Capitán Suizo Beachfront Boutique Hotel, Tamarindo

Pros

• Enjoy the perk of staying at an oceanfront property with a pool and restaurant steps away from the beach. 
• There's a good balance in terms of location, as you'll be in a natural setting while still within walking distance of downtown restaurants and shops.
• Guests can access a private beach area with lounge chairs and stairs that take you directly to the sandy shore.
• The room rate includes a daily breakfast buffet served at the on-site restaurant. 
• The beach bar offers a daily happy hour.

Cons

• Though beachfront, most rooms don't offer ocean views.  
• There's a maximum of three guests in the superior rooms, so larger families must book at least two units.
• The pool can get crowded, especially when there are a lot of children staying at the hotel.
• There aren't TVs in any of the rooms—possibly a downside for some.

Additional Notes From Brittany

I arrived around midday, grabbing a seat at the open-air bar mere steps away from the pool and beach and right next to the restaurant. Nearby, a family enjoyed a kid-approved lunch while a group of young adults sat around a table with cocktails and shared jokes. Upon reaching us, the bartender approached everyone with a smile and delivered a yellow and pink swirled fruit smoothie, complete with a slice of pineapple on the edge of the glass. This moment (and the hotel in general) was the epitome of Costa Rica's favorite saying, "Pura Vida!" 

Authenticity

The grounds embrace the region perfectly, with an oceanfront setting featuring gardens and forests. On the website, you'll find a handy map marking all the species of trees on the property, enjoyed by local wildlife and the resident cats lazing around the reception area. More than 95% of the 80 staff members are Costa Rican; most are from the Guanacaste region. 

Location

Capitán Suizo Beachfront Boutique Hotel is located on the southern side of Tamarindo Beach and just a 10-minute walk to downtown. So, you'll be surrounded by nature, yet not far from the action. If you'd like to explore some other area beaches, plan to drive or take a transfer for about 40 minutes, which will get you to Playa Grande and Playa Ventanas.

Rooms & Bathrooms

You'll choose between the property's 35 cozy units, including six bungalows, six oceanfront units, 22 superior rooms, or a four-bedroom suite. Some feature beachfront locations and views, whereas others are within the hotel's gardens. All units offer warm wooden tones, king beds, sofa beds, organic toiletries, air-conditioning, and furnished outdoor spaces; if you book a bungalow, you'll enjoy an outdoor shower. 

Sustainability

The hotel's focus on sustainability provides plenty of environmentally friendly initiatives. For example, the property doesn't use chemicals to maintain the grounds and employs a water treatment facility to process water on-site. You'll also find solar panels and a garden growing vegetables, fruits, and herbs for the hotel's restaurant.

Wildlife

The garden at Capitán Suizo, with more than 60 plant and tree species, uses 100 percent organic fertilizers, making it a welcoming home to wildlife. A map for travelers shows where to look for howler monkeys, green iguanas, geckos, white-throated magpie jays, and porcupines. The pool area and its native palm trees are also home to green iguanas and howler monkeys.

Amenities

There's a large outdoor pool with ocean views, adjacent lounge space, and a pool bar. An open-air spa offers a menu of relaxing treatments. With its location directly on the beach, Capitán Suizo is ideal for travelers who want to surf, snorkel, or kayak, and the hotel has equipment, such as boogie boards, for complimentary use. The hotel also offers board games and books to borrow, dance lessons, and Spanish language classes. The Oceanfront Suite can accommodate wheelchair users, and all areas can be accessed by a series of trails and ramps laid with non-slip concrete.

Family-Friendliness

Families with children are welcome at the hotel: kids ages three and under stay for free, and children under 11 stay at reduced rates. All rooms have a sofa bed suitable for kids, and the four-bedroom suite or bungalows grouped are best for families. The swimming pool has a shallow end for kids, and staff can book activities for kids, like surfing lessons. The hotel has volleyball equipment, a pool table, table tennis, and board games.

Other Highlights

Capitán Suizo's El Barco restaurant and bar are on the beach in a tropical setting. A breakfast buffet (included for all travelers) and a la carte lunch and dinner offer international and Costa Rican cuisine. Organic and local ingredients are used as much as possible in the restaurant, including from the hotel's garden and farm. The full bar is open until 10 pm daily. Happy hour drink specials occur daily, and a candlelit dinner with live Marimba music happens twice a week.