I stayed in Jaco for three days (2 nights). I came across Hotel Perico Azul via tripadvisor and chose it for its high ratings and affordability. But the place turned out to be more than that!! Mike and Celine - the two most amazing people you will meet, will go out of their way to make your trip a memorable one - which has indeed been the case for me. Everything from canopy tours to surf classes to restaurant recommendation, they will help you arrange it. The hotel is located 5 min (or less) walk from the beach. They have bikes for rentals too!! The hotel has a nice cozy feel to it. The room was comfortable, with good air conditioning and clean linens and towels. You also get access to lounge chairs and umbrellas at the beach courtesy of Tortuga Surf Camp. If you do take lessons (which I highly recommend) you will be amazed in how much you can learn in just 2 hour lesson plus Mike will hook you up with sick video and photos. Will go back there in heartbeat.

My wife and I are headed out this morning after spending the weekend here. We are not surfers yet, but stayed here because of the reviews and cost. We will come back because they are all true. We wanted to be close to town without being smack dab in the center or sealed in a western-style hotel chain. The room was cool and clean, with a small kitchenette inside: fridge, hot plate, utinsels and pans. There is a full kitchen for all to use, sort of like a hostel. The pool was a welcome break from the beach and the others guests (mostly surfers) were friendly and communal.

We just planned to stay at Perico Azul for one night on the way to our final destination but we loved it so much that we changed our plans and booked another stay at the end of our trip. My husband was ill and the owners Celine and Mike went way above and beyond expectations to help us out. We are back home now and are already planning how we can return to this delightful hotel. Next time we plan to take advantage of the surf camp!

When I travel, I don't spend a lot of time in the hotel room so I am mainly concerned with impeccable beds, quiet rooms, clean bathrooms and helpful staff. Perico Azul has it all and then some. I am a fan!
Perico Azul is relaxed and collegial or familial depending on your stage in life. Celina and Mike work hard and we, the guests, are the beneficiaries. Celine is the absolutely splendid French hostess who goes out of her way to provide recommendations and help with other tours, accommodations etc. Her partner, Mike, who is Costa Rican, runs an excellent surf school-Tortuga Surf Camp. They also have 2 friendly cats and 2 well behaved dogs. Recycling is encouraged.
The simple rooms are spotless, comfortable and have good air conditioning. The linens and towels are good quality. Interestingly, the headboards, doors and drawers are made of solid wood slabs. No cheesy particle board! There is also a hostel style room with bunks. There were "non-smoking environment" signs which I appreciated but when a Finnish couple arrived who smoked, the signs disappeared.
The common areas are immaculate. Fresh flowers decorated the coffee area, the lounge chairs, bbq dining table and the tables outside our rooms each morning. There is a wonderfully outfitted communal kitchen, an indoor and outdoor living area, small refreshing pool and barbeque which increases the opportunities for camaraderie and sharing meals with other guests.
The others surfers in my sons class who were staying there, were friendly people that we fell in with immediately. I think it has to do with the type of people (outgoing, responsible, budget conscious adventure seekers-not party-ers) that are attracted to or looking for this kind of accommodation. The crew of guests was internationally diverse and interesting.
Celine recommended good places to eat. She arranged for 4 of us to take yoga classes at a nearby resort with a terrific yoga instructor for $10 a session which is what I would pay locally for drop-in yoga classes. She also figured out a secure place to park a rented scooter.
They also have bikes that can be rented. Surf boards and boogie boards can be rented at the beach surf camp headquarters and there are lounge chairs and umbrellas there too.