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“Paradise Found”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
Arriving by plane at Punta Islita is not for the faint of heart but the moment you arrive all is forgotten. This ihotel s a true gem it offers all the luxuries while remaining very close to Costa Rican way of life. You arrive to spectacular views, incredible service and very clean rooms. The hotel views and landscape are even better than featured on the website!
I was a little worried about traveling during the rainy season but in the end the daily 3pm shower provided a very nice way to cool off and time do other activities. Dinners at the hotel were wonderful, fresh and incredibly relaxing...just don't forget your flash light as the grounds are poorly lit. In addition to the hotel dining, there is a local restuarant which offers traditional food at a very reasonable price. I stayed only 4 days at this hotel but I wish I could have extended my trip for more. I highly recommend this hotel for people who truly want to relax and feel far away from all worries.

“Absolute Paradise!”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
Punta Islita is one of my all time favorite hotels. I cannot say enough wonderful things about our stay. We found every member of the staff to be wonderful. This is a must for a relaxing, quiet, beautiful vacation!

“Best vacation ever!”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
The is the perfect place to stay in Costa Rica. After several trips to the country we have decided this is our best vacation ever. The rooms are clean and have the most beautiful views of the ocean. My husband and I spent several hours in the hammock outside our room enjoying the views and perfect weather. The staff was exceptional and the food was excellent. We cannot say enough good things about our experience at Punta Islita!

“Wonderful, but not much around -- it's truly a come and stay here resort”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
Okay, first, getting there:

If you can, fly into Samara and the hotel will pick you up. In the "Green season" the roads (huge potholes that will threaten to eat your car) are horrific and a 10 KM trip could take you 40 minutes. Seriously.

We flew into Liberia and rented the world's smallest SUV. It suited us just fine. The drive was 3.5 hours and honestly, we guessed at a number of the turns. "Right or left?" If you're up for the adventure, go for it.

Punta Islita is an all inclusive resort -- not in terms of pricing, but in terms of once you are there, you may not need to leave. The people are wonderful, the food is excellent, the views are outstanding and the spa and rooms terrific.

If you want to go to Samara in the wet season, it could take you 40 minutes for a 10KM drive.

We were very lucky to practically have the resort to ourselves. There were about 40 people on site, for a place that can hold up to 170. Now, to be totally honest, i would HATE to be there when it is full. It was very laid back when we were there (wife and I). If the resort was full, i would not have enjoyed it nearly as much.

Who goes there? When we were there, we ran into 6 sets of honeymooners. So, yup it's romantico. Not meaning to offend anyone, but if you want to spend your time with a bunch of New Yorkers on vacation, this could be the right place for you. It's not an adventure vacation (other than the drive).

We stayed in a Casita. WOW. Large, well decorated, flat screen (with thankfully few channels) and a plunge pool. Shower was large, but the bathroom area was small. AWESOME views.

The main lodge with its dining room facing the ocean could not be beat. The best view I've ever see while dining or lazing by the pool.

The beach area was very nice with food and excellent beverage service. We took expensive surf lessons from the indifferent instructor. One day it rained for a few hours and we loved sitting in the rain drinking a Pilsen (local beer) while lounging in the pool.

Perfect place for kids with excellent, friendly staff. The bartender at the pool taught some kids Spanish and entertained them.

My wife really enjoyed the Spa.

There are beautiful hiking trails that are very poorly marked. They also have a small set of Zip Lines, honestly go elsewhere.

One of the things we loved was the personal Concierge. Luis was amazing -- he made it all happen for us, whatever we needed.

We had a tiny SUV and explored the neighboring areas. Drive down south and you'll see one of the most extensive uninhabited (or barely) inhabited beaches.

Again, i'd go back again (if i could afford it) during the Green Season when the crowds are minimal. You could not pay me enough to go during the holidays.


“Wonderful Honeymoon”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
My wife and I stayed at Punta Islita for 5 days on our honeymoon. We've often discussed how it is not only the finest hotel we ever stayed at... it is likely the finest hotel we're ever likely to stay at. Beautiful in every way.

“Punta Islita is truly amazing!”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
We went in the dry season and rented a regular old Toyota Corolla. That got us to the Punta Islita hotel just fine. River crossings were very easy and quite exciting for our 4 yr old and 6 yr old. Arrived at the hotel and Angelica was there to greet us with cold towels. Angelica was great. She picked out a great room for our family and helped get us settled. We stayed in a casita with the plunge pool. I can say that for our two boys, having their "own" pool was one of the highlights of their stay. The resort is beautiful. The beach area was perfect for us. We would go boogie boarding in the morning and then hang out that pool area with our boys. My six year old son had his first surf lesson, and stood up many times. Miguel, the bartender, was very nice to us and quite good with kids. He introduced me to a "Michelada" which is a beer on ice with lime juice and a salted rim. It was very refreshing on a hot day. The restaurants are a bit pricey, the food is good, and you can order pizza and other easy items. We would order pizza at the beach restaurant and sit at one of the tables by the sand at night. Also, there is a little restaurant in the Punta Islita town which is reasonable and the fresh fish was great. Also, there is a small pulperia (little store) in town as well to get snacks, etc. Farther along that road that hugs the beach going South, there was a restaurant high on a hill right at the water called "La Barranquila" I think. That looked like a great place to eat with an amazing view. Anyway, we had a great stay, it was well worth it to get a casita, and everyone was very friendly. We would love to go back.

“Loved it.”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
When you are greeted with cold towels after a quick two hour drive(country roads), it sparks your interest. We enjoyed our stay tremendously. The staff(all wear ear pieces to communicate with the front desk) was wonderful. Always a smile and did what was ever asked as quickly as possible. The food was excellent. Though the beach sand is quite pebbley, all the chairs are on the grass lawn with lots of sun or shade. There is a pool with swim up bar at the beach also with a restaurant. Our casita was lovely with the dunk pool just off the patio with a view of the ocean. Shoppers this is not the place for you since there is nothing there besides the hotel and small village. For those who need to chill out, this is the place. Total privacy if you want it. There are side trips such as bird watching, surfing, fishing, kayaking and zipline. There is also a spa. We highly recommend it for those that want to go and sit and read and just relax.

“great honeymoon!!!”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
This hotel is great! Had a wonderfull time. The Jacuzzi suite is perfect for a honeymoon. The beach is beautiful! Wanted to try the surfing, but the waves broke pretty close into shore so opted not to do this. We took the Kayak trip and the canopy ziplines. Loved both! I would recommend not booking any of the trips till you arrived incase of inclement weather. There are two restraunts at the hotel and both are really good. Prices are very reasonable. I think we ended up spending around $100 a day on food and drinks (four drinks and two meals between the two of us). The hotel staff was very friendly. The guy who books the trips even knew our names when we walked up.. Very Classy.
We flew into the local airport Via nature Air. Took about 40 minutes from San Jose. Definately the best way to get to and from hotel. The roads are all gravel and very mountainous around the hotel and some are only passable at low tide.
Overall a great place!

“Wonderful! Pura Vida!”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
We arrived at 10 A.M. with our 14 year old son and another family with 2 kids. As soon as they offered us cocktails, they had us! A Mano Loco (Crazy Monkey) was just the way to get vacation started! Our room wasn't ready yet, but we pulled bathing suits from our luggage and headed for the beach.

We had a 2 Bedroom Casita, which was enormously comfortable. There was a plunge pool, although we never used it. We all fought over the hammock. The eco-friendly compact fluorescents took some getting used to. Note to ladies: putting on makeup was quite a challenge.

The "beach" is really more like a park - a grassy area filled with palm trees, with the beach in front of it. The hotel cannot set up lounges on the beach because of the incoming tide. It took an attitude readjustment that we weren't actually on the beach, but the kids stayed in the ocean all day on boogie boards, the guys stayed at the pool bar, and my friend and I read/slept all day in the cool breeze. Everyone was happy.

The food was good, not great. But the friendly service made up for it. We got friendly with a lot of the help (especially the pool bartenders and tour guides) and enjoyed all the adventure tours (horseback riding, kayaking & zip-lining). You can eat at the main restaurant, 1492, or down by the beach. I spent my birthday on the beach, at a lovely barbeque.

The spa was sensational. I had a crushed mango massage and various massages on the beach and it was pure heaven.

The infinity pool upstairs is truly beautiful, but more for couples. Its asks guests to be 16 & over because it is quite quiet. I stayed there a few times.

Also, important to note - the "beach" is not really close enough to walk. But there is a friendly shuttle that I nicknamed "The Flower Power bus."

“Idyllic”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
The hotel is located on a hilltop, South of Samara. We arrived by plane from San Jose (with a stop in Tambor) and returned by plane (with a stop in Samara). From the airstrip it is a 15' bus ride provided by the hotel. The road passes through the small village of Islita with a church, an art gallery and a "pulperia". Our spacious room with comfortable sitting area was just below the pool area. We enjoyed a panoramic view of the beach from our completely private garden with outside jacuzzi - although not very powerful -, hammock and chairs. Bathrooms do not have a bathtub but a large shower basin.
Service was impeccable, all staff members were complaisant, we had a few special requests and the were immediately solved.
Breakfast included "dark roast" coffee from Britt, fruit juice, a fruit platter and eggs or "gallo pinto". Dinner was excellent. Particularly, the Saturday evening seafood bbq on the beach was superb.
A shuttle brings you down to the large private beach club, however there are only few (three?) thatched umbrellas.

“Its own Paradise”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
More than just a beautiful collection of private villa style rooms, Punta Islita is its own wonderful cove on a private harbor. Isolated from the more touristy Tamarindo and other spots on the Nicoya Peninsula, this resort feels like a private paradise. Beyond the magnificant surroundings the staff are as friendly as you'll ever meet and are amazing nature guides. Take advantage of the kayaking and morning nature hikes, as well as the horse back riding to hear their unbelievable knowledge. Finally, unlike many places Punta Islita is truly committed to sustaining the natural beauty and the viability of the surrounding community. Five Stars!

“One of the Best vacations we've ever had”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
My wife and I just returned from our honeymoon at Punta Islita and I had to immediately submit this review because of what a great experience we had there. While you could always nit-pick about this little thing or that little thing, we would be hard pressed not to rate this vacation close to perfect. The setting of the hotel is amazing, the staff is incredibly friendly and the ambience is un-matched. We had one of the jacuzzi suites which was very nice and had a terrific view of the mountainside and the ocean. We spent some time in their spa which was equally terrific (the four hand massage is a must). We also took advantage of the hotel's many activities (in our case zip-lining and horseback riding). They also arranged a chartered fishing boat for us and we spent a half day fishing around the coastal areas. We've never seen so many dolphins in our lives, and we're from Florida. The food is very good as well and generally reasonably priced for a resort of this quality. We took the short flight from Liberia rather than drive. I think it was worth it even though flying in a 15 person plane can be a bit nerve-wracking. The flight was only 30 minutes though. February is the dry season and the weather was spectacular. The dry weather does give the area more of a Southern California feel as opposed to what you might experience in the rain forest regions of Costa Rica. All in all, we would highly recommend this resort and look forward to returning.


“Lots to do (if you want to)”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
Our family - myself, wife and two younger teenagers - enjoyed 5 fantastic days. A holiday here is what you make of it although you could just kick back and do nothing by the pool (s) and enjoy the view. We hired surfboards in Samara and enjoyed genuine quality surfing about 5 kms north of the hotel on an empty beach (note the hotel does not hire surfboards). The sunset horse riding on the beach is a treat (can canter). Had a hire car delivered to the hotel and explored the country side and beaches to the South. The zip line is a rush for the whole family. The beach at the hotel is great for boogy boarding (but not surfing other than for learning). We stayed in a villa which is better option for a family than two rooms.

“Amazing and Romantic”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
It's been almost 2 years since my boyfriend and I stayed here and we still reminisce about Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica. I've stayed in many fine resorts in the world but there is something very special about Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica.

The hotel itself is gorgeous. The beach is picturesque. The food is wonderful (and we are new yorkers-meaning accustomed to great restaurants). The service was extremely friendly and professional. We still remember Franklin, the bartender, who we had many laughs with. The standard rooms are kind of on the small side but they are clean and well furnished. There were butterflies fluttering around the grounds and they were particularly delightful when we woke in the morning. The sunsets are remarkable. We loved the hammock, which each room comes with. If you are looking to getaway from it all, Punta Islita is the right choice. They say there is a zipline but I don't remember that being a big attraction. The concierge were very helpful though with activities. My boyfriend surfed but I choose to hang out on the beach with a cocktail. I wanted to relax after a lot of La Fortuna and Monteverde adventuring. I highly recommend this resort.

“More than worth a detour”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
My wife and I plus our son aged 18, daughter aged 15, daughter aged 10 spent 7 nights in Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica in January. We struggle to find fault with the property.

From the point of arrival to our departure, the service was outstanding.

Our daughters suffer from serious allergies wich I had advised the hotel of in advance ... we did not have to explain this on arrival ... anyone who needed to know, knew.

Two other examples, from many:

- We had a 4X4 which was pretty dirty after more than week of Costa Rica roads, rivers etc ... it was parked close to reception for 10 -15 minutes while I sorted out the details of our departure ... when I returned to the 4X4 it had been cleaned ... no charge!
- We departed by air and the hotel arranged for most of our luggage to be forwarded by road to San Jose ... 8 pieces of 9 were waiting for in San Jose when we arrived ... the 9th piece had been forgotten ... to our surprise it arrived about midnight

The villa we stayed in was excllent ... maid service was first rate and unobtrusive.

The location is special ... remote ... uncrowded beaches ... spectauclar scenery ... superb wlldlife ... if you are not intimidated by the roads (which are not nearly as bad as the guide books suggest) there is plenty to explore.

There are plenty of cheaper options, but few offer this balance of price, service and value.

Congratulations to the staff ... they get it!

Definitely a hotel to return to.

“Finally found Paradise!”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
Utterly Utterly incredible! We left the Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica on Thursday and we can't wait to return next year. The accomodation was beyond compare, the staff were friendly and the location was astoundingly beautiful. A fantastic way to start the year! I absolutely defy even the most cynical of couples not to be blown away by the romance of the place.

We booked a suite with a jacuzzi for three nights and stayed in one of the casitas for the last night. I honestly think that the suite was much better than the casita, despite being cheaper.

Hotel was a little difficult to book directly (as it had to ba all done by fax etc) but incredibly well worth it.

The only minor criticism we would have is that everything shuts at 10pm which can be a little early but as there was so much we could do in the mornings we didn't mind so much.

I would reccomend this Hotel to any couples who are looking for a fantastic getaway (although expect to be asked if you're on your Honeymoon!) I would say probably don't go if you are single or looking for a place to party as the pace of the area is decidedly slow!

“Loved this Paradise!”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
This place was amazing! The attention to detail was impressive at every turn. We loved that it was small enough that we knew the staff by name and they knew us as well. We thought the food was great and the views beautiful. We were looking for a place to relax on the beach and that is exactly what we found. We took advantage of a good walk down to the beach and back, but if you're not up for it a shuttle will take you. The spa offers services both down by the beach and up near the entrance. We enjoyed the secluded open air beach spa and our massages were fantastic - my skin still feels wonderful. I was there with my husband and some friends, but feel that we could easily take our young children with us and have a great family vacation. We hope to return soon!

