Clandestino Beach Resort

Costa Rica , Pacific Central Coast
PROVINCIA DE PUNTARENAS, Palo Seco Beach Road
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100 reviews shown

8/10

Excellent

15 Apr 2026

Cheryl

Fresh juice, breads, small pastries, coffee and egg to order options included. Addional breakfast items available on the menu if desired at additional cost. The pancakes and french toast were delicious. We didnt have a beach view from the room but could see it from the dining and pool area. It is very close. We loved hearing the crashing waves at night it was lovely to fall asleep to.

Family

8/10

Excellent

11 Apr 2026

Alyssa

This is authentic Costa Rica. Absolutely beautiful property in the world of many critters including dogs, a raccoon, crabs, and crawly critters. It's best to just embrace that factor because if you're looking for a beautiful, off the beaten path stay with the highest quality staff this is your pick. We had a wonderful stay

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

08 Apr 2026

Raymond

Great resort and gread beachside hotel food was great but the long dirt road you have to travel every time to go anywhere suck but the resort itself is fantastic falily atmosphere very friendly and safe and the rooms were very nice and authentic jungle style

Partner

8/10

Excellent

02 Apr 2026

John

The staff was great and the owner was extremely helpful!
The wildlife, pool and beach was amazing!
Definitely would and will go back.

Family

6/10

Pleasant

29 Mar 2026

Deborah

Great beach location, funky smell in our rooms. Pool was nice, but needed repairs on surrounding deck. Breakfast was satisfactory, but staff struggled with communication compared to our other accommodations. Beautiful room and views from room.

Friends

10/10

Exceptional

20 Mar 2026

Melissa

Clean room, a/c, beach is across the street. Food was yummy.

10/10

Exceptional

03 Mar 2026

Cynthia

Very nice

10/10

Exceptional

21 Feb 2026

Stevie

My wife and kids (11 and 7 years old) had a wonderful stay at the Clandestino Beach Resort. This is a very low key, relaxing experience.

The location is outstanding just steps from the beach and the villas are nestled into a beautiful jungle giving it a very tropical vibe. You can hear the ocean waves crashing from all parts of the property. The beach ia
S beautiful, clean and quiet. You feel like you are at the end of the earth. Diana, the owner and operator, is lovely and made sure the trip was enjoyable for us. Rooms were good sized, nicely decorated, and very clean. A/C was great to come back to after a long day at the pool or beach.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner is served onsite and there are a few restaurants nearby. The included classic tico breakfast was super. There was also pastries, bread and coffe available at no charge. You are also able to select other items for a reasonable fee. Lunch and dinner onsite were both available for a fee and were very tasty. You can taste that everything is fresh and made to order. Drink selection was good as well.

Lots to do in the area. Waterfall tours, mangrove tours, jungle tours, sunset cruises. Definitley rent a car so you can explore the area with ease.

If you are looking for a big resort with loud music, pool games, kids club, buffets, entertainment etc. this is not for you. If you want to unplug, move at your own pace, and decompress, you will have a great time here.

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

10 Feb 2026

Peter

Beautiful hotel by the beach, the rooms are clean and spacious. Very friendly and helpful staff.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

30 Jan 2026

Janet

We loved this beautiful boutique hotel. Our room was comfortable, the pool was amazing and the food was excellent. I fell in love with Pepper their pet raccoon! Added bonus is that Playa Palo Seco has the best sunsets in Costa Rica We will definitely return.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

25 Jan 2026

Vicky

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

16 Jan 2026

Nicholas

Big comfortable clean. Great pool. Good food. Super friendly. Rooms and lobby have a lot of character including a pet raccoon.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Dec 2025

eva

It's in a very layback small hotel. Just in front of a secluded beach... It had great internet, even reach the beach lounger. Simple but very filling breakfast. Also one extra good point checking is 1.30pm so perfect after check out from previous destination. This is manage by a very friendly family. If you are looking for a calm relax oasis this is for you. If you're looking for a place with a lot of people to serve you and in the middle of action is not. We just wanted to rest after very active previous days and this was perfect, truly enjoy it!!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

16 Dec 2025

David James

The animals. The staff. The beach. The sunsets. The dinners. The room

8/10

Excellent

16 Dec 2025

John

Clean, peaceful room, surrounded by beautiful gardens.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

26 Oct 2025

Trish

Love this place! So personal and friendly!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

