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Upon arrival at the Hotel Punta Islita, two colorful Macaws greeted us by flying by. It was a good omen for our stay! The Hotel Punta Islita offers everything and more for those looking for adventure in a quiet and secluded Costa Rican destination.
This article reviews the Hotel Punta Islita, part of the Autograph Collection by Kessler for Marriott hotels, its amenities, services, and people. It has it all: the good and the bad.
I received no compensation or exchanges in return for this review. I paid for my expenses and based this review on my stay and experience at this hotel.
Photos of the infinity pool at the top of the hill captured my attention from the first moment I saw them. Having read the reviews online, I had to see this resort for myself. As usual, we traveled during the off-season (end of May) to experience a luxury hotel at a more affordable rate.
This review of the Hotel Punta Islita includes the following:
Location of the Hotel Punta Islita
Located on the Nicoya Peninsula, the Hotel Punta Islita is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Liberia and about four hours from San Jose. The last bit of road into the property is rough, so be forewarned that a higher vehicle is recommended. However, unlike all the comments I saw while researching this property, we felt it driveable, slow, and steady, though it was not asphalted and filled with potholes.
Prefer not to drive? The hotel can arrange transportation from the Liberia airport. If you’re planning on either staying on-site or taking advantage of tours, this may be cost-effective since car rental in Costa Rica is expensive due to the cost of insurance coverage.
What’s Included
Depending on your status with Marriott, breakfast may or may not be included. Wi-Fi is included and available in the main parts of the hotel and rooms (if you step too far from the front entrance or the beach club, it won’t work).
The Hotel Punta Islita partnered with the surrounding town of Punta Islita to provide cultural opportunities for guests. Local arts and artisans feature prominently in the hotel’s activities.
The hotel offers many free activities, including on and off-site. While we visited, Punta Islita’s activity schedule included a mixology class and a how-to on making tortillas. One evening, I enjoyed a night insect tour. Bird watching and monkey spotting tours were available as well. Additional activities, such as zip-lining, were available for an additional cost. Please note that other activities are scheduled and not available each day or at any time.
Vacation packages are also available that include more activities, such as horseback riding on the beach, zip-lining, or kayaking. If you plan on staying at Punta Islita for many days, these packages may be worth the extra expense.
Punta Islita hires its personnel to lead tours and offer activities, leading to a safer and more personal experience. In addition, if you participate in enough options, the staff will get to know you!
Setting Expectations
I had to see this eco-luxury resort for myself after reading the online reviews. The descriptions of the difficult road near the property scared me a bit. But Marriott fans the world over said this was a “not to miss” property. While a luxury resort, because it was eco-friendly and located off-the-beaten-path, I had mixed expectations on what to expect. I’m glad that I decided to go.
Property
Nestled on the side of a mountain, the Hotel Punta Islita features unique views of the Pacific Ocean and some of the most memorable sunsets. This means that there will be steps to take almost anywhere you wish to go on the property. While golf carts can assist with some transportation, there will still be times when your knees will take a toll.
Hotel Punta Islita prides itself on sustainability and being environmentally friendly. It has partnered with the surrounding community to provide guests with a cultural experience and a resort. The Islita Art Museum is a collaboration of the hotel and local artists. Guests can participate in art offerings as well by creating their pieces of art. Don’t miss the Scarlet Macaw Experience! From July to November, there are sea turtle spotting tours.
Restaurants and Bars
Two restaurants keep guests well-fed. And when I say well-fed, these were some of the most delicious meals we enjoyed during our Costa Rica vacation. Every menu item was prepared to order, and service was a little slower than we’re used to – which is just a reminder to enjoy the Pura Vida lifestyle!
The Pacifico Restaurant, located at the main lodge, hosts the breakfast and dinner hours. The menu includes local flavors elevated to the ultimate cuisine. Each of our meals was fabulous and, even though our breakfast was included, we paid a little extra for the magnificent egg sandwich.
Los Cocos Beach Club’s restaurant provides the lunch and snack alternative. These casual meal options are perfect for the daytime.
There are swim-up bars at each of the two pools, as well as land bars. We spent a lot of time enjoying the views from the swim-up bar at the infinity pool, where we also ordered light fare since we arrived between lunch and dinner.