“A relectant recommedation”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
I am reluctant to recommend this resort for selfish reasons. The beauty of this resort, in my opinion, was the seclusion and the fact that the beach is not overrun with resorts and tourists. While there we felt like we were a small minority of people who had discovered this little paradise while everybody else was in Tamarindo elbowing each other out of the way for space on the beach.

We absolutely loved the villa we were in, the excellent service we received at every turn and the simple relaxation while we were there.

We can't wait to go back but hope that the hotel retains its charm and isolation for years to come.

“Great family vacation”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
We looked long and hard for a place where we could take our 18-month-old and still enjoy ourselves. We are NOT the Beaches type and prefer something a bit more off the beaten path. We are willing to travel a little extra distance for a great vacation, but we also like a little luxury and a comfy and clean place is a must. Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica had everything we needed. We stayed in a 2-bed casita (#208) with a plunge pool. It was on the end and was great for us and our little guy. During nap time we could relax in the hammock or take a dip in the pool.

The lower pool (by the beach) is both kid- and adult-friendly -- it has a very shallow end on one side and a swim up bar on the other! We ate lunch down there every day. It was a bit of a walk down from the casita but we brought a small umbrella stroller and used that to shuttle our son and toys and things back and forth. They also have a little jeep that runs up and down all day, but we preferred the walk.

We took a lot of dinners in our casita because of the little guy but one night we did use their babysitting service and had a dinner at 1492. The other nights they were very accommodating about delivering food to our casita.

If there was one thing I would say was a bit disappointing was the food. Living near Newport, RI, we are used to fantastic food when we dine out. It seems they tried a bit to hard to serve "American" cuisine. We traveled to Morgan's Rock, Nicaragua, in 2005 (before baby) and the food was amazing (as was the place).

My husband and I also took advantage of the spa. The massage was excellent and the facial one of the best I have had. The outdoor showers at the spa are incredible!

“A Hidden Gem”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
This resort more than delivered! It is in a beautiful setting, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The hotel provides a shuttle service to pick you up from the airport..pretty much a gravel strip. When you arrive, you see that this gem really embodies the Costa Rican culture. The staff are very attentive and pay close attention to detail. We stayed in a casita which worked out great. We were four people and had 2.5 bathrooms and 2 bedrooms with a nice living room and kitchen, as well as a plunge pool. The rooms were very clean and although a little sparse, it was still perfect. The staff really get to know you and if you are having a problem, they fix it very quickly and make sure that everything is running smoothly. There are two restaurants which can get a little boring if you are staying for about more than 5 days. However, there are two other restaurants outside of the hotel..one just down the road, and the other about 15 minutes away. The resort is literally in the middle of nowhere, but there is a tiny little community punta islita has helped sustain and is very involved with. the restaurant right down the road takes FOREVER to get your food, but is overall a pleasant experience..just nice to see a different menu. This hotel is very quiet and so relaxing..it was absolutely amazing!! They practice eco tourism and you will see how great punta islita is to its staff (providing housing in the town, etc.) i would definitely recommend the sunset horseback ride..it was gorgeous!! you will go up the mountain to watch the sun set..and then trot along the beach...just magnificent. There is also canopy tours and other activities. There are two pools..one at the top of the hotel..near the main area and one by the beach. There is also a nice golf course on the property too. In the morning, a nice breakfast is delivered to your room so you may not even have to go to the real breakfast area if that is sufficient for you. We had an amazing experience at punta islita, with unmatched service, amaznig views and setting, and just an overall relaxing and peaceful time.

“fabulous honeymoon destination”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
My husband and I had an amazing time at this resort for our honeymoon in late August. Although it's the rainy time of year, we found the resort to be peaceful and romantic. Because it's the slower time of year, we received very personal attention and actually got to know several of the staff members. The staff in general was extremely friendly and helpful.

We stayed in a casita (28) with incredible views of the ocean and a very private feel. This was a perfect relaxing and restful getaway. It would be a disappointing place to stay if you're looking for night-life, but if you have an appreciation for nature and don't mind some rain, this is the place to go.

The horesback riding trip was awesome- we were the only two people along with the guide and our horses were obviously experts at the routine. We also recommend the spa, especially for the couple's packages.

If you're looking for a vacation to unwind, this is the spot for you! Pura vida!

“Mariposa Village - Breathtaking”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
At a rate of $550 per night, we were expecting paradise and that is what we got. There are so many positives that can be read in other reviews but the only things, which we extremely minor, were these:
Low water pressure in the bathrooms.
Showers weren't designed terrribly good- You got cold standing there in the open.
We took our 4 year old and you had to walk out of the mater bedroom into the outside and accross the outside porch while hoping not to step on any critters in the middle of the night.
The food was not very good. But it never made us sick or anything.
It was well worth it!

“Perfect wedding destination”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
I can not say enough good things about Punta Islita! We decided on this resort for our wedding without getting a chance to visit beforehand. We were going strictly off pictures and previous reviews. From day one when I contacted the resort they were wonderful. They immediately had a wedding planner contact me and answer all my questions.
Besides the staff being wonderful and the location being so much more than we had expected, the attentiveness I was given as the bride was amazing. It is nerve wracking to plan a wedding but even more so when you are not sure what to expect, but after arriving at the resort, I had a sigh of relief because I knew everything would be taken care off. Marvin, the activities coordinator, was absolutely wonderful in helping to coordinate missed details and made sure all of my guests had a great time. The Chef and food at Punta Islita were also wonderful. The Chef sat down with us the night before the wedding and gave us samples of items that would be provided and they were all fantastic.
If you are thinking of getting married in Costa Rica, I would highly recommend Punta Islita.

“Lovely Resort”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
My husband and I stayed at Punta Islita for the second half of our honeymoon and we loved the resort. We were upgraded to a two bedroom casita with a plunge pool. It was the most beautiful and luxurious space and the plunge pool was awesome b/c we had total privacy. The food at the resort was excellent. The views of the ocean were wonderful. The tour prices were also reasonable. This is an excellent place for romance. However, there was not alot of entertainment going on. Also, the hotel is basically the town, so there is not a night life other than the hotel.

“Magical destination”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
We spent the thanksgiving weekend at Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica and we loved everything about the hotel, the location, the seclusion, the staff, the beach, the spa. We were lucky to be upgraded to a 2 bedroom villa with a private pool and amazing views of the ocean and felt really priviledged to be surrounded by so much beauty.
Getting to Islita was part of the adventure, we came down the coast from Nosara and crossed Rio Ora with relative ease, but while we crossed it a car got stuck right in the middle. I advise the travelers to rent a sturdy, four wheel drive car, especially if planning of going further south (e.g. we went from Islita all the way to Malpais crossing numerous rivers, including the Bongo, which was more challanging than Ora, but the experience was most rewarding as the real costa rica is not in islita or malpais, but in between...).
The only negatives were the restaurant (inbalanced pricing-$3 for an expresso and $35 for a huge lobster?)which served relatively bland food and we were quite dissapointed with the turtle tour, but we might have simply been unlucky.
If travelling in the dry season we strongly recommend driving south: playa bejuco, san miguel and coyote are simply amazing and so is playa carillo, further north.
and did I mention the spa?

“Paradise with the world’s most friendly staff”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
We splashed out here for the last two nights of our hols and it was so worth it! Not only because we were lucky enough to get a free upgrade!

The resort is beautiful and the staff really are sooo friendly all the time. Our ‘honeymoon suite’ included a private Jacuzzi in the garden! Still we spent most our time next to the infinity pool near the 1492 restaurant. By the way the food at the restaurant is very good and better value than you might expect for a restaurant at an exclusive resort with few other dining options.

The hotel is very strong on its links to the community though we didn’t get time to look at all the projects its put in place.

There is quite a large spa at the resort, which is beautiful with views across the mountains.

Only downside is that its hard to get to, even with your own wheels, its almost probably most convenient to fly there from san jose! Nature Air provided us with cheap flights for $40 and the hotel can arrange transfers to the airport for about $7.50. Getting there from nearby places on the coast was more tricky – a taxi from Samara was $60 (even though on tripadvisor it lists it as beingin Samara it isnt)! Still if you want to splash out this place is great and we had a very memorable time.

“lovely resort”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
Punta Islita is a beautiful and luxurious resort. The rooms are very large and nicely decorated. My favorite thing about the room was the bed - it was so big and comfortable and had curtains around it. We also had our own plunge pool and hammock which was great. Try to get a room on the end because it is more private. Also, ask not to be in a room near the driveway. It seemed like it would very noisy and bright from the cars. Definitely get a massage at the beach - that was so relaxing with the breeze coming from the ocean. The spa is also very nice. There is not much to do here at night. The resort bars were pretty empty and my boyfriend and I watched a movie in bed everynight. There is a very small town where we went for dinner one night. I would not recommend this resort if you are not in a couple.

“Perfect”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
stay here.
private beach. friendly staff. noisy lizards.
well worth it.

“Beautiful, relaxing, great service, hidden gem”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
After staying is some of the sub par hotels in Costa Rica, Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica was a welcome haven of breathtaking views, excellent high quality service, beautiful clean rooms (almost every room has its own hammock!!), Aveda products, a great spa, 2 pools, chairs on the beach and fine dining. My boyfriend and I (28/30) loved this hotel and were so glad we went off the beaten track to get there. I recomend flying there from San Jose if you can, otherwise you can take a 4 hour drive from Liberia. I would caution that there is nothing to do really in the town of Islita itself but the hotel provides lots of activities.

“Very nice resort perfect to get a total break”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
This is one of the nicest small Resort beach hotel you may find in Costa Rica, Punta Islita as also a great community project near by the hotel.

The Guest rooms are very well done, perfectly decorated and offer everything you may wish to find in a high end Resort, with nice comfortable beds, clean bath room with a very nice bath tube, TV, Mini bar and seating area. Outside the room we had our own Jacuzzi (then unheated) with resting area and a fantastic few to the Sea.

The Golf course then was under construction I am not sure if it now in operation.

The Beach front was nice and well maintained and offered a number of water sport activities.

Their Spa Operation is well managed, beautifully designed and renders great Spa Services in private Bungalows and with very well trained Therapists who do know what they are doing.

The Breakfast Buffet which was way below International Standards was the only down side of the overall great F and B Experiences we have had. The Food and Beverage Quality, preparation, presentation as well as Guest Service were at all times outstanding, if at all I would recommended to keep the pool bar open for a little longer.

They do operate other F and B Outlets outside the Resort within the Community Project but we had no chance to look at them since we had all 4 days heavy rain and most of all wanted simply to rest and relax.

Overall, the Resort truly deserves all it Accreditations it did received over the past years and is truly a well managed small 5 star Resort. If you are looking for a great place to get away from it all without paying Four Seasons rates, this is truly the place to go.

“We didn't want to leave!!”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica was paradise!!! After high-octane adventures in Arenal and "roughing it" in Monteverde, Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica was 100% what we needed. The sweeping views of the ocean are well-worth the bumpy ride to get there. We stayed for 4 nights before returning to the US and absolutely did NOT want to leave.

We stayed in a casita, which included a private terrace and garden, a "plunge pool" and lawn chairs. The canopy bed was incredibly comfortable--the perfect spot for a siesta each afternoon when it started to rain. (We were there during the "green" season, which meant it rained a bit each day between 3 and 6 PM. The weather was warm and sunny for the rest of the day.)

The hotel staff was unfailingly friendly and helpful. We especially enjoyed our daily chats with the wait staff in the restaurant, who were eager to help us improve our broken Spanish. The beach is nice, but a bit rocky. We preferred to spend time on the pool deck looking out over the ocean instead.

Our main agenda at Punta Islita was relaxation, so we did not do any excursions. We did wake up early and go bird watching with the hotel's naturalist guide one morning. The trip was informative and fun, as we saw countless native birds and also some howler monkeys! We also had a couple's massage at the spa. Like everything else at Punta Islita, it was wonderful.

We are already talking about taking another trip to Punta Islita!!

“Perfect Honeymoon!”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
We spent five nights at the Punta Islita for our honeymoon. It was fantastic! Having been recommended to the resort by friends, we were still impressed and loved our entire vacation. The views are beautiful; the staff is extremely friendly.

If you are looking for a fast-paced, American resort with shows and nightlife, this is NOT the place for you. Punta Islita is quiet, quaint and romantic. We spent most of our honeymoon out by the pool and in our room, just relaxing, reading and enjoying each other's company. We didn't need a lot of entertainment. If you DO want entertainment, this isn't the place to go.

We stayed in a basic suite with the Romantic Hideaway package. If we could do it again, we might have gotten a jacuzzi suite, but we have no complaints about where we stayed! Our room and patio were secluded and quiet, with a great view. The hotel is eco-friendly and committed to maintaining cultural quality.

We would completely recommend this resort to couples looking for a romantic getaway. There is not a whole lot for chidren to do; we found the children there to be a little distracting, even though they do have their own pool.

Our favorites: the pool by the restaurant and the swim-up bar - always quiet and awesome views; excursions - we did the canopy zip-line and horseback riding; room service!

A couple of negative points: the food is a little pricey and there is not a lot of variety. What we had was good, but we ordered room service a lot; the beach is not great.

*Do not drive to Punta Islita during the rainy season! We decided not to fly and were transported from Liberia; the trip took about 5 long hours. The roads are horrible and we were carsick and exhausted by the time we got there. It is worth the money to fly!*

Overalll, we loved our experience and would go back in a heartbeat!

“This place is sooo beautiful!!!”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
There are no words to describe Punta Islita...it is basically heaven on earth. It is my definition of paradise. Absolutely gorgeous!!!

I went on my honeymoon and stayed in a Casita for 5 days....this was so perfect because the Casita offered privacy, including our own private hammock, private pool, and 2 private lawn chairs.

The service was absolutely amazing...and the food was delicious. Every room has a DVD player and the hotel has a DVD library you can access at no cost to you. Lovely golf course and the beach is gorgeous, although a bit rocky.

I wish I could move in to this place...so lovely! Definitely a place to remember.

My only thing that I didnt like was every evening, like clockwork, at 6pm the racoons came out to look for food. They dont bother you, but we saw them every single night. They even crashed my pool party one evening. But I guess, if you're in Costa Rica, you should expect wildlife....we were in THEIR terrority.

Overall, I'm already planning my next visit!

“Remote and Special”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
Spent 6 nights here in a "honeymoon" bungalow at the end of a 3 week holiday in South America. Flew from San Jose return by light airplane - absolutely recommended if you love flying - and probably the most memorable parts of the trip. Hotel was immaculate and well laid out. Food was great - especially the pizzas at the beach pool area. We had a one bedroomed bungalow with amazing views from the terrace. The Four poster bed was large and comfortable. Sadly the bathroom only had a large shower, but maybe in the tropical heat baths are not popular. Outside we had our own private garden and plunge pool. The housekeeping service was excellent. It felt very special to be there, but for us 6 days was too long. We tried walking out and around the resort each day, but it was too hot to go far. As a once in a lifetime few days of perfect relaxation we thoroughly recommend it, but for any longer without a hire car or means of getting round it can seem too remote.


“Beautiful Resort!”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
This resort is great. Absolutely beautiful views, excellent service, great food, beach only 10 min by shuttle, just gorgeous! Highly recommend for those on their honeymoon.