22 Aug 2025

Claudia Patricia

Beautiful

Leisure Family

2/10

Poor

15 Jul 2025

Walter

FALSE advertising - NOT a \"Resort\"

This \"resort\" is a scam - not only is it not a resort, this place is an animal sanctuary. While I understand costa rica is full of animals/nature, it would have been appropriate for the owner of this \"resort\" to mention that she has stray dogs all over the premises which follow guests into their rooms. Additionally, they have a stray raccoon on the premises that as per the owner Daine \"He goes into the guests rooms but hes harmless\" & she laughs off the fact that this was not mentioned anywhere online nor in the confirmation emails. The raccoon opened the door to our room & was about to come inside before we screamed as loud as we could and he ran away. Now for the room, in pictures it looks like a nice villa with a kitchen and old school bathroom, however upon arrival you realize how out dated those pictures are. The kitchen had visible mold and the stench of spoiled water (mold) that made it nearly impossible to stay in the kitchen for longer than 2 minutes. The bathroom had remnants of soap (from previous guests I assume), mold, and also appeared as though it was wiped down as opposed to cleaned/prepared for new guests. Truthfully, it looked as thought it had just been used minutes prior. Water was still everywhere on the floor, the towels were not folded, and of course the smell of mold. This place is NOT a resort, has a raccoon on premises (check the other reviews, i'm not lying; he nearly went into my room) and the owner laughs off people for wanting what they paid for.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

09 Jul 2025

Emanuela

It was a beautiful property and the stay was so relaxing and magical. It was a honeymoon vacation and me and my husband lovedddd all the animals that hung out with us and the staff that helped us. Thank you Diane for making our honeymoon so sweet. We can’t wait to come back :)

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 Jul 2025

Laurie

This place is a hidden gem! I strongly suggest renting car. This place is located on a gorgeous beach and has amazing staff.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

04 Jul 2025

Theadora

We loved everything!

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

03 Jun 2025

Brian

Perfect location! Everything better than would be expected for a resort in Costa Rica. We will stay again!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

06 May 2025

Christine R

Love the Vibe!

This was my favorite hotel of the trip. I loved everything about it! The hostess has a flair for sparing no attention to detail. The vibe is wonderful and so is the food. The room was clean and comfortable. Across the street is a beautiful secluded beach. I will stay here again!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

30 Apr 2025

Carlos M

Secluded area just to relax, need own transportation if you are staying longer than 2 or 3 days. Very peaceful and relaxing

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Apr 2025

Diana

What an amazing stay at Clandestino! We traveled with our two daughters and didn't want to leave! The rooms are beautifully decorated and finished. Amenities provided are wonderful. The owner, Diana and property manager, Joel took care of every need and offered plenty recommendations. What our family loved most was the different animals on property. The dogs, cats, and raccoons are friendly and so loving to our girls. Our stay was fantastic!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

18 Apr 2025

The D

Beautiful facility, well designed and maintained, pool and restaurant were perfect. The host Diane was exceptionally friendly and accomodating. There were friendly dogs for company and even a pet racoon! The room was very comfortable and had everything, except for a sorely needed shelf or countertop in the bar/fridge/coffee area. It was a perfect dream vacation, with a private beach, and nearby attractions in Quepos. There were however unwanted \"critters\". A small scorpion was hiding under our bed covers one night, and we were met by a boa constrictor at our door the next night. I expect this in Costa Rica, so it didn't affect this rating. But instead of responding with \"oh that's a \"beatiful little bug\", or a \"beautiful snake\" and dismissing them, the host should have assured us that they would, in the future, be sure to check the bed for \"bugs\" before we enter, and the exterior for snakes.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

05 Apr 2025

Jeffrey E

Excellent

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

03 Apr 2025

Ron

This is an absolute hidden gem. We loved everything about this place.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

25 Mar 2025

Cindy

Best option to disconnect and rest, and enjoy the beach. Take into account you will need a car to get to the property

Leisure Friends

6/10

Pleasant

23 Mar 2025

Tania

We liked the location and the place in overall was nice, the service was not good at all, the bar service was terrible and breakfast was as simple as you can get. nice place to relax on a privet almost deserted beach

Business_and_leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

21 Mar 2025

ahihud

Love how secluded this place is. Across is the most wonderful beach. Also secluded. Pool is incredible. Will come back hands down.

