Guanacaste Lodge

Costa Rica , Pacific North Coast / Guanacaste
PLAYA FLAMINGO, 250 Meters Sur Del Banco Nacional
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75 reviews shown

10/10

Exceptional

03 Mar 2026

Vicki

I would highly recommend staying at Guanacaste Lodge! It is a simple, older property that you can see is very well maintained. The room and property are extremely clean and comfortable. The hostess is very sweet and helpful and the breakfast is super! There is no shade at the pool or lounge chairs in midday so be prepared for extremely hot! There are covered tables for picnic. Super close to Playa Flamingo and very good food. Ate at the Tiki and Pleamar, both very good food & service and very close to the lodge.

Friends_and_family Friends

8/10

Excellent

25 Feb 2026

Jill

It was a pleasant experience. The room was comfortable. It had air conditioning. The pool was clean. The breakfast was traditional. There was in the evening a type of ants climbing on the walls inside our room,
The management didn’t care. They didn’t bother us while we were sleeping.
It wasn’t a high-end place, but it was nice. It wasn’t close to any towns, but it was OK.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 Feb 2026

Michel

Hôtel bien situé, beau jardin, chambre propre

6/10

Pleasant

30 Jan 2026

Roxane

The staff was courteous and kind. The room was ready when we arrived - which we appreciated. However, we didn’t have much soap, no shampoo. The showers didn’t work properly. The beds were comfortable. The property was well maintained. The pool was nice. Breakfast was good: eggs, rice, yogourt, toasts and fruit. Coffee was hot. Tang juice was offered.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

21 Jan 2026

John

The staff was great. The room was comfortable and reasonable.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

17 Jan 2026

Lauren

Guanacaste is a fantastic spot to stay if you’re looking for spotlessly clean rooms, impeccably accommodating and friendly staff, and a great pool to cool off in. The place and rooms are a bit dated but very obviously taken care of and maintained by the family that live there. Room air con worked great and kept us cool for sleeping. The breakfast is simple but very tasty and homemade.
The only downside is it wasn’t as close to the beach as we initially thought, but we discovered lots of nice beaches and restaurants (el tiki and amigos y tacos were particularly awesome), due to having to trek around town!
Would highly recommend if you are looking for a reasonably priced and very comfortable stay.
Muchos gracias!

Leisure Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

21 Aug 2025

Marlo

Arrival: the parking lot is right in front of reception with only one entrance making it easy to find.
The Check-in: The check-in was smooth. The lady {whom I believe is the owner} was very polite and walked us to our room and made sure we were content.
The Room: The rooms are small but they have a functioning air conditioner which I was very grateful for. The place also comes with a fridge and wifi but the wifi is very hit or miss and we weren’t too far from the receptionist office. The showers functioned as should and really nothing much to say about it. do note that this place does not come with hair products, or body soap but it does come with hand soap bar which I suppose you can use for the shower too.
Location: There’s a laundromat, a supermarket, and a lot of restaurants nearby which are very much walking distance but be mindful there are no sidewalks. The beach is about a 5-7 minute drive.
Staff: I’ve only spoke to the receptionist. There is another lady there who seems to do the cleaning and walks around with a sour face. I greeted her one time and she looked at me dismissively. I don’t know what her deal was nor do I care to find it but she made us feel like she wasn’t happy having us and that’s where I knocked the 1 star off the rating.

Breakfast: The breakfast is simple and more-or-less the same daily — scrambled eggs, rice with beans, 2 small slices of fruits, a small slice of plantain, and bread.
All in all, good for short stays and nothing more unfortunately

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

20 Aug 2025

Elvia

Bonito lugar. Educadas las personas y siempre confiables.

