Adventure abounds in the Manuel Antonio and Quepos area. With a national park, white-water rafting, surfing and scores of other once-in-a-lifetime activities close at hand, it would be a shame to waste much time holed up in a hotel. All good adventurers need a comfortable base camp, however, and La Sirena Hotel in Quepos is perfect for just that.
Conveniently situated in downtown Quepos, the hotel sits just blocks away from the bus station and is 10 minutes by bus or taxi from Manuel Antonio National Park. There is an ATM across the street, the Pacific Ocean is a mere 100 meters away, and the area surrounding the hotel is packed with an array of excellent dining options.
Guests can cool off in La Sirena’s pool.
Katie Onheiber | Tico Times
Although visitors will have better things to do than spend all of their time vegging out inside their rooms, La Sirena is genuinely comfortable. Don’t let the bland facade or the surprisingly low rates fool you. The hotel is warm, homey and shipshape. Rooms are spotless, beds are soft, and showers are warm, making for ideal headquarters to rest up before another day of fishing, surfing or hiking. Each guest room is equipped with cable TV, a mini-fridge stocked with bottled water and beer, a safe and a telephone for free local calls. Long-distance calls to the United States can be made free of charge from the front desk.
The hotel also has free wireless Internet, and for those who didn’t schlep along their laptops, two computers are available to guests. La Sirena offers laundry service for $3 a kilo – cheaper than you’ll find anywhere else in town.
Cool off in the medium-sized swimming pool, which is situated perfectly under the second-level walkway, making an epic leap into the deep end a nearly unbearable temptation. Next to the pool is La Sirena’s tiki bar, which serves Costa Rican beer and excellent, really cheap appetizers – we’re talking about cheese quesadillas or patacones (fried green plantains) with refried beans and guacamole for only $4 per massive plate – during happy hour, from 5 to 7 p.m. every evening.
By morning, the tiki bar will have converted itself into a venue for complimentary breakfast of coffee, fresh fruit, yogurt, eggs and toast.
Fear not, disciples of surf. The staff at La Sirena is well versed in the local breaks and can get you pointed in the right direction. The hotel offers board storage, and the front desk will arrange transportation to and from surf spots. They are also happy to book any number of tours and activities for guests.
White-faced capuchin monkeys in Manuel Antonio National Park
Katie Onheiber | Tico Times
Customer service at La Sirena is excellent. The bilingual staff is cheerfully willing to assist in whatever way they can. This is due in large part to the hotel’s admirable business practice of keeping on its seven-person staff throughout the low season, when many tourism businesses cut down on staffing. This brand of increasingly rare job security breeds high employee morale and results in a pleasant stay for guests.
All in all, La Sirena offers guests affordable luxury and convenience they are unlikely to find anywhere else for the same price.
Going There
La Sirena is two blocks north and two blocks west of the bus station in Quepos, across from the Banco de Costa Rica. Buses from San José depart several times a day from the Coca-Cola bus terminal.
Room rates range from $55 to $85 during “green” season (April 25 to Dec. 15), $60 to $95 during high season (Jan. 4 to April 24) and $75 to $120 during peak season (Dec. 16 to Jan. 3).
For reservations and information, call 2777-0572 or visit www.lasirenahotel.com.