“Beautiful and Relaxing”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
The hotel is beautifully situated with great views. Everything is built into the mountain, so the casitas are very private. As several others have said, it is not a luxury hotel by US standards, but is very comfortable, clean and has a distinctive Costa Rican charm.
The staff is incredibly helpful and friendly. Unlike some other places in CR, tipping is definitely expected here.
The open air aspect of both restaurants was very inviting.
The beach is not one of the better beaches in CR, but it's still a good place to relax and listen to the surf. The waves are somewhat calmer than at other beaches, so you can actually enjoy going in the ocean. Surfers will be disappointed, though.
The atmosphere of the spa was wonderful. I particularly liked listening to the howler monkeys while I got a hot stone massage!
One word of advice: if you're coming from San Jose, don't drive. We had a private driver and it took us almost 6 hrs. to get there. We flew back to San Jose and that was most definitely the better option.

“The Most Beautiful Place on Earth.....”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
I read about this place in a travel magazine and fell in love with the photos I saw. I cannot express how amazing this experience was. I have been to some beautiful places all over the world, but this location ranks at the top for me.

It is completely worth the rates and the scary ride to get there. My only negative comment is that I wish I'd been informed of how difficult it is to get there. We traversed dirt roads for hours in a rented Toyota Corolla and were lucky that the weather was dry as we actually had to drive across a riverbed at one point! The front desk at the hotel told me that during the rainy season, one must have a 4-wheel drive vehicle to make it to the hotel. It is truly remote and probably not a good location for anyone who might need medical attention during their stay.

But for most people I highly recommend it. And although we don't have kids, we did see several families and it seemed like a great place for kids too. But for us it was a romantic place. My favorite experiences were the private dinner served down on the beach surrounded by candles and the couples chocolate massages also on the beach. I won't ever forget the time we spent there and I do hope to return one of these days!

“AMAZING!!! The most beautiful, remote resort!”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
I spent so much time researching the hotel since I was planning a wedding on the property. I was hesitant at first reading some reviews, but once I arrived all my fears were laid to rest. The staff is extremely accommodating and all my wedding guests were impressed with their willingness to help with activities, rooms, etc. Reviews had complained of the walk to the beach from the rooms, frankly, don't come to Costa RIca unless you are willing to walk. The walk to the beach was a beautifully landscaped sidewalk and if you wanted tranportation was always available.

We had a two bedroom house with a private plunge pool, it felt as we had our own private condo tucked away from the world. I woke every morning in awe of the view and the wonder of this hotel. Because of the wedding, we had the opportunity to see every type of room the hotel had to offer; the three bedroom houses are off the property, but well worth the trouble. They tucked away into the hills overlooking the ocean with amazing details, granite countertops, quality sheets and beds, and palapas with hammocks. However, I would never be disappointed in the standard room; all had wonderful views.

ZERO complaints, I HIGHLY recommend this hotel to anyone that is looking for a REMOTE, private getaway.

“You HAVE to go!!!”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
OK, my husband and I have been to some really nice places all over the world and this place, by far, ranks in the top 5. It is small, intimate, luxurious, and very secluded. The staff was wonderful and the accomodations exceeded our expectations. You really have to see this place for yourself.
Don't miss the spa and make sure you book a romantic dinner on the beach.
Pura Vida!

“Nice hotel away from town!”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
We had an interesting time at Punta Islita on our honeymoon. After finally finding the hotel, we were given a free "arrival" drink before they took us to our room. Our room was great with a private hot (warm) tub outside, hammock and a great view of the ocean. We had a hard time finding it because we came during high tide and realized that we could drive across the ocean in order to get to the other side, so we had to ask some people how to get there that we saw on the road who didn't seem to know where we should go. Then we went around the long way and still had to cross over a "small" river. This was scary every time we did it!!! We heard stories of people who got stuck in the middle and got "driven" out to sea. Yikes. You'd think they'd build a bridge! Anyway, the room was really nice and so was the bathroom. It was very clean and they made cute little animals out of the towels on the bed. There was AC and that was welcomed. We loved the breakfast there and enjoyed feeding the local iguanas who would come out every morning. We walked down to the beach a few times, but the tide was really rough and the sand was like little pebbles which kind of hurt your feet after a little while. We walked down to the "islita" and explored it--covered with crabs! We ate at the hotel a few times because we knew we wouldn't be able to drive across the river at night. The room service had good pizzas for a reasonable price. We also ate at a little restaurant near the hotel but not associated with the hotel (it was a family restaurant that was really good--to the left when you exit the entrance gate). The restaurant with the hotel down near the beach was nice also and not too expensive. The food here was pretty good.
We did go into town a few times and it was okay, but not really that great. We went to a beach that was in a stretch of land between Punta Islita and the city. This is where we put my purse in the car and (stupidly) walked down the beach. You guessed it, we got robbed. It only had money, my credit cards, drivers license and our passports in it!!! So we reported it to the police who said they knew who did it--if you don't speak Spanish, this would have been impossible because none of the police spoke English. They hand wrote a little letter saying what had happened, stamped it and gave it to us telling us to check back in a few days. We got back to the hotel and told them. THEY WERE GREAT!! They called the credit card companies and cancelled them for us, called the embassy to find out what we needed to do, etc. They were super helpful. It was Saturday, so we couldn't do anything until Monday. On Monday, as we were leaving, we stopped by the police station where we filed the report, but no one was in. So we drove down to the station in the town and asked if they had seen our passports and they said they had. They fumbled around and pulled a plastic bag out of the closet that someone who pulled up on a motorcycle had a key to (no one else did) and it contained everything except the money!!! There were some good restaurants in the town, but nothing too spectacular. Most of the stuff in the town was not touristy and closed really early. Only go here if you want to relax and do nothing for a few days. It is fun and nice, but not for everyone. The hotel was secluded and quiet. There was a safe in the room (that we should have used). Good hotel, kind of boring town across the ocean that you must drive through.

“Scarily beautiful”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
Just got back from a 5 night stay at Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica for a destination wedding. I have to start out by saying that this is one of the most unspoiled, beautiful vacation spots that I have ever seen. The resort does a fantastic job of staying eco friendly and keeps everything natural looking so it seems ot blend into the natural scenery. The down side to this is the vast amount of insects and creepy crawlies that abound! We stayed in the Mariposa villa which, I believe, is the most isolated of the living areas, and can only be accessed by using a 4 X 4 vehicle. It is located smack dab in the middle of the jungle, and nightfall is like the "Night of the Living Dead" as the crawling beasts do their best to get into your room! We found 5 scorpions in our room, one of which stung my husband, and had numerous other insects as well, too many to mention. Oddly enough, not being a nature person, I actually did not freak out too badly despite the many-legged creature situation. The resort is stunning, and the pools are wonderful. The beach is too rocky to enjoy, but the hubby enjoyed the ocean very much. I was with my 4 year old daughter, who really enjoyed the experience. I left my 2 year old twins at home, and am so glad that I did so. This is not a place for children under toddler age. No children are allowed at the pool at the main lodge, which was kind of a bummer, but the pool at the beach area is great and my daughter had to be dragged out of it. This is certainly not a luxury resort by modern standards, but everything was clean and well kept.

One word of caution. We went at the start of rainy season, and it did rain very hard in the afternoon and evening. Also, make sure your shoes are comfortable since there is a lot of walking required. While they say it is safe to drink the tap water, I do not recommend it since a lot of people in out group got sick, which we all felt was due to drinking the water. All in all, this was a very memorable trip, since I will probably never go to such a primitive place again (I much prefer luxury lodgings!), and I am glad that I had the experience.

“Paradise!”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
A group of five of us stayed at this resort for a week in December, and had an amazing time. The staff was very friendly and engaging, and executed our every wish flawlessly. We drove from Liberia without much trouble though you must have a 4-wheel drive SUV to do it as there are dirt roads and a river crossing to navigate.

Upon arrival you are handed a warm towel and whisked off to the main bar to rest and have drinks while they get you signed in and explain the lay of the land. The resort was gorgeous, and our room was amazing! The first morning I awoke to complete silence with the full sun coming into wall sized window in the bathroom (the main room area had black out shades). Our room looked out over the valley below where the golf course is well hidden (and little used while we were there) by the flora and fauna. It was like being alone on a private island.

I cannot say enough good things about the staff, some of whom we came to know on a first name basis. When we decided too late that we wanted to go kayaking, and their tour was fully booked, they arranged for an outside guide to take us. We got a private hiking tour with Eduardo, who educated on the native flora and fauna, and when my boyfriend's mom slipped during the hike, Eduardo risked serious injury to himself to try to stop her fall. Ronald and Eduardo were our ziplining guides, and we had an absolute blast. They knew exactly what they were doing, and we felt completely safe the entire time.

In response to an earlier review insinuating that the staff was untrustworthy, I must say that we found them to be completely the opposite. In fact, upon leaving the resort, we left our passports in our room and did not discover it until 2 hours later. When we called the resort, they were already holding our passports at the front desk, having received them from the cleaning staff who had found them in our room (they had been unable to contact us because we did not have cell phone reception). The resort manager offered to courier the passports to our next location.

I would love to go back there again, and I highly recommend it to anyone who just wants to get away from it all and retreat to paradise.

“Great place in CR”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
We had a wonderful time at Punta Islita. We drove there from places in Guanacaste.. The road wasn't very good but we made it OK. We were met with hot towels and lots and lots of great service. There were 4 of us so we shared a bungalow or what ever they called it. There were 2 bedrooms with a small sitting area between them. Terrific view! Quiet and a nice plunge pool and hammock. Food was fine, not terrific but good. Beach was great too. Certainly recommend it. It was like an oasis in the desert.

“Absolutely Wonderful!!!”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
We just got back from Costa Rica and I am already trying to plan my next vacation back. I thought that after I have spent the past several months reviewing traveler's reviews of Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica that I should "give back" and add my two cents.

First I will say that Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica is absolutely wonderful. But let me first describe getting there. We had a noneventful flight from Washington D.C. through Houston to Liberia. We arrived in Liberia a little ahead of schedule. Keeping in mind that Liberia was not the "main" airport, like in San Jose, the arrival was pretty uneventful. Unfortunately, since we arrived early, we had to wait longer than anticipated for a flight on Nature Air to the airport, really an airstrip, in Islita. This was hard just because it was hot and we were in long pants from our early morning departure from D.C.

While I knew that the Nature Air flight was going to be somewhat of a puddle jumper, it was a bit nerve racking when they weighed each of the bags, and each of the passengers too. It made me think of all of those fatalities that happen when the plane is overloaded. So ladies, lying about your weight here (or avoiding the scales as I'd hoped to do) is not in your favor. Our plane had about 11 passengers on it, all going to Islita, as I soon found out. However, the pilot decided to stop the plane, about 15 mintues into the trip, in Tamarindo, a small "bus stop" sized airport (all open air and only one person sort of sitting behind a booth) with an expectation of picking up 2 other passengers. He told us that we would stop for about 10 mintues. After about 5 minutes, he told us all to get off and that he had to return to LIberia to pick up two people who were not there when we initially departed. While I think this was really nice of him, my issue was that you have 11 people (on a 15 seater plane) who were all waiting to go to the same place and if he wanted to go and get the other people (in addition to waiting for the people who were late coming to Tamarindo) he should drop us off (only another 15 minutes away) and come back to get the other people. He did not think this way. The pilot left for Liberia with all of us at the Tamarindo "bus stop" (stranded like Gilligan's island is what was going through my mind) and after 1hour and 15 mintues later, he comes back, with no additional people in the plane. No one new came to Tamarindo either. Needless to say, I was not a happy camper.

BUT, when we arrived in Islita, we were greeted by a person working for the Hotel who brought us cold water and a large van to transport us to the hotel. At the hotel, we were (as I expected per the reviews before me) greeted with cold washcloths and a well needed welcome drink. When we were checked in, I explained my travel experience to the Hotel employee who told me not to worry as he would take care of it. We had already decided to rent a car to explore the area and I told them to cancel our departure flight from Islita to Liberia as we would venture the drive.

Islita has the intimacy of a bed and breakfast, only with 45 rooms/suites/houses. Even though I initially going to try to upgrade my deluxe room, once I saw it, I was happy. Even though it appears to be just a one room hotel-like room, it had it's own private yard, with two hammocks, and two lounge chairs for sunbathing in your own private yard. Completely Private! You feel like you are in your own private oasis overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The staff was overly friendly and accomodating and aimed to please whatever your needs were. I have been in a lot of different types of hotels, from the Ritz Carlton to the Waldorf Astoria and this service was wonderful!!! Because of the intimacy of the hotel and the guests there during the time you were there, the staff and guests would know you by name and inquire as to the types of activities that you were going to engage in during your day. We would all share experiences which would encourage us to try a different activity the next day, or at least know what to expect when you went on an activity that was already planned.

Now, I will say that you are in the jungle/forest, so expect to see the things that exist in the jungle. I had a scorpion on the curtain in our bedroom. I screamed, it was captured by my friend and placed in the ice bucket (I hope they wash those ;0). This was expected...I did not see the Howler Monkey, but I heard it in the trees. Also keep in mind that you are somewhat off the beaten path. So, I also suggest that you rent a car. Rent it before you get to the Hotel as I understand that people who rented it from the Hotel paid more than double what we paid renting it while we were still at the airport and then just having it delivered to our hotel. By having the car, you can drive to other parts of the region, see other beaches, and just get a better sense of where you are in the country. You also get a real chance to use your spanish, although the people at the Hotel seemed really please to use Spanish if they thought you knew even the fewest words. The Hotel also has a number of activities, essentially guided by the same set of guys-- Eduardo and Bogantes-- and you will have lots of fun. Just try not to get stuck as I did on the zip line during the canopy tour. Also, the massage at the spa is devine...Get a couples massage if you can.

The hotel took care of ourNature Air woes and we were able to cancel my departing flight from Isita and we drove back to Liberia. The road back to the Liberia area is comical...yes there are rivers to cross (have the Hotel to check the times for high and low tide) there are times when there are no roads and just dirt (be sure to get a 4 wheel drive-- the RAV 4 did just fine) and there are times when you will have to shoo away the livestock walking down the street, so that you can pass. Take it all in stride knowing that these are all stories that will fill your memories when you get home.

We left Hotel Punta Islta a day before our flight back to the States and stayed at an all inclusive about 10 miles from the airport. While the all-inclusive resort was nice since you could eat and drink on the cost of the room, the intimacy and personal service was not the same. Happy Travels!

“Wonderful service, wonderful experience, wonderful location”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
My new husband and I honeymooned at Punta Islita the first week of December 2006. That is the perfect time to go -- the weather is perfect and it's still technically "low season" ("high season" starts in mid-December) so the prices are slightly lower. We stayed in our own bungalow with an outdoor terrace overlooking the ocean and a private hottub, in a secluded area of the resort. They cater to honeymooners (there were at least two other sets when we were there) although we saw some families (with teenage children or older) and couples. The spa services were lovely and relaxing, and we did a canopy tour, too. Otherwise, we just lazed about on the beach. We also were impressed with the resort's committment to ecological tourism and supporting the local community.

A couple small things though, in the interest of completeness: We had a car, as we flew into San Jose and drove (you can also fly directly to area and have a shuttle take you to the resort). We recommend that, as the resort is remote and you will need a car if you want to explore the rest of the province. Also, if you do not have a car, you are forced to eat at their two restaurants, which can get boring if you are there for a week. The food, however, is delicious and fresh. While the service is excellent, we noticed that near the end of our stay, the staff started really pushing the spa and restaurant services a lot, which got a little annoying.

