Bahia Pez Vela Playa del Coco, Nicoya Coast March 2006.

We arrived here counting on the Guide Books (Frommer’s and Fodors, both 2006) to lead us to a nice hotel. We have found that the books are often either wrong or misguided when it comes to accommodations. They must have very different perceptions of places. Plus, they are often out of date, even when you have the latest. Consider that even a high speed book print cycle takes a year, and it takes another 6 months to get the book into circulation, another year or two to update information, and you can expect a 2006 book to have data relevant to 2001-2004 (at best). A lot can change in the tourist industry in 3-6 years.

We came here using the books as a guide, in 90-100F weather, and went to one of the best hotels listed. We were not impressed. The “ocean view” was a slice of blue that would give you eye strain and there was no A/C. We decided to drive around, and stumbled on Bahia Pez Vela (“Sailfish Bay). This is an interesting place. It’s important to know who it’s best for. The ideal visitor is a family rental, a house which can sleep up to 8, with full kitchen.

This is a family place, a very safe fun area, with 2 pools and a wading pool, gorgeous lawn area above a nice beach, where people actually swim. The resort is relatively isolated, end of the road, through a guarded gate. It’s very quiet here, no traffic, no party bars, peaceful. The grounds are stunning, well landscaped and lush. The view from all the units is suburb, a northern ocean view, framed by natural hills on the East and West. The resort steps up the hill and is wrapped on all sides, except the North -by hills, so the sun exposure is as minimized as possible.

We were one couple, did not need a large place, so for us they had a single room, large, same great view, excellent A/C, refrigerator, huge shower and bathroom, queen bed, TV, phone and good lighting, for $ 100. plus 16% hotel tax. What a good deal. I don’t know prices on larger units, from 2 bedroom split-level to the 8 bed homes, but if this is indication, they would be worth it.

The bar and restaurant (Picante) is good, open air, casual, by the pool, but pricey by local standards, perhaps twice the prices in town at local restaurants. Not far away, however, is a beachside popular place, Roosters, with great food and more reasonable prices and a fun staff. We have no reluctance to recommend Bahia Pez Vela

My family of six spent four days at the Bahia Pez Vela. It was all as advertised and more. The units were 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths , living room, dinning area and full kitchen , A/C, our unit had private pool ( #26}. The view was of the beach and mountain area. Excellant cafe on property. The area is secure and private. You need a car or taxie service to get around the area. The nearest town is several miles away. We would definately go back.