Mar Inn Costa Rica, Monteverde

Pros

• A quick, pleasant walk takes you right into downtown Santa Elena, so you can enjoy the local restaurants, cafés, and shops. 
• The superior rooms have air-conditioning, which is very uncommon for hotels in Monteverde!
• Guests can enjoy complimentary access to the amenities at the neighboring hotel, Don Taco, including meals at its restaurant and daily breakfast.
• There's plenty of parking at the hotel with easy access to the rooms. 
• The staff is remarkably kind, helpful, and welcoming.

Cons

• A central location has a tradeoff, as it can get loud with street noise. 
• Getting into Santa Elena is a little easier than returning to the hotel, as the walk back is all uphill (you can always take a quick taxi).
• No frills hotel lacking higher-end amenities like a pool, gym, or spa. 
• The WiFi is rather basic and not fast enough to do much more than check emails. 

Authenticity

At first, it's easy to label Mar Inn as basic accommodation and nothing more, but once you get into your stay, the staff will likely change your opinion. It's a simple hotel, but you won't miss out on that authentic Costa Rican hospitality. 

Location

The location is a perk for those wanting to be close enough to walk into town. Remember that the walk back from Santa Elena's downtown area is quite the uphill trek. As for driving to the other main attractions in the area, plan for about 15 minutes to Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve and less than 10 minutes to Sky Adventures Park.

Rooms & Bathrooms

Rooms are fairly simple with just the basics, though comfortable and clean. Some offer queen beds, but most come with two doubles, and family rooms feature truly rustic vibes with bunk beds. Upgrade to a superior room if you'd like to enjoy a very rare luxury in Monteverde: air-conditioning.

Wildlife

Due to the urban location of the hotel, you're not likely to spot much wildlife on the property. Previous travelers have sometimes spotted colorful butterflies and birds in the canopies above the hotel, but to spot more exciting Costa Rican wildlife, you'll have to venture off-site to one of the nearby cloud forests. 

Amenities

Mar Inn is a no-frills hotel with limited amenities, so you may want to look elsewhere if you want a luxury stay. There's no pool, gym, or spa available on-site, but you'll have all the basic amenities needed for a stay. The hotel has free parking, free basic WiFi, and paid laundry services available. 

Family-Friendliness

The hotel is ideal for families who want to spend most of their days out exploring and just need basic rooms for the night. Children under the age of six stay for free in their parent's room, and cots are available for infants. The Quadruple Family Room and Standard Family Room are the best options for families, with the latter having the most space of all room types. 

Other Highlights

The Mar Inn is very simple without any on-site perks, but you can access the property's sister hotel, Don Taco, next door. Here is where you'll enjoy your morning breakfast and other meals if you'd like. If you prefer to prepare meals on your own, you can use the communal kitchenette at the hotel.