10/10

Exceptional

18 Mar 2025

Verified traveler

A Little Piece of Paradise

We loved our stay here. Very peaceful & quiet.
The staff was very helpful & friendly. It's a great place to stay if you like animals. Dogs, cats, & raccoons - all friendly.
A beautiful beach for walking & wading. Strong undertow, so avoid swimming. Beautiful sunsets & the beach is pretty much empty most of the time.
There were lots of nice extra touches such as pillows on the loungers.
It is a rough, dirt road to get to it, but it is well worth it.
The food was very good. The pool was lovely.
Only cons are the bed pillows, which are huge. The outside cushions are a bit tired.
We would very happily stay here again.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

08 Mar 2025

Georgii

Super friendly and relaxing

Leisure Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

20 Feb 2025

Verified traveler

A quaint charming resort

It was a comfortable stay. The highlight was the almost private secluded beach. Being exposed to the elements the property is not in the best condition, but the host immediately took care of any problems we had. FYI there are a few dogs, a cat, and a couple of raccoons which belong to the owner, and live on the property and walk around in the dining area.
The food was delicious, and cooked from scratch, so give plenty of time for it to be prepared. A bit on the pricier side.
The approach road to the property is a 5km gravel road.
All in all a good place to have a quiet, secluded vacation.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

17 Feb 2025

Kris

Luxury peaceful accommodations on the beach.

Perfection on every level! Garden rooms with a pristine beach a short walk away! The most comfortable beds and welcoming atmosphere! This is our favorite place to stay in Costa Rica! The highlight is the owner who creates the best food we’ve ever had in our lives. Everything she made was so delicious. We love the rescue animals that live at the resort and look forward to returning soon.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

15 Feb 2025

Suleman

A slice of paradise off the beaten path. Beautiful grounds, manicured gardens and a few steps away from the most pristine secluded private beach that seems to go on for miles. Wish we had more time there. Serene and relaxing. A real hidden gem. Diana the owner was a pleasure and you can tell she has put in a lot of effort to make her guests feel welcome. The decor is eclectic and unique. The best part of the stay were the friendly dogs on the property that lead you to your villas and accompany you to the beach and pool. Great for both couples and families. Puts Vida!

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

09 Feb 2025

Nicole

The owner of this resort treats everyone like her family. My kids and I loved our stay as we felt taken care of and tended to.
The facilities were beautiful and the private beach was exquisite. We loved the food and entire dining experience. We also loved the rescue animals roaming the property. We hope to go back and stay again!!

10/10

Exceptional

27 Jan 2025

Peter

This is a nice place to go if you want something quiet and not tooany ppl. They are pet friendly which is always a plus. Overall the restaurant food and drink prices I thought were high but other than that, they staff was great. The pool is one of the best I've seen around and will definitely go back. I'll just load up on beers before getting there.

Leisure Pet

10/10

Exceptional

05 Jan 2025

dlovan

This is a unique resort that is owner operated. You should be animal friendly because dogs and and a raccoon call this resort home and visit the restaurant frequently. My kids loved it.
The rooms are well maintained and have a very nice decor.
Two walls are glass (with curtains), so if you open the curtains it’s like full jungle immersion.
The adjacent beach is very serene and basically you have it all to yourself.
There are plenty of loungers, swings, a hammock, and endless sandy beach to stroll.
Beware, though, the waves are very strong and there are rip currents.
We had a wonderful few days. But the resort is pretty secluded, away from the hustle and bustle of tourist overrun places like Manuel Antonio. it was helpful that I had a car and we could take some trips to other places during our stay.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

29 Dec 2024

Samantha

Incredible stay at the resort. My family thoroughly enjoyed the property, the kind staff and impeccable service, the animals on property, the remote and tranquil location with beach access across from the pool.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

09 Dec 2024

Sheyne

location and staff are amazing. if you are a pet lover you will like this place. There are many lovely pets around the facility. very quiet. The beach feels as though it is private so there are few people in this area, and it is an exceptionally clean beach.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

13 Aug 2024

Derya

This is a very unique place! This little resort was absolutely incredible; extremely charming, and right on the beach! The staff was very friendly and helpful in every way. We were given a room upgrade after our second night with a beach and pool view. If you have the option, get the room with a pool and ocean view. The included breakfast was absolutely delicious.we ate dinner at the resort once (our last night) and it was better than any place we had outside. They do have a full menu restaurant and full bar. This is an extremely pet-freindly resort with at least five or six dogs who live on site, along with many other animals (we saw a raccoon, sloth, and monkeys right at the resort). The beach is very private, no other people for as far as you can see in both directions. On our beach walk, we did see about 10-15 little turtles that just hatched and made their way to the ocean. I would highly recommend having a rental car if you stay here as the resort is pretty remote. We felt very safe here as they have on-site security who patrol at night (I know because they reminded me twice I left my car lights on). We certainly recommend this resort and will be back!

