After reading a few reviews and a recommendation from Rough Guide, I booked two days at El Milagro. When we got there, the room reeked, it was terribly small, had bugs in the bathroom and the beds were very, very uncomfortable.

After staying one night, we opted to check into a hotel down the street. We informed the clerk what the problems were and our concerns, he simply dismissed us and said we couldn't get our money back for the second night. There are numerous other good budget hotels in Tamarindo. I'd avoid Milagro at all costs.

Walking distance from the beach. Nice pool. Room: nice, small bungalow style, clean. Bad things: one time we came back while the cleaning woman was there, and a dog was walking around our room. The comida typica breakfast was gross reheated gallo pinto. When we first
arrived, the nice pool and grounds were infested with a large group of high schoolers. Heard from one of the employees that the manager often books larger groups.

Hotel El Milagro (The Miracle Hotel--- yeah its a miracle it is still open)

I booked this hotel for our honeymoon. From the pictures on their website, the hotel looked great.

Like I said, I made reservations long before hand, even had the voucher and arrived several hours after check in time.... Well, the hotel did not have our room ready, and we had to wait outside for almost an hour before the room was available. Wait until you hear the description of the room.....

The young lady working at the front desk did not seem interested in us either. She would rather answer the phone or pick up the phone and act like she was talking. I spoke with the manager about this and he was very polite to us, and decided to get us a drink while we waited.

As described in another review, our room was in poor shape. cracks around the windows and doors, the bathroom was covered in dead insects and the tiles were covered with mildew. The airconditioner was controlled by remote, and the batteries were dead (I had spares). And to top that off, the bed did not look like the sheets had been changed. The comforter was just pulled up over wrinkley sheets.... Now tell me, why did we have to wait so long for an uncleaned room?

When it was time to leave, we asked the same young lady at the front desk to call a taxi for us so that we could go to the airport. Thankfully I had the great idea of being ready 30 minutes early because that is how long it took for her to get a "taxi" to us.... it ended up being her brother or something, and his vehicle almost broke down on the way to the airport and he wanted about 15 dollars.... for a 5 minute ride..... I gave him $10 and left.

Please do not stay here..... unless you want poor service and a poor quality hotel.

I never write hotel reviews but I just had to warn other fellow travelers.

Hotel El Milagro is your typical mid-range hotel in Costa Rica reminiscent of an outdoor ed camp for adults. Cracks in the windows and doors, weathered walls, wiry mattresses, mildewed bathroom tiles, etc. All that for an "affordable" rate is just fine and dandy.

However, the other day (just returned to the U.S.), I was in the room and a baby snake had slithered underneath the door and into my room! Upon calling the staff and reporting a snake in the room, they responded, "So what's the problem?".

I suppose if you are not afraid or don't mind snakes (or other creepy crawlies), this place would be just fine for you. However, I strongly recommend against staying here. Avoid the stress and book a stay somewhere else!