Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
We are a small boutique hotel with rooms, suites, and villa type condominiums and penthouses nestled next to a spectacular beach for surfing in one of the most beautiful settings around the Central Pacific of Costa Rica. If you are looking for vacation rentals in Jaco or hotels in Jaco, hotels in Playa Hermosa, Oceanfront Villas and Condos in Jaco then Marea Brava is the perfect fit for your family or group vacations. Close to the rainforest & by the sea, our intimate beach front hotel allows you to hear the echoes of the natural beauty of this rural setting. Here, our guests are pampered with comfort, privacy and peace. Marea Brava is just over an hour drive from San Jose International Airport, the hotel is tranquilly tucked away into the corner of one of Costa Rica's premier beaches, but is still close to everything provided by Jaco.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Quiet
Ocean View
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Location
Playa Hermosa, Garabito Municipality 4023 Costa Rica
Marea Brava Hotel & Villas
573 reviews
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
When we arrived the room had a musty odor. We were told to turn the AC on, that helped a lot.
There were no hand towels or soap to wash the dishes. At night the room was super bright because of the lights on the outside that stayed on all night, and the curtains are too thin. The remote control for the TV didn't work. We mentioned this a couple of times but got no answer. There's no parking per se. You leave the car outside of the hotel on a dead end street, I didn't see anyone watching the cars at night.
On the positive side, you can't beat the location, we were steps away from the beach, we could hear the waves from the room and we loved that. We've visited Hermosa several times so we know the restaurants that are nearby. The supermarket is relatively close as well (you have to try the "Alfajores Cookie 506"). The person in charge of the booking gave us recommendations on restaurants that have delivery to the room which was super super helpful, and the food was delicious. Playa Esterillos is ~15km away and the waves there are very mall so it's great for swimming.
The staff members were very friendly overall.
In general I would consider going back if there are no other options available at the same price.
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Date of stay: November 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This place is the most magical place in the central pacific of CR. You get two pools to enjoy with your family and friends it is located just right on the ocean so you fell the real connection with the ocean also looking at your window you will have a world class wave surfing everyday. 365 five days a year. The location is unique in the world, also you can enjoy the best sunsets. I really suggest this place we came for 4 days and ended up staying almost one month. You might notice some little issues in their edification but the value for the installations and the location is affordable for every one. The cleaning is very good . they keep Clean a beautiful building and a Garden. The best place in the central pacific of Costa Rica so far. Also, their Staff is super helpful and super nice. Pura Vida! 🤙🏾🙏🏾🌊 Gracias 🙏🏾 Marea Brava! 🙏🏾🙏🏾❤️
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Karla Ortega, Director General at Marea Brava Hotel & Villas
Responded Jul 19, 2020
Dear Cesar Thank you very much for your great review and the lovely comments. We are happy that you enjoyed your stay and we hope to welcome you again soon. Kind regards, the Hotel Management =)
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The location is great and lots of space. We stayed in the two bedroom seaside condo/villa. The hotel is dated but Javier the manager was very friendly and helpful and addressed any issues we had. The kitchen was great with a huge refrigerator so we could buy groceries and cook. It was the off-season and we felt like we had the place to ourselves. Also the installed a new Starlink wifi our third day in and the wifi was great after that.
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Date of stay: June 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I would NOT stay at Marea Brava Condominiums, Playa Hermosa, 61101 Jacó, Costa Rica again. The first red flag was that the property owner, Jamey Harmon, demanded payment in full, upfront, and in cash. My friends tried 3 different rooms before taking a loss and checking into another hotel next door. The first room had a faulty toilet. The second room had no air conditioning, and the third room had physically seen rats, feces, bats, and lizards. The night of the third room, my friends didn’t unpack and moved to the other hotel.
This location is not pet, child, and elderly friendly or anything else for that matter. I helped my friends get settled in their first third-floor room. There were no lights or railings, and I missed a couple of steps and threw my back out. I have taken many pictures. One is the exterior of my room entry door. From the inside, the outside can be seen between the slats. The entire facility is in disrepair. The pictures posted by Jamey Harmon seem to be decades old. My friends and I asked for a refund of the nights not used, but the owner refused. Value for the money? No. Check out Los Suenos and VRBO for amazing facilities at not much more of a cost. Dining Options? Not at this location. Staff and service? The general manager and cleaning staff tried their hardest but lack training and resources.