10/10

Exceptional

10 Aug 2024

Nachman

Incredible, intimate and just awesome. The beach is top notch, practically no one around. Literal paradise

Leisure Family_with_children

6/10

Pleasant

09 Aug 2024

Verified traveler

3 night stay

The staff was friendly and the grounds were nice. One of the only upsides to this property is that the beach is steps away. If you’re coming with a family just beware there aren’t many restaurants in the area. The property as a whole is pretty run down.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

01 Aug 2024

Jamie

Ms. Diana and her staff are absolutely AMAZING!!!! I did not feel well while there and she went out of her way to ensure I got what I needed. Her meals, whether spaghetti, chicken strips or a simple ham n cheese sandwich were prepared with love and came to the table beautifully plated. My daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed Pipa the raccoon and the pups freely roaming the properly and loving on their visitors. This place is a bit remote, so prepare to take the bumpy road to go/do anything beyond the resort. Note- IF YOU DO NOT LIKE ANIMALS, this place is not for you. ❤️🐕🐈🦝

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

14 Jul 2024

Carrie

Property has a lot of potential. The view is breathtaking and the grounds are beautiful. However I felt like I was camping. The rooms need updating and cleaning. The dogs and staff are great.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

07 Jul 2024

Vitaliy

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

07 Jul 2024

AMY

We brought our family to this resort. We have two children and they loved the pool, the dogs and the raccoon which are pets. You just cross the dirt road to the beach where we cut open coconuts and dipped our feet in the water. We really enjoyed the complementary breakfast. Food was fresh and tasty. We had one dinner there. It was expensive but it was tasty and there are no other restaurants in the area. The property is beautiful and peaceful. There are flowers everywhere. It is sort off the beaten path which we really enjoyed. Its not in a congested area. I would definitely recommend it.

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

03 Jul 2024

Pelin

This place was amazing! Diana was a very kind and welcoming host! Also, the best food I've ever had! I would definitely visit this place again.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

28 Jun 2024

Jeffry

Great and secluded little hotel right in front of the beach, with a huge pool and a peaceful atmosphere. Definitely will be back and recommend.

Leisure Partner

2/10

Poor

27 Jun 2024

Stewart

Upon arriving
my family and I felt uncomfortable with the resort's environment and decided to cancel our reservations. The lack of staff, absence of other residents (we were the only ones present), cloudy pool water, danger signs for entering the ocean, lack of lights to welcome visitors, 3 miles of bumpy unpaved road leading up to the location, not allowed to flush toilet paper down the toilet, and emaciated dogs and raccoons roaming the lobby made for an unsavory experience. We ended up leaving, losing our $500 deposit, and staying at a location in Jaco, which we loved.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

15 May 2024

thomas

Great Accomodation, Secluded Location

Very quant small boutique accommodation in a secluded area of Quopes about 30 minute drive away. Right on a beautiful beach which black sand. More of a location for decompresion than chocked full of activities. Miles of beach to walk on, especially good at low tide where a 100 yards of the beach is exposed. Owner is fabulous, help me set up day trips. Have to drive down a dirt road 3 miles to get to the resort. Again, isolated area.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

30 Apr 2024

Shannon

Best romantic getaway!!

Best place EVER!! Diane was amazing room was so cute and romantic the dogs were amazing and walked with you on the beach and the raccoon pepper was amazing! I would recommend to everyone and the beach was all ours no one on it! All black sand so cool!! The food was amazing too! Beach and jungle in one!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

29 Apr 2024

Shannon

Best romantic getaway!!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

19 Apr 2024

Walter E

If you are looking for a place to totally unwind relax. Disconnect, this is the place you have to like dogs and don't mind the raccoon. The staff was amazing. The owner saw to our needs made us feel so special for our anniversary. The food was amazing. The room was amazing. It's off the beaten path but it was perfect.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

08 Apr 2024

Brent

We felt like we had our own private beach at Clandestino. Our kids loved the pool and the pets (including a friendly raccoon named Pepper!). The food was very good and the service was top notch. The rooms were comfortable and the ac worked well. My daughter loved eating mangos from the mango tree all day. Would definitely recommend having a car as the secluded and private location could make getting a taxi difficult. We did day trips to Jaco and Manuel Antonio from clandestino. We had a really nice time and made lifetime memories with our kids at the resort.

