Le Caméléon
For a luxury option, consider Le Caméléon Boutique Hotel across the main road from Playa Cocles. The warm and inviting wooden elements and greenery of the hotel's grounds uniquely contrast with stark-white rooms and suites. White ceilings, walls, tile floors, and bedding create a simple palette, yet every unit includes perks like air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, blackout drapes, rainfall showerheads, and private balconies or terraces. Upgrade to oceanfront suites if you'd like direct beach access right from your room.
There are tons of amenities at Le Caméléon, many with a focus on a healthy lifestyle. The Jungle Spa offers a full menu of treatments and services, from massages to waxing, plus a daily yoga practice in an open-air studio. Other daily classes and activities include a morning walk, beach volleyball games, a cocktail workshop, cooking classes, and a live DJ at sunset. You can also opt for the hotel's seven-day detox program or three-day Ayurveda program.
When you're ready for a meal, want to relax, or need a nightcap, head to the property's NOA Beach Club. You'll find an outdoor swimming pool with lounge chairs, a spacious garden with hammocks and other seating, and an open-air restaurant/bar. You can get a little bit of everything here, including fresh smoothies, craft cocktails, traditional Costa Rican fare, international cuisine, pizza, sushi, and an extensive wine list. The atmosphere is pretty cool, whether dining inside or out, with open-air seating, candlelight, twinkly lights, and music.
Read kimkim's review of Le Caméléon Boutique Hotel
Relax Natural Village
Relax Natural Village is a beautiful cluster of six wooden cabins deep in nature and surrounded by tropical plants. Each bungalow allows you to fully embrace the lodge's location, with sliding front doors to let in the Caribbean breeze. After passing through a bright blue gate, you'll walk into an overgrown garden of tropical plants and century-old trees. Don't forget to look up, as you might catch a glimpse of sloths, toucans, or iguanas. After enjoying the jungle vibes, a quick walk will take you to Playa Cocles.
Intimacy and privacy are the big perks of Relax Natural Village, as the property is adult-only, with picturesque jungle greenery and walking paths. Built by hand, the wooden cabins are bright and airy, each with ceiling fans, a porch with a hammock and Adirondack chairs, and large bathrooms with walk-in showers. In the morning, head over to the main building for a complimentary all-natural breakfast of local coffee, fruits, and other regional staples.
Read kimkim's review of Relax Natural Village
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Namuwoki Lodge
For a quiet boutique experience near Playa Chiquita (one of the best swimming beaches in the area), consider Namuwoki Lodge. You'll find 18 simple bungalows built in Caribbean style, with tall ceilings, wooden accents, and thatched roofs. Because the surrounding jungle is so dense, the rooms can feel a bit dark, but overall, the lodge is open and bright.
The spacious huts come in numerous configurations, including suites and family villas with multiple rooms and floors (and some with private Jacuzzis). All rooms include a private terrace with hammocks and/or seating, but only some have air-conditioning. Although close together, the property's tropical plants and forest give each room a sense of privacy.
The lodge's Naum Restaurant is a beautiful open-air eatery serving local and Spanish-inspired dishes. It overlooks a small outdoor pool and a bar serving afternoon cocktails. Here is where you'll enjoy your complimentary breakfast in the morning.
Read kimkim's review of Namuwoki Lodge
Shawandha Lodge
If you're looking for an ecolodge with individual wooden huts, Shawandha Lodge is for you. Each bungalow uses three types of native wood to create high A-frame ceilings, thatched roofing, and porches with hammocks. Bathrooms are large, bright, and decorated with unique mosaics. Opt for one of the adults-only cabins with a private pool area for even more solitude. Though, you may want to spend your time in the sea, as the property is just 500 feet from Playa Chiquita, an excellent place to swim, thanks to the protective coral reef that keeps the waves calm. Read our ultimate guide to Puerto Viejo beaches for more information on the best stretches of sand.
As you explore the grounds of Shawanda Lodge, don't forget to look up into the trees to see wildlife and listen to the birds. The jungle vibes are complete with two outdoor pools, an open-air restaurant serving a traditional and exceptionally delicious breakfast buffet each morning, and other meals. After fueling up at the restaurant, enjoy strolling the five-acre property, a private wildlife refuge with over 100 species of birds and other animals, plus more than 200 species of plants.
Read kimkim's review of Shawandha Lodge
Cariblue Beach & Jungle Resort
Cariblue Beach & Jungle Resort is a standard option that's relatively large, so it can feel a little busy at times. The property does a decent job keeping rooms intimate, though, as each sits in a lodge of four to six rooms, separated from the others with lush jungle greenery. All rooms have a shared or private terrace or balcony with hammocks—perfect for lounging. Only some units have sea views, but the wooden lodges dotting the grounds make it worth it, as each is complete with traditional thatched roofing for authentic Costa Rican vibes. Note: Don't forget to bring your own toiletries, as the hotel only supplies hand soap for the rooms.
Although not a beachfront property, Cariblue is just across the road from Playa Cocles, and the five acres of protected surrounding rainforest give it a more boutique feel. Getting from your room to the main building for breakfast requires a short and pleasant stroll through the rainforest, complete with the sounds of birds and animals in the trees above. Breakfast has many options, including fruits, continental breakfast staples, yogurts, locally made pastries and cakes, a hot-food station, and local dishes on rotation.
Other perks of the property include two outdoor pools, bicycle rentals, and weekly live music. You'll also find a restaurant and two bars serving a fusion of Mediterranean and Caribbean dishes. You can enjoy happy hour in the late afternoon and try the property's signature cocktails.
Read kimkim's review of Cariblue Beach & Jungle Resort
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