Hi! My boyfriend and I are heading to Mal Pais in January and are trying to figure out where to stay. Our choices (which are varied, I know) are Casa Chameleon, Esencia, Moana Lodge, Horizon Yoga Hotel or maybe Surf Camp Mal Pais. We are in our early thirties and my boyfriend is a surfer, I am just learning. I think our goal is to be at a nice place, near surf and restaurants, etc. (although we will have a car)but we are wondering if it is worth it to pay about $100 more to stay at Casa Chameleon over some of the others (I know, there have been great reviews!).

Any suggestions??

Also, has anybody heard anything about or stayed at Latitude 10 hotel in Mal Pais? Thanks!

I can't speak to the hotels you have mentioned (although I DO know Chameleon gets fabulous reviews, and would probably be well worth the splurge).

We stayed at Tropico Latino and loved it. Especially liked the location. We requested the one beachfront cabin, got it, and enjoyed the view. We aren't surfers, so spent our time relaxing checking out the area, and walking the beach. There is another cabin right behind that one, but only the one in front with the great view (unless there have been changes in 3 years, possible).

Even if you don't get that one and have to stay in one of the garden cabins, they are still just a few steps from the beach and looked nice.

Good luck! And have a great trip!

My husband & I were there last year & stayed in the beachfront bungalow at Tropico Latino. (it's still the only one that's beachfront) There were a lot of surfers staying there but due to an offshore storm the water was too rough even for them. It would've been a great surf spot had it not been for the storm.
I thought the hotel was in a great location & I loved listening to the rain coming down on the tin roof of our bungalow. I haven't been to any of the other hotels you mentioned.
Have a great trip!

Thanks for the tips! Anymore advice or suggestions are appreciated!

Mal pais surf camp is a ways from the beach. They say 200 yards or so but for us it was a pain to carry our stuff and then leave it on the beach. My kid had her flip flops stolen the first day. THe bungalows were noisier because people drive up to each bungalow and up to the restaurant. They had a t.v., ping pong and pool table in the restaurant. The swimming pool had no lights at night, pitch dark. We were so glad there were openings at Tropico Latino. Beautiful, lush grounds, nice swimming pool, good food, and you just felt peaceful and safe there. Steps to the beach. Tropico Latino is wonderful. Better than surf camp.

My boyfriend and I went to Mal Pais last year and had a fantastic time. The surf was awesome! Although we really needed the car to hit all of the great breaks. It was adventure in itself bouncing around to the different breaks depending on the swell. We stayed at Casa Chameleon and definitely hit the jackpot there. A place like that should be double the price, no kidding! I didn't see anything around that even compared to it. Although we spent most of our time in the water or relaxing at the hotel. They gave us great info on the best breaks to hit each day and the only time we saw more than 2 or 3 other surfers was at sunset at the main beach. Even then, it really wasn't crowded. Checking out Pavones next, but will try to hit Mal Pais for at least 4 days this trip. We know we'll be staying at the Chameleon again.