Other than that, we think it's a perfect place for a week, or maybe even a long weekend. Top notch, five star service, breathtaking location and complete relaxation.

“Beautiful and Scenic”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
My wife and I stayed here march 12th to march 15th. we took a small flight from arenal with stops in liberia and tamarindo. they had a bus at the airstrip to drive us 20 min to the hotel. very hilly and bumpy ride but once you get to the hotel, they had someone greet you with warm fresh face clothes and two drinks. they went through the entire resort and let us know where everything was. the room was amazing, had a small jacuzzi on our deck with a hammock, two lounge chairs and a two chairs. the room is nice, has a big bed, and a small tv lounge to hang out.
the food throughout was very cheap, and very good. the 1492 restaurant is very good and you can also eat down at the restaurant by the pool and beach, which is also very good.
we had the romantic dinner under the stars down by the beach which was amazing. they both serve a lot of fish, all very fresh and tasty. the lobster was amazing. had a lot of great activities with bo (very nice and down to earth guide), we did horseback riding and zip lines. they were great. the golf course looked like it was always open, with not too many people. the beach was never really crowded and the waves were great and the beach was soft. overall, an excellent hotel with very friendly staff, who wanted to help you all the time. beautiful location and great people and great food and great activities. will be back again

“Fabulous”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
Very remote. Beautiful setting. Staff amazingly friendly and helpful. We went in March 07 with our 4 teenagers. We all loved it. Three hour drive from airport in Liberia. Resort arranged transport. The grounds are large and hilly. We stayed in a three bedroom villa. It was a long walk to the main dining area. There is 24 hr transport around the grounds and we were provided with a golf cart which the kids loved. Food was very good. We did several activities ... surfing lessons, horseback riding and the zip line. All were great. Would go back!!!!

“Another Great Stay”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
We've just returned from our fourth stay at Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica. This very remote and beautiful resort has become one of our very favorites, and we intend to return repeatedly in the future.

The beauty of the place is extraordinary. Set on a steep hillside, the very private rooms and villas stretch down the side of the hill. Each has a great view (and we've now stayed in four different ones). Yes, you do need to climb up and down the hill to get to the central facility and down to the beach, but transportation is readily available for those who either chose or are unable to make the climb. The place wouldn't have the same level of privacy if it weren't spread down the hill.

We've taken advantage of many of the activities offered, and have yet to be disappointed. the horse riding takes you through the rain forest and then down to the beach, and offers some great views. The ATV riding is a blast. We also found the spa to be very nice.

The food is quite good, but we also enjoy going to the two other local establishments. Restaurant Cambute, which is within walking distance at the bottom of the hill, has possibly the best arroz con pollo I've ever had. The owner, Jose, is welcoming and genial. The "Monkey Bar," which requires a short ride, has exceptional seafood.

This is a place for relaxation. If you are looking for a great nightlife and partying, stay away. You will be disappointed. If you are looking for beautiful, remote surroundings in which to "chill" and forget the outside world, this is the place for you.

We have visitied in both the "wet" and "dry" seasons. Other than one very bad storm, we've found the wet season to be okay. There is generally some rain in the afternoon, but there are also rain free days. The landscape is much more lush than during the dry season, when there is literally no rain for weeks. For abundant sunshine, however, aim for the dry season.

Your choice for reaching Punta Islita is either via a small commuter plane (12 seater) to a small private airstrip (complete with thatched roof hut next to the runway), or a rather grueling drive (5 hours from San Jose). If you are adventurous, I would consider making the drive during the dry season. The roads are paved for a good part of the way, and dirt roads the rest of the way are in reasonable condition. You do have to ford a couple of rivers as there are no bridges, but it's actually kind of a blast. I would not attempt the drive during wet season, as the rivers can be very high. One of the waiters at the hotel told us about his car stalling and being swept away a couple of years ago.

The best part of Punta Islita is the staff. The staff members are some of the nicest, friendliest, most interesting people we've ever met. We've become friends with a few of them, meeting their families and visiting them in their homes. These people personify Costa Rican hospitality, and are a good part of the reason why Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica is so special.

In short, this is a wonderful place, and I recommend it highly.

“Loved Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica!!!!”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
We just got back from our trip to Costa Rica. We stayed 3 nights at Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica and it was BEAUTIFUL!!! We had a two bedroom villa which had an amazing view. The hotel staff and our tour guide BO were awesome!! We can't wait to go back. Trust me you won't be disappointed!!

“A good hotel for a couple of nights”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
A nice resort with a lot of activities, but awfully secluded. Of the three places we stayed during our honeymoon, we found this one to have the most activities, but the least amenities. For the price and time, we would recommend staying at a number of other places.

Punta Islita is a relatively expensive, very secluded resort. As opposed to many other resorts in CR, Punta doesn't have many things to do outside of the resort. There is a small town nearby, but only restaurant (of which you'll have to pay $10 per person for a roundtrip 3 minute shuttle to it -- it's called Monkey Bar.

Our personal favorites of the resort were the variety of activities and the views from the resort (surfing, atv's, horseback riding, canopy tours, to name a few). However, the resort is poorly manicured in some places (the golf course), the beach is not as inviting as others in CR, and the spa is only okay. For the prices, the rooms were not great and definitely need updating (the exposed mini-bar, the antiquated tvs that were not even near the bedroom, and the uncomfortable sofas are some suggestions).

In summary, this place is good for a few days in Costa Rica, but there are definitely other spots we would have rather spent more time (Manuel Antonio, Monteverde, Arenal, Tamarindo, etc). It's a good family spot, but not a great honeymoon place. Also, for the record, the staff was very friendly (although very busy).

“Good, but not quite up to expectations”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
Our family of four (kids 9 and 11) stayed four nights in January. Unlike Bosque del Cabo, where we stayed first and which we were totally blown away by, this place did not quite live up to my (very high) expectations.

The pluses - Excellent service. Adrian, the manager, could not have been better. The restaurant and bar staff, tour arrangers and leaders, all were top notch. The maid was very thorough and left adorable "towel and flower" rabbits for my children. The beach area - large, lovely, uncrowded, sufficient shade, exciting but gentle waves perfect for body surfing or boogie boarding, nice bar, restaurant and pool (although the gravel path up to the restaurant and toilets was deadly on bare feet!). The beds and bedding - very luxurious. The sunset horse back riding tour - dramatic, the horses take you up to the top of a steep hill to a sunset viewing point. And not to be missed - Pepe, the very cute resident skunk and the resident iguana. The food was fine - lots of seafood. My kids liked the pizza at the beach restaurant particularly (it was good).

The negatives - the layout and design of the hotel. The beach area is quite separate from the hotel, a long hot walk down the hill and across and along a dusty road. Not integrated at all. We did it a couple of times and then used the shuttle, which was ok. Would have been much better if the hotel had been built where the golf course (unused as far as we could tell) is and integrated with the beach area. The hotel area itself also had design flaws - the first night, before we asked to be moved, we were in a small room just off the main entrance, which is also the trade entrance, and to which noisy trucks pull up and rev their engines at early hours. In both the upper hotel and the beach area, the toilets were not convenient to the pool (or beach). In the upper area, you had to walk through the middle of the restaurant to get to them - not ideal in a wet bathing suit. The second unit we moved to was much, much nicer than the first and had a plunge pool which was lovely, but the units are built down a steep hillside, down paths with numerous steps - not recommended for anyone who is not fit - we were all out of breath each time we climbed up from our unit to the restaurant/pool area (and a real challenge for the staff who don't have the option of wheeling carts with luggage or cleaning supplies - everything must be hand carried up and down the hill.)

So overall - we had a good time, but it wasn't special enough to make us rush back - especially given how remote it is. There are too many other places we want to explore.

“pure luxury!”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
We stayed just a few nights on our honeymoon at Punta Islita, and it was by far the most luxurious place we stayed. When we drove up we were met by someone who provided cool washcloths (very welcome given the heat) and showed us around before bringing us to the bar for a complimentary welcome cocktail. Our room had a 4-poster bed with curtains, and a private outdoor hot tub. The rooms are gorgeously decorated, and most have great views. I recommend the romantic dinners by the beach, which you have to book by around 2-3pm that day. They set up a fairly private table right by the beach, complete with tikki torches and a delicious menu. The beach is very pretty, and about a 10-15min walk from the rooms. The whole place feels very isolated.
I think most people fly into Punta Islita, which is by far the easier choice. We drove in our rented 2WD sedan, and weren't sure if we would make it at times. It took us an hour to get the last 15 kilometers along an unpaved road, with embedded large rocks, that was quite steep at times. You also drive through a couple of (shallow) rivers. One of them is no big deal, but the other is a good foot deep at low tide. You definitely want to check the tide tables, because it's impassible even to 4WD cars at high tide- they told us at the hotel that several cars got stuck the day before.

“The Best Place To Relax”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
Punta Islita is one of the most relaxing places we've ever been, situated on a hill side with outstanding views of the Pacific and if your in a casita a private heated plunge pool. This is an SLH property and a total bargain. The food is great, the staff is attentive, and the atmosphere mellow.

We have been all over this beautiful country and Punta Islita is one of our favorites.


“Loved Just About Everything!”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
This is one of the most beautiful places on earth! We stayed for our honeymoon 11/23-11/27 in a whirlpool suite. Our view was amazing from the deck and whirlpool. We enjoyed our time speaking with Mario (bartender) by the beach pool, walking around the cliffs at low tide and playing in the Pacific.

Our two issues were not BIG but issues none the less. First is the breakfast which is only continental and disappointing compared to the other locations we stayed at (Tabacon, Hotel Presidente and Peace Lodge). The other being we bought an very expensive bottle of wine and they did not have the proper glasses to serve it in. The reason we mention it is because there were many empty tables with dirty red wine glasses and it seemed like they did not want to clean a pair out.

Other then that, this place is amazing and we will return for sure. Do the spa, several times if you can and make sure to visit the town of Punta Islita and the eat at Cambute. Surfing lessons were great too.

“Still basking in the wonderful experience”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
Simply wonderful! We knew we were at a special place when we arrived at the tiny airstrip "terminal" and admired the beautiful floor mural, a mosaic butterfly signed by no other than Jane Goldman, the very artist whose marine-themed paintings adorn Boston's Logan Airport walkways. We were told that Punta Islita embraces a responsible tourism model based on art projects that actively involve members of the local rural communities. This was evident in the colorful displays found in the Islita village, the community that is directly adjacent to the hotel. The outdoor art collection is an actual museum and we really enjoyed visiting the workshops of the local women artists. We even got to talk to one of the community leaders (in my very broken Spanish).

Our Casita was simply the best suite-type accommodation that we have ever enjoyed. Wonderful unobstructed views, a private mini pool, terrace, and gardens. Just perfect!

Overall, I would say that Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica now ranks as one of our favorite vacation experiences... one that we will surely repeat. The connection we felt to the place was really special... I encourage anyone who visits to go beyond the "I am here to be served" attitude and take the time to really know the people. You will feel pampered, but more as a friend, and less as a mere customer.

Insider's tip: Make sure to book the main suite (Palappa?) at the hotel's incredible Casa Spa... Trust us on this one!

“Awesome...even with a lot of rain!!!!”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
My wife and I stayed at the Punta Islita from Oct 16-21 for our honeymoon, and we were both EXTREMELY impressed with the resort itself and the staff. I'll do a quick review here, and will try to post pictures as soon as we can uplode them. The most important thing to note, however, was that despite us going there during a 3 day long rainstorm, we really had a blast and owe much of the fun we had to the wonderful staff. Here's a few of the things that most impressed me, with one very small thing they could improve on:

Casitas- We had the Casita with the plunge pool, and it was well worth it. They had fabulous, roomy rooms with a living area, a small kitchennette to make wonderful coffee in the morning, and a huge canopy king size bed that was very comfortable. The plunge pool was awesome, and the patio with a hammock and comfortable chairs was a great place to sit, drink beers, read books, and just watch the tropical rains come down. The few was fantastic!

Restaurants- The main restaurant for dinner and breakfast was great, the seafood was always fresh and the steaks were cooked perfectly. We really enjoyed our "romantic dinner for two." The beach grill was a great place for lunch, and while always simple menu items (burgers, fish sandwhiches, fish tacos) they were exactly what we wanted for a quick lunch. In terms of prices, we were pleasantly surprised that, while definitely "expensive" by Costa Rican standards, the food was really not all that expensive by luxury resort standards at all. In fact we later stayed at a smaller hotel that was in no way as nice as the Punta Islita but was considerably more expensive.

Tours- Because of the rain we didn't get to do as many of the tours as we would have liked, but we were able to do horseback riding and turtle watching. Both were AWESOME, and I especially want to thank Chris who guided us on both tours, he was really great. The horseback riding was perfect, we went through the jungle, ran through a stream, and ended up on the beach where we raced up and down the water, it was really the best horseback riding experience we ever had and we've done a few other guided rides before. The turtle watching was a once in a lifetime experience, as soon as we got to the beach after dark we saw two turtles coming in from the ocean and got to watch both lay their eggs in the nests, cover them up, and return to the ocean. It was especially impressive that the tour is so ecologically friendly, some of the proceeds go to volunteer projects to protect turtles and Chris (the guide) was always careful to not interfere in any way with the turtles and to use a red "glow" light so we could see them without disturbing them. If you get the chance to do this, we highly recommend it.

Staff- As I said before, we were really impressed with the lengths the staff went to in making sure we had a great time despite the storms. From the bartenders helping us relax to the busboys, waiters, tour guides, musicians, and front desk, everyone was very helpful. On our departure, our flight out was cancelled because of the weather, and the front desk staff made sure Sansa processed our refunds and got us a hotel employee as an emergency driver to take us to our next stop in Manual Antonio. The driver and the drive were both awesome. Despite some tough conditions (high water crossings) we both felt very safe riding with him and really are indebted to the hotel for making a tough situation work out. Marvin, especially, deserves praise as a great front desk employee that went out of his way to help us on numerous occasions.

The only small complaints I'd like to make is in regard to one night when there was a power outage. The power outage was in no way the fault of the hotel, but in retrospect the management probably should have sent some employees around to each room to pass out candles and make sure the flashlights had charged batteries. Instead I had to hike up the hill, without lights, in pouring rain to ask the front desk for candles and batteries. Really just a small thing, and in no way did it hinder our vacation, but I thought I'd point it out in case management reads this just so they'd know it might be a good idea if they ever lose power again.

All in all, it was a fabulous start to our honeymoon, and we'd go back in a heartbeat! I HIGHLY recommend it for a honeymoon or anniversary destination, its so secluded, yet has so much to offer and is so romantic!

“Heaven”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
From the moment we arrived we were 'wowed' by the service and staff of Punta Islita. They were always helpful and exceeded our expectations.
The resort itself was very relaxing and clean. All the activities we selected, from dinner on the beach to surfing lessons, were excellent. We even had a guide to ourselves on our kayaking trip. What a memorable honeymoon. We will definitely return.

“The Caribbean Resort on the Pacific”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
Punta Islita, although on the Pacific, is the Caribbean resort we havge been looking for. It is isolated, quiet, luxurious, beautiful and totally relaxing. Flying in, you realize how totally isolated it is and, even though they are build around the hotel, it will remain so for many years to come.