Business Partner

10/10

Exceptional

19 Aug 2025

Anna

The staff here was great. We had a wonderful experience.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

19 Jul 2025

Daniel

Great experience

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

23 May 2025

Zoey

Very comfortable, clean accommodations. Rooms are somewhat dated with decor but really enjoyed our stay. Our only accommodations in Costa Rica with air conditioning - we were so grateful! Lovely staff. Delicious complimentary breakfast.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

17 May 2025

Raquel

Stayed for 4 nights with my daughter the breakfast was good, the staff are friendly they always keep our room clean, yes there are ants but not scary i like they way they give us breakfast and looks like we are family, i rented a car and car was very safe.

Leisure Family

4/10

Poor

08 Apr 2025

Spencer

There was only one plug-in in the whole room and it was far from the beds so we had to ask for an extension cord to plug in our CPAP and other personal items. There were bugs in the bathroom in the sheets and throughout the room. There were only two pillows on each bed and only one minimal sheet. We ended us leaving one night early.

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

07 Apr 2025

irina

Breakfast is delicious; people are nice and friendly. Close to the beach but we liked flamingo beach better in the mornings as there were no one. We didnt use the pool but we enjoyed the birds in the garden.

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

12 Mar 2025

Nancy

The staff are kind and friendly. The pool is warm! The rooms are large and having a small fridge is a great feature. The included breakfast was filling and delicious. The place is not fancy, but it’s clean and very quiet. I enjoyed my stay.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

20 Feb 2025

David

Belle option familiale et abordable

C'est un endroit confortable, pas luxueux. Très abordable et bien situé à 5 mins en voiture de la plage flamingo. Il y a une épicerie directement à coté de l'hotel.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

02 Feb 2025

Johnny

This is a nice little lodge within the Flamingo/Potrero area. The rooms are spacious and clean, and the included breakfast was adequate. Definitely I would recommend this if you´re looking for a good place to stay without breaking the bank.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

27 Jan 2025

Maria

Nice hotel staff and good breakfast with fruit, eggs, rice & beans, plantain, coffee and juice. Clean rooms and swimming pool.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

19 Jan 2025

Ryan

Best place ever

The time we spent at Guanacaste Lodge was GREAT! The staff was AMAZING. AnnaMaria in charge of the property, was so kind and professional. She made our stay extra special and handled things so well. Our kids loved the pool, playing soccer and hanging out with other kids. The property was perfectly located. Gorgeous Flamingo beach 5 min drive away and best grocery store ever next door and a incredible pizza place down the street. We had shaded ares to do yoga and or work our laptops outside. Our place was left impeccable after each cleaning. On top of all this, it was very affordable. We would definitely go back.

Business Family

10/10

Exceptional

13 Jan 2025

Paige KayLynn

This place was lovely! And the breakfast was delicious.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

04 Jan 2025

Gregory J

Pool and comfortable bed

10/10

Exceptional

30 Dec 2024

Tara

Wonderful stay. Hosts were so helpful. Nice tipico breakfast.

10/10

Exceptional

26 Dec 2024

Kannan

This is a beautiful place with a nice pool. The host is very friendly. They serve hot breakfast! Room is very clean with hot water - more bright light could be better! This is close to super market as well that is walkable!

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

16 Dec 2024

Shakil

Fabulous location, very easy to get around. Property is very orderly, clean and pretty. Would come back again!

10/10

Exceptional

06 Dec 2024

Fabiola

Esta muy bien por el precio

8/10

Excellent

14 Nov 2024

Ann

Ok with rain, better if sunny n dry.

Rain rain rain so pool was closed and grounds partially flooded. If warm sunny n dry would be very nice property. The staff was very accommodating to get hairdryer and hot pot to make coffee on room. Breakfast was very good, fruit, eggs, beans rice juice coffee toast.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

08 Nov 2024

Jason

The staff were excellent.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

16 Aug 2024

Yanling

We had a really nice stay in the hotel. The staff there were very friendly and helpful. Breakfast was good. We enjoyed the swimming pool and the surroundings were peaceful and quiet.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

31 Jul 2024

Verified traveler

Friendly staff. Very accommodating!! Breakfast was great!!

