We can NOT recommend this hotel. Based on the reviews here we booked a 4 night stay. We ended up leaving the first night. Room was stifling hot with a less than adequate fan. Wifi did NOT work in our room. Bugs are abundant. Manager Jose was downright gruff, unfriendly and offered no help/apologies. It may be right across the road from the beach but there are MUCH better hotels nearby. If the management had offered even the tiniest effort to rectify any of the issues, we would have stayed. Great location, horrible rooms, management.

This hotel/Inn offered just what we needed while staying on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. We wanted to be able to walk/bike to and from the little town of Puerto Viejo. Be directly across from the beach and have meals, drinks, air conditioning, a clean pool, TV and night security. When we booked our trip we were booked at one on the best places to stay so the tour guide said. (1 of the top 5) Well we found out it was not the best for us. We are active senior citizens and being from the San Francisco bay area, we needed a little comfort. After viewing our $87.50 American money, per night, dirty bungalow with an over head fan (that clanged), 3 large windows only 2 covered with screens, two netted beds and nothing to place the luggage on or sit other then the beds. We were beside ourselves. It did offer a restaurant and bar but not across from the beach and to far from town. (for walking) We immediately decided to look for another place to stay. On the way to town checking all the hotels we were very lucky to find an opening at the La Isla Inn. It was much closer to town and the price was much lower plus they offered everything we wanted. We had to stay the night in the sticky bug buzzing bungalow and after talking and talking to the tour agency and our first day there taking a cab to the other side of town to the agency we finely got the money transferred as we paid in advance to the tour company. (I do not know just why they booked that lodging for us because all of the other hotels/lodging were wonderful. You might have thought it was because we stayed at a bungalow well we stayed in a beautiful bungalow at Lomas del Volcan in the La Fatuna area. We could see the volcano from our back patio, with a beautiful full stocked bar and restaurant, air and TV for only $85.00 American money per night)
In the Puerto Viejo area you NEED insect repellent and air conditioning if you do not come from a humid area.
Petra, the owner of La Isla Inn was very nice and helped us with local tours and using their telephone. Breakfast was included with the 5 night stay and we totally enjoyed being across from the beach (the water is so blue and very warm) so we could not only hear the ocean but have a Imperial (the local beer) in the early evening and watch the waves...... .
If you would like some other information about our 2 week holiday in Costa Rico email us and we will give you some other good pointers...... We will post pictures when we get'em downloaded.

Went up and down from Puerto Viejo to Manzanillo few times, avoided at first to even go and ask for availability and price, because its on such a good spot. Beach is literally 10 steps away, breakfast is fabulous and staff, especially Petra,the owner, are so lovely. Beach has 3-4 surf schools, so there is plenty of entertainment . Village Puerto Viejo is few dollars (taxi ride) away for night life, if you haven't already rented a car or a bike. Jaguar rescue center where you can interact with animals and waterfalls are 5-10 mins distance. Free wifi. Big parking lot. You wont make a mistake if you choose it, budget permitting, ofcourse.

This was the best place in Puerto Viejo...I really did a lot of research on Trip Advisor and other sites. I can't understand why there are any negative reviews. Both Petra, Jose and their staff do everything to make sure you have a great time.
1. They never stop cleaning
2. The security guards are great
3. Coffee and free breakfast are the BEST
This was one of our very best vacations ever..our kids (19,17,20) did not want to leave. We can't wait to return...my daughter's miss the dogs and cat. The dogs will greet you and walk to the beach with you. The pool is perfect as is the showers to rinse off after the beach. We had the large apartment and it was awesome. They have cold beer waiting on you and great lunch next to the pool. We watched the world cup with Petra (GO GERMANY) and Jose. Petra was always ready to call a taxi or give us advice about local food. I really miss the breakfast and great company they provided each day. One day we bought lobsters from a vendor and Petra helped me pick them out and had her great cook get them ready for us for lunch. make sure you get with Andreas on the beach...great photographer. Surf lessons from "Togo" right in front of the hotel. Get a massage from the spa "Chocolate massge" heaven!! and you smell like chocolate all day. I bought a pineapple at the market and on our last day the staff cut it up and made a really cool presentation out of it for us to enjoy as a snack. Can't say enough good things!

You can't go wrong here....ENJOY and take me with you!!!

-Shayne