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Reviews of Hotel Cantarana 3 stars

Palm Beach Estates, 50308 Playa Grande, Costa Rica

#8 of 13 hotels in Playa Grande

Guests' Choice

Review score

Based on 94 hotel reviews

8.6

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    8.8

  • Comfort

    9.1

  • Location

    9.1

  • Facilities

    8.5

  • Staff

    9.1

  • Value for money

    8.4

  • Free WiFi

    8.7

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Showing 1 – 25

  • Reviewed: 16 August 2025

    10
    I love it, we got to see a lot of wildlife, the place was beautiful, quiet, clean, bring your own rite for mosquitoes, y
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Double Room with Terrace
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The road to the place is a bit bumpy, but it is worth it. If you get the room beneath the restaurant it will be a bit of noise in the early morning as people goes up there to eat.

    Absolutely beautiful, quiet place, nice pool, restaurant, close to the beach, friendly staff.

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 1 May 2025

    10
    Beautiful grounds and great people.we will return!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Terrace
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The only complaint that I can think of is the pool was just a little chilly.

    Beautiful and tropical location with great views of the Arenal volcano. We were just a short drive from all activities including hot springs, hiking and waterfalls! Breakfast was so good and perfect before we took off on our adventures!

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: 30 April 2025

    10
    Very happy all around and look forward to staying here again
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room with Balcony
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Can’t think of anything

    I’ve stayed here here twice about 6-7 years ago. Very relaxing and chill vibes. Staff is great with communicating and helping with knowledge of the area.

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: 15 April 2025

    8.0
    Spring Break on Marco could not have been better.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Deluxe Double Room with Balcony
    • Stayed 4 nights

    There were two small maintenance and housekeeping issues at the start, but they were remedied quickly and to our satisfaction. It was expensive; very expensive. But it was Spring Break on Marco and the price may have been fair for the size of the house and the time of year. Interesting design: the Primary Bedroom was huge for 2 people. You could easily sleep 5 people in that space.

    location, lanai, two channels, pool, hot tub, room for our family.

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: 31 March 2025

    10
    We loved the hotel, the town, and of course the beach!
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Deluxe Double Room with Balcony
    • Stayed 1 night

    Hotel staff answered all my questions prior to our visit. Upon arrival the staff was very friendly and helpful. The hotel was perfect and located in a nice safe area. Hotel Cantarana has a wonderful restaurant and coffee shop. Our family would absolutely stay there again.

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: 17 February 2025

    8.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Deluxe Double Room with Balcony
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    They only gave us one pod of coffee each per day, and wanted to make us pay if we wanted more. And there is no coffee or drink available to guests anywhere else in the hotel. The pool needs some maintenance, a lot of tiles are missing and the accessibility handle is completely broken.

    Very cute and safe hotel, the bed is comfortable, and staff very nice. Restaurant in the hotel is quite expensive. The location is great, only a couple minutes walk to the beach.

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: 10 January 2025

    8.0
    Relaxing, beautiful, place in paradise
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Deluxe Double Room with Balcony
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Not being able to flush toilet paper down the toilet (but this might be a policy at all hotels in Playa Grande).

    It is comfortable, attractive, and close to the beach. Staff was extremely kind and helpful.

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: 9 January 2025

    8.0
    Great location but expensive and charge a lot for few choices
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room with Balcony
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The breakfast was very expensive and then you couldn’t even choose from the whole menu. Some of the ones you can choose from are also all of a sudden unavailable. Big minus for the breakfast.

    The room and pool was very nice and JJ in the staff was great. The restaurant had good food. The location close to the secluded beach and the animals you came across everywhere was really a big added bonus.

    Stayed in December 2024

  • Reviewed: 6 January 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Deluxe Double Room with Balcony
    • Stayed 1 night

    Service was amazing, hotel was beautiful

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: 29 December 2024

    10
    Comfortable and super helpful staff
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room with Balcony
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing

    The staff was great and super accommodating! Yorya helped us organize a turtle tour and a surfing class before we got there. Both activities were top notch, and it was our favorite surfing lesson so far in Costa Rica (ask for Allan). Easy to get to the beach. Room and bed were very comfortable. On site restaurant was a bit pricey (but on par with other places in the area) but had good quality food. We really liked the poke. Our room was upstairs, so nice and quiet. We'd love to come back here during our next trip.

    Stayed in December 2024

  • Reviewed: 22 December 2024

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Terrace
    • Stayed 4 nights

    It's not a big deal, but the power and wifi go out regularly during the day/night. It self=fixes in minutes, so not at all an issue, just something to be aware of.