Leisure Friends

6/10

Pleasant

16 Jul 2024

Alejandro

This is a 2 star hotel , with big rooms , its clean , needs tlc , good for 1 night

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

02 Jun 2024

Ann

We really enjoyed our trip to Playa Flamingo, the stay was very nice.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

21 May 2024

Miles

Miles

The staff was very friendly. Accommodations were clean and the grounds well maintained. The pool was excellent. Location is within walking distance to the beach. I did rent a golf cart to visit other beaches that were a little further away. One of the best meals I had was at a roadside soda. All in all, highly recommend.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

19 May 2024

Anamaria

Good location and comfortable rooms. The property needs maintenance.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

18 May 2024

Elisa

Absolutely perfect for us!

We absolutely loved this place! It's in a perfect location to visit all the local beaches, however, playa flamingo is the nicest beach nearby. The staff are so friendly and accommodating. A Tico breakfast is served daily outside under the covered dining area. The pool is spotless and big! If you are expecting a luxury room, go elsewhere. If you are seasoned travelers on a budget that are looking for a clean, comfortable room with great water pressure in the shower, this is the place for you. It is very safe with a gated fence for added security. We highly recommend it!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

28 Apr 2024

Drew

This community of small Villas was perfect for our stay. The grounds were beautiful and the staff were very helpful and kind. The location was very convenient, being next to a supermarket and a 10 minute walk from the local beach. The rooms are not luxury, but nice for this price and they have everything you need. We had a problem with our AC unit on the first night, but the staff was quick to offer us a new room while it was being repaired. The breakfast was traditional Costa Rican rice/beans/eggs and fresh fruit. Our favorite part was the friendly kitten who hung around the property.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

20 Apr 2024

Owen

Excellent for the price, but there is the same breakfast every day and it is slightly further from the beach than what I originally believed.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

10 Apr 2024

Natalia

Beautiful place and delicious food

10/10

Exceptional

20 Mar 2024

TERESE

The proprietor of Guanacaste Lodge is amazing! She absolutely made us feel the love and kindness that Costa Rica is known for. We stayed on our first night and first visit to the country and could not have been more pleased. Don't let the parking and construction sway you. The property is clean and rooms very comfortable!

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

11 Mar 2024

Stacie

Beautiful and well maintained grounds. Walkable to a WONDERFUL taco and sushi shop down the road and a convenience store next door. We drove to local beaches and restaurants in the nearby towns. We had an issue with hundreds of ants on the wall - not sure where they were getting in from? Staff was great and we were quickly moved to another available room. Best included breakfast we'd had on our trip!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

09 Mar 2024

Sara

Very nice family owned business, excellent service, nice pool and air conditioned.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

29 Feb 2024

Jeffrey

This hotel has a quaint and comfortable feel. The staff were very kind and the atmosphere was friendly and had a nice family vibe. The pool was well maintained and the breakfast was perfect. We did wish there was a blanket on our beds as they were made up with only a sheet set. Otherwise it was a very pleasant stay!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

18 Feb 2024

Oksana

Friendly staff

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

01 Feb 2024

Robert

My wife and I usually \"go big\" when we are on vacation. Instead, this time we wanted to stay at a place that is operated and visited by the locals. While it did not have all the amenities of a resort or hotel, it was very peaceful and the management and staff were very kind, gracious and helpful. The second night of our stay my wife had a minor medical emergency. Being unfamiliar with the area and having poor Spanish speaking skills, I wasn't sure what could be done. The lodge management jumped into action by contacting transportation and a urgent care clinic, where my wife received the care she needed. They waited up for us to return in the middle of the night as the were truly concerned about our situation. Not only did the Lodge management and staff save our vacation, they continued to go above and beyond expectations for the remainder of the week. Thank You Guanacaste Lodge!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