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

01 Apr 2024

Jennifer

The resort offered a nice getaway being away from the busy areas with a semi private beach that wasn’t crowded and had pretty sunset views. The staff were friendly and attentive. Rooms were clean and the style and decor was resort boho chic. Perfect for a secluded Costa Rica vacation. We had a rental car so coming and going to town was easy for us.

8/10

Excellent

16 Mar 2024

Matthew

Nice beach hotel, quiet, great rooms.

A hidden gem right on the beach which goes for miles. Beach is nice sand, rolling pacific warm waves.
Hotel has a pool, great rooms and a warm welcome from the host. If you like peace and quiet, this is a great place for you.
Only down side is the food is more expensive

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

12 Mar 2024

Thomas

Loved everything about it 10/10

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

05 Mar 2024

Verified traveler

Quiet, peaceful, and relaxing

So this place was not what I expected, but it was what I needed. It is a local hotel, the rooms are super clean and the beach was right there. This is not an all inclusive typical resort. It is locally owned, private, and quiet. I didn't really look at the reviews before I booked so I was expecting more of busy resort. We didn't do a lot of research before arriving to Costa Rica so it was amazing how the owner of the hotel set up our itinerary for our last days in the country. It was such a relieve because we didn't have to worry about much once we arrived. I was looking for a more lively and full resort, but ended with a quiet, private, peaceful, and relaxing stay. If partying and a big crowd is what you are looking for, this resort won't fulfill those things, but if you want something quiet and private this is it. I felt super safe. We arrived to Parrita by bus and then crabbed a cab to the hotel. Before arriving I would suggest you contact the hotel for transportation, we could have avoided a huge headache had we done that. The taxis in San Jose wanted to charge us $250 to take us to the hotel. Had we contacted the hotel we could have avoided the bus ride and gotten a cheaper more comfortable ride.

Friends_and_family Friends

6/10

Pleasant

22 Feb 2024

Jacob

Pura Vida from our stay at Clandestino, equally magic and frustrating. With a menagerie of dogs, cats, and even a pet raccoon roaming freely, animal lovers will delight, though it may not suit everyone. Our encounter with the raccoon led to an unprovoked scratch attack on our baby, highlighting a need for caution, especially with children.

The property, needing updates, had issues from non-working lights and door lock to a leaking shower, and cleanliness was a concern with a dirty fridge and cockroach presence in the kitchen. Despite its decline, the location's beauty is undeniable. Playa Palo Seca's remote, pristine beach offers solitude but beware of its dangerous currents and hot sand.

Dining was disappointing, with high prices not matching the quality, especially the shockingly expensive drinks (as pricey as Miami or Vegas honestly... a single Guaro sour drink was running like $24 USD? For context, I bought an entire bottle of Guaro in Manuel Antonio for like $14 bucks.) Despite these drawbacks, the welcoming staff and the unique experience still made our stay enjoyable. Future visitors should come prepared, hopefully with a rental car to explore dining options and save money. Despite its flaws, Clandestino has charm for those with an open mind. Pura Vida!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

12 Feb 2024

Alan

Paradise, paradise, paradise!!!!

My wife and I found this hotel to be the most relaxing environment we have experienced in a very long time. Away from the hustle and bustle you find yourselves to be the only ones on this very long beautiful beach.
The sunsets are absolutely to die for!!!
Diane, the owner was very supportive of our needs. Knowing we were only there for two nights she personally helped us to organise trips very much last minute which we were exceptionally grateful for.
All of the staff were courteous and helpful always and we were very sad that we had not spent much more time there as we found it to be such a tropical getaway.
One day we hope to be back. Thanks again to Diane and her team, keep up the great work.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 Feb 2024

Lisette

Love this place. The laid back vibe. You feel like you have the resort to yourself. The owner Diana is always on hand to help with anything you need. The breakfast was great, we had dinner one night it was also great. We love the dogs that live on the resort as well as the raccoon. They like to hang out with the guests. The beach is secluded and has the most beautiful sunset you will ever see. This was our third time there and we will be back.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

23 Jan 2024

Erika

Very beautiful, unique, and serene destination. A special experience. Dianne and staff were kind and accommodating. The food was amazing. Great experience.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

20 Jan 2024

alyson

Lovely hotel in amazing location

Clandestino was beautiful and Diana, the owner just couldn't do enough for us. Lovely room, very comfortable and quiet. Beautiful pool and comfy sunbeds. Good choice for breakfast, will cook any combination you fancy!! We also ate in the restaurant every night and again great choice of food. We ate there every night (8 nights).

