Gallina E Palo Beachfront Hotel

60's style motel directly on the beach. Very basic, and scrupulously clean, both rooms and pool, with a good bed. The courtyard has a gate opening on the beach. Our host, Bret, is warm and welcoming. It has no services, but it's only a short block from the main street and adjacent to an excellent reasonably-priced restaurant. We planned to stay for one night but ended up staying three. We will be back.

Very comfortable bed. In the heart of Jaco, in a wild part of town. Not for a quiet stay. Perfect for enjoying the wild side of Jaco!

Great place to stay to enjoy everything Cocal. Brett the owner was a great host and full of local knowledge.

This place is ... Only for the unsuspecting. Which we were. So hopefully this review helps. For context, I am a mom with two kids. When I called to ask about it, the owner went on and on about how it's a great safe place for kids. This place is at the end of a short road on Cocal Street, famed for being the hot spot for sex trade workers in Costa Rica (I now know). They only take cash, and they also rent rooms by the hour. There are sex trade workers outside the gate. There is a kid at the gate who is apparently doing something. It seems like you're in someone's derelict backyard. There is an abandoned looking house where the pool is. The pool has many broken tiles and I don't think it's usuable. There is a weird tree house structure on the property that leans to the one side. The rooms are strange, but they were clean. They're like these strange stand alone cabin or motel style. You have to pay the owner up front for all the days, no refunds. After our night arrival, discovery of the location and what that meant, and morning when we saw all the derelict buildings and there were still sex trade workers everywhere I was very creeped out. However, my kids then almost stepped on a dirty needle lying near the sidewalk. I lost it and demanded a refund. They said no refunds so I called the owner and said there was a dirty needle my kids almost stepped on. He didn't believe me so I had him come look. He yelled a lot saying it wasn't his. I said I didn't care whose it was, I just wanted out of there. He was a real **** about it and said I should learn how to ask nicely. But seriously. So anyway, I wouldn't recommend staying there, unless you are into this sort of thing.

During covid the resort has added some new cabanas which gives travellers more options . Placing the reservation was easy and the managers contacted us prior to our stay. The resort holds reservations with a credit card but chooses to receive payment with cash. I had no problem with that and it went very smoothly. The staff is friendly and prompt. The grounds are on the beach and you cannot stay on the beach for this cost anywhere else in Jaco. This is more of an adult atmosphere. I will return to this resort anytime I'm in the Jaco area.

Beautifully located directly on the beach in the center of Jaco. With great dining options right out the front gate and a vibrant nightlife. Yet Gallina de palo is a quiet place to view stunning sunsets.