Las Cotingas Ocean View
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Posted by the owner · reviewed before publishing · times are Costa Rica local
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Hillside guesthouse about a hundred meters from the Drake Bay school, perched above the main beach where the tour boats land. Reviews state the trade-off plainly: roughly seventy steep steps up from the street, with staff happy to help with luggage if they know you are coming, rewarded by a veranda with hammocks and a wide Pacific view. Breakfast is served on the cliff with daily visits from scarlet macaws and hummingbirds. Cabins are simple, clean, and air-conditioned, with daily cleaning. Fair warnings from guests: boat engines start around 5:30 a.m., the Wi-Fi is patchy, and paths are dim after dark, so bring a headlamp. Not a good fit for travelers with knee trouble or limited mobility.
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100 meters west of the drake bay school, Camino de la playa, Provincia de Puntarenas, Agujitas (Drake), 60502, Costa Rica
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We stayed at Las Cotingas for four nights in April. We have zero complaints. The property is well maintained, the rooms are simple yet clean, and the staff is nice and accommodating. Yes, there steps. Yes, if you have health issues or knee problems, or are elderly, this might not be the place to stay. From the street there are about 70 steep steps up to the rooms; However, the staff can help with your luggage if they know you are coming and the view is astounding. We highly recommend this hotel and would definitely stay there again. The attached photos are from our room and Drake Bag. Look no further, you found where you should stay.
Pack your sense of adventure, and this is a great base for the activities in and around Bahia Drake. It was interesting to read some of the poor reviews about this place, which I think says more about the travelers than the business. If you’re looking to sit by the beach and sip cocktails, this is not the place for you. If you want to sleep in and expect a manicured garden, likewise. If that’s you, then I would avoid Drake Bay entirely. For us, Las Cotingas was a wonderful option. Breakfast is served perched on a cliff where you will enjoy Pacific Ocean views and daily visits from Scarlet McCaws, Hummingbirds, and so many other species of birds. Be prepared: it is hot and humid, and a huge staircase and unpaved bumpy road to the beach, which is the primary landing spot for boat tours of the island. You should be in good shape. There are engine noises starting at 5:30am. The beach in front of the hotel is beautiful but utilitarian. Take a 25 minute walk to get to Cocolito Beach, which is secluded and magnificent. Where Las Contingas really came through was with their concierge. The hotel arranged everything from taxis to excursions to Corcovado and Cano island for snorkeling. Ask for David as your tour guide for Corcovado. Best experience ever, and you will have the personal attention and encyclopedic knowledge to engage your curiosity about the jungle. We opted for the overnight at Sirena. This is the move. Las Cotingas is the perfect option for the adventure minded traveler who is experiencing Bahia Drake for the first time. Expect the gritty and real Costa Rica with just the right amount of comfort and hospitality.
Breathtaking views from the veranda, it's dream come true laying on the hammock looking at the ocean, sipping cold beer and being surrounded by the jungle and all of the wild life that comes with it. The staff were the friendliest folks - personification of the Pura Vida vibes. The cabins were clean and AC made a great job of keeping them fresh as an escape from the outside heath and humidity. The only improvements would be around improving night time illumination of the paths as navigating the way to the cabin was a bit difficult after dark. The Wi-Fi was also quite patchy but I hope no one is going here to spend time on their laptop or phone.
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