    We love this little hotel, and especially the staff that work at reception and at the bar/restaurant. Thanks to Mario, Luis and Yorga the vibe is friendly and welcoming - truy like coming home - and the area is tranquil. The location is perfect for us (close to beach/surfing). Cantaranna's sister(brother;o) hotel is the Manglar, which is steps away, with more rooms and a bigger pool. We prefer the Cantarana as it is quieter, but the Manglar is a lovely hotel as well.

    Stayed in December 2024

  • Reviewed: 14 November 2024

    10
    Very relaxing stay on the coast
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Terrace
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Nothing

    Great location, excellent restaurant right at the hotel. Check-in is at the sister hotel down the street. Short walk to the beach. Nice neighborhood.

    Stayed in November 2024

  • Reviewed: 5 November 2024

    10
    Pura Vida
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room with Balcony
    • Stayed 7 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The beds were super comfortable and the rooms were spacious. It was close to the beach and had a great pool area! We also loved our patio space with the hammock. Having the bistro there was fabulous!

    Stayed in November 2024

  • Reviewed: 28 August 2024

    10
    Secluded beach with great vibes and friendly people
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • One-Bedroom Villa
    • Stayed 8 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    It was a perfect, quiet place to stay.

    Andrea is awesome. Ask her anything. She is the advice guru. The neighborhood is safe, it is a gated community with lots of community support, each hotel has something to offer and they all suggest each other as options. The biggest hotel might have 10 rooms. Lots of houses too. The beds are comfy, our room had a kitchenette with all the things we needed to make simple meals. There is a freezer too. There is an AWESOME restaurant and bar on the property. We made our own coffee daily Britt coffee machine pods and a traditional coffee maker. The property does have a simple coffee shop too. The beds are super comfortable, the porch is great. Pool is perfect!! There is an outdoor shower. Things to consider: rent or buy a shade for the beach. I suggest buying one if you are going to be there more than a couple of days. There is a Walmart in San Jose and Liberia. Liberia Walmart is easy to get to, San Jose was a bit busy. The only sort of shade offered at Walmart was the 4 legged pop up. It would work great. The rental shades at the hotel and in town are different than those more like a cloth tarp with legs. They are nice but require a bit of sand and finesse. Beach Chairs are nice because there are lots of sand critters, nothing dangerous just lots of busy sand crabs. A thick matt or big towel would do the trick Private beach access is awesome. Many times we had the beach to ourselves. It is a big beach. The surf is great! Boogie board rental locally is a good idea $40 for a week, if you aren’t a surfer but there are good lessons for surfing for about 40.00. (Aug 24’) The rentals are dropped off at the hotel or you can pick them up. Andrea can arrange it for you if you would like. Bring bug spray. The trail to the beach has hungry mosquitoes. Tips are included in purchases and there isn’t a line to add more. (10%) We loved the stay and the people. We would stay there again in a heartbeat 💗

    Stayed in August 2024

  • Reviewed: 19 August 2024

    10
    Had a fantastic time and will be back again
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Double Room with Terrace
    • Stayed 9 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The mosquitos lol

    Great location If you’re trying to surf and stay outside of tamarindo. Staff was extremely helpful. The bistro also has some good food and shoutout to the staff up there, they have a very fun and friendly vibe.

    Stayed in August 2024

  • Reviewed: 14 July 2024

    8.0
    Nice hotel with close proximity to restaurants and beach
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Double Room with Terrace
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The toilet in our bathroom looked like it hadn’t been scrubbed in awhile. I’m not sure if it was old/stained or unclean.

    Nice location, yoga offered, friendly people, nice community

    Stayed in July 2024

  • Reviewed: 8 July 2024

    10
    We will surely be back! We loved our stay!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • One-Bedroom Villa
    • Stayed 12 nights

    We loved our stay! It would have been nice however if the downstairs rooms had a bit of an overhang outside of the room that would allow for a hammock between the pillars.

    We had the option to have "self check-in" or arrange to have someone meet us when we arrived. We opted to "meet in-person." When we arrived, we were met by "Andy." She had the biggest smile and greeted us warmly with "Pura Vida!", gave us a rundown of the area, places to eat, how to access the beach and showed us to our room. Her food recommendations did not disappoint! She helped us to arrange a sunset cruise that included transportation as well as a sanctuary tour. We loved that the hotel is a small quaint little place. Most of the time we felt like we were the only ones there. The bed was comfortable too! We loved our bit of paradise in Playa Grande! It was a great homebase for our stay in Costa Rica!

