Hotel Bosque del Mar, Gulf of Papagayo

Pros

• Guests will enjoy an ideal location directly on a calm, swimmable stretch of Playa Hermosa.
• The rooms are particularly spacious and comfortable, all with high ceilings and a separate living room and bedroom.
• If you upgrade to one of the oceanfront suites, you'll get a private balcony with an outdoor Jacuzzi.
• The gardens and grounds are quite beautiful, with lots of flowers, trees, and other vegetation, making the rooms feel more private and in the forest.

Cons

• Though the hotel does offer breakfast service, it's not included in the room rate like many other accommodations in the area.
• There are only a few dining options within walking distance of the hotel.
• Due to the number of trees and vegetation, the only true ocean views are in the oceanfront suites.

Additional Notes From Brittany

Welcome to paradise—or at least my kind of paradise! The cool shade from palm trees, the ocean breeze, and the serene atmosphere (plus the tropical drink at check-in) all put me at ease instantly. I loved strolling through the gardens to get to the room; everything was spacious and comfortable. The floor-to-ceiling windows led to a wooden beachfront balcony with an outdoor Jacuzzi, the perfect setting to listen to the birds and breathe in the humid and salty ocean air.

Authenticity

Upon arrival, you'll receive a welcome drink from the hotel, which you can sip in your room or while strolling around the property. Hotel Bosque del Mar sits right on Playa Hermosa, offering a lovely stretch of walkable and swimmable coastline, plus a lot of dense vegetation. Hence, you get the whole Costa Rican experience. 

Location

The hotel's location is one of its biggest selling points. You'll find the entrance along a street, so walking out onto the grounds is quite delightful, with the ocean and beach in front of you through the trees. The parking lot is across the street from the hotel, though easy to access when needed. You might want to rent a car or hire a transfer to explore the area, as Playa Hermosa is fairly small, and there aren't too many eateries within walking distance of the hotel.

Rooms & Bathrooms

With just 32 rooms, Hotel Bosque del Mar maintains its quiet, serene vibe. Every room sits within the trees with its own terrace or balcony, plus a minifridge, coffeemaker, air-conditioning, and separate seating area. The beds are notably comfy, with lots of pillows and blankets. If you want ocean views, upgrade to the oceanfront suites, which also feature an outdoor Jacuzzi tub.

Wildlife

Travelers will wake up to the sounds of bird calls and monkeys. Enjoy close-up views of macaws and monkeys in the trees from your balcony. Howler monkeys and iguanas are also known to make an appearance poolside.

Amenities

When not swimming in the ocean, you can enjoy the outdoor pool and Jacuzzi, which are set back from the beach and near the room blocks. Guests can rent kayaks to use at the beach. An on-site spa offers treatments using natural ingredients from the region. The hotel also has an entertainment room with a full bar and billiards. While there's no gym, there's ample opportunity to participate in water sports on the beach steps away or take walks on the property. 

Family-Friendliness

Hotel Bosque del Mar welcomes families, and children under eleven are charged discounted rates. There are family-friendly suites, such as the Garden View and Oceanfront suites, a children's menu at the hotel restaurant, and a swimming pool that's popular with all ages. Ground-floor guestrooms are best for those with children in strollers.

Other Highlights

Hotel Bosque del Mar's open-air Niromi Restaurant serves international cuisine with a Costa Rican twist. A complimentary breakfast is served each morning, and there are a la carte menus (and a full bar) for the rest of the day. On the second floor of the main building is the NYA bar, where travelers can enjoy cocktails, a tapas-style menu, happy hour specials, music, and billiards.