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Date of stay: June 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with friends
Room Tip:This beachfront facility is not a peaceful swimming beach, but is a rip current and surfer type...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pura Vida! We reserved a condo for 2 weeks beginning Feb 17, 2023 in July of 2022. Imagine our surprise when we arrived and found that the condo was already occupied. When we finally were able to secure lodging 4 days hence, the credit card machine was not functional and had to pay, in advance, in cash! Not only in cash but in US DOLLARS! They would not accept the currency of the country (Colones). later confirmed that this practice in, indeed, illegal in Costa Rica. On to the rooms.... Hot water only in the shower, toilet partially functional, the door handle/lock on the seaside door was about ready to fall off ( I tightened with my pocket knife) and there was no key available. The back door was barely operable and only one key available. 2 sliding windows in the kitchen were MISSING and a screen had been attached to keep the bugs out. Only one dim bulb in the kitchen ceiling fixture and only 2 burners of the 4 burner gas stove had knobs. The in-room safe was old an in-operable. ....... All this for only $231 a night! The refrigerator, however, was new and the cleaning ladies were exceptional! Oh, and while the web site shows a fantastic restaurant... non-existent. In short, find somewhere else to spend your hard earned US dollars! Pura Vida!
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Date of stay: February 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Keep looking
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Karla Ortega Rodriguez, Director General at Marea Brava Hotel & Villas
Responded Mar 23, 2023
Hello Mr Roger, This reservation is regarding on the reservation Of Jessica , was a big group with 3 condos and a suite including, thank you so much for pick pour property , but at the same time , we give you other accommodations and other option , and we inform you with time before your arrive about your actual reservation was change, not because we rent the condo to other person, was because we sell the condo, so we offer different accommodation . Yes normally we charge , cash credit card or transfer via bank , in this case the credit card machine not was working at that moment, we not tell you before because stop working just the same day of your check in. But we use the exchange of google , so we not use crazy exchange " We have hot water on the showers only, yes. The toitel is slow- and works correctly . The door have a lock with a key - the front door from the pool area. The door for the ocean we not use key for security ( ocean front property ) So we prefer use only main keys by the from t door by the pool, the door from the ocean you can close only inside. That condo is not new but is not old and yes is operable or in case is in-operable you have the rights and will be move you to other room . The price $231 for 6 persons will be $38 per person in a ocean front property , with our pool and common area facilities , cleaning service including, wifi, hot water, and full A-C - - and security including .Really is a very good price. We never said we have a restaurant , we never have any restaurant facilities , and at the same time Jessica come months before your check in , she will know from before the we not have restaurant in our place only by the area . We appreciate your visit, business and review. But at the same time so sorry to hear (Regret having set foot on the property) Have a nice Day Mr Roger . Regards Karla OR.
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We stayed in the privet rooms advised by Karla as a privet house. It is a motel!!!! Molded mattresses, stains on the walls, rusted sinks, rusted mini fridge, cabinets falling apart, not a hanger or a closet in any of the rooms, outdoor tables infested with ants, outdoor chairs kept together by tape, awful smell in the rooms, internet non existent inside the rooms. When we saw the property with our own eyes we asked Karla to refund us so we can go any other place. She refused. Costa Rica is a beautiful country, but this motel should be taken out of commission just so it doesn’t ruin the experience for anyone else.
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Date of stay: February 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Karla Ortega Rodriguez, Director General at Marea Brava Hotel & Villas
Responded May 19, 2024
Hello, so sorry the you and your friends not was happy with the place , All the place was private for you and your friends , your reservation was like from 6 months before, and you not like the place for the only reason the your friends not want to share rooms , they want a private room for each couple, and I understand , my place is not luxury but at the same time needs some things to fix I understand, but is very clean and is in very good condition, a-c works good, hot water works good, very nice pool, green area, private ocean at the front . Sorry because you not like the idea to share the rooms but is how was from when you make the reservation. At the same time thank you to pick our property .
