Fodor's Expert Review Martina's Bar & Restaurant

Formerly known as Bar Buena Esperanza, as the road sign still says, this is the coolest, liveliest—and only!—upscale bar-restaurant on the road from Puerto Jiménez to Carate. It would still be the best even if there were others, thanks to a short but scrumptious menu featuring contemporary versions of local fish, pork, chicken, and salads. Psychedelic colors and mermaid paintings decorate the long, polished-wood bar and alfresco restaurant, which hosts lively Friday-night dinner-and-DJ parties. Friday morning there's a small, local artisan's market with a chance to buy Jade Luna ice creams from Puerto Jiménez. Sunday afternoon, locals come with their families for board games and some pick-up field sports.