Location of hotel did not disappoint. Right on the beach - miles of deserted, unspoilt sandy beach and the benefit of both sunrise and sunset.

Pretty local for several of the attractions, Rainmaker (waterfalls), Manuel Antonio Nature Reserve and Mangrove boat trip and Diana booked transport for us.

The resident pets were great fun and very friendly too!

We will definitely go back - thank you Diana

Partner

8/10

Excellent

15 Jan 2024

Michael

Very good one night stay. Room was comfortable and convenient to restaurant and pool. Pool was relaxing but only very shallow or too deep to stand. I didn’t like that shower floor was hard to stand on with round large stones. Good was good at restaurant but expensive.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 Jan 2024

Colin

We loved this place. To be honest, when we initially pulled in, I was very skeptical that we booked a really odd property. But 3 days later, I couldnt be happier when added all up. The thing I liked the most about the property was an extreme \"chill\" vibe (Pura Vida) that resinated through everything. Gorgeous area with waves crashing literally right behind every meal you eat. One of the nicest things about it was the beach, the sand, and the surf. There isn't a single rock or sharp anything in the water. Just sand, as far as you can head out. The property owner (Diane) and her staff treats you like family, lets you use all of their stuff (surf boards included). My middle kid learned how to surf while there - so cool! Breakfast is included and is fantastic. You can choose to eat lunch and dinner on sight and most of the food was decent. We loved all of Diane's animals, especially her very tame racoon. Staff was super nice and friendly. We had a great time and plan to return. Thanks so much.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

29 Oct 2023

Kimberly

This was our second visit in the past few years. We love going here to just get away from it all. The staff and owner are always so attentive and accommodating.

Leisure Friends

4/10

Poor

13 Mar 2021

Verified traveler

We arrived and property was closed
Had not received any notice
Could have been handled a little better
Owner was not very helpful
When to Manuel Antonio and found a great hotel

10/10

Exceptional

23 Feb 2021

Verified traveler

Great location. Great room. Melvin does a little bit of everything there. Enjoyed the beach, the pool, the food, the service. Breakfast was included.

Leisure Partner

2/10

Poor

09 Feb 2021

Verified traveler

We have been coming to Costa Rica for 16 years now and we are also residents. We stayed at Clandestino 3 years ago, and it was almost perfect then. It was a highlight of our trip then and we have referred many people to this hotel, sadly things are not what they were before.
The Arrival
This trip we stayed in January 2021. For 2 nights. Upon arrival to the office, we were greeted by the receptionist that was dressed like a total prostitute. Super short skirt with her butt almost hanging out, and her breasts about to fall out of her shirt. My wife told me there was literally nipple showing. It was extremely uncomfortable. After driving 2 hours from San Jose, we reluctantly continued to check in, which after completing check in we were shown to our room. The tour to our room was- “this is your room, don’t put paper in the toilet”. That was it, nothing more, almost like we were bothering her for coming. The receptionist quickly left the property. I had to go find the bartender to get the Wi-Fi access information.
The receptionist that checked us in is the partner of the European owner that checked us in 3 years ago and gave a full proper tour of the room and property and was quite pleasurable then. Not now. Not anymore. It is the “give us your money and leave us alone” attitude.
The Room
To put it in short – maintenance has not been performed as it should have been. The A/C leaked all over the floor, the curtains were falling apart, and the screen door was a struggle to open an

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

17 Jan 2021

Verified traveler

This place is amazing. The flora and fauna on one side and the beach on the other. Food, staff, everything is amazing.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

27 Dec 2020

Andrea

Nice place poor service

The location is beautiful and the hotel nice. Though the sheets of the bed were stained and the floor not very well swept. Staff in not well trained and have little proactivity.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

07 Dec 2020

Michael

FIVE STARS

Remote private slice of heaven

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 Aug 2020

Orpheus

The hotel is in amazing location in front of the ocean. The owner , Diana is a great host and we would definitely come back. Thank you

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

27 Jul 2020

Verified traveler

Excellent staff, clean rooms, nice breakfast and short distance from San Jose.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

01 Jun 2020

Verified traveler

This place is really beautiful and clean. Only few steps from the beach. You can stay at the swimming pool area and go to the beach anytime. Hotel is like you see in the pics posted in their website.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

23 Mar 2020

Verified traveler

The beach was rough but beautiful and lots of fun.

