Review: La Vela Boutique Hotel

This boutique 21-room property is a perfect tropical escape for beach bums and pool people alike

TLDR: Why stay at La Vela Boutique Hotel?

It’s simple: book La Vela Boutique Hotel for its location – especially if you aren’t renting a car. Located just a 3-minute walk from Espadilla Beach and a 5-minute walk to the entrance of Manuel Antonio National Park, La Vela offers easy access to some of Costa Rica’s most pristine beaches and verdant jungle trails.

And if you’re not a beach bum, don’t sweat it: La Vela’s pool vibes are immaculate (think planters overflowing with lush tropical blooms, a robust cocktail menu and a hilarious family of resident howler monkeys).

Keep reading for our full review of La Vela Boutique Hotel, covering our first impressions, along with detailed reviews of the guest rooms, surroundings, service, food and drink, amenities, and more.

Set the scene. Give us your first impressions.

I spent most of the 5-hour transfer from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio with my nose in a dark and twisty thriller (yes, I was reading Verity and yes, it’s just as unhinged as everyone says). Somewhere along the drive – I’m not sure exactly where – the landscape transitioned from rolling hills covered in low brush to craggy cliffs overrun with dense jungle.

As our minibus passed through Quepos – the coastal town closest to Manuel Antonio National Park – the roads became progressively more narrow and steeper (there’s a reason arriba was one of the Spanish words we picked up on this trip).

Finally, we descended another hill, passed a few small shops and restaurants, caught a glimpse of Espadilla Beach, and came to a stop in front of La Vela’s open-air reception. Check-in was quick and easy, and within minutes we were pulling on swimsuits, slapping on sunscreen and packing our beach bags. We headed right back out the way we came, took a right turn at reception and followed the sidewalk- and shoulder-less road for approximately 3 minutes, dodging cars and motorbikes, until we hit Espadilla Beach. From that point on, in the words of Ryan Gosling-as-Ken, our job was “just beach.”

Tell us about the rooms. How did you sleep?

We slept like rocks during our stay at La Vela Boutique Hotel. And while the all-day sun, hours spent swimming, and pure exhaustion after a week of traveling may have had something to do with it – the optimal sleeping conditions at La Vela didn’t hurt, either. Our room was clean, quiet and amply air-conditioned, all of which made for ideal sleeping quarters. And the small, semi-private patio outside our room made for an easy escape for whoever happened to be the earlier riser each morning.

Our bathroom was also decked out with an amenity that we didn’t know we needed and deeply appreciated: a powerful dehumidifer, which sucked the moisture out of every swimsuit, towel and damp piece of clothing in our laundry bags. And yes, we may have gone a bit overboard when we draped the full contents of both of our suitcases around the bathroom to dry. But after a week spent sweating and swimming in the jungle, can you blame us?

What’s the surrounding area like?

La Vela is situated in a tiny commercial pocket located just outside of Manuel Antonio National Park. You’ll find a handful of small shops, restaurants and bars (we loved Morpho Beach Bar, just around the corner from La Vela) all within a 5-minute walk. Be aware that the roads are narrow and sidewalks are non-existent, so you’ll be sharing the road with cars and motorbikes. Keep your wits about you as you walk.

Beach access couldn’t be easier: Espadilla Beach is just 3 minutes down the road, where you can rent lounge chairs, umbrellas, and boogie boards for a few dollars a day. The sunsets over Espadilla Beach are not to be missed.

If you prefer a more low-key (read: no equipment rentals, vendors or hawkers) beach experience, you can also hit up the beaches in Manuel Antonio National Park. Just note that the park’s opening hours are only from 7am to 4pm, the park is closed every Tuesday, and you must book entry in advance (they will sell out).

The town of Quepos is a short drive or taxi ride away along narrow, windy roads; that’s where you’ll find more options for food, drinks and nightlife. We only ventured into Quepos once during our stay and were not impressed; that said, we had friends who raved about the nightlife scene.

Plenty of excursion options – think catamaran cruises, kayaking, surfing lessons and more – are situated farther afield, but don’t fret: most tour operators include round- trip transportation from your hotel in their rates.

How was the service?

The service at La Vela was polite and accommodating, without being over-the-top. Whether we needed help booking excursions, calling taxis or finding a dinner spot, staff members were eager and willing to help.

Tell us about the food and drink options.

La Vela’s breakfast spread – included in the nightly room rate – is simple but tasty. Guests can choose from a buffet offering pastries, meats and cheeses, and a mouth-watering array of fresh tropical fruits. There’s also a small made-to-order menu offering omelettes, pancakes, and a few other hot dishes.

While there is not a full-service restaurant on site, there is a brick oven that the staff fires up around lunchtime. We dined poolside on tasty wood-fired pizzas more than once during our stay at La Vela. Be prepared: the portion sizes are generous; one pizza can easily serve 2 to 3 people. If you’ve ordered more than you can stomach, don’t worry: you can box up your leftovers and save them for later in your room’s mini-fridge.

If you’re in the mood to imbibe, you’re in luck: the poolside tiki bar serves up a killer menu of tropical cocktails. We were partial to the Funky Monkeys – a frozen concoction of rum, banana, coconut and chocolate – served in plastic hurricanes with festive striped straws.

On a scale from 1 to heavenly, how do the amenities stack up?

La Vela’s standout amenity, without question, is the pool. The setting is ultra- tropical: the pool area is nestled into an overgrown, jungly hillside dotted with towering palm trees. Massive planters filled with bromeliads and other native blooms offer privacy between lounge chairs and tables and are lit up with festive twinkly lights at night.

And speaking of lounge chairs: there are plenty to go around; you won’t have to fight for poolside real estate as you might at a larger resort.

During your stay, you’ll also undoubtedly catch a glimpse of the resident howler monkeys whose antics liven up the pool area a few times each day. They’re a hilarious addition to the tropical vibe.

Anything else we should know?

Plan to spend at least a half day (and ideally, a full day) exploring Manuel Antonio National Park – and book your entry in advance. While the park’s footprint is relatively small – clocking in at roughly 1,600 acres – there are plenty of hiking trails worth exploring, along with the park’s secluded beaches.

While you certainly don’t need a guide to explore the park – trails are well-marked and you’ll spot plenty of critters on your own – many visitors choose to join naturalist-led tours. Just make sure to book your tour in advance with your hotel to ensure you’re working with a reputable, licensed guide. On the walk to the national park you’ll encounter plenty of pseudo-guides who will try to pitch you on their illegally-operated tours; don’t make eye contact and keep walking.

For your park day, make sure to bring proper hiking shoes; flip flops, swimwear and towels (there are changing rooms in the park); and plenty of water and sunscreen. Visitors are not allowed to bring any food into the park (and good thing, too, because the last thing you’ll want is a howler monkey fishing a sandwich out of your backpack). There are a few cafes inside the park; plan on eating early (before 11am) to beat the lunch rush and long lines.

The verdict: Would you stay at La Vela Boutique Hotel again?

In a heartbeat. Our only regret is that we didn’t have an extra day at La Vela to veg out by the pool: by the time we had to leave, we were just starting to power down into true relaxation mode. Book your stay.

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