The hotel’s menu features vegetarian and other options. The chef will happily accommodate specific dietary requests, preferably notified in advance to stock the kitchen.
For an additional cost, couples can opt to have a private torch-lit dinner on the beach, or those staying in the villas can enjoy a chef-cooked intimate meal.
Beach
Located on a secluded public beach with black sand, the beach is rocky. Walk along the black sand beach to the point where guests can climb a rope ladder during low tide to enjoy a magnificent viewpoint.
Due to the rockiness, guests may want to consider wearing water shoes. In addition, the beach club offers lessons and water sports equipment, such as surfboards, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards.
Swimming Pools
The resort features two swimming pools. The adults-only infinity pool located at the top of the hill is indescribable. The jacuzzi connected to the infinity pool unfortunately does not share the gorgeous view of the hillside and beach.
A family pool featuring a swim-up bar is located down by the beach. There is plenty of seating around that pool. Both pools are shallow, and the temperature is a perfect match for the hot climate.
Sports and Wellness
An onsite spa allows guests to receive beauty and wellness treatments. Unfortunately, due to Covid restrictions, we did not try any of these services, though they looked inviting.
An onsite gym featuring everything you need is available in case you need more exercise than climbing up and down the stairs provides!
Accessibility
While this hotel has some wheelchair-accessible rooms, it is built into the side of a mountain. As a result, there are a LOT of stairs! The good news is that golf carts are also available to take guests close to their rooms and back to the main areas.
Our Room
We opted for a deluxe room with a partial ocean view. The pillow top bedding provided a comfortable night’s sleep. Because I like it cold, we slept with both the air conditioning and the ceiling fan on. The partial ocean view can only be seen from the balcony, though, not from the room itself.
A small wooden gate leads guests to their secluded room. Guests can relax on the hammock on their private patio. Some of the bigger rooms also feature a private plunge pool.
The bathroom included an open shower and an airy feeling. Basic toiletries mean that you don’t need to pack your items from home. Instead, a small on-site store sold essentials you may have forgotten to pack.
Each room has a mini-fridge so that you can store your snacks and drinks. Refills for your water bottle were available at the main lodge.
Security
To enter the Hotel Punta Islita property, guests and visitors must sign in at the guard gate. In addition, there is an unsecured gate near the bottom of the property, on the road leading to the public beach and Beach Club.
While we found the property to be pretty safe, considering that public spaces surround it and there are plenty of personnel around, you should always be mindful about your safety.
Internet
Wi-Fi was free and readily available through most of the property. Signal in the rooms and the main public areas was strong. However, there are multiple areas of the hotel property that do not receive coverage. These include areas further away from the front entrance and beach areas.
Cash
While you may need a small amount of cash for tipping, cash tipping is generally discouraged at this property. Unfortunately, there are no ATM machines here, so you must bring it with you if you intend to pay in cash.
Things to do Around Hotel Punta Islita
The hotel itself offers many opportunities, such as cultural lessons in the village and on-site activities such as kayaking and zip-lining. In addition, day tours to nearby areas such as Samara or even natural parks can be arranged. These constantly change, and arrangements for a specialized tour can be made with the activities desk.
PRO TIP: Book a stay at the sister property, Isla Chiquita, a glamping experience where you can enjoy a bioluminescent kayak tour! If you’re not driving, arrange a package that includes both properties.
Honest Feedback on the Hotel Punta Islita
I would return to Hotel Punta Islita in a heartbeat! In fact, I already have a future reservation.
The Hotel Punta Islita is the perfect destination for those who wish for a relaxing getaway. With additional opportunities to explore nearby areas, a stay at the Punta Islita is an excellent introduction to the Pura Vida of Costa Rica. Considering all the hotel offers, the opportunity to explore nearby surf areas, and even staying at the sister resort of Isla Chiquita, Hotel Punta Islita is one fabulous destination that I highly recommend.
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Happy travels!
Annick, The Common Traveler
Would you stay at Hotel Punta Islita? Let me know in a comment below!
Raised as a third culture kid living in South America and Europe, Annick caught the travel bug early. As an empty-nester, Annick enjoys sharing her tips for traveling for those with champagne taste and beer budgets.