Back

Aguas Claras

  • Hotel Aguas Claras
  • Hotel Aguas Claras
  • Hotel Aguas Claras
  • Hotel Aguas Claras
  • Hotel Aguas Claras
  • Hotel Aguas Claras
  • Hotel Aguas Claras
  • Hotel Aguas Claras
  • Hotel Aguas Claras
  • Hotel Aguas Claras
  • Hotel Aguas Claras
  • Hotel Aguas Claras
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Aguas Claras is a first class beach retreat on an unspoilt stretch of Costa Rica's Caribbean jungle-fringed coast.

Set on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica near Playa Chiquita, Puerto Viejo, eco-friendly Aguas Claras is a gleaming white-wood, traditional Victorian-style plantation house. It’s the only really luxurious, boutique-style property on this stretch of the palm-fringed coastline, which features a unique combination of exuberant wildlife and undisturbed tropical beaches.

This dreamily romantic hotel, sheltered by verdant foliage, has a delightful open-air free-form pool and probably the best restaurant in the region although, to add variety to your stay, there are a number of small, locally run restaurants just a short bike ride away.

The building’s nostalgic design – conceived by a renowned Costa Rican artist – recalls bygone times when British colonial dominance of the Caribbean dictated architectural style, and inside you’ll find traditional artifacts and original works by local artists alongside state-of-the-art contemporary features. Guest rooms – each uniquely decorated and furnished – are situated in both the main building and individual thatched cottages which are similar in style but offer additional space and added privacy.

It’s easy just to lie back and relax there, but you may be tempted by a range of activities such as jungle hikes, cycle rides, surf lessons, canopy zips and cocoa tours.  Cahuita National Park, half an hour away by car, encompasses a magnificent area of biodiversity which stretches beyond the shore line and out to sea. Sea turtles nest in the area and manta rays glide between weird and wonderfully shaped live coral. On land, sloths are common place and not just in the park – road vehicles have to stop to let them cross…

Bartolome, Galápagos

What our clients say

  • We always ask each other what the highlight was, but always fail.  It was really the variety.  There is really so much to remember.

    JS, Bath Mar 2017
  • Highlight: All of Osa - the guided walks in the forest, the early bird-watching trip, the food, watching spider monkeys from the beach and toucans from the balconies, the friendly…

    DH, London Feb 2016
  • Most memorable experiences: White water rafting. Watching the turtles at Tortuguero. Everything about Montverde.

    RA, Lichfield Aug 2015
  • So many - sloths close up, wild monkeys eating coconuts from our hand, finding a snake in Falls resort, zipwiring in Arenal, canoeing to old Costa Rican farmhouse, night walks…

    JS, Amersham Sep 2016
  • Although the transfers were quite long the mix between eg driving and taking a boat were good and made us feel we really saw the country. 

    ME May 2011
  • Highlights? Bosque Del Cabo, Rafiki and Maquenque, absolutely wonderful.

    ASP, Bexhill-on-sea Jan 2017
0 1 2 3 4 5

Our Expert's Opinion

Lina
Lina Fuller - Travel Expert

Lina's passion for the continent where she was born really took off when she moved to Córdoba (Argentina) to study, spending the holidays travelling between Argentina and her native Colombia.

Papagaio

Your edit for Latin American inspiration

Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.

View Extraordinary Inspiration
Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • Hannah
    Hannah Waterhouse - Travel Expert

    Hannah had an early introduction to Latin America when her family moved to Ecuador and she returned to study in Buenos Aires for a year before backpacking across the continent.

  • Kathryn
    Kathryn Rhodes - Travel Expert

    Kathryn backpacked across Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru before joining us. She has a degree in Philosophy and French and is a keen netball player.

  • Sallly
    Sally Dodge - Travel Expert

    A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.

  • Hannah
    Hannah Donaldson - Travel Expert

    Having spent part of her childhood in Colombia and worked in Brazil and Costa Rica, Hannah's ties to Latin America run deep. Hannah is a much valued Travel Expert in our Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tours sales team.

  • Finn Clennett
    Finn Clennett - Travel Expert

  • Juliet
    Juliet Ellwood - Travel Expert

    After graduating with a degree in Anthropology and History and having been fascinated by Latin America since childhood by the book featuring photos of Nazca, Juliet first visited the region in 2003. Since then, Juliet has visited the majority of countries in Latin America but has particularly extensive experience with Peru, a country she loves for many reasons but not least, its incredible archaeological richness and delicious food!

0 1 2 3 4 5