30 Jan 2024

Cullen

The owner and her family were very sweet and accommodating. We missed breakfast one morning as we woke up late but they happily brought my son juice and toast. Good facility, the pool was very nice. The place is literally next door to a supermarket which was very convenient and an Italian restaurant that was nice and delicious. A very easy stay in a nice little town and the owners were very attentive and friendly. I would definitely stay here again.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

23 Jan 2024

Lezlie

We enjoyed the breakfast they prepared for us. Beautiful property. AC in room was great.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

18 Jan 2024

Lynn

Very nice and helpful staff. Close to a store for essentials and property was great. Shampoo would be helpful for guests.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

27 Dec 2023

Nice, homely facility. The lady in charge was kind and friendly. Room was spacious, clean. Large wooden walk-in closet was a nice touch, gave a bit of vintage vibe.
Breakfast was good. Large parking area.
Easy walk to the beach. A supermarket next door was an added advantage.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

20 Dec 2023

Michael

Sweet little family run operation a short 5 to 15 min drive from several lovely beaches. Rooms are spacious and clean. Comfy beds, solid construction, and blackout curtains make for a restful night’s sleep. Breakfasts are less generous than other stays of a similar price-point. The resident grounds cat is exceptionally sweet and will gladly hop in your lap for all the cuddles.

Self

8/10

Excellent

17 Dec 2023

KUAN YU

Great location, very close to the beautiful flamingo beach. The ground is nice and not too noisy. The front desk lady is nice and helpful. The room is spacious, AC works well. Bathroom and TV connection could use improvement. The hotel is on a very busy street with no sidewalk. We don't feel safe to walk. There're construction and farm next to the hotel. So there are flies on breakfast time. Breakfast is not tasty.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

09 Dec 2023

Bailey

Cute little place if you aren't looking for anything fancy. Short 7 min walk to flamingo marina beach. The breakfast provided was great.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

14 Nov 2023

Sasha E

Lodge was very clean and quiet. Especially quiet at night. The pool was very clean and the grounds were well taken care of. My husband and I felt safe and comfortable. Air conditioning worked great in the room. The lodge is a family run business and there are many loving and kind touches. The breakfast in the morning was delicious and healthy. Located within driving distance to many beaches and local restaurants. Would absolutely stay there again! Bring beach towel, they do only have towels for bathing.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

26 Jul 2023

christina

Good value, close to restaurants, grocery store, helpful and accommodating hotel staff.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

09 Jun 2023

Daniel J

As we arrived at the nondescript entrance to the lodge, my my first thought was what did I get myself into, what a dump. But that was just the parking lot. After walking through the gate I was met by the sight of a very nice courtyard with a beautiful swimming pool and an open air, covered dining area. The room was spacious and well kept. The owners were gracious and although the mom spoke very little English her young teen son spoke excellent English with barely a hint of an accent. The included breakfast was delicious and was prepared fresh when we arrived at the dining area. There are at least three good restaurants within walking distance as well as a store next door. This was a very inexpensive hotel but was a very pleasant stay. I strongly recommend it. It is an awesome value.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

15 May 2023

Whitney

Staff was very friendly and served a good breakfast. Nice pool and enclosed little area. A little bit in the middle of a random area, not one we would walk around in

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

08 Mar 2023

Maya

We really loved staying at this property. Quiet family owned simple place located at very convenient location. Supermarket next door has everything you need, center of town in 2-3 min drive. Rooms are well set up for our stay, nice breakfast and clean pool to chill. We would definitely stay here if we come back in the area! If you are looking for luxurious or festive place, this is not a good choice. If you want to experience more authentic Costa Rica and relaxing atmosphere, it is an excellent place.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

19 Feb 2023

Audrius

Wifi did not work in the room

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

17 Feb 2023

Oksana

The stuff is very friendly and helpful 😀

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

07 Feb 2023

Oksana

No coffee maker inside the room

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

24 Jan 2023

Itzaxo

The proprietor was very kind and the property grounds were really pretty. The colorful rustic cabin like rooms were spacious and there is a big, secure parking lot. Also, it was nice to have a small grocery store only steps away.

