Hotel Banana Azul, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Hotel Banana Azul, open since 2007, is an adults-only tropical getaway on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. The hotel offers an authentic experience that blends the warmth of the local culture, the allure of unspoiled beaches, and the richness of the surrounding jungle. Every room is decorated differently, with details such as wood paneling, colorful tiled floors and bathrooms, bamboo, and local textiles. The hotel is ideally located with direct beach access, and the bustling town of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a short taxi ride or a 20-minute walk away.

Pros

• The hotel has private beach access with lounge chairs and food and drink service.
• The small outdoor pool is open 24/7.
• Renovations in 2021 updated some villas and suites.
• The hotel is on the beach and a few minutes from Playa Cocles, Cahuita National Park, and Punta Uva Beach. 
• Guests can interact with the owner's friendly dog and cats.

Cons

• The hotel doesn't have a fitness center or a spa.
• Kids under 16 aren't allowed, which could be a downside for families.
• Travelers may hear noise from the main road or other rooms.
• Some rooms may have issues with ants, mosquitos, and other bugs coming in.

Authenticity

The hotel's gardens attract native wildlife. An extensive breakfast buffet features Costa Rican dishes like gallo pinto (rice and beans). The owners' friendly pets wander around the grounds, creating a homey atmosphere. 

Location

The town of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, on the east coast of Costa Rica, is about 1 mile (1.5 km) from the hotel. Travelers can take a 20-minute walk east along the beach to reach the main town, where there's shopping, grocery stores, nightlife, bars, restaurants, and cafés; alternatively, travelers can get a taxi or drive. The hotel is directly on Negra Beach, where guests can enjoy lounge space and food and drink service.

Rooms & Bathrooms

Hotel Banana Azul's guestrooms feature a blend of rustic charm and modern amenities. Rooms include wood paneling, colorful tiled floors and bathrooms, bamboo, and local textiles. The hotel offers various accommodations, from rooms with private dipping pools to spacious villas with private plunge pools and outdoor showers. For a romantic experience, the Honeymoon Suite offers sea views and a Jacuzzi overlooking the beach. 

Wildlife

Hotel Banana Azul is landscaped with tropical gardens and a pond that runs throughout the property, all providing habitats for travelers to see wildlife. Sloths live in the gardens' trees, iguanas hang out at the pool, frogs and turtles are in the pond, and numerous tropical birds fly around the property. 

Amenities

At the center of Hotel Banana Azul's property, a small pool and Jacuzzi are open 24/7. Drinks and food are served poolside, and a similar service is available at the hotel's lounge area on the beach. Guests can rent a bicycle to explore the local area. Stroll around the hotel's tropical gardens, home to sloths, iguanas, frogs, turtles, and numerous tropical birds. Some rooms are wheelchair accessible, but there are no elevators or ramps. 

Family-Friendliness

Hotel Banana Azul doesn't allow kids under 16 years old. 

Other Highlights

Azul Bar and Grill is open to travelers and the public from 6 am to 9 pm, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast is buffet-style, featuring fresh fruit, cereal, yogurt, juice, rice and beans, omelets, banana pancakes, burritos, and rotating dishes each day. Lunch is served in the restaurant or on the beach. Dinner is served in an open-air space that's candle-lit at night. There's a full bar menu.