    Stayed in July 2024

  • Reviewed: 7 June 2024

    8.0
    lovely stay for our family.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • One-Bedroom Villa
    • Stayed 2 nights

    times for yoga & no surfboards to try out.

    beach. restauarant and pool were very convenient. The beach was convenient for our child and pool was very nice and clean as well. Great little restaurants for breakfast in the area and the cafe was also very wonderful and convenient.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 6 June 2024

    9.0
    Kids favorite place in CR
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Deluxe Double Room with Balcony
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    A bit dusty Room configuration are not super flexible. Hard to book for six of us.

    Pool and hammocks were great. Cafe and restaurant were awesome clean rooms well appointed Beach access

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 27 May 2024

    9.0
    Great family stay!
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Double Room with Terrace
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    We loved the pool area and the cafe!

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: 27 April 2024

    8.0
    Great little spot with amazing staff. A diamond in the rough the owners should invest in to improve.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • One-Bedroom Villa
    • Stayed 4 nights

    The main issue I wish had been flagged for us before was the power and water outages. My partner and I both have family in the region, so we weren't surprised, but it would've been great if guests were A) warned ahead of time when possible, and B) if the hotel was adequately staffed to be more on top of the backup generator, and even invested in a cistern or some other way to ensure the water stayed on for those periods. The people who work there work hard, but there's not enough of them to handle these things, and there isn't anyone on the desk at night time. It wasn't great, coming back to the room at 10 or 11, starting a shower and then being covered in soap/shampoo/conditioner and the water being out until the morning. A note that while the restaurant is great and there are lots of great other food options, the prices and the quality of food (especially the dreadful and dreadfully expensive smoothies) at the cafe are absolutely criminal. Don't spend your money there. Lastly, Cantarana says they're an eco-hotel, and as such only clean the rooms every other day. That's something we would have loved to know beforehand. It's a ridiculous policy when they ask (as many places in the region ask) you to not flush the toilet paper down the toilet, and instead put it in the very small waste bin they've got. So imagine the bathroom if you've got 35 degree/100 degree heat, and a waste bin full of used toilet paper in the sweltering heat, and they only take out the garbage every other day? Doesn't make sense. To say nothing of just cleaning the floors and making the bed. You don't have to change and wash the linens or towels every day, but doing simple housekeeping isn't an eco issue, it's a staffing issue. Whoever owns the hotel is too cheap or greedy to pay for the rooms to be cleaned every day, is the bottom line.

    The staff was truly the highlight of the trip. Gerson was absolutely incredible — sweet, endlessly helpful, and an amazing support. Both Andrea and Yorya, who we saw less of were also very helpful. Playa Grande beach is amazing, and the perfect place to learn to surf, if you're interested. Ask for Chico. He was a great teacher, as was the Pacific Ocean. Our stay was overall very good. The beach is also fairly private and relaxed. Not a ton of people, a few surfers, a few families. We felt absolutely fine leaving our stuff on the beach and walking the 400m into the water when the tide was out. And if you can take in the sunset or the stars on Playa Grande and not feel something, then you're not alive. The food at the restaurant was solid, the nearby Mar Azul became our go-to for a meal away, and if you're looking for an interesting social experiment the Hotel Grateful is a short walk away. There's also a very helpful little minimart/bodega just up the road.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 21 March 2024

    8.0
    Lovely
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room with Balcony
    • Stayed 7 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    A bit stingy and slow with room supplies . Without a car you are isolated to the community and a very expensive market -stock up before you get there

    Breakfast , food overall was good . Restaurant staff were great . Very comfy beds and pillows . Quiet due to small size

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: 15 March 2024

    8.0
    Very good
    • Business trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Terrace
    • Stayed 1 night

    We had the room underneath the restaurant, we have heard every movement (chairs moving) and couldnt sleep until the restaurant closed. There are not many possibilities (walking distance) to go out for dinner. The toilet flush didnt work, the repair guy came and repaired it with a thread, after that the water was always running.

    Check in - super friendly, location is far from everything, but it is beautiful and very close to the beach, beautiful place to relax, restaurant on site. The check in girls are extraordinary friendly!!!!

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: 10 March 2024

    8.0
    It was very relaxing and atomshere
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • One-Bedroom Villa
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    We can’t find anything.

    The location was awesome, it’s in a private/gated community so we felt safe. We could walk to the another restaurant or eat at the location. The private entrance to the beach was cozy and nice. The bed was comfortable and not a lot of people so it was quaint. The staff was very attentive even after hours.

    Stayed in February 2024

Showing 1 – 25

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