We have been there twice, both times for five days. One reviewer compared it to Lapa Rios. They have nothing to do with each other. Lapa Rios is an ecoresort which specializes in animal watchin and local flora and fauna. Punta Islita is a beach resort, meant for beach, pool, tennis, spa and sun, sun, sun. Twice that we have been there there have been weddings - a picture perfect setting for one.

We have only stayed in the two bedroom suites. They are very private, quite lovely and each has its own small dipping pool (about 5' deep, ten feet long and 5' wide). The views from these rooms is the stuff that dreams are made of. We actually looked at five or six of these rooms and all are perfect.

The food is good, not great, although it was better this year than last. Remember, this is Costa Rica, not St. Martin. Costa Rica is not known for its great food. The dinner up top, generally accompanied by local entertainment, is romantic. We asked them to seat us outside the big room on the grass by the pool; they put up tiki torches and it is really lovely. If you want something not on the menu they will try to do it for you. I thought breakfast was excellent. Lunch, either up top in the main restaurant or down by the beach, is exactly what one wants - salads, burgers, veggies. Don't expect an active night life. This is a great place to relax, talk with new friends, have a leisurly dinner, watch the stars from the hammocks outside of each room and go to sleep.

We found the service to be accommodating. Because the rooms are on a hill descending down a long hill, they will send a van to pick you up to go to the beach or to the main house. It is rarely more than a few minutes. The rooms are kept immaculately.

The spa is wonderful. Getting a massage on the beach (in a private hut, but with the sound of the surf pounding against the beach is incredible. They actually do a wonderful couples massage with two excellently trained and fabulous masseuses.

The have a nice small gymn, free internet access and a great store featuring local crafts. A visit to the wonderful, picturesque town and the couple of local restaurants is worth the trip - if you can get youself going from the absolute relaxation of the place.

The beach could be cleaner; there is too much litter, mostly due to locals and the stuff that comes in off thewater. It isn't as bad as most public beaches in the U.S. but it is somewhat jarring, especially in a country which is immaculate.

The hotel will provide excellent day trips to see local animals and habitat. They do have a small zip line, horseback riding, tennis, deep sea fishing and, soon, a small golf course.

All in all, this is a true Costa Rican resort hotel. it is not the Four Seasons, which is wonderful, but it is a Four Seasons and could be anywhere.

“We Keep Coming Back”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
My husband, son, and I have just returned from another wonderful stay (our sixth) at Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica. Our other visits have included vacations with another family and a romantic week without our son, and we have had the opportunity to sleep in just about every type of accomodation they have available. We now consider the hotel to be our "home away from home," and the entire staff as part of our family. Their sincere desire for guests to have a fantastic experience is evident. I love Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica's concept of involving the local community in all facets of their operation, and the boost they have given to the local economy is apparent.

Other reviews and the hotel website show the fabulous setting and describe the many ammenities, and I want to add that the 1492 Restaurant is one of my favorite places in the world! The ambiance and view are wonderful, and we have been pleased at the quality of food, the service, and the prices. They went out of their way to prepare a birthday feast for my son, and the rice pudding cake that came with candles and local music, was delightful. We spoke with the new head chef, Guillermo, and learned that he will be making some great changes to the menu. The Borrancho Club at the beach offers other delicious dishes, and Jose at the nearby restaurant, Cambute, makes excellent casadas (typical Costa Rican meals) and a delicious black bean soup--try it with the egg and a little rice.

We can't wait to return to this tropical paradise! I know we will be doing so for years to come.

“Great place to chill out”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
A really great, romantic hotel to relax and chill out. Very quiet in the evenings (bar closes at 10pm!) and there's NOTHING else to do.

Recommend flying as flights can be booked 3 or 4 days in advance in CR during the green season, and the flight to SJ is approx $95pp, taking only 30 minutes (vs 4-5 hours by road).

Food was very reasonable from a fairly wide (but unchanging) menu and drinks not too pricey.

Be prepared to met wildlife! We had monkeys in the trees, snakes on the path and a scorpion in the bedroom (apparently not too dangerous and quickly despatched by the security guard!)

Pool area is beautiful and staff throughout are extremeley friendly and helpful.

Overall - a fantastic place to finish you tour of Cost Rica and thoroughly chill for a few days

“Romance and more”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
My new wife and I stayed at Punta Islita for the first four nights of our honeymoon. It was an experience of a lifetime! The drive from San Jose was rather long, but it was worth it. Upon arriving we were shown to our deluxe room, which was just beautiful. The bedsheets were beautiful, clean and comfortable. Many little details added up to an indulgent atmosphere, which we regretted leaving behind. The restaurants (1492 and Borrancho) are alright, not much to write home about. Knowing that cuisine is not this country's forte, the coffee is unbeatable and goes with everything. We upgraded to a deluxe suite for the last few nights of our stay and it was stunning. I especially enjoyed the large indoor tub surrounded by windows and the stone privacy wall. It had an outdoor jacuzzi but the water was not heated. Not a problem, in fact it was a welcome sight after a day of hiking in the humid weather. Be ready to kill a few spiders too. I will return many more times to Costa Rica and stay in this hotel. A tip for those planning to visit this beautiful country: bring your own hot sauce and chile salsa. It is very hard to come by. Also try the restaurant El Cambute. It is up the road from the resort and the food is really tasty. And lastly, if you are there with your sweety, try the spa, they gave us a nice chocolate massage, followed by some alone time in their huge hot tub with some bubbly and Hersheys Kisses.

“Best vacation ever”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
My entire family just spent 7 days at this fabulous resort. We stayed in the Flor Blanca 2-bedroom villa which may be the best suite at this resort (I recommend requesting it if you go). The views from our villa were incredible. The rooms are high above the ocean and the walk is about 10 minutes, but from our villa the views of the ocean were magnificent and we could hear the waves crashing on the beach. The resort is in a very remote, secluded location, so if night life, a slew of restaurants and shopping is your thing, this would not be the place for you. But if beautiful scenery, wildlife, peace and quiet, and outdoor activities interest you, then this is the place to go. There are a ton of activities available. Our favorite was horseback riding. The scenery was to die for, and unlike horseback riding tours in the US, we were able to trot, canter and gallop the horses on many occasions. Some of the paths were a little intimidating, but exciting!! Other great activites are ATVs (all-terrain vehicles), deep sea fishing, kayaking, canopy tour (zip line), morning nature walks, sunning and swimming (ocean or pool). My daughters took surf board lessons and had a great time! If you go to this resort, request Chris as your tour guide. He was fantastic and extremely knowledgeable about every bird, tree, monkey, fruit -- just about every blade of grass in the area. We caught 7 yellow-finned tuna on our fishing expedition (only kept one of them) and the chef at the restaurant cooked our fish and served us a fabulous tuna salad for lunch and sushi for dinner. We saw some of the most beautiful birds during our nature walks (including Tucans and Scarlet Macaws), as well as monkeys, some very interesting crabs, iguanas, and others critters I don't know the name of.

There are two restaurants at the resort and we found the food to be very good. At breakfast every morning we were able to feed papaya and mango to the local Iguana resident. One evening we were able to observe Tucans from the upper restaurant, which is completely outdoors (both restaurants are outdoor, covered, both next to a pool and the lower restaurant is also by the beach). I am posting pictures of the beach. I didn't find the beach to be "dirty" as stated by another visitor to Punta Islita below. The beach certainly was not very deep, but we rather liked the grassy area and had a lot of fun playing frisbee here. There was a rocky area on the beach, but there was a large part that was not rocky and perfect for swimming. A couple of days, the waves were really big and the swimming was great fun!!

The staff at the resort were great and very responsive. The only problem we experienced was a non-working TV. However, twice we called and reported the problem and someone was at our room within 10 minutes. Unfortunately, the satellite was down so the problem was out of their control. Staff were available at our whim to drive us anywhere at the resort if we didn't want to walk, and they picked us up within 10 minutes of calling. We walked most of the time because we seemed to always see something interesting (like a beautiful bird, an iguana, a bull frog, some scary looking spider, a hermit crab, or just to enjoy the spectacular views), but on the 5 or 6 occasions when we were just too exhausted and did call for a car, one was there within minutes.

Our biggest dilemma every day was whether or not to leave the room. We would have coffee at 6:00 a.m. (daybreak is at 5:00 a.m., sunset at around 6:00 p.m.), and it was difficult to motivate ourselves at times to leave the spectacular views experienced from our suite. But, we did schedule activities 5 out of the 7 days we were there, and all were fun and exciting and we arrived back at our suite exhausted every evening and would take a nice dip in our private pool.

Punta Islita was a wonderful, memorable experience and I would go back in a heartbeat. Costa Rica is a great country overall, I might consider retiring there.

“Remote Honeymoon Paradise”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
We loved the Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica but probably wouldn't go back. Not because it wasn't awesome, it's just one of those been there done that things. We flew there via Sansa Air from San Jose, which is higly recommended after talking with others that drove, since it takes so long to drive and the roads stink big time. It's only a 35 min flight, although the plane is a 15 seater and the landing strip isn't large. It adds to the mystique of the whole experience.

We had 4 nights in Casita #23, which is just below the upper swimming pool. It was quiet and had a great view of the ocean. I was concerned about which one we would be in given some of the reviews I read and #23 or #22 were recommended. They also had units with a private plunge pool, but just a word of caution, some aren't totally private and can be viewed from the walkway down to the ocean. Some are probably very private. I would just check with the hotel about requesting a private one. We liked the outdoor jacuzzi, which isn't too warm or too hot - although during the hot part of the day, it could have been a little cooler - but that's what the pool is for. I'd rather have the private jacuzzi, with hammock and view of ocean. See the picture from our patio.

The hotel is very remote and there's not much to do in the city of Punta Islita itself. This place is great if you're looking for a hang out at the pool, swim in the ocean kind of place. They did have some cool activities - we did horseback riding and surf lessons. But if you're looking for something near a town with options for eating out, this isn't the place. The food was actually quite great and their brownies for desert were awesome - had them every night. I brought several bottles of wine with me which I bought pretty cheaply in San Jose, which I recommend since I hate overpaying for wine or beer.

My wife hates insects, and this is definetely the kind of place where you are going to see some wildlife. A snake slithered over my foot once and freaked me out, not to mention my wife, but was told it was harmless. They are lots of geckos, which my wife still didn't like, and there were a few iguanas around, which got onto the roof of our casista and sounded like a boa was killing a cow.

Our room was outstanding, the bed very comfortable, and the a/c worked great. The walk down to the ocean was about 10 minutes, but not bad. They have a shuttle that can take you back up. They are obviously in the process of adding to the hotel - a golf course, and other improvements, which should make it even better.

The Spa is totally awesome, and with the package we got on [--], it included a couples massage. I loved the shower up there - and it's quite relaxing, but if you want to add any services, the prices were like that in the US, just be prepared. Nothing is for free.

“wonderful hotel”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
Punta Islita is fabulous. The views are breathtaking and the staff could not be more wonderful. We were able to tour all of the rooms while we were there, and they are all very nice. Every room has a beautiful view. We stayed in a deluxe room, which was quite comfortable and has its own little backyard and hammock. All other rooms have small pool.
If you are thinking of staying in a two or three bedroom villa, all I can saw is WOW! They are huge--with large open-air living rooms and complete kitchens. The 3 bed villas are all a little removed from the rest of the hotel (5 minute walk max), but the hotel will come pick you up in a shuttle any time you don't feel like walking.

The food at the hotel was overall good. (We had a few things that were fantastic and a few that were only so-so.) For ceviche-lovers, we tried 3 different types and loved them all! Breakfast is included in the rate of the room, and is quite yummy. Its tropical fruits, fresh juice, yogurt, breads and cereal. There's also a menu to order from if you want something heartier. The bars definitely lived up to our expectations as well. (We tried the swim-up bar stools and they worked quite well.)

My fiance and I both got massages, and they were amazing. An hour massage runs between $75-85, and they have a page full of different types. The spa also offers facials, body wraps and scrubs, manis and pedis, etc. We also went on the zipline canopy tour. It is definitely worth doing, but it is an hour long activity, not a full day excursion. The hotel also has horseback riding, surf lessons and board rentals, ATV tours, kayaking, nature tours, a driving range, and deep sea fishing.

According to my fiance (as I never actually set foot in the ocean), the beach is amazing. The sand is a little rocky on the shore, but in the water there are no rocks, no seaweed, and no animals.

“Heaven on Earth at Punta Islita!”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
We couldn't read enough information on Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica before our trip, so I wanted to make sure I did a review! We went there for our honeymoon and stayed 6 nights and actually just got back yesterday. We were a little worried about going as May begins the rainy season in Costa Rica. Another traveler at our hotel said that the rainy season doesn't *really* begin until May 15 on the coast, but who knows? I can say that we were in CR for 10 days total starting May 7 and it rained only 1 day in Punta Islita and all 4 of the other days when we were traveling inland.

Getting there was so much fun for me! I HATE flying, but my husband talked me in to flying NatureAir to get there and I am glad he did. It was a pleasant experience and took us less than an hour to get there. A little bumpy on the small prop plane, but very professionally-run business and it was fun looking out the window at the beautiful CR scenery. Seriously, doing this you land on a tiny airstrip in Punta Islita, which felt very "Fantasy Island" to me. They basically threw us and our bags out on the tarmac and the plane literally waited only until the van came to pick us up before they took off. Anyway, I'd fly there instead of driving. It was a bit pricey ($250 RT pp), but saved time and the heartache of driving... which can be anywhere from 4-6 hours we heard from San Jose.

The facilities are beautiful. The Costa Ricans are a proud people and the grounds are well taken care-of with lots of fruit trees and flowers and all overlooks a large bay. We stayed in a casita and it was worth the money! It was very large, with a living space, porch, hammock and nice bathroom with a big tub. Our bed was phenomenal. Huge, with lots of down padding. If we could have taken it home, we would have! We loved the plunge pool. I remember somone on TripAdvisor warning that it is a "cold" jacuzzi and that is worth mentioning! It's basically like having a little pool in your "backyard," but it's nice when it's hot out. The pool in the main building is very nice with a swim up bar. We never had a problem finding a chair there or at the beach. The walk to the beach was about 10 minutes and a bit taxing even for us (we did a marathon in Feb.). There is also a shuttle service that will take you to/from the beach if you don't want to walk.

We really liked the food, overall. It is pretty expensive for Costa Rica, but I can't say that I felt nickeled and dimed. For the price, you get what I thought were HUGE portions and have the option of eating at the main room 1492, the Borrancho Beach Club or going offsite to one of two local restaurants (the Monkey Bar or the one down the hill- can't remember the name). Loved the beef tenderloin with gorgonzola (gigantic peice of meat!) and the nacho salad (more nacho than salad) at 1492, the shrimp pizza at the beach club and the shrimp at both the monkey bar and the other place. The free continental breakfast is okay. Good fruit and cereal, but pretty basic. The coffee is great, of course. Seeing a sunset at the Monkey Bar was great. It was fun to eat outside the hotel and the shuttle took us over. I personally loved the drinks at this hotel and drank myself into mojito, pina colada and frozen mango margarita oblivion in both pool bars. Costa Rican beer is also quite good. I would have appreciated some faster service at the bars/restaurants for a hotel of this caliber, but I also must say that it was nice to get into the relaxed vibe of the people. They do not hurry! My husband and I called it being on "Costa Rica time." To be honest, it was sad to come back to the hustle and bustle of the USA. Also wanted to note that they do not have cabana servers. Not a huge deal, but it would be nice addition to their services.

