We stayed at the Hotel Catalina at the suggestion of friends who had stayed there before. They were in love with the Hotel Catalina from their previous stays and within minutes of being there my husband and I could see why. Naomi and Sandra make you feel comfortable and at home..as if you are at your home away from home. The hotel is quiet and relaxing and located perfectably on the beach. The rooms are perfectly furnished for a tropical getaway....comfortably beds, clean bathrooms and kitchenette. The most enjoyable and memorable aspect of the hotel is by far Naomi and Sandra. They were instantly like friends and not the owners of the hotel.

For our first trip to Costa Rica, we could not have selected a better place to stay! We loved the proximity to Jaco - an easy 20 minute walk or $2 taxi ride, but on a quiet strip on the beach. It was lovely to sleep with the only sounds of the ocean lulling us to sleep. Naomi treated us more like old friends than mere guests of her hotel. She was always eager to help, with great suggestions of places to eat as well as going above and beyond to assist us in arranging excursions. It was truely like having our own tour guide with us each day. It made for such a relaxing stay. We look forward to a return trip to Costa Rica and to our new friends at the Catalina.

The more I travel, the more I appreciate Hotel Catalina. This is a very comfortable and friendly place to stay. The location in the southern end of Jaco is perfect - peaceful, quiet, tranquil and yet close enough to downtown to walk and take advantage of all the amenities.
This hotel's location is key. You're sitting right on the beach and basically step outside your room to check the waves. The south end of Jaco caters to all surfer ability levels and, in August, had a fun little left breaking right in front of the hotel. Moreover, you can walk to the hiking trails located in the hills just to the south and catch sight of the monkeys and toucans while exercising. Finally, you can explore the rock formations and coves of the shoreline heading south to Playa Hermosa.
The hotel is very well maintained. Rooms and the common areas are spotless. Quality of the mattress, pillows, etc. is excellent (I slept like a rock). The bathrooms are clean and comfortable. Shower water is hot.
Kitchens are equipped with refrigerator, sink, two-burner stove and pots, pans, utensils, etc.. I did a great deal of cooking during my stay and had no complaints with the setup.
Perhaps the best aspect of the hotel is the management/ownership. Sandra, Naomi, Dino and Kitty make sure you're happy. Guests are treated as friends. It's a difficult place to leave.

My family and friends and I just love the Catalina! My daughter and I have been visiting the Catalina for the last eight or nine years. It is right ON the beach; on the lovely and quiet south end of Jaco.

This is a moderately priced accommodation which is extremely comfortable. The rooms are large, spotlessly clean, simply but fully furnished, and with everything you need to cook simple meals and never have to leave! (Well, except to buy ingredients, but you can even walk to a nearby store). We love having coffee and snacks on the lovely porches which are outside each of the rooms.

You can see and hear the ocean from anywhere on the beautifully landscaped property, and since it is right on the beach, fresh ocean breezes cool you.

The best of all is the lovely young owner and hostess, Naomi, who has become a close friend across the years.

Naomi can make anyone feel right at home and can help you with information about Jaco and tours, too, if you want.

We are extremely fond of the hotel's mascots as well. We uploaded a photo of our friend Dino, who may be the world's sweetest dog.

The Catalina is the hotel I always recommend to visitors and family and is the only place I will stay in Jaco. I don't believe a better value or more comfortable location can be found in Jaco.

Janet and Courtney, Grecia, Costa Rica