Boutique Hotel Aguas Claras Puerto Viejo

Aguas Claras is a 15-room hotel set back from Playa Chiquita, on the South Caribbean coast near Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. Bungalows and suites sit among garden plots dense with tropical growth, giving each unit privacy despite the compact grounds. Rooms range from a one-bedroom bungalow at 50 square metres to a two-bedroom deluxe version at 74 square metres, several with private plunge pools and wraparound verandas. The circular Bungalow Suite, at roughly 60 square metres, takes in wide natural light through its curved walls. Local artists supply much of the decor: reclaimed furniture, handmade objects, and small charms turn up in unexpected corners. It is a short walk to the beach. Two restaurants cover the food side: Papaya, for breakfast through dinner with vegan and gluten-free options, and Dalime Beach Club, a looser, wrap-and-ceviche kind of menu by the sand. A spa, a pool, and a small activity desk round out the property. Check-in runs from 3pm. The overall footprint stays modest, which suits a stretch of coast still defined by forest and reef rather than density.