We got to know the staff really well, as the hotel wasn't terribly crowded. There are current videos to rent in the guest lodge, books and magazines to read and it is a beautiful open air feeling with this wonderful aroma burning all day long (incense? flowers?). We also did some activities, which were fun and reasonably-priced. The hotel has a zipline tour, which was a kick(not terribly long or high compared to others in CR but a rush still and definitely felt safe) and horseback riding which we also enjoyed. We saw howler monkeys on the horseback trip and cantered along the beach. Such fun!

I was seriously depressed for perhaps two days after leaving Punta Islita. We had to go back to the Central Valley and it was cold and rainy and just not the same! It's crazy that the weather and topography can be so varied in CR's different regions. Anyway, we loved that the biggest decision at HPI we had to make each day was whether or not we wanted to go to the pool or the beach. This place is perfect for honeymooners. All we did was sleep in late, lay in our hammock admiring the beautiful seascape and drink coffee, read books on pool chairs and the few activities at the hotel. It was quiet (not much after 10p), but heavenly for me who just wanted to relax after the wedding mania. If you want to relax, come here! Perfect for couples! Not good for traveling with friends or families with children, but if you're in love and want a serene beach setting, come to Punta Islita!

“Had a blast.....Would go back”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
Just got back from a 2 week trip in Costa Rica and stayed two nights at the Punta Islista. If you are looking for a luxury resort then this is it. The grounds were beautiful, the food was excellent, bartenders make a great drink (except for Mojitos...trust me) and the staff could not have been friendlier and more accomodating. The resort is expensive (especially for Costa Rica) but you get what you pay for here.

This is not an all inclusive resort so you won't find buffet crazed gringos here...thank god! Also, unless you are willing to travel quite a distance there is not much else to do but hang out in the resort. Once again, if you are looking to unwind, relax and enjoy the beautiful beach & scenery this is it.

FYI - If you are going to stay here and are traveling by car make sure you arrive when the River Ora is at low tide. You have to cross the river to get to the resort. I suggest a 4 wheel drive vehicle. For my trip, that was around 11 am. If the river is at high tide you might be out of luck and have to spend the night or wait out the tide.

“Different Things to different people”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
Punta Islita was the last stop on a 3 week trip to Costa Rica. This is a stunning location and a wonderful hotel in many regards. However, I was upset at the amount of construction the hotel is engaging in to build new condos and a golf course. This means unecessary destruction of secondary forrest in the long run and construction noise and litter from crews and trucks in the short run. The hills around the hotel have huge areas that have been cleared for future construction leaving unsightly blemishes in the forrest. For a hotel promoting social responsibility in tourism it was a sad sight. It also meant that we saw far fewer birds and wildlife than on any other stop on our trip. That said, the beach and setting are lovely. The pools are large and attractive. The rooms are rather spare but have amenites many other hotels in CR don't have (AC, TV etc.. but it's all functional and not esthetically chosen). Also, the hotel does charge excessive amounts for water, food and the like. Moreover, the dining option in the main restaurant were limited to somewhat mediocre continental food for dinner (lunch was far better). You should definitely check out the local Monkey Bar for an amazing view and good local food. At the end of the day, for my money I far preffered Lapa Rios in the Osa peninsula. But for those who want to travel and yet find the comforts of home (golf, tv's, AC, Shuttle to the beach etc..) this is a great location in a still unspoilt area.

“Great family trip”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
After booking a visit to Punta Islita, I read in TripAdvisor that it was a favorite destination for couples and honeymooners. I was a little worried, as we were taking a family vacation with two kids, 8 and 11, and my in-laws. I was thrilled to see so many families there -- all with very well-behaved kids. The setting is stunning. We drove in from La Fortuna (5-6 hours) and were thrilled to fly out. It is a long journey on bad roads, but also a great way to see the countryside. The staff was great, and we loved all the activities we tried - hoseback riding, zip line, ATV tour. We loved going to the Restaurante Cambute in the village of Islita -- just be patient for your dinner.

“Warning this is paradise”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
After spending several days in central Costa Rica we were more than happy to leave It was a short flight to the Pacific coast and we were all greeted by Andreas who was the hotel manager and took us to the air conditioned bus and gave us a brief background on Punta Islita.
At the hotel we were welcomed with cool fresh towels and taken into the open air restaurant where drinks were brought and lunch could be ordered while staff checked us in personally. No lines to check in and a wonderful meal.all our meals were superb and the food was fusion-Costa Rica meets the world-delish!

Our room was cool,clean and adorned with fresh flowers on pillows,towels and tables. As a matter of fact we later met the florist who does all the grand flowers in the hotel as she was working on pieces in the gallery-yes an art gallery. The hotel is beautiful and the feeling is of casual luxury. the staff is proffesional and friendly from management to house cleaning.
since the rooms are terraced all of them have a view of the ocean and a hammock outside your private terrace. We walked down the path that marks the beach and found ourselves in a mango grove. The beach is great for surfing but rough for swimming which did not matter since there is a pool ,spa and restaurant at this beach. We stayed there and had a pleasurable day.All the guests we met were happy to be there too.A shuttle then came and picked us up so we did not have to hike back.

There is a charming little town with all the buildings hand painted with charming local art,as well as a yellow church,an art school and wild life all around. It is a nice walk or ride from the hotel and the people you meet are pleasant and welcoming.

Andreas later showed us a villa as per our request and it was beautiful. A two bedroom with living space ,kitchen etc. MOre like a luxury condo facing the ocean with a wading pool and private traace. The villa is great for a family ,plenty of room and privacy as well as tastefully decorated . Paradise with air conditioning !

This was a wonderful experience and I will highly recomend it to people who like to travel and want to be treated as welcome guests as well as be pampered ! Wish we had done all our adventure things here ,but the relaxing was great !!!!!

“Exceptional Experience”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
As avid travelers, we are hard to impress... However, I must take the time to write about our wonderful vacation in Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica. After spending one incredible week exploring rugged Costa Rica, we enjoyed 5 perfect days of fun, relaxation, and uplifting experiences.

Islita offers high standards of service and comfort, but what really makes the property unique is the positive aura that permeates throughout your stay. We were genuinely impressed by the staff´s friendly attitude, especially because it seemed sincere and not the result of heavy "customer service training". We soon learned that this is probably due to the special relationship that the hotel has with the local communities. They have a great caring tourism program that provides tangible benefits to the tiny villages that surround the hotel. For example, instead of selling the same souvenirs that you find throughout other Costa Rican hotels, they market original art pieces crafted by local groups. We purchased an incredible one-of-a-kind mirror framed by an exquisite piece of polished driftwood.

In terms of our stay, we always felt at home and relaxed enough to make special requests including modifying the menu options to accommodate a vegetarian diet. All were met with care and interest.

We strongly recommend Punta Islita visitors to participate in their community programs, including patronizing local restaurants such as Cambute and the spectacularly placed Monkey Bar. Another highlight is the guided Community and Museum tour.

Salud!

MRG

“Almost luxury”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
If I visited Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica again I would do it differently. I would stay in a two bedroom casita with private pool for a little more than the cost of two basic rooms. Ofcourse, you now need to bring friends. The basic rooms are just ok,they could use a dresser or desk and the bathrooms are substandard. But the small villas are very nice...They all do have ocean views, but some are far better than others. The downside to this potentially lovely place is 1. it is really hot and the walk down to the beach is steep and long. They will shuttle you though. The water can be rough and/or rocky in places, the swimming pools are just for dipping, not laps, and the water is really warm, so you don't really cool off.
2. the food is overpriced and has a high opinion of itself. Best bet is fresh grilled tuna over salad at the beach. The "special" beach buffet is ultimately buffet table quality (ie, old in five minutes) for $35.00 ea. The little Cambute restaurant, walkable and down the street is really good fare, not dirt cheap as they know you are gringos, but a relative deal compared to the hotel.
3.nice tennis courts, but you need to be driven there and it is so incredibly hot in Guanacaste, you can play for about 45 minutes.
4. the service is largely indifferent. There is not a big history of tourism here so the staff are relatively new at the art of hospitality, and it is suffering in the basic niceities of a "small luxury property."
I think their designation is in regard to other places in Costa Rica and not to be compared to real luxury properties around the world, though the views are quite lovely. The hotel is environmental, which I greatly applaud and appreciate.
You are isolated here. You can get alot of reading done and it is relaxing. There are really no common rooms beside the main open air dining room. So, you better like your room. There is no place to go unless you have a car and then ofcourse the roads are difficult. We flew in as per past recommendations on this site. I've heard from others that the excursions are just okay. The gym is pretty good. The spa services (and setting)are nice but overpriced for the experience level. This place is best when you bring your friends with you....it's that low key.

“Absolutely Fabulous!!!!”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
We stayed at Punta Islita for four days in early March and had a wonderful time (just got back). The setting is gorgeous - in a private cove overlooking the ocean. The service was great. The people who worked at the hotel were friendly and helpful and contributed to the overall atmosphere of the resort...

We loved our room - a casita with plunge pool, and definitely took advantage of the plunge pool. Great way to refresh yourself given how hot it was. The set up of the rooms at Punta Islita allowed for privacy, at the same time, we had a great time meeting our fellow guests (encouraged by the friendly atmosphere.)

The hotel is a place where you can relax by one of the pools/beach or you can take part in some of the activities offered by the hotel. We usually did one activity a day. In addition, we used the gym first thing in the morning (best time to use it due to the heat.)

Punta Islita's relationship with its community is unique and contributes to its atmosphere - the hotel helps support the development of the arts in the community (and for us added to the 'feel-good' atmosphere of the resort) We took a tour of the outdoor art of the town with the museum director.

Re meals: There isn't much of a choice of where to eat outside of the hotel. There is one local restaurant, Cambuto, just outside the 'doors' of the hotel that is easy to get to (use one of the hotel's golf cart).
We preferred the hotel's beach restaurant for breakfast (vs the main restaurant) - its breakfast has more of a local touch to it. One evening we ordered room service and had a romantic candlelit dinner on the terrace of our room. Also inquire about the barbecue on the beach...

There is not an active nightlife in the hotel nor in the neighboring town. The feeling of the resort is more of relaxation than wild "partying".

We loved Punta Islita and would highly recommend it.

“Great food & fun”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
The food was amazing, and they have the best pina coladas. They are like milk shakes. I just wish I could get the recipe. The only thing I didn't like was a supertart margarita. The horseback riding was great, because you can really run the horses up the mountain and on the beach, but you will feel sore afterwards. We arrived at the beginning of the rainy season in the middle of May, so it rained a few hours each afternoon, but when the clouds would break, it was just beautiful. We stayed for 5 nights which was about the right amount of time, since it was just the two of us, and you can only relax so much. Flying in and out was a little stressful, since we had never been to Costa Rica before. When we exited the airport, and there was just a mob of people, taxis, and shuttles. One guy tried to help me with my bag, but because of the language barrier, it meant I had no clue why he was trying to grab the bag out of my hand. When the plane from San Jose to Punta Islita lands, the only building is a little waiting area for the resort, so there is no confusion, and they even give you a beer before the van rid up to the resort. On the way back, the little Sansa plane from Punta Islita to San Jose was over an hour late, so we missed our connecting flight. We got a later flight from San Jose, but it meant we only make it to Dallas, TX or any of the other major hubs that day.

“Lovely Getaway”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
If you want to relax and get away, this is a great destination. Simple, but well stocked rooms. Friendly and helpful staff. Great activities including canopy tour, horseback riding (imagine riding through the surf on your steed), ATV rides and more.

The 'infinity' pool has a swim up bar and there is a beach club nearby which is about a 15 minute walk, but the hotel offers regular shuttles to their beach club with another restaurant, pool (again w/ swim up bar), black sand beach and water sports such as surfing and boogie board (lessons available).

We saw monkeys and huge iguanas (not to worry city slicker, non venomous - harmless).

The only downer is that the food is mediocre. You won't go hungry, but don't expect anything more then pedestrian preparation of international cuisine.

“Excellent Honeymoon Destination”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
We spent the first four days of our honeymoon in Punta Islita in early Dec 2005. From the landing at Punta Islita 'airport' to the romantic dinner at the beach, we really had a great time. The resort was half full which really make us feel that we were VIPs. If you go there, make sure to try the horseriding and then the realxing massage at the beach club. Also make sure to treat yourself with all the delicious meals, including their beautiful grilled lobster with butter sauce. Only piece of advise, ask for a casita on the right side of the resort, it's quieter and you won't see the extension works being done on the left side. All-in-all, we had a great time and look forward to go back to Punta Islita.

“Heaven on Earth”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
We had a fabulous time at Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica. The views and accomadations were spectacular. The service was outstanding. We stayed in a 2 bedroom villa with another couple and it was perfect. The plunge pool was very refreshing. (I thought it sounded dumb, at first.)

We enjoyed the hiking, ATV tours, horseback riding and boogie boarding. Hiking the stairs got a little hot at times. This isn't the resort to go to if you have a quadruple bypass scheduled for when you return, as there are lots of stairs. We loved every minute of our stay and look forward to returning.

I thought food was superb. The service at the beach club bar was sometimes a little slow, but all the workers were very pleasant. I highly recommend this resort.

NOTE: River crossing is no problem in the dry season.

“Wonderful Retreat”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
Punta Islita is beautiful. We stayed in one of the suites with a jacuzzi - perfect! It is a little difficult getting here if you drive...we weren't prepared for crossing two rivers, but pay close attention to the tides (we did not) and rent a 4-wheel drive and it will be fine. The service is excellent, the property is 5-star. The main infiniti pool is the best place to be, much quieter than down at the beach club pool. You can reserve a romantic beach dinner, but make sure to do so in advance. If you can, upgrade! - the jacuzzi and pool suites are worth it. Our only complaint was the food....perhaps par for a resort, but the property itself was so wonderful we would have expected more. They did offer fresh fish (that you picked out from the catch of the day) down at the beach club and that was great, but the other things.... left a little bit to be desired! Once we got here we did not see the need to leave the resort. We stayed for 4 days before venturing off to other places in Costa Rica - a perfect place to unwind at the beginning of a vacation. I would be content coming here for a full week as well.

Have fun!


“Simply fabulous...!”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
I just returned from a one week vacation from Punta Islita and all I can say is FIERCE! We travel every x-mas and as it’s nice to have been somewhere that wasn’t crowded and crawling with little children. The place was truly heaven…

GETTING THERE: If it was easy to get to, everyone would go! We opted NOT to fly in the little plane and hire a driver instead. The driver met us at the airport and drove us in an air conditioned van for $180 total (5 people). Initially I had asked the hotel to recommend a van service and the person they referred charged $600! Use Costa Rica Shuttle (find it on line). Our driver drove very well and was professional, we got lucky. The ride wasn’t bad at all- took about 4 hours but it was very scenic and beautiful. I spoke to several people at the hotel who had taken the flight from San Jose and they told me the plane was scary because it’s so small. The van is a great alternative! The last 10 miles to the hotel are the hardest because you have to cross a river (no joke) and it’s very windy on unpaved roads. But like I said, if it was easy to get to, everyone and their mother would be there…

ROOMS: I went with my family and we stayed in a three bedroom Villa (Villa Cedros). It was brand new, huge, full kitchen, 4 baths, had a private pool and amazing views. It wasn’t really walking distance to the main area so they gave us a golf cart to use for the week. I would highly recommend that as everything at the resort is up hills and it’s so hot you don’t want to walk. Everything in the villa was great- the maid left fresh flowers daily. The only thing I didn’t like was the mattresses- they were too hard!

