If your lookin' for an awesome place RIGHT ON THE BEACH then look no further.
I highly recommend the "beach building" (room 18E if you can get it)(65.00 US a night)
You can thank me for the excellent TV reception.When I checked in all the U.S. stations & HBO,Cinamax etc. were screwed up.The staff had a cable repair guy out there in about an hour.He had to come back the next day and rewired the entire building!
Not that you'll be watching much TV.
The water is awesome! There is an island straight out about a half mile.You can almost walk to it.There is a small channel that takes about 2 minutes to swim across...it's really easy.
Wear something on your feet if you go out there exploring.I seen some spiny little black things on the far side by the breaking waves that could be problematic.

FOR SINGLE MEN/WOMEN:
Male guests may have female companions overnight & females can have male companions.
No charge.
They are suppose to be out by 7:30 (8:30 was no (problem)
Sorry....only one at a time LOL
Suppose to be access to room only but that is also a bit flexible.
If your companion stays till noon or two or whatever it will cost you 10.00 US.
Two guys/gals in a standard 2 twin bed room would have to rent a second room to have overnight companions.
Homosexual prostitution is not permitted.
(This info comes from the "house policies" sheet.You'll get one on check-in)
No eating in rooms (except apartments) which is a good thing.Only bugs I seen were little tiny nats.
Free breakfast with minimum 2 night stay (8-10AM)

If I go back to Boca Chica I would definitly stay here!

P.S. I would say that guy who gave this place a 1 simply broke the (simple) rules and is just being vendictive.EVERYONE on the staff was awesome!

i recently stayed at the Zapata hotel for two weeks. the location is the best in Boca Chica. The food was excellent. The property was extremely clean. the staff for the most part were friendly. service was excellent. as I read other reviews, I wonder what some people expect when they vacation. They think that because they are on vacation at "wherever", people should bow and kiss their butt day in and day out. The staff at the Zaparta are not overly friendly nor are they unfriendly. they are not rude either. Zapata is a great value or probably the best value in boca chica. remember, it is not an all inclusive which makes the Zapata more neutral. I visited the Hamacas an all inclusive and it was hectic, rag-tag, and had lousy service. Honestly, i am happy to know the desenters from the Zapata are staying somewhere else. Whine baby's they are. it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that these whine baby's have personal issues unresolved. i believe that what you put out is what you get back. If you need someone to hold your hand, burp you, and tell you how awesome you are several times a day, go to an all inclusive in punta canta. otherwise, the Zapata is your best choice in boca chica. regards, tim james, bangor, me., usa.

i have stayed at this hotel at least 8-10 times!! and each time the owners and staff got worse and worse!! you may ask why did i stay there so many times if it was so bad??well location location!! there are not all inclusive and they allow you to bring guest back to your room!! but this last time was the final straw that broke the camels back!!i made my reservation for 6 days on line and received a confirmation email and then i called just to make sure that my rooms were available. i specifically requested (2) two rooms closer to the beach,like always, and at check in i was told that only one was available!! after threatining to leave miraculasley the other room became available!! no apoligy no explanation was given. one of the mornings we ate breakfast at 11:15 and upon check out it was billed to me?? talk about service for repeat guests!! the shower water is always cold agter 7:00pm. but the best part is the fact that the owner and his wife make you feel invisible!! no hi,no goodmorning,no goodnight!! NADA!! they act like they are royalty and you are not good enough for them to even acknowledge you!! the locals that stop by to say hello or sell you something are treated like SCUM!! well i hate to tell them but i could buy their place cash ten times over!! i have been to DR 43 times i go once a month on buissness and at the end of my trip i stay at ZAPATA to unwind.... well tthis will be the last time!! because on my last day i went next door to this place calle DON EMILIO and chatted with some guests who were sitting on the patio and they all told me how great it is...ironically enough when i told my unhappiness with ZAPATA one of the guest at DON EMILIO had the same bad expirience and now is a faithfull new customer of DON EMILIO.i then was giving a tour of the place and i must say it is just as good location,not all enclusive and they allow you to take guest!! oh the bad news it's $10 more a night but when i told the front desk person that i visit once a month for 5-7 seven day she said she would match the rates of zapata!! so as they ADIOS ZAPATA!!

....very charming family run hotel right on the the beach. went with 4 people and all of us enjoyed the hotel, the hospitality was very good, and accomadations were more than sufficient. with this hotel it is all about location, location, location, with just the right touch of atmosphere and personality. what was especially nice was the way the manager made you feel right at home. have stayed there many times and enjoyed each and every time.