphere, excellent hygiene. Spectacular location for those of us who like to be a little further away from the hustle and bustle (25 minutes walk from downtown Puerto Viejo), and steps from the beach (literally located in the middle of the vegetation and the sea). Facilities are not luxurious but super comfortable and functional. Bedrooms with space to leave personal items, reading lights, and individual power outlets. Spacious and always clean bathrooms. Large, well-equipped kitchen so you can cook at any time. Integrated restaurant for those who want it. Unbeatable price/quality ratio. Alejandra's attention and good vibes should be an example to follow ＜3"

Ocean's Breeze Apartment and Rooms ★★★