Hotel Punta Islita, Autograph Collection

I stayed for two nights as part of a Backroads trip. This hotel was likely very nice when it first opened, but now it feels worn, especially the bathrooms. That said, the location is fantastic, perched above the beach with a charming beachfront area below. Our room was in a duplex, making it quite private and quiet. Most rooms offer lovely views of the hills and ocean. Service was the biggest weak point. Staff were not always around, seemed uninterested, and the wait for food and drinks was long—lunch took 1 hour and 15 minutes from ordering to being served. Additionally, the air conditioning in our room struggled to keep up with the heat and humidity and our bed was very lumpy. Overall, the experience felt like a basic Marriott in terms of service and food quality. Note also that the beach area is a fairly long walk from the hotel. We found the trip rustic but charming but others might want the beach more nearby. The hotel will shuttle you in a gold cart.

We loved this hotel! We had a room with a small space outside with a hammock, sitting area and small pool. The hotel pool at the top by the restaurant is beautiful and the infinity edge offers amazing views with your drink in hand from the pool bar. The servers and bartenders were wonderful and we enjoyed getting to know them…special mention to Eduard at the bar on the beach who did our mixology class with us. It was a lot of fun and we learned lots! There was lots of included activities to do at the hotel. I would suggest emailing the hotel and booking these ahead of time to make sure you get the ones you want. We did the dusk tour and mixology class. We could not get into the cooking class. The dusk tour was very good….we saw scorpions and many different insects. We also went to the macaw rescue (20$ each) which is very close to the hotel. It was interesting to hear about their rescue efforts. The food at the restaurant was really good and we thought it was reasonably priced. The service can be slow, but it allows you to sit, relax and soak up the scenery. Be sure to watch the sunsets as they are stunning. The beach area for the hotel is a very short walk down the hill (there is a van that will also take you there and pick you up if you don't want to walk). We loved walking the beach and going out in the ocean. Be warned that the waves can get quite big. Once you are in past the wave break it is okay. Although you need to time getting out! We had no difficulties getting chairs on the beach. There is a tiny wooden shack by the entrance to the beach that has small buckets to clean up the beach. You bring back the stuff you collected and dump it in the bins in the “shack” and put your bucket back so others can use them. We thought this was a great idea to help preserve this beautiful place.

We had a wonderful stay at the hotel over the Christmas holidays. Our bungalow included an outdoor seating area with hammock and plunge pool which we thoughtly enjoyed. The infinity pool and swim up bar near the main restaurant got lots of use as well! There is so many activites at the hotel, we saw baby turtles heading to the beach, visited/learned about the hotel’s incredible garden, saw the macaw sactuary (as well as them flying around the hotel grounds) rode horses, and saw many other animals. Yes the walk to the beach is long and down a hill. However there are plenty of benches to stop and enjoy the incrediable view. I’m 61 and had no problem going back and forth every day. However there is a shuttle for those that are not as mobile. Our room was near the main building of the hotel so that part of the walking was minimal. I have to give a huge shout out to the following team memembers that made our stay even more memorable : Arturo at the restaurent & beach club. The most excellent infinity pool bartender. Marcelino at the pool bar, Joseph who did an outstanding job organizing the excurstions, Luis at the front desk, Jorge who conducted a wonderful bird watching tour as well as the garden/blue zone. A huge shout to Anna at the garden who took so much extra time with us. Last but absolutlely not least, Mo who lead the turtle tours and horses. There are others…It was a magical experience so if you are thinking of visiting, go for it! ** I would suggest if you are visiting to pack closed toed shoes and long pants, many of the activities require them.**

Celebrating our 10-year anniversary in Costa Rica was an unforgettable blessing, and staying at Hotel Punta Islita made it truly magical. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warm smiles, “Pura Vida,” and an incredible level of care. The entire staff treats every guest with love and attention, going above and beyond to ensure your stay is comfortable and memorable. You even get the chance to meet the hotel manager and chef, who, like everyone else, are friendly and focused on making sure you have the best time possible. The hotel offers transportation to and from the airport, making travel stress-free, and a shuttle to the beach and the charming town of Islita ensures you can explore with ease. The beach is clean, stunning, and perfect for relaxation or adventure. Whether you want to sit back and enjoy a delicious drink while listening to the waves or dive into a wide range of activities, there’s something for everyone. The hotel provides incredible cultural experiences and fun activities, including ATV rides, turtle-watching, and more. You’ll be completely immersed in the beauty of Costa Rica’s nature. For relaxation, the spa is fantastic, with skilled massage therapists who will leave you feeling refreshed and pampered. Every aspect of this place feels safe and welcoming, from the lush surroundings to the friendly staff. And the food? Absolutely incredible! Every meal is fresh, authentic, and mouthwatering—worth every bite (even if it means gaining a few pounds). Whether you want an adventure-filled trip or a peaceful retreat by the beach, Hotel Punta Islita has it all. I highly recommend booking a trip to Costa Rica and staying here. It’s an experience you’ll never forget, and I’m already counting down the days until I can go back!

I loved staying here. I especially loved taking sunset yoga classes daily with Sarah. As a beginner yoga student, Sarah gave me specialized attention and made me feel special. She instilled in me a love for yoga! Thank you to Sarah and the whole staff at Punta Islita.