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This place is tired at best. In a star of disrepair. I’m not sure where the photos posted were taken but certainly not in the 2 units we had. Our top floor oceanfront condo did not have a working stove, no hot water and the roof leaked in at least 10 places including on top of all 3 bed. It smelled musty and furniture was very worn and dirty. Unit #2 had no dishes or glasses. No coffee pot. We were given a Wi-Fi box for our room but 2 days later they took it while we were out. There were no towels and when we asked for some they gave us stained towels. It is important to note that the ocean here has very strong under tow so not good for even riding waves. Experienced surfers may love it. There was no swim up bar or working snack area. You are stranded and at the mercy of Uber to get to anything but 3-4 little beachfront restaurants. We booked for one week and couldn’t wait to get out of there and went to San Jose after 3 days.
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Date of stay: November 2022Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Don’t bring a family w small children. Ok for surfers who want good surf and just a roof over...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Karla Ortega Rodriguez, Director General at Marea Brava Hotel & Villas
Responded Mar 30, 2023
Hello Heidi My name is Karla, so sorry to hear about that . I think I remember your visit , and we was remodeling most of our condos and you was a big group. I think the was raining season too. So sorry the you have a bad experience with us, please let me know maybe by the future you can give to us other opportunity. Thank you - Karla OR. Regards ..
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Pro: Nice place to spend with the family , 2 pools , comfortable seats and direct access to the beach. They have menus so you can order from local restaurants and get delivery to the pool.
Cons: The bathroom on the common areas wasn't very clean .
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Karla Ortega Rodriguez, Director General at Marea Brava Hotel & Villas
Responded May 22, 2021
Muchas gracias por tomar su tiempo y escribirnos un comentario tan lindo. Apreciamos mucho su evaluación. Nos alegro mucho que tuvieron una estadía maravillosa... Esperamos mucho de darle la bienvenida de nuevo. Saludos cordiales, la gerencia Marea Brava
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No, there is no breakfast, no there are only threadbare towels 1 per person, no hand towels, wash cloths or kitchen towels. The stove did not work when we got here, some of the furniture is falling apart, There is no security the door down to the beach is unlocked and the door to our patio area has no lock, and no way to be secured. There are no locks on our windows so we requested sticks to put in the windows. There is only one key for all of us, and that only opens the front door there are 2 other doors with locks that cannot be unlocked from the outside - but that is okay because you can crawl through the window. There is much deferred maintenance that needs to be done - for the price thisis no bargin. It is not even a fair price for what we received.
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Date of stay: January 2021
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Make sure you ask for a beach front room
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beautiful location on a surfing beach but price is high, service is poor, and units are not kept up. No maid service or towels unless you ask over and over. Also no credit cards. I think this place is better suited for local families visiting from San Jose, CR, rather than Americans. Service and maintenance may improve post COVID.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There is no restaurants, food or drink services on site. This establishment is strictly a cook your our meal, most of the rooms have kitchens or very small kitchenettes. Please be warned of sewage smells coming from the drains, only cold water in kitchen our stove did not work and our refrigerator froze our fresh food. The roof leaked on the night of a bad storm. We also spotted several cockroaches.
San Jose, Costa Rica15 contributions29 helpful votes
Hi Koru, we have full kitchen condos and also a little kitchen in the miniapartments, so the people here does their breakfasts or they go to one of the restaurants of the área, where they have discounts just for be guests of Marea Brava.
It varies.We had three suites - all had two bedrooms - one had to doubles in both bedrooms, one had two singles in one of them, one had just one double in each. You can be pretty sure you can sleep 4 comfortably, 6-8 in beds if you don't mind sharing rooms. And you can use the couch as a bed - ours did not fold out, though.
San Jose, Costa Rica21 contributions3 helpful votes
Hey there, I know the hotel has some limited transportation, you can also get a taxi, or look for the local bus, which if you stay up to late may not be available. Or you can rent a bike, four wheeler or small car and go to the mant places near by. Good luck.
There are more places to choose from in the Playa Hermosa area.
PRICE RANGE
$98 - $179 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
marea brava playa hermosa
LOCATION
Costa RicaProvince of PuntarenasGarabito MunicipalityJaco DistrictPlaya Hermosa
NUMBER OF ROOMS
22
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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