BEACH/POOL: The views from the main pool and the rooms were spectacular. I felt like I had stepped into a postcard. The pool was clean, had a swim up bar and was VERY relaxing. The beach was so private, there were never more that 10 people in the water. The water was clear and warm, I swam so much I grew gills.

FOOD: There are two restaurants at the hotel, one in the main area and one down by the beach. Food was good, they served a lot of seafood. The restaurant by the beach serves the BEST pizza- we had it for lunch almost every day. There is also Monkey Bar (up near the top of the mountain, go there and see the sunsets) and also Cambuto, a local place. Food at Cambuto was good but beware it takes FOREVER. It took us over an hour to get our food and we were the only people there!

SPA/GYM: The spa was so amazing, I had two massages. Melissa did my Swedish and it was the best massage I ever had. The gym left a lot to be desired. It was small and very hot inside but hey, your on vacation, right?

ACTIVITIES: We did NONE. Just relaxed and stayed in the sun all week but from what I heard from the other guests, they were great.

OVERALL: Everyone there is so incredibly NICE and the service is impeccable. It’s the most beautiful place I have ever been to and I vacation out of the country 2-3 times a year. People, don’t bring your kids and if you do, bring a nanny. There was a group staying there with about 6 kids and they were rowdy & obnoxious and the parents didn’t do much to keep them quiet. I would HIGHLY recommend Punta Islita as it’s truly first class!

“Heaven on Earth”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
We started our honeymoon at Punta Islita and instantly fell in love with it. The people are so nice, its so romantic and secluded, and we had plenty of things to do...including laying in the hammock. The food was great too, Chef Morales was so great and actually gave me the recipe for his lemon pie-so yummy! We had the romantic package so we had the best massages ever, got to hang out in the spa where we saw an armadillo. We had a honeymooon suite complete with a glass shower, one morning I saw a white-faced monkey while I was in the shower! We went to see the turtles, horseback riding, and ATVs. We had Bosantos as our guide and he was so friendly and nice. While we were there they celebrated their Independence Day and the hotel really got involved in the community celebration and so we had a very unique cultural exprience we will never forget. What we didn't realize was how good we had it at Punta Islita until we left and went to other areas of the country, Manuel Antonio & Arenal. If you are looking for something really special Punta Islita is it...I can't wait to go back!

“Perfect place for a honeymoon”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
We absolutely loved Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica. The only drawback was that we were in a room/casita (#28) with a jacuzzi and hammock but we were way at the top of the hill (higher on the hill than the main restaurant and office). We had lots of privacy but the main road ran right by our room and we heard every vehicle. We woke up every morning to construction and the ATVs going up and down the road.

The tours were great. We went river kayaking to the ocean, and the guide showed us a lot of different types of plants and birds. He showed us turtle tracks on the beach. We also went on the horseback ride at sunset, which I highly recommend if you enjoy horses. The ride was the best I have ever been on -- you can gallop and run up and down the beach. They take you to the top of the bluff to watch the sunset. The (steep) ride down in the (near) dark is a little scary though!

Two other parts of our package were the romantic dinner for two down at the beach, which was very nice. Also, we got the massage for two. It wasn't the best massage ever, but it was nice.

One thing to note -- perhaps everyone in the world knows this but me -- but jacuzzi does not mean hot tub (which makes sense since it is so hot there anyway). There was no water controlling device on our jacuzzi, which meant that it was more like a little pool (no bubbles).

The staff here was amazing. They booked our flights on Nature Air and Sansa to get in and out of here (which I highly recommend). They make a real effort to learn your names. They noticed it was my birthday and surprised us with a birthday cake and sang to me. I have to say that the food was amazing. We met the new chef who is a Costa Rican who went to Johnson and Wales in the US. We did get room service one night, and the food was just as good. They have a nice wine list that spans the inexpensive ($16 bottle)to the very expensive.

We never even made it down to the pool by the beach -- I don't know where all the time went! The pool by the restaurant and main office is lovely.

They do nickel-and-dime you a bit here as you are a captive audience. The laundry charge was a bit outrageous.

All in all, an absolutely perfect start to our honeymoon. I would certainly stay here again.

“Why can't every hotel be like this?”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
Everything about this hotel exceeds expectations. Having stayed in many 5* hotels around the world there are very few that manage to get that special mix of fantastic service with a relaxed informality. The staff are a joy and there are so many of them that you are never left wanting from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave.

So why is this genuinely 5* apart from the staff?

The location is just magical. Nestled above a beautiful beach in effectively your own private valley, you feel completely removed from the outside world.

The facilities are excellent. Great pools in both the hotel and beach, excellent spa, loads of surfboards/boogie boards to use in the surf, great bars and the rooms are spacious and beautifully decorated. The one bedroom casitas with private plunge pool are worth the extra money!

Excellent activities are arranged by the hotel from horse riding to surfing lessons. (A small golf course is currently under construction that looks like it will be great).

Finally the food is good. This is the one area where it is probably not at 5* level but it is still very good. The wine list is expensive but other drinks are very reasonable.

To summarise, this is a genuine world class intimate hotel that is obviously being run by people who understand the art of service. Add to this the stunning location and you can understand why the reviews are so good.

“Absolutely Perfect!”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
My husband and I began our 10 day honeymoon trip here. We stayed at a total of 4 hotels and wow, was this place hard to live up to. Everywhere we went afterwards our saying to eachother was, "It's no Punta Islita." We took a small 30 minute plane ride there from San Jose which was my least favorite part since I get motion sickness. The place was breathe taking and they make you feel as if they really cherish your stay there. We spent much time at the upstairs pool bar with Delmis and her husband, Frank. Such wonderful people. Talk about top of the line service and some of the most friendliest people. The food was SPECTACULAR and my husband raved about the chef over and over again. I would definitely not recommmend bringing small children. There were several there when we were and it just isn't the type of place. I found many couples making sure they were not at the same pool or near their dinner table because of the constant disruption. We enjoyed a canopy zip line tour while we were there. We also got a massage right on the beach. It was wonderful!! Definitely a great relaxing and indulging place.

“incredible”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
Don't know why this is rated a 3 - star hotel. It felt like 5 stars. Absolutely world class. Food was the best we had in costa rica. Views were unreal. Only negative - It's hard to get to.
“Absolutely Perfect for our Honeymoon”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
We started our honeymoon at Punta Islita and were transfixed from the 1st minute we were there. An absolutely jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring, magical place...beautiful casitas dotted on a hillside, every single one with a gorgeous view of the valley below, secluded cove and ocean. Many activities to choose from; nature hikes, atv tours (must do), canopy zip-line tour (another must do)...or simply relaxing on the beach or your hammock. The accomodations are superb with very comfortable bedding (w/AC), outdoor table and plunge pool. Very, very private. The restaurant has an atmosphere with unparalleled divinity and the food was excellent (bring your own wine...that's the only drawback, $78 for La Crema Pinot Noir). I brought a whole suitcase full of wine (bubble-wrapped) and I had no problems through customs. The chef is wonderful and the menu has a lot of variety for how remote it is. I surf, so the surfing isn't really much to speak of right infront but Playa Camoranal is a 20 minute drive ($30 round trip if you use hotel transport) and is considered "Costa Rica's version of Puerto Escondido". Heavy wave w/good shape, nobody out...which was actually kinda scary but epic for those who like no crowds. The bellman told me that Slater stayed there specifically to surf Camaronal. Those of you who are birders/naturalists will have a hayday if you visit here...a cornucopia of bird species and other wildlife surrounding the resort at all times (we saw a long tailed manakin...apparently extremely rare) ...all you have to do is walk outside your casita and observe (they will bring you a telescope upon your request)...like your own personal discovery channel. Lastly, the service is impeccable. I've been to several luxury hotels all aver the world (Relais & Chateux's, Ritz, 4 seasons) and used ot work at one and I can say that the staff at Punta Islita provided world class service..as good as any mentioned above. They all deserve a round of applause (and big tips). In conclusion, this place is like a dream come true...sooo worth the rates.

PS - Bugs are present but not bad...very few bites and no stings


“Fantastic Place”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
An adventure getting there (especially in the rainy season), but not only was it worth it, the 'getting there' was part of the fun!

Great place, great staff, great food, clean rooms -- all a bargain at the price.

“Loved everything about Punta Islita!”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
The entire experience was much more than I could have hoped for. My husband and I came for our 10th anniversary. I couldn't beleive the place when we first pulled up. Everything was great from the moment we landed at the airstrip and drove through town (of about 100) arriving at the hotel to the moment we headed home 5 days later.

A little bit about the location - you really feel like you are in the middle of nowhere (which is exactly where I wanted to be to get away from it all). The town is small and consists of a church, hotel, grocery, school and daycare. It is about a 15 minute walk, downhill, from the hotel. While reading through reviews prior to booking we found out that you could take a small plane to Punta Islita from San Jose for about $150.00. This was wonderful, the drive from San Jose is, supposedly, around 4 1/2 hours and we wanted to get there and relax. This is exactly what we did.

The beach and beach area were both great. We spent most of our time down there. The sand was of volcanic type and therefore black but very nice and clean. The volcanic rocks out in the water to the south you had to watch out for but made for an interesting walk during low tide. The beach restaurant and bar were great for an afternoon snack and drink. The main restaurant was a little more fancy but had great evening music. Since we were there during the rainy season, we saw some spectacular lightning shows over the water from the restaurant at night.

The hotel did offer several activities during the day, usually in the morning. They had kayaking, ATV and horseback riding excursions, surfing lessons, and the famous Canopy Tour. I am fairly scared of heights but this was amazing. The views were estonishing, though bring your non-aeresol bug spray. The only time we were bothered my mesquitos was during this trek into the woods and the airline staff confiscated by aeresol can.

The view from all of the rooms is wonderful. We stayed in one of the jacuzzi rooms. I thought it was one of the nicest places I have stayed in. Be advised that there are lizards everywhere, along the sidewalks and on the roofs of the bungelows, including one tiny one on our bathroom wall. Our room had a huge bed and sitting area but my favorite feature was the glass walled shower. It was lined with bamboo and looked out onto a tiny little area with all kinds of plants. It felt like you were taking a shower in the forest. Beautiful!!

If you are looking to get away with no room phones and very little cell phone service, this is the place to be. They do have an internet room with connections available, though I would suggest you check out the spa instead. It is AWESOME and well worth the money. Had I tried the spa the first day I probably would have been there everyday while it rained. I got an avocado body wrap and had to wash off outside in my own little tub!! Make sure to check it out.

“Outstanding Villas - Unique Location”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
My Husband and I stayed at Punta Islita for 5 nights. What an amazing property. We had a Suite with an outdoor hot tub and the most incredible views of mountains and ocean.

The food was wonderful. The Executive Chef was great. He would take special requests for dinner and customize your meal.
We went in June (wet season). Be aware that it will take about 5 hours from SanJose. If you are driving, you have to walk out into a river to see if you can cross. If not, add another hour to your arrival. Make sure and have the hotel email you directions. It is very hard to get to.
To do again, I would fly into Islita.

There are a lot of activities (HorseBack Riding, Canopy, etc) on location.
It's great for Honeymooners.
The staff is wonderful, and we would absolutely go back!

“Beautiful, Secluded and Romantic”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
Punta Islita is a wonderful place and would be perfect for a honeymoon - it's romantic and secluded. The staff is attentive. My only regret is that this wasn't the end of our stay, as it would have been a wonderful and relaxing end to our trip after white river rafting, ziplining, hiking, etc., in other areas of CR.

We changed rooms after 2 nights, as our first room was a casita with hammock and jacuzzi close to the main building and we could hear construction next to us and ATVs starting early in the morning. Why, when the resort wasn't fully booked, did they put us in such a noisy room, especially when I specifically requested that we be away from noise? It was room 10. I'd avoid it right now. The staff was very accomodating and gave us a junior suite that was much nicer. Because it was quieter, howler monkeys and more wildlife visited us here. If I stay here again, I would recommend one of the rooms below the main building, closer to the water.

The tours were excellent. We went horseback riding, saw a seaturtle lay her eggs on the beach one night, and had a monkey tour. Unfortunately, we didn't see monkeys on our tour, but the guide was truly disappointed and showed us a lot of other flora and fauna that made it worthwhile - including bats!

The food is not cheap, but was really comparable to American prices in the Washington DC area. I highly recommend the romantic dinner right off of the beach. I had a seafood feast with so much seafood that I couldn't finish it. We did eat one night at a little place just outside the hotel, and it was good, not great, but a lot less expensive. There is also the monkey bar, which is a short drive, but we did not have a car.

We had a wonderful couple's massage - neither my husband nor myself had had a massage before, and now we are hooked! I would recommend upgrading to the romantic package that includes a body scrub and bath after the massage. The spa is wonderful and has a lot of character with a wonderful staff. Beats Elizabeth Arden any day.

We did feel a little "nickled and dimed" here. For example, it's $3 to use the internet for an hour... all of the other hotels we stayed at in Costa Rica had free access.

You can read on the site about how they employ the local ticos and what the resort does for the local community. Being a bit cynical, I thought this was a just a PR piece. But, our driver who took us from Punta Islita to Arenal (we were glad we didn't drive- we flew there from San Jose to Punta Islita on Sansa) who has a friend at the resort shared with us how much they do give back to the community. Unfortunately, it took our driver, who hadn't done the route from Punta Islita to Arenal before, about 7 hours, when it typically takes 5. However, we enjoyed talking to him about life in Costa Rica and enjoyed seeing the countryside. I think if he drove a 4 wheel drive vehicle, the trip would have been shorter.

“Everything We Expected and More”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
We just got back from a 4 night stay at the Punta Islita and I can honestly say it met all of our expectations. The staff is genuinely warm and friendly, but the big draw is the incredible view that you just have to see to believe. The drive from the Lake Arenal region was a little long (about 4 hours), but was worth it. If you can manage to fly in instead, that is probably the way to go. The river was low enough on the way back to the airport in Liberia to simply drive across, which cut off about an hour. I wouldn't try this on my own, however (we had a driver arranged by the hotel). This hotel is very family friendly with lots of activities like horseback riding and canopy tour ziplining.

“Punta Islita is Awesome”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica was the destination we chose to start our Costa Rican vacation. What an awesome choice. We opted to drive from San Jose and we are glad we did. The drive was an adventure in itself but the directions were great. We arrived and were greeted by the staff with wet towels to cool us off. It was nice because we were muggy feeling from the humidity. Our stay here was excellent and well worth the money. We actually got a free upgrade when we arrived probably because we went during low season. The room was great. It was very roomy with a beautiful canopy bed and our own private plunge pool. It was called a Casita. The hotel staff were so friendly and there to serve you in any way they could. I have never stayed anywhere this friendly and service oriented before. The ATV tour and the horseback riding was great. The food was some of the best we had in Costa Rica. The beach was nice and secluded. I will definetly return to Islita.

