Fodor's Expert Review Ritmo Tropical

100 m south of El Cruce on road toward Malpaís, Malpais, Puntarenas, 60111, Costa Rica

Tranquil, comfortable, and nicely priced, this small hotel and spa a short walk from the beach is consistently the best deal in Malpaís. Red-tile-roof bungalows here are simple yet tasteful, with high wooden ceilings, large bathrooms, lots of windows, front terraces, Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning. Some bungalows, arranged in a semicircle around the large amoeba-shape pool and gardens, have views of the sea and the jungle. Two smaller rooms are a bargain, or there's a kitchen-equipped studio that sleeps four. The reasonably priced Italian restaurant in front of the property is open for breakfast and dinner and serves more than two-dozen types of pizza (you can also design your own) plus tapas. There are also fresh fish dishes with a selection of sauces, and tasty pasta offerings such as farfalle with fish and shrimp curry sauce. There's a pleasant yoga deck and best of all, the hotel fronts a paved road, so there are no clouds of dust to contend with, and you can actually hear birds singing.

PROS

  • very clean rooms
  • economical
  • lively restaurant
  • quiet

CONS

  • a bit of a walk to town, but on a paved road

QUICK FACTS

Hotel
Family
$$

HOTEL INFO

Phones: 2640–0174

HOTEL DETAILS

11 units
Rate Includes: No Meals

What’s Nearby