Best Hotels near Jungle Crocodile Safari & Bird Watching Tour, Tarcoles

Selina Jaco is the best location in Costa Rica! They are a top surf hotel with a vibe that matches. It is so different than the other Selina locations in the best way. The highlight is Tortuga Surf Camp! Selina has set itself apart and raised the bar with Tortuga Surf Camp creating their base camp there. Mike and the instructors are the best in Jaco. Tortuga works with beginners to seasoned surfers. My surfing has improved so much and I love working with them. I am so lucky to learn from people who absolutely love sharing their passion. The location is perfect and being able to go do a surf lesson on an amazing beach break with top instructors or rent a board and come back in to get work done is a plus! Tortuga Surf Camp has a weekly survival apnea workshop in the pool that takes has taken my water confidence to the next level. Mike has a passion for the water that shows in every lesson and interaction. Their photographer, Ivan, offers outstanding drone videos and photos for purchase with each lesson. I loved documenting my progress! I’m already planning my next trip back! The campus is beautiful and peaceful. The location is amazing ! Right on the beach with welcome drinks and breathtaking sunsets every night. The pool is amazing where you can eat drink and relax. The staff is just as amazing! Always something to do and so close to restaurants and fun nightlife.

Perfect stay from start to finish. The property is beautiful and unique. The staff was very attentive and extremely friendly. Everything felt very private and special. We stayed in Master Suite 19, which had an absolutely insane view. We ended up ordering room service most of the time because we the view here rivaled the restaurant and amphitheater, and there is a beautifully set table ready to be used on the terrace. Beyond eating and swimming in our pool, we really enjoyed exploring the property through the beautifully kept pathways. Walking through the jungle, seeing monkeys overhead, dart frogs, toucans, etc all on the property. Much to our surprise, the only thing we didn't see were bugs or mosquitos! Truly amazing. Before booking I saw mixed reviews on the food -- we absolutely didn't find this to be the case. The included breakfast was great. I really enjoyed the ”Costa Rican” breakfast. We mostly ordered dinner to the room, but all the food was delicious. Chicken quesadilla and shrimp pasta was exceptional. We had lunch in the restaurant one day and it was just ”OK” -- but all in the all the food is great. We took one day to walk down to the beach, which was quite a fun experience. It took us about an hour climbing slowly downhill but it was good exercise. The beach itself is was fantastic with great views. We got lunch and drinks from the super amazing host at the beach bar/restaurant. She also showed us their resident turtle and helped arrange for a ride back up the mountain when we were ready to leave. It's not a sand beach, which I honestly I found to be more pleasant. There were tables, cabanas, and lounge chairs. We were the only ones at the beach -- it was awesome. The only con I have is that the pool in Master Suite 19 is too deep. I'm 5'10 and had to be on my tippy toes/tread water to move around anywhere in the pool besides the stairs where you get in. This was very easy to overlook, but just be aware, or bring a float. The main hotel pool does not have this issue, so if you're feeling short like I did, head there. I would recommend this resort to you if you are looking for something authentic, historical, romantic, and unique. The setting is unparalleled and the service matches. It's not the newest, or the most technologically advanced, or any of that -- but that's not why you're here. If you want that experience, there are plenty of chain hotels that will give you the same experience in every country without anything special or unique.