One advice, do not give your credit card number to Hotel Jaguar in Cahuita ‘cause they’ll automatically charge 50% of your 2-day stay or 30% or your 3+day stay, even 2 months ahead… And if you try to cancel even 5 days in advance, they do not refund.
Stay away from them.

The room was a decent size. Nothing fancy but acceptable. The bathroom’s not too new but it was alright. The pool was nice (a good size) with a shower right by it. Playa Negra is right out front. However, getting to the nicer beaches (in my opinion) at Cahuita National Park and the supermarket (as well as the bus stop coming in and out of town) is quite a walk. Take a walk there anyways. It’s really gorgeous on the other side!

I recommend renting a bicycle for a few dollars a day / half a day. That way you can get places much faster than trekking in your flip-flops, even though the roads are not really flat. There’s a place with bicycles for rent a few doors down; however, the bikes have no brakes - to brake, you simply paddle backwards.... oh and ask for a lock to avoid potential problems (they don't always have one and of course you'd be responsible if the bike gets stolen).

You can stay here if you don't want to be near people and don't mind the not-too-extraordinary beach, but Cahuita's not crowded anyways (when I was there-I was there twice in Dec./Jan.). I think it's probably better to find a hotel on the other side closer the national park. You can do snorkeling there and the vegetation on land is equally amazingly beautiful... or take a bus (an hour away) to Manzanillo (get a local guide and do a rainforest trek [about $35/person for 4 hours] through complete wilderness with cool creatures/plants and awesome beach views) . Oh by the way, sometimes the bus won't stop unless you whistle before when you're supposed to get off.

I have stayed at this hotel a few times over the years and am glad to see that the new owners are doing renovations and taking care of this excellent property located right across the road from Black Beach, on the Caribbean.

What the Jaguar has that most hotels in Cahuita don't is large, airy rooms that catch the ocean breezes because of the slatted wooden shutters on both sides of the room as well as the high ceilings that allow for air flow. There are no mosquitoes or muggy times here. All rooms have two queen size beds and plenty of space to move around in.

The main reception/restaurant/pool area is a pleasing, attractive, open and airy location under a large roof. It's spacious and comfortable. We drove into Cahuita without a reservation at 9:00 pm and were able to get a room, were well-treated and could have even ordered something to eat until 10:00 pm. Wireless internet access is available for persons with laptops. One woman sat at a table in the restaurant and spoke with her family in England using Skype.

From the back door of the room, we can walk into the back garden and to the pool. The front patio in front of each room is equipped with utilitarian white plastic table and 4 chairs (they used to have comfortable wooden lounge chairs that one could lay in which I preferred).

The renovations mean that the rooms now have good locks, the bathrooms are equipped with hot water, the 'suites' have curtains on the windows and percolators. They are somewhat basic in that the large areas are free of convenient benches to put suitcases, etc.

I was happier with the front staff (evening) than I was with the previous managers who had no idea how to welcome guests. In fact two years ago we didn't stay because the pool was dirty and the general air of neglect turned off my co-travelers.

I find the price of the most economical rooms to be very competitive and reasonable although these rooms are located farthest from the pool and restaurant.

Traveling with pets can be a challenge, but this hotel welcomed our dog and 2 cats. The rooms were large, clean and very airy. No need for airconditioning but our room did have a floor fan. With plenty of windows and great views we needed blankets not airconditioning. The new owners of about 2 years have been busy making improvements. Although the restaurant now only serves breakfast and sandwiches we did not find that inconvenient. They did however serve a very nice meal for New Years Eve. We were given a key to the very neat and clean communal kitchen which had all the conveniences needed to prepare any meals we chose, and of course there are multiple restaurants within walking distance.
The grounds were beautiful and seeing a howler monkey in a tree by the very clean pool, a family of sloths in the trees near the beach, horses and other native animals was quite a treat. You can rent a bike on the grounds, visit the book store/exchange or arrange a tour. The beach is just across the road and a great place to collect driftwood and shells.The staff was more than helpful and I would not hesitate to stay here again.