Hotel Pasatiempo
What's on
Posted by the owner · reviewed before publishing · times are Costa Rica local
About
A walkable-to-the-beach hotel with a peaceful pool area, free parking, and nighttime security at the gate guests say helped them feel safe. Two friendly resident cats are part of the charm, and monkeys sometimes come down near the pool. Staff are kind and helpful, though not all speak English, so a translation app helps. It's a solid, affordable base rather than a luxury stay.
Photos
Amenities
Location
350 Av Central, Provincia de Guanacaste, Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Get directions →Recent reviews
We travelled in January, a couple and our 15yo daughter. We arrived from our flight and a scenic drive from Liberia to the security guard checking us in after 9pm. We appreciated the free parking, proximity to restaurants and the beach, cleanliness, and the atmosphere of the pool. We used the restaurant for one breakfast and lunch, but preferred others in town once we started to explore. The bathroom was well-appointed and the beds were comfy with adequate lighting, storage space and temperature control. Our only complaints were that there weren't enough places to hang towels to dry: one short rail at the sink and one hook on the wall, not enough for our 3 towels. The on-site felines and pool were a hit with our child. We would recommend Pasatiempo to others and stay again.
The staff were very friendly and accommodating, and we appreciated how quickly they responded when issues came up. The best part of this property is definitely its proximity to the beach: the location is excellent. Unfortunately, the overall stay was still disappointing. While the room was technically clean, it never truly felt that way, and the property itself felt quite run down. The first room we were given smelled strongly of sewage. Although we were promptly moved to another room, it made us wonder what would have happened if there hadn’t been availability. We also experienced an ant infestation in the shower head. While it was fixed quickly and fully, there was no acknowledgment or apology for the inconvenence. The photos on the listing are outdated and don’t accurately reflect the current condition of the property. Much of the space is shaded rather than sunny, and many of the chairs are old, worn, and some slightly broken. I would only recommend staying here if there are no better options available, or if the price point is closer to the US$70/night range, as the location alone isn’t enough to justify a higher cost.
Hotel Pasatiempo is a very good deal for the price. The rooms are super cute, clean, and quiet, making it a relaxing place to stay. The pool area is peaceful, and we even got to see monkeys come down nearby—they were fun to watch and didn’t bother anyone at all. The staff was kind and helpful, though they did not speak English, so having a translator app was definitely necessary. The air conditioning was a bit tricky to figure out at first, but once the staff showed us how it worked, it was fine. We also loved that there is nighttime security at the gate, which made us feel safe, and there are two very friendly cats on the property that added to the charm. Overall, a comfortable, charming stay and a great value if you’re looking for something affordable and relaxing.
More in this town
For the owner
