Alma del Pacifico

Rooms

The 20 rooms are designed in the distinctive style of architect and former owner Sherrill Broudy: dynamic open-plan spaces, flooded with light and colour. High curved ceilings create a soothing feeling, and walls are adorned with unique paintings that reflect the tropical world outside. The overall effect is warm, welcoming and very individual: the antithesis of bland hotel rooms!

There are 4 grades, starting with Garden Bungalows which, although lovely, don't have sea views. We'd definitely recommend splashing out on one of the beachfront options - of these, Beachfront Bungalows are the smallest, though they’re already huge. Beachfront Villas are even larger, and the Deluxe Beachfront Villas feature private plunge pools.

As well as comfortable kingsize beds (or 2 doubles), each room has 1 or 2 built-in sofabeds (ideal for children), desk space, and books and magazines to peruse. Lighting is excellent and candles are provided, too - both for atmosphere, and in case of power cuts! Thoughtful details include fresh fruit and flowers when you arrive, and complimentary snacks, coffee and soft drinks in the minibar.

Bathrooms are generous (most with 2 sinks); we loved the wonderful curved shower areas with mosaicked tiles and views to private gardens. There’s air-conditioning, plus fans, bathrobes, hairdryers, iPod docks, umbrellas, blinds for shutting out the early morning light, even torches for walking around the gardens at night. Best of all? Your private terrace - a good outdoor space with 2 recliners, a table, outside lights and, in most cases, a perfect view of the surf.

Alma del Pacifico also owns several 3-bedroom self-catering villas and condos, located 1.5 miles from the resort and useful for families or groups. They’re set on a ridge, with excellent kitchens, breathtaking views, private balconies or verandas, and infinity pools in the villas. Guests get access to the resort’s facilities, but you’d need a car; enquire for details if these are of interest.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Fan
• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• Minibar
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

All meals are eaten in the airy open-sided restaurant (open 6.30am to 10pm daily), with its traditional palm-thatched roof and great views of the surf crashing to shore. Generous space between the tables ensures that each group feels private, and the friendly English-speaking staff make you feel like nothing is too much trouble. There are sweet flower arrangements throughout and, once the sun sets, the tables are lit by candles and the gardens beyond illuminated by torches; it’s a very romantic place to eat.

A continental breakfast is included in the tariff, with freshly squeezed juice, coffee or tea, a platter of seasonal fruit, and a choice of breads and preserves. Hot menu options (extra charge) include omelettes, pancakes and a Tico-style local breakfast with gallo pinto, fried plantains and tortillas.

The lunch and dinner menus offer international and Costa Rican cuisine, with an emphasis on sustainable seafood and healthy, local ingredients (much of the fruit, vegetables and herbs are grown in the colourful on-site gardens). There’s a good selection of sandwiches, salads, pizza and pasta dishes - particularly recommended are the mahi-mahi, which is grilled to perfection, and the Tico Tacos.

There’s a limited wine list and some specialty drinks; try the Monkey Tree or Guaro Sour. Snacks are available all day (the guacamole is excellent), and there’s a beach bar for those who don’t want to move too far from their lounger.

If you want to eat out, there are a few restaurants within immediate reach in Esterillos Oeste, and one on the way to Parrita. The built-up (and sleazy) town of Jacó is just 25 minutes away and has lots of interesting restaurants: reception can arrange taxis. Very close (you can walk along the sand) is quaint Hotel Pelican, and there’s a good pizzeria on the beach itself.

Features include:

• Bar
• Kids' meals
• Restaurant

Activities

• Go swimming: there are 2 pools set in lovely gardens - a lap pool (not for children) and a semi-circular pool (where children are welcome), both maintained with an ionised system so very little chlorine is needed. There's a Jacuzzi too - open all hours
  
• Head to the beach. It's blissfully private as there are so few hotels around, but you’re warned quite seriously to swim ONLY when the tide is coming in. Tide timetables are provided in each room but it's generally quite rough
  
• Go surfing right in front of the hotel - staff can set up lessons (with a photographer, if you want to capture your efforts!)
  
• Head to the spa for one of the superb treatments, classified under the 4 elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water (chocolate and coffee scrubs, mud wraps, deep-tissue massages). We loved the coconut and ginger body scrub. Yoga can be arranged with a bit of notice, too
  
• Horse-riding is available in the hills behind the resort, and out on the beach - a local tour which is fine for novices
  
• Manuel Antonio National Park is just 45 minutes’ drive away. Here, rainforest fringes stunning beaches and coral reefs. The snorkelling is excellent and the forest is home to sloths, iguanas and rare squirrel monkeys. Reception staff will organise tours with reliable local operators to save you the hassle
  
• The Isla de Damas estuary tour offers some interesting wildlife too - monkeys, crocodiles and birds in a fragile mangrove eco-system, seen by boat or kayak. Make sure reception staff book your trip with experts Pablo or Henry, since other guides were less experienced
  
• Diving, fishing, golf and white-water rafting are also popular activities in the area

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Boat trips
• Golf
• Hiking
• Horse riding
• Kayaking
• Plantlife / flora
• Private guided tours
• Rafting
• Scuba diving
• Snorkelling
• Surfing
• Swimming
• Well being
• Wildlife
• Yoga

Kids

The resort is well-suited to family travel, but perhaps is better suited to older children as there are no cots provided. However, kids can stay free up to the age of 12. Some rooms have a sofabed/daybed and plenty of space (they can sleep up to 5). Kids will love the pool, beach and nearby activities such as surfing, horse-riding and zip-lining.

Note that babysitting is not available and there are no bathtubs.

Best for:

Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

The Beachfront Villa and Garden Bungalow rooms have a sofabed, ideal for a child.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

Distances:

• Airport: 2 hours
• Hospital: 30 minutes
• Shop: 10 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Alma del Pacifico is on the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica, about 25 minutes from the beach town of Jacó, 45 minutes from Manuel Antonio National Park and 2-2.5 hours from San José.

By Air:
Quepos Airport (50km) is your closest, but if you're arriving from abroad you'll fly into San José Juan Santamaria International (135km) or Liberia (225km).

From the Airport
The hotel can arrange a transfer from San José or Quepos, though many guests hire a car (see below).

By Car:
The resort is just 2.5 hours from the capital San José, and having a car is useful if you want to explore the area and get to Manuel Antonio National Park under your own steam. See our car rental recommendations (and opt for a 4-wheel drive).

By Bus:
Take the public bus to Manuel Antonio/Quepos and then get a taxi to the resort from there.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Costa Rica and getting around