Location was remote but that’s what we were looking for and the setting was amazing.
Staff was all awesome. Food was great.
Pool was very nice and heated.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

19 Feb 2020

Birgit

A paradise!
More than expected!
Everything was great, room, restsurant, service, staff, facilities, beach

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

14 Feb 2020

Maria Muller Uhrskov

paradise

This hotel completely lives up to your expectations! It’s beautiful surroundings and it great condition. What you see on the pictures is exactly how it is. The staff were absolutely wonderful. I can only recommend this place!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 Feb 2020

Verified traveler

Love this place. The staff is amazing. The rooms are clean and kept. Diana is always there if you need anything. The bar staff makes an amazing Piña Colada. The beach is set up with hammocks and beach beds to relax on. I was here 7 years ago and the property has has a few nice updates like bed loungers on you patio. Will definitely be back. Thanks Diana and staff for an amazing stay.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

02 Feb 2020

Dean

Great location right on the beach.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 Jan 2020

Verified traveler

The beach access is great. Huts are setup in a jungle setting so you wake up to nature’s sounds. Staff is very helpful. Prices on drinks and food are quite reasonable.

It is a great place to stay if you want to lounge around by the beach. A hidden gem

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

26 Dec 2019

Nima/Gabby

If you need a break from the hustle bustle, if you love nature, if you want to be away from it all while still within driving distance of nearby attractions, Clandestino is amazing!
What we loved:
STAFF: Diana, staff, and security officers were amazing. As soon as we stepped out of our car, Hiro the security guard showed us sloths, baby sea turtles, and other natural wonders of the area. A big deal for us being nature lovers! Staff was friendly, extremely accommodating, and went out of their way to ensure we were comfortable. My fiancee surprised me with a marriage proposal and she was aided by the staff who helped create an extremely romantic evening to pop the question!
LGBTQ CONSIDERATIONS: Being two women, we always worry about prejudice when we travel but we felt nothing but love, support, and kindness here! We felt free to show affection and be ourselves. We also felt extremely safe, honestly safer than at home!
LOCATION: We rented a car which I highly recommend. Some days we lounged around the hotel, going to the beach, napping, swimming in the pool, having our meals. Other days, we drove to Quepos, Parrita, Jaco and other locations for various activities within an hours drive. Driving in Costa Rica was easier than driving in Denver, Colorado!
AMENITIES: Yes, fellow millennials, there is good wifi! Also, hot showers, area is super clean, food is delicious and reasonably priced, and there are TV's but we never turned it on.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 Nov 2019

ArleneandBrandy

This was the best place I’ve been in a long time. It’s absolutely beautiful and the staff is as kind and helpful as you could ever hope for. We’re going back next year.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

28 Sep 2019

Hazel

Exquisite

Totally exquisite !! Every detail is thought about and some,just beautiful
Each cabin is carefully placed so you have total privacy the staff are warm and helpful but not intrusive ,the food is delightful and cooked to your taste
We stayed in 8 different hotels in our 3 weeks traveling all around Costa rica and this was our favourite !!! We thank you for such a wonderful stay .

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

22 Sep 2019

Renee

This property was like paradise! The rooms were beautiful, pool was lovely and the beach was amazing. We had delicious breakfasts and a wonderful dinner one night. There was also a good deal of wildlife to be around too.

Leisure Friends

4/10

Poor

24 Aug 2019

Verified traveler

Not a Resort

This place is Not a “Resort”
12 rooms, zero perks, so destitute you have zero options for food and excursions. Rent a car if you go because taxis are outrageously expensive. No surfing. All excursions are at Manual Antonio- 45 minutes away. Rip tides and no lifeguard

Self

10/10

Exceptional

17 Aug 2019

Carter

Best Place We Stayed In Costa Rica

This place is way better than the listing and pictures seemed. According to hotels.com it is a 3.5 stars, in my opinion it is at least a 4.5 stars place. There are only 11 rooms there so it never felt like it was overcrowded and there was always room by the pool. Since the place is a bit secluded when you walk across the street to the beach there was never anyone there. My GF and I walked in the morning for 45 mins down the beach and saw no one the entire time. Overall experience was 10/10, only minor issue was food/drinks were a bit pricey but nothing too crazy.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

