Hi - I'm starting to plan a trip back to CR next March, and I'd like to go to the Puerto Viejo/Southern Caribbean area this time.

I'd like to think I can do the PV-thing and go without a/c at night - and I think I can do it - but I'm not entirely sure. It's not the heat I'm worried about - it's the humidity.

I'm probably going to go with Pachamama which gets stellar reviews on TA, and I've had amazing communication with the owners - Bill and Cathy. But they don't have a/c - as most places down there. They do have ceiling fans.

As a possible alternative, I'm wondering if anyone has stayed at Villas del Caribe? I believe it's on Playa Cocles. It seems a tad bland and anonymous - but they do have the option of a/c and they have king size beds - a nice plus. But, there isn't a review on TA since 2006, and I've read elsewhere that the hotel was built on "Indian" land - so not sure I want that kind of karma on me

Has anyone stayed here? Does anyone know anything about it?

Thanks!

My family and I stayed at Villas del Caribe in July of 2006. We did not have AC, but never felt like we needed it and I really can not stand to be in hot or humid air. The owners/managers were great, the accomdations were decent. Only problem is that it is about a 10 minute drive from PV, down a dirt road with potholes big enough to swallow a person. I have been throughout CR, and this was one of, if not the worst road I have been on, which limited our time in town, which we also really enjoyed.

So, it's a decent place, but if I were to go back, I would stay closer to town, and I wouldn't be concerned about AC. hope this helps.

Thanks a lot! I'm sort of purposely wanting to stay further away from PV. I keep hearing such great things about the beach and water at Punta Uva, that I think that's where I want to be closer to - that's my priority. We're not really ones for night life, so being secluded is totally fine.

Thanks for the comments about Villas del Caribe, but I'm having a hard time finding anyone who has stayed there since 2006. It's odd.

I'm also looking on VRBO for house rentals - I've found a couple cute ones near Punta Uva, so maybe that's what we'll end up doing. We just wouldn't necessarily have the services of a lodge or b&b that way.

I visited Villas del Caribe last year. I didn't think it seemed as well maintained as it had been in the past. The place is also undergoing a few problems with the government right now. They started to build an add-on to their place and the government said no because of it intruding on the adjoining wildlife refuge.

You will not need a/c at Pachamama. The cabins sit in a thick wooded area and it's very cool and refreshing. You definitely notice the temperature difference once you enter the property. I really like the place.

Thanks - I'm feeling better and better about Pachamama. I felt very good about it before - I've had some great exchanges with the owners - but I just don't want to get down there and not be able to sleep.

We just got back from Manuel Antonio, and I'm glad we had the a/c to help with the humidity at night - but it was our first trip and I think we needed some creature comforts. Now that we've been, I think we'll be better able to "rough it" a bit.

So far, not one person who has stayed at Pachamama has said they had trouble sleeping because of the heat - now, the howler monkeys are a different story - but I LOVE the sounds of the jungle.

Thanks!

Check out Aguas Claras. They are on the beach side of the road about halfway between Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo. We loved it there a couple of years ago and the little restaurant onsite, Miss Holly's, is great for breakfast, lunch, cappucinos, brownies, etc. . .

Aguas Claras are little houses, all different sizes. They are just steps from the beach--we saw an eyelash viper there and got great photos. He was on a branch right next to the short trail to the beach. Nice little accomodations. No AC--fans. Owned by a very nice couple, Mario and Flori (or something very similar. . .)

We also enjoyed Azania Bungalows--good value.

Uh oh. An eyelash viper. It's a very good thing my partner isn't on here also! We managed not to see any snakes on our last trip to CR (sort of to my disappointment), but that would not be a good thing for him! I know there's a very good chance we'll see one or two in the Caribe Sur area - but I don't think I want to seek them out!

Thanks for the suggestions though. I'll check out Aguas Claras again, just to be sure.

I guess I've sort of become enchanted by Pachamama's location. It seems like it's very much immersed in the forest - lots of chances for wildlife sighting - and I like that there's that little river running by the property. I'm looking forward to kayaking down the river to the beach (probably very snakey though!). A little adventure I think I can handle on my own.

Do you have some kind of inside info on Pachamama? It seems like people either really like it, or know nothing about it. It's funny because it seems like it would be a bit stuffy being immersed in the woods without a nice breeze, but everyone I've talked with who has stayed there says it was strangely cool.

That's the whole thing: Pachamama is in the woods and very shaded. That's why it is so cool there.