Hotels in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
Hotel Banana Azul is located on Playa Negra just a few minutes north (by car) from Puerto Viejo. Banana Azul is just what the doctor ordered. Pretty much on the beach, jungle-y, lushed-out landscaping and the rooms have that COOL 'bungalow on the beach' vibe... and the bonus- the food is really good there. So, needless to say Banana Azul is the perfect place to veg-out and do whatever. The atmosphere is really CHILL at Banana Azul, so you may find yourself just hanging around, taking turns chillin on the beach or by the pool or at the bar or the balcony of your bungalow or laying in a hammock watching the coy swim buy. Hotel Banana Azul is also a gay friendly destination.
Check out our video on the Hotel Banana Azul
Villas del Caribe is a hotel on Playa Chiquita just a little south of Puerto Viejo. I think many folks think there's not a whole lot of hotel options outside of Puerto Viejo. So if you're looking for something a little more low key and away from the reggae. party atmosphere, Villas del Caribe is a good example of a nice place just outside of town. The rooms are nice here and they do have some air-conditioning options for those of you who just can't sleep without air. As mentioned, Villas del Caribe sits on Playa Chiquita which is a great place to take long walks and enjoy the sun and the surf. There's many hotel options south of Puerto Viejo and Villas del Caribe is a good one.
Check out our video on the Villas del Caribe
Puerto Viejo Costa Rica has many hotels and hostels to choose from and Coconut Grove is one of them Coconut Grove in Puerto Viejo Costa Rica is a 4 room hostel. Actually, STRIKE that, more of a budget hotel. There was 4 of us and we took the apartment- full kitchen w/ a big refrigerator, 2 rooms, 4 beds, ceiling fans, supposedly hot water that we never got to work, small porch w/ hammock- not bad for $45.00. *There is additional charges for additional people but the owner will barter somewhat... depending on the season and occupancy rate. Coconut Grove may have seen it's BEST days but it's apparent it could see them again. Not a place you'd really want to hang-out, but if you're looking for a decent room at a good rate, you may want to check out Coconut Grove.
Check out our video on the Coconut Grove Hotel
Restaurants around Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
Koki Beach Restaurant is pretty much located in the center of Puerto Viejo on the main road, with the ocean only a stone's throw away. So when your strolling around the town, you WILL pass Koki Beach and you'll probably mutter to yourself, "We need to check that place out later." Koki Beach is trendy and COOL, a place to go to have drinks and conversation...and people watch. And if you don't get lost in conversation and forget to order- the food's pretty damn tasty too. This place is not your typical Puerto Viejo restaurant, the owners added their own flair and it's as if Bob Marley and Madonna decided to collaborate. Oh, and they don't play reggae, not because they don't like it but because everyone else in Puerto Viejo does.
Check out our video on the Koki Beach
We made a lot of friends in Puerto Viejo who actually live there full time. These guys own hotels, manage restaurants and bars and operate tour companies, so who better to ask where they eat in the Puerto Viejo area when they want the 'good' food. They all said Loco Natural, seriously, all of them. It didn't take long to understand why. Although the inside is low-key and a bit funky. really it's nothing special. But the atmosphere IS chill and relaxing- couples chatting, friends toasting to 'whatever', a guy playing the guitar and singing reggae tunes and waiters doing their thing trying not to be to noticeable .... and then there's the food. But you'll need to taste it for yourself. So, if you're in the Puerto Viejo area and you don't go to Loco Natural, then you just might be loco.
Check out our video on the Loco Natural
Jammin Restaurant is located by the beach just off the main road close to the center of Puerto Viejo. I gotta admit the first thing that drew us to Jammin was the building itself. We just thought it looked COOL. Eclectic knick knacks all about with some CHILLaxin reggae beats floatin' inside out. Now this is what Puerto Viejo is all about. We promised ourselves before we left that we would check out Jammin. We did. We randomly selected a few items from the menu and didn't have the foggiest idea as to what to expect. In the meantime we had some drinks and this is when we realized our good looking waitress was a real bitch. Luckily she was later replaced with a really nice and efficient girl... and the food, it was Jammin.
Check out our video on the Jammin
Restaurant Maxi's is located at the end of the road originating in Puerto Viejo and traveling south past Playa Cocles, Playa Chiquita, Punta Uva and finally into the small 'end of the road' village of Manzanillo and if you kept driving, you run your car right through the entrance of Maxi's since it's located smack dab in the center of Manzanillo. Restaurant Maxi's is in most guide books and is known for it's seafood and lobster. A colorfully painted 2-story building that sits right off the beach, Maxi's is a great place to eat, drink or just party with the locals at night and listen to reggae and talk futbol. At Maxi's, you get what you pay for, the prices are not backpacker prices, so if you're looking for bargain eats, Maxi's is not it. But you'd be remiss if you didn't at least stop in for an ice cold beer.
Check out our video on the Maxi's
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