Caribbean Calling in Costa Rica – Hotel Aguas Claras

Check this out! Our partners at Costa Rica Sun Tours (CRST) tell us that Hotel Aguas Claras, located just outside the eclectic village of Puerto Viejo, in Playa Chiquita, on the Southern Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica, is set to open this September after extensive renovations. Costa Rican artist Elizabeth Steinvorth was inspired to buy and renovate, with as minimum ecological impact as possible, the villas of this old and beloved Caribbean hotel. This renowned watercolorist, inspired by her passion for art and recycling, had the vision to rebuild with respect for the environment, nature, culture and materials of the area.

We’re thrilled with this new boutique option for a beach and jungle combo. The property is made up of a Victorian row house complete with 6 private bedrooms near the pool and restaurant area, each boasting a spectacular mosaic outdoor shower as part of the Moroccan style semi-open terrace, and 6 modernized Caribbean wooden stilt bungalows, surrounded by lusciously designed gardens and private patios. The tastefully renovated bungalows are equipped with recycled or upcycled furniture and objects, a small fridge, A/C, fans, security deposit boxes, outdoor jungle showers, ample semi open bathrooms with copper showers, locally crafted organic toiletries and 600 count thread luxury linen. The bungalows offer 1, 2, and 5-bedrooms.

The property is family friendly for ages 14 and up. The row house and each of the six beautiful bungalows are located on the beach side of the road with a 100-meter walking trail to access it. Snorkeling is also possible right off the beach in the lovely tide pools, but the best snorkeling is only a 30-minute drive in Cahuita National Park.

Among the activities to be enjoyed:

• Cahuita National Park Hike & Snorkeling & Stand Up Paddle
• Yoga and swimming pool
• Town exploration
• Sloth sanctuary
• Biking to Manzanillo-Gandoca Reserve
• Chocolate tour
• Beach hopping

This part of the Caribbean coast with it’s crystal waters giving way to remote sand beaches lined with coconut palms is great to visit any time of year and CRST suggest that it’s the perfect destination for travelers to Costa Rica in August, September and October when you might see heavy rains on the Pacific. (If you are looking to combine it, CRST recommend Arenal as the weather pattern there is influenced by the Caribbean.) You can also bank on great weather from late January until April. Plan to stay at least two nights, but three is the average stay and recommended.

A bit about the town: Caribbean and Victorian architectures collide in the town of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca; a cosmopolitan little village, where every Saturday morning at the Farmers Market, local gardeners gather with their fresh homegrown vegetables, tropical fruits, locally produced chocolates, handcrafted jewelry and organic amenities. Puerto Viejo, as is known to locals, is home to a thriving Afro-Caribbean community.  Located just 45 min. south of Limon International Airport; this community traces its roots to Jamaican laborers who worked on a late nineteenth-century railroad project that connected San José to Puerto Limón. This town is also known worldwide in the surfing community for the biggest and most powerful wave in Costa Rica, known as: “Salsa Brava”. It is also home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, such as Playa Chiquita, Punta Uva and Manzanillo.

Contact Sonya or the team at Costa Rica Sun Tours for more information!