Business_and_leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

17 Jan 2023

wayne

Quiet,comfortable,close to everything if you have a car.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

24 Dec 2022

Mike

Not much in the way of services or amenities in the hotel. Very friendly staff

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

21 Nov 2022

Joanna

We could not believe our luck when we found this place. The grounds are immaculate, it sits minutes from the beach and is nested next to a grocery shop, two banks, and two excellent restaurants. The Hostess makes a lovely breakfast (fresh fruit, juice, scrambled eggs, toast and the best coffee!) A great way to start your day. There is ample parking if you have rented a car. The bus to the beach comes by every half hour (cost is $500 colones per person). I would 0 recommend staying here as opposed to on the beach. Best value.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

25 Apr 2022

KATHRYN

Splended stay

Little cottage was comfortabe for a 3 night stay. Breakfast was delicious and filling. Pool was very clean and refreshing. Host was helpful. Restaurants in walking distance along with grocery store next door.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

25 Mar 2022

Verified traveler

Quiet and comfortable hotel

This hotel is a number of small cottages located around a main building, small pool and garden. A complimentary breakfast of rice and beans, scrambled eggs, toast and fruit was provided. Our room was spotless and scrubbed clean. Beds were comfortable. A small waterfall was broken. A few more umbrellas could have been provided for shade around the pool. Also, there were no chairs or tables in the garden area. You could walk to the beach along a very busy road. It would not be easy. We were happy with our stay. It was clean, quiet, safe and comfortable.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

21 Mar 2022

Anne

Family run hotel with very friendly and warm staff. The rooms look out into a beautiful courtyard with tropical plants and birds. There is a convinient supermarket next door. It is a little far from flamingo Beach and walking is not the safest but they can call a cab for you , if needed, The perfect place to stay if you would rather not be in the touristy resort area.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

14 Mar 2022

Linden

Awesome family run lodge, good breakfast and very kind staff. Short walk to the beach and bank with a few restaurants close by. We stayed for 3 nights after flying into Liberia. Fairly clean and right next to a small grocery store.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

23 Feb 2022

David

Great place, rooms are very spacious and comfortable. Grounds are well kept and the swimming pool tops off a day after the beach.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

18 Feb 2022

Robert

Lovely family ownership and very kind people. Nice breakfast. Room was large, clean, had a/c, and bed was comfortable. Nice pool. My main complaint is that the property is dated, the grounds need to be cleaned up and landscaped. The fountain didn’t work and it had murky water sitting in it. Its a small and quiet place with 6 bungalows and it has a lot of potential. I’d stay again, probably, just given the location and simplicity, and value, I just hope they can spruce up the place a bit and clean the surroundings.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

16 Jan 2022

Lisset

It was a nice place, and close to the beach. But my room had a lot of big ants and couldn’t get rid off them. The shower also flooded a little bit. But the rest of the place was good and breakfast was delicious. Staff was awesome.

Leisure Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

15 Jan 2022

Verified traveler

Nice older property.

Very nice older property. Immaculately clean rooms, grounds, not so much

Good location, friendly service, typical breakfast

Partner

8/10

Excellent

10 Jan 2022

Sonia

Ana was ver helpful and nice!

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

05 Dec 2021

Joe

Nice place. I quit far from the beach and Flamingo downtown. That makes a really quiet place rest.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

25 Nov 2021

Jeremy

Was a nice little quant place. Low ammentities but nice for just a place to stay and slow paced

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

03 Mar 2021

Verified traveler

Good location. Close to everything in Playa Flamingo. Nice grounds and pool. Odd shuttered property adjacent to grounds that looks like it used to be part of the same property. No on-site food or drinks but good reliable breakfast each morning and very friendly and professional staff.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

08 Sep 2020

Keilin Karina

Nice place

Very quiet place excellent for a relaxing trip

Friends_and_family Family