Green Sanctuary Hotel, Nosara

Pros

• Since the hotel is atop a hill at the end of a street, it stays fairly quiet and peaceful.
• The rooms are all made from recycled shipping containers, and the reception is entirely outdoors. 
• You'll be just six blocks from the beach, about a 15-minute stroll downhill, where you'll find good conditions for surfing and a few eateries and cafés a bit further down the coast and in the village. 
• The hotel has surfboard lockers and a yoga platform.

Cons

• Lunch and dinner menus are only available on request.
• Though within walking distance from the shore, this isn't a beachfront property and doesn't offer ocean views.
• The rooms are on the smaller side and can hold no more than three people, so it might not be a good fit for families.
• The property is closed in September and October.

Authenticity

The Green Sanctuary Hotel follows the Costa Rican philosophy of green travel and sustainability by repurposing shipping containers. It also has an outdoor reception area, so you'll check in and out amid the natural environment. It's a great place for travelers looking for a simple, budget-friendly option in Nosara.

Location

The hotel is located atop a hill and has views of the surrounding mountains. It's only six blocks (a 15-minute walk) from the beach, but its secluded location means there's plenty of parking outside of the hotel. You'll find a few cafés and eateries in the neighborhood, with most requiring at least a 20- or 25-minute walk. 

Rooms & Bathrooms

The hotel offers eight small rooms—four with double beds and four with a double bed and a single bed. Each room has a private bathroom, air-conditioning, and a fan. Because the rooms and other hotel spaces are made from shipping containers, they might feel a bit basic to some. Still, you'll find amenities like modern furniture, tile flooring, safes, and minifridges inside. 

Wildlife

Guests regularly spot wildlife, including colorful exotic birds, iguanas, and monkeys. Howler monkeys and other wildlife particularly enjoy the hotel's pool area. 

Amenities

Green Sanctuary Hotel has a small area and an adjacent deck with lounge chairs. There's no gym or spa on-site, but spa treatments can be provided in-room, and guests can walk or run on nearby nature paths. Other amenities include a garden with an outdoor movie theater area, surfboard lockers, and a yoga platform. The hotel's paths are unpaved, so travelers with limited mobility users may have difficulty navigating the grounds; moving around the hotel also requires climbing steps and navigating the terrain. 

Family-Friendliness

The hotel is somewhat popular with families, and children up to age 10 stay for free in rooms with two adults. Triple rooms can best accommodate families. The hotel's café offers kid-friendly breakfast options and a few kid-friendly options on a limited lunch and dinner menu. The hotel's gravel paths are not stroller-friendly.

Other Highlights

Green Sanctuary Hotel has a small café that serves complimentary breakfast and a limited lunch and dinner menu (only on request) with traditional Costa Rican cuisine and some international options. The open-air dining area features views of the hotel's gardens and plenty of wildlife. The café's full-service bar offers cocktails, local beers, juices, and smoothies.