I spent four enjoyable and peaceful days at La Veranera in the middle of December.

The Californian ranch style house has three guest rooms, a pool, a communal dining table ( you can eat with the family or on your own) and a quiet bar (note, it is a family bar, not a noisy party place).

My room was very spacious and clean, though basic.

Luise, Jim and Ina will make you feel at home. And that is good, because you are basically living in their home. If they were not such warm and welcoming people, the concept might not have worked were – thankfully they are.

You can order off a short menu or have whatever the family is eating. I would recommend the latter. Luise, who manages the place and prepare meals, is an excellent cook - just go with whatever is her whim. You will probably end up with something much tastier and healthier than if you were to roll the dice at the several other nearby restaurants.

The beach is the real star here though. It is a squeaky clean, wide, white-sand beach, and you may find that you have it pretty much to yourself.

The swimming is very good, and though I am not a surfer looks like it might be a good place for someone wanting to learn.

They can arrange transportation to and from the guest house. They also can arrange trips to the surrounding areas.

If a loud party scene is not your style, this might be.

Highly recommended.

Coco beach is definitely worth the visit. Amazing beach. No crowds. Beautiful warm water. Do not miss a trip here. Drive is wild. Do not attempt without 4x4. La Veranera is very nice. This is a guest house, not a B&B or a hotel. You are entering the home of a family, living with them. If you don't mind being a house guest and interacting with owners and other guests regularly this is the place for you. Not a great spot if your looking for privacy. Rooms are basic but have AC and hot water. Could use a update for the price. Owners very friendly and helpful. They will cook for you for a very reasonable price, great food! Great spot for solo travellers or surfers. Don't expect the Hilton and you will be very happy.

If you go to San Juan del Sur don't miss this place. The American owner Jim and his German girlfriend Ina have a very nice house next to the wonderful beach. You can have dinner with the hosts on the same table and share their food which is prepared by Louise. If you are a very picky eater you have to know that the standard of the food is not the same like at El Colibri for example. But it's still good. Book a room with private bathroom otherwise you have to share the bathroom with all the other guests that visit the public bar next to the pool. The only thing I definitely didn't like was breakfast. It's tiny (bowl of fruit, fruit juice, 2 pieces of french toast with butter, jam and approximately 1 1/2 scrambled eggs) and you pay 5.50$. In San Juan you pay for the same 2.50$ and you get much more of the same plus gallo pinto. So you better go to the restaurant next door.

good:
- ocean front (it's right on the best beach near SJDS)
- a very beautiful villa with western standard of comfort
- clean and safe
- friendly, you feel at home
- quite and relaxed atmosphere

bad:
- almost none. Price is fair for the segment (midrange), from 60 dollars per night and it could fall in the top segment with some small improvements, like more furnishings in the big rooms (one bed missing bedside table, one table for the bag, an additional chair in the room and sunbed around the pool, more water pressure, and so on).

The guesthouse has only 3 rooms, around a pool in front of the beach, and it is like living together in a villa, so it's easy to know the other guest (which someone may not like that much). Town is far and the road is unpaved, so you're isolated, as for all the best beaches around San Juan del Sur.