30 Jul 2019

Yudis

Experiencia increíble

Fue una experiencia increíble. El resort está en excelente condiciones.,Los empleados fueron siempre bien amables y atentos a todo lo que se necesitaba. La comida estaba bien deliciosa. La playa hermosa y limpia. Hay varias sillas y amapas en la playa para que puedas tomar el sol y relajarte.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

28 Jul 2019

Verified traveler

The location is beautiful, secluded and safe. My issues were with the bathroom, the water pressure in the sink was lowered to a trickle, not even enough to brush your teeth. No hot water in shower, the shower floor is made of the same rocks as the walls, hurt feet to stand on and would be impossible to clean. The lightning in the bathroom was horrible, almost impossible for doing hair and makeup. The bed slept good but you had to climb over the bamboo frame every time you got in or out. Also room smells musty, bamboo absorbed moisture in the air.

Leisure Family

2/10

Poor

01 Jul 2019

Verified traveler

We live in the US. My husband had to have emergency surgery before our stay there. I contacted the resort with plenty of time ahead to cancel the reservation and allow them to get it booked (as my husband was not allowed to fly). They were not helpful whatsoever! They were the only place in Costa Rica who did not understand or assist us with a reimbursement (this is with the documentation from the doctors stating his condition and that he could not travel). I was extremely disappointed with their response and lack of understanding and assistance! What a shame!

Leisure Family_with_children

6/10

Pleasant

30 Jun 2019

Verified traveler

Gardens were beautiful and the little cabanas were very picturesque. The housekeeping was very poor. Our room was mopped but not swept, so if a piece of paper was on the floor, it would just be mopped around the room. There was not any music close to the pool and the restaurant needs new cushions. If you are dressed up for dinner make sure the cushions are dry before you seat. Our friend’s room had a nonworking tv that was attempted to be fixed a couple of times with no luck. It was also very unpleasant to find dog poop in the garden ( from the bunch of owner’s dogs that sometimes are left free to walk around the pool and even the restaurant and even in the rooms).

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

20 May 2019

Pleasant hotel and not overcrowded. Staff very helpful. The rooms are in need of updating or refurbishing. The stone flooring in the showers may complement the rustic environment outside but is uncomfortable.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

09 May 2019

RandyandWendy

This is by far a unique experience, on a unique property managed by a gracious host, Diana. We know her name because she made sure she was visible to all her guests. She greeted us with warmth and genuineness. The staff was simply exquisite. You feel “at home” here, because Diana and her staff are attentive and caring, if you need something in your room, someone is addressing it immediately. The food is outstanding, the rooms (and beds) are incredibly comfortable. The grounds are always being looked after and views of the incredible private black sand beaches takes your breath away.

I want to address some reviews I’ve seen concerning the roads that lead to the property, which must have been posted by a Hollywood diva unable to handle spilling her expensive champagne from her golden grail...the roads that lead to Clandestino DO NOT require a 4 wheel drive, in fact my grandmother could handle these roads with ease, which at best are described as crushed concrete powdered, the locals and small children ride their bikes on these roads. Don’t let that be a concern, we had a good laugh at that review.

A highlight in addition to the staff, grounds and warmth we felt was seeing the native Iguanas, birds and the resident family of 3 sloths that live in the trees!

Diana made the trip worth it, and gave us all a big hug prior to leaving. We will definitely be going back and I highly recommend you visit.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

21 Apr 2019

RafaelMaldonado

This is a jewel of a Hotel!Since our arrival everything was handled perfectly.Great comfortable room with excellent A/C.
Diana the Owner and her staff take care of any and all requests!
Would repeat !

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

16 Apr 2019

Verified traveler

Both my husband and I were very impressed with this beautiful resort. The staff and the property were more than we expected. We especially loved our room and were amazed at how clean and lush the whole property is kept. The employees were very conscientious of keeping the resort looking it’s best at all times and quickly learned what we liked to eat and drink. We were definitely catered to and that made our stay extra special.

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

05 Apr 2019

Jonathan

Bamboo heaven!

Fabulously styled resort with an exclusive feel. The service was outstanding and food delicious at a reasonable price. We loved having the vast strip of beach to watch to sunset. A lovely relaxing few days would stay again without hesitation.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 Apr 2019

Verified traveler

Clandestino was fantastic. Beautiful place, beach and great staff. I highly recommend it.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

11 Mar 2019

Verified traveler

Nice mgr. nice beach ,pool area good food at night very good.resort a little dated,could use some up dates but overall not bad.worst road out to resort very rough.

Leisure Family