We can't comment on the hotel accommodations as we stayed down the beach at a timeshare resort. The food was good enough that we visited on a regular basis during our 2-week stay. The menu changed up from time to time and each visit we left with full bellies and many of us with leftovers! The staff are super friendly... More

Just returned from our 8th time to the El Velero. My wife and I LOVE the place! The staff do a great job, starting with Janet at the front desk, the waiters, cooks and maintence staff. Food is great , they even prepared meals from fish that my brother in law and I caught the same day. Rooms are great!... More

Just returned from another glorious 3 week stay at the El Velero. This place is truly the whole package. Starts with location. You could not get any closer to the ocean. 13 steps from dinning room to the beach. The staff are amazing. Always a smile. Always prepared to go out of their way to help. Always honest. The food,... More

We've been going for years to the El Velero for years and would recommend it to anyone. It is literally right on the beach (and not a very busy beach), the rooms are nice and clean (A/C, safe etc), the staff is amazing (x1000) and the restaurant is great (especially BBQ nights- wednesdays and saturdays). Centrally located so you can... More

This is my third time at this Hotel! Yes it is "On the Beach"! For the price and service, you can't beat it. The view from your room is not special at all, but you came here to be on the beach which this hotel delivers. There is good A/C, safety / lock box, clean rooms and large bathrooms. There... More

My husband & I visited the El Velero in mid January 2013, as recommended by a co-worker. After a really long & tiring journey, I found Janet, at the front desk, friendly and warm & very informative about the area. The first meal we had was breakfast, and it was great & so was every meal to follow. During our... More

After leaving a more luxurious & updated (and equally priced) hotel near the Arenal Volcano, this place was a bit of an adjustment at first. The rooms are clean and comfortable, but outdated; the view from the room was simply next door to another hotel being built; the bathroom was very tiny and hosted its fair share of ants and... More

We pre-booked 4 nights here at el Velero based on value and decent reviews but checked out after one nights stay. While it is on the beach there are much better options down the road a short walk. This hotel was past its prime in many ways and we really didn't see how several reviews raved about the food either.... More

My wife and I have been to Costa Rica 4 times now and have stayed in all sorts of places from shacks to resorts, and this is probably our favorite. I can only imagine that the "very disappointing" posts below are from people that only like to stay in all-inclusive resorts when they travel. And if that's what you like,... More