“Perfect end to our honeymoon!!”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
We stayed at Punta Islita the last 4 nights of our honeymoon and it was well worth it. We stayed in a Junior Suite that had a great view of the valley and the ocean. The food was excellent the chef was very creative. They took care of everything you could possibley need to make your stay perfect. We had stayed in two other locations in Costa Rica the fist 8 days and this was by far the best with Makanda by the Sea a close, very close second. They also had a pool and resturant down by the beach that was great to mix it up. Both pools had swim up bars as well which was a bonus! I highly recomend this hotel as they defintiely know what they are doing.

“Amazing!!!”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
I stayed at Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica with a small group of friends and can't say enough good things. Everything was first class - including the food, staff, and rooms. Not to mention the breathtaking views from everywhere on the property. We particularly enjoyed the endless pool and the messages on the beach. We've travelled to destinations all over the world and this ranks at the top. Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica is perfect for those that want to get away and enjoy a once in a lifetime vacation!!!

“Still enjoying the aftermath of a perfect vacation”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
We returned yesterday from our magical vacation at Punta Islita. The weather was perfect, the service attentive (understated but charming) and the activities were great. We combined adventure (an exciting zip line over a canyon) with massage sessions near the ocean. The highlight was our private romantic candle lit dinner. What a treat! Delicious food and an incredible setting made it the most amazing travel experience we've had in while.

I would have to give Islita my highest ratings in Costa Rica. The Four Seasons offers ultra-luxury, but Islita's staff went above and beyond. My wife celebrated her birthday there and I requested a special coconut pie. Not only did they prepare one for her, but adorned it with flowers, and surprised her with it after dinner.

WOW!

“Amazing”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
The moment we stepped out of the car, someone was there to greet us and hand us cold towels. The entire staff was extrmemely helpful and friendly.
We stayed in a standard ocean view room. The accomodations were exceptionally clean, and I'm hard to please when it comes to cleanliness. I'm neurotic!! Going to Costa Rica we were expecting to fight off alot of insects. Suprisingly, we found NOT one in our room. The food was very good and the Saturday bbq at the beach was fun. The activities director was extremely helpful. I highly recommend the sunset horseback ride and the ATV tour.

We loved the place so much that we are already planning a trip back. I'm even considering the place for my wedding.

“Beautiful spot but unfulfilled expectations”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
The review from Chicago is right on target. The hotel is on a hill top overlooking a gorgeous cove beach. Peace and quiet reign the day since the location is certainly off the beaten path. We thoroughly enjoyed our days on the beach where the water is luscious and swimmable and the amenities have all been brought downhill - pool, bar, restaurant, chairs, umbrellas.

But this is not a luxury hotel by American standards. To compare, this would be a lower priced option in the Carribean. Some of our dissappointments included the unfriendly and unpolished staff in the front office. Also unworthy of its 4 star status was the food, which we found to be below average. Our room had ants crawling all over the bathroom countertop, an air conditioner that was inadequate, a shower without any pressure and a jacuzzi filled with cold water. We also thought it was very tacky for them to charge for many small item things; nickel and diming is very unbecoming of a luxury hotel. For example, if you want to play tennis at night there is a $15 charge. The hotel has its own private landstrip, a 5 minute drive from the hotel. They charge per person each way for the pickup. Then there's the $6 charge added on to the bill that was a 'voluntary' contribution to their 'business model'.

Some other things to keep in mind as you book:
-The hotel is under construction. Be sure to ask the location of your room in relation to the construction.
- The beach is not a long sandy white beach. It is a cove beach that is somewhat rocky. It is very swimmable - warm and calm. We loved it but some of you out there may be wondering what exactly it looks like.
- Some of the rooms are directly above the driveway of the entrance to the hotel. It's not ideal.

I do recommend the Saturday night bbq. They do it down at the beach and grill seafood and fish. There's also live spanish music and a bonfire. It was lively in a very very pretty setting.

I also recommend the one lonely restaurant that is right outside the gates of the hotel. It's plain 'ole rice and beans with local fish. It was good local food.

To summarize, the hotel is lovely but it's not a 4 or 5 star place. We had a great time because the beach is picturesque and amazingly inviting and the location of the hotel is storybook like. I agree with Chicago in that the hotel is luxurious - by Costa Rican standards. I would recommend it to those with a rustic bent looking for comforts in what is otherwise a country with some very basic accommodations.

“Mixed: Hotel's imperfections overcome by Punta Islita itself.”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
My wife and I stayed at Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica for four days & three nights in a junior suite (individual casita) with plunge pool. No doubt, this hotel is placed in a beautiful, isolated, and serene cove. Saw more wildlife than in the cloud forests - troupe of nine howler monkeys climbed over our casita, five tucanes perched outside, myriad iguanas came and went as they pleased. Curiously, our sugar packs for our coffee were always gone when we returned to the room - we caught some large furry animal scavenging them one night.

We agree with most of the previous reviews, however, we were not impressed with the service compared to everywhere else in Costa Rica. The front desk staff were not particularly welcoming, the restaurant staff were amateurish, and the auxiliary staff that you'd pass by didn't greet you. As opposed to Arenal, Tabacon, and Monteverde, where we had all visited, this environment was slightly less receptive - a bit awkward possibly due to its remote location and smaller tourist volume. Although this may contribute to its charm, we had anticipated 4-5 star service (deemed one of CR's top luxury resorts). For instance, our plunge pool wasn't cleaned and had a thin film of dead insects. The air conditioner broke down during two of our three night stay and was not promptly repaired. What marred the experience furthermore was that our digital camera was stolen from our room - the one valuable item that we hadn't placed in the primitive safe. The front desk manager seemed vaguely understanding but hardly alarmed or apologetic.

No doubt that every visitor has their own expectations and experiences that can make or break their impression. We do not believe our expectations for this resort were unreasonable - we did, after all, pay over $300 per night, which is pricey for CR.

Despite the above, how could sipping margaritas on an isolated strip of Pacific coast sand in 80 degree sunshine be terrible? It can't. You'd be a fool not to recognize the sheer fortune that you had to even travel to an idyllic resort like this. This place is absolutely picturesque and serene - a nice rustic, coastal getaway. There was much construction while we were there, and we'd anticipate that this place may become more crowded in several years, especially if they improve road/boat/plane access.

A couple of insider tips: reserve a romantic dinner one day prior with the beach restaurant - you'll dine steps from the water under starlit sky; local iguana regular comes out mid-afternoon for fruit snack at upper poolside bar.

All-in-all, if you're looking for five star elegance of similar warm-spot destinations, this isn't it. And quite possibly, aside from the new Four Seasons up north, this is not CR's forte. Will we return? Unlikely. Did we enjoy our visit? Absolutely. This place is worth seeing at least once in a lifetime. Just know what you're getting and be wary of your valuables.

“Heaven on earth!”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
We spent the first four days of our honeymoon at the Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica and it was absolutely wonderful. The hotel is all about service and the staff will do everything they can to make your stay the best it can possibly be. The food at the hotel is really good and we ate most of our meals there. The restaurant in town (there is only one right in town) is great and is worth the trip (you can get a ride from the hotel or you can walk). The rooms are very comfortable. The beach is clean and feels fairly secluded. The spa is wonderful. We had massages and they rank right up there with the best we have had (and we have had a lot). We would definitely go back!

“Brilliant!”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
My wife and I started our honeymoon at the Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica and found it to be absoutely perfect in every way. The only thing that surpasses the stunning views and relaxing atmosphere is the people. The service was exceptional but more importantly they were all just great people whom we got to know fairly well while there.

Be sure to visit Frank and Moya for a "Mono Loco" at the main bar - Frank is a native of Punta Islita and he can tell you all about the small town which is home to the hotel. The pride he has for the area became clear to us when he offered to make us fresh limeade and tamarindo juice from fruit he picked with us around the hotel. Bogantes is the best tour guide and Mauricio and Domingo are fantastic servers in the main restuarant 1492.

The feeling is wonderfully relaxed. While there we were one of about 3 honeymoon couples but there were several families with college-age kids, few new retirees and only 1 baby. But there never seems to be a crowd anywhere further enhancing the relaxing environment.


“Wonderful Family Vacation”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica was absolutely wonderful. The staff was so incredibly nice and attentive! My family enjoyed our stay in Casa Jalapa and would highly recommend it to anyone....couples, families, etc. Costa Rica is amazing and is a wonderful change from Mexico!!!!

“THE BEST!!”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
My wife and I stayed here for 4 nights on our honeymoon and loved every minute of it! We booked the Romance package which includes massages for 2, horseback riding and diner for 2. Let me start off with the accomidations. We had a 1 bedroom castia with plunge pool. LOVED IT. Had a Medium size fridge, sofa, chair, outside hammock, large comfortable bed overlooking nothing but the pacific ocean. The rooms were spotless and we were never bothered by housecleaning during the day. We spent most early afternoons at the beach completely by ourselves. The only people around were the pool bartender and drink runner. It was like we were there alone (there were actually about 18 people there by our count). The beachside pool bartender was great (and the prices weren't bad at all...like $2.50 for a beer). The beauty of this place can't be understood unless you are there. As for the food, we had not one complaint. The menu changes daily (at least for dinner). For our private dinner we had a seafood feast...lobster, clams, shrimp, etc servered to us on our outside table on our room patio. We had servers running from the resturant to our room refilling our glasses and were never left empty. The entire staff was extremely friendly...including the iguana that lived on our roof!!! Overall was totally impressed...and that is hard to do when you pay about $400/night!

“Made for honeymooners”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
We finished off our honeymoon here last week. We stayed up the coast at the all-inclusive Paradisus Playa Conchal as well. Two very different hotels but both were excellent.
This hotel didn't "wow" me when we first drove up. But you very quickly appreciate its understated, rustic elegance. It is the perfect hotel for a relaxing, incredibly romantic honeymoon.
Location - very remote and difficult to get to by car. The road to the hotel was washed out due to heavy rains, which doubled our travel time to this hotel. If you can, I'd recommend flying to the Punta Islita airstrip from San Jose. The flight costs around $75 per person. The hotel will pick you up there and you'll avoid the sometimes harrowing road to the property. The views are spectacular, though, from every angle of this cliff-side property. We did get bitten by a few mosquitos, but we didn't want to smell like bug spray. I'd recommend a decent smelling bug spray.
Restaurant 1492 - tasty, creative (and pretty expensive - about $20 for an entree without salad or apps) gourmet meals. Very good size servings though. Only 1 restaurant with attached bar. We found a meal plan through Costa Rica Experts, they seem to be the only travel agent able to do this. It is a great deal. 3 meals per day. This doesn't include drinks or snacks, but this isn't an all-you-can-drink type of place. Great waitstaff, very discreet, professional and prompt.
Nightlife - none. You would have to venture to the nearby town (Samara) to find a nightclub.
Pool - infinity pool, very elegant and very warm, with the most comfortable cushioned poolside chairs I've had the pleasure to nap on. Just like the brochure and website - really. Also has a swim-up bar and jacuzzi.
Bar - great, tropical drinks. They cost around $4 to $6. Extensive wine list.
Beach - black sand, smooth, shell-less volcanic beach. Very nice if you like privacy. There is another restaurant and pool owned by the hotel down there. It looked very nice, there were some table games to play there. We didn't eat down there.
Rooms - this is why we came to this hotel. Many rooms are in their own private cabana/villa. Even the basic rooms have only 2 rooms per cabana and have large hammocks and semi-private patios. We went the honeymooner route and stayed in a casita with a private plunge pool. There were even larger villas but this room was unbelievable. Huge and very comfortable bed, large living room, authentic-looking furnishings. The view from both the curtained bed and living room couch is the mountains and star-filled sky. The view from the private patio is even better - the cliffs and ocean. The plunge pool was suprisingly warm, about 12' by 6'. The entire outdoor area is the epitome of seclusion and romance. The junior suites w/ outdoor jacuzzi or plunge pool were similar, in separate cabanas, just smaller, with semi-private patios.
This hotel was a great place to unwind and recoup after an active beginning to our honeymoon. I know that the hotel offers all of the usual excursions but we didn't try any. It was hard enough choosing between the main infinity pool and our plunge pool. If you are not in a honeymoon state of mind you may get bored, but again, there are things to do off the property. Enjoy!

“Fantastic Family Vacation!”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
Absolutely LOVED this hotel. Everything was perfect... from the superb Casita suite with a small pool to the best Pina Coladas we have ever had. Our whole family took the river kayaking adventure tour and the kids had the time of their lives. Staff was warm and friendly and food was great. We already booked for next Summer!

“Phenomenal”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
Really first class. This resort was wonderful and truly five stars. The people are what sets it apart. Best hotel in Costa Rica. We arrived by boat from Nosara and I couldn't reccomend it more. Just beautiful.

“what a honeymoon”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica is a gem. I could not have picked a better place to decompress after our wedding. The rooms were simple yet chic . The service was exellent as was the food.
The hotel is fairly remote so expect no nightlife or shopping. The hotel restarants were expensive but quite good. This hotel does offer some sort of meal plan but you must hunt for it through a travel agent.
The hotel is quite small. We stayed in June of 2003 (rainy season) and felt like we had the place to ourselves. The few couples we shared the hotel with were all honeymooners.
If you want quiet luxury to begin your vacation this is the place. More than a week stay might get slighty boring. We stayed for six nights and hated to leave yet were ready for more action.

“Top notch”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
THE BEST. From Ricardo the concierge to everyone else here, this place is top notch. Spectacular views, great service, beautiful setting.

“Besoin de réno”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
Nous avons séjourné à l'Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica en juillet 2008 et notre expérience, bien que teinté de quelques aspects négatifs, est positive. Ainsi, parmi les éléments positifs, je note:

- le service impeccable, courtois et discret
- la vue est magnifique
- l'hotel est propre et bien entretenu

Cependant, quelques points à retenir:

- la note des deux restos peut être très élevée.
- les chambres commencent à montrer un certain âge, des rénovations s'imposent pour un hotel de ce calibre
- l'hotel est isolé, un seul restaurant à l'extérieur de l'hotel
- j'ai trouvé déplorable les déjeuners américains gratuits et les déjeuners santés payants. Ca me semble bien surprenant...
- le golf était désert, pourquoi ne pas en profiter pour aménager une troisième piscine avec un peu plus de vie (bar ?)

“Perfecta Luna de Miel...aunqué...”
Hotel Punta Islita - Beach Resort Costa Rica
El Hotel está muy bién situado en una zona muy tranquila y protegida. Llegamos con coche y desde el primer momento todo el staff del hotel nos trato de una forma excelente!
La comida del restaurant muy buena al igual que el servicio.
El único inconveniente era el tema de las iguanas. Por la mañana había iguanas por todas partes, y si no te gustan mucho estos animales pueden llegar a molestar, ya que los puedes tener a tocar de tu piscina o jakuzzi. Nosotros teníamos una de muy grande controlando todo el día...y claro...cuando queríamos disfrutar del jakuzzi teníamos que mirar de tenerlo todo bién cerrado para que no se colase dentro de la habitación.
Todo lo otro, excelente! Volveremos a Punta Islita! Y recomendación...llevad la VISA bién cargada...que los precios no son nada baratos!
Una recomendación: masaje de chocolate en la casa SPA. Excelente!