Villas Sol Beach Resort

The location was great, the staff was exceptional, the villa was very nice overall and very spacious, and there were a handful of shuttles around the property (necessary, the property is on a steep hill). The view of the ocean from our 2nd story porch was amazing (we had 2 porches overlooking the ocean), and you can always catch sunset over the ocean from just about anywhere on the property, including a viewpoint on top of their hill. Very nice kitchen w/full amenities, staff kept that room squeaky clean, fully stocked, and folded bedside clothes and organized our shoes. The service was personable, helpful and prompt. If you can't speak Spanish, most of the staff was fluent in English and a host of other languages. Playa Hermosa and Villas Sol is a nice quiet area that the local Costa Ricans go to, so not many touristy things, extremely safe (beach walks at night with zero hassles), no trash, really nice beachfront restaurants. One night there were bioluminescent microorganisms on Playa Hermosa, so when you walked it looked like stars under your footprints. Another day, a squad of howler monkeys were in the trees making noise all day. Some of the accompanying town beaches nearby were the nicest I've been to and it was reassuring to see it filled with Costa Rican families and not tourists/tourist traps. Basically, a nice place in a low-key, safe, beach town.

The location and views. The transport to the beach was fast.

The shuttle to get around the property was an experience of its own. Never a long wait, never felt unsafe. The free paddle boarding offered by the resort was fun. We had a great time and wish we could have stayed longer!

We chose to walk down the hill to the beach but there was a shuttle available which was great for going back up. The sailing/snorkeling tour on the Jessica Anne was a very good beginner tour. I was surrounded by fish and the guides were knowledgeable and helpful. Safety was a top priority. We rented a car and drove an hour away to hot springs and a national park. All included alcohol had generous pours. Food at the buffet was generally good. Usually a couple hot dishes available for vegetarians and lots of cold salads and bread. Ping pong

The view in most of the resort is breathtaking. The staff is very friendly. The shuttle between the various part of the resort is super convenient. Overall, the availability of amenities is top.