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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
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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

  • Highlight?: Turtles laying, sloths scratching, toucans screeching, frogs jumping, iguanas climbing, Mayan steps galore, sharks a swimming, stalactite dodging in the blue hole...All in all brilliant

    MS, Twickenham Oct 2016
  • Highlight?: Flying down the ziplines at Arenal was truly incredible. We had a clear day, too, with amazing views of the volcano and lake to distract us from the fact…

    DR, London Feb 2018
  • So many memorable experiences - flying into Tortuguero, watching turtle hatchlings race to the sea, the boat ride out of Tortuguero, all the animals (including a mummy sloth with baby…

    SM, Chiswick Jun 2013
  • Most memorable experience: "The amount and variety of wildlife in Tortuguero and Cahuita (which we visited separately). I lived in San Jose from 1978-1981 and never saw so much variety,…

    JW, Crowborough Feb 2015
  • Highlight?: Visit to Tortuguero was exciting and remote. Rancho Margot was our favourite accommodation. It was a privilege to visit this beautiful country. 

    MC, Arlesly Apr 2018
  • Great mix of high adrenaline and chilled activities to suit all the family.

    JS, London Feb 2016
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Our Expert's Opinion

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.

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Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • Heloise
    Heloise Buxton - Travel Expert

    Heloise started her Latin American journey as an exchange student in Santiago, Chile. With extended summer holidays this was the perfect opportunity to backpack through Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil.

  • 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.

  • Sophie
    Sophie Barber - Travel Expert

    Sophie lived in Chile before joining us and has travelled extensively across Latin America, from Mexico to the furthest tip of Patagonia and beyond to Antarctica.

  • 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.

  • Charlotte
    Charlotte Daubeney - Travel Expert

    Charlotte's fascination with Latin America began with a family holiday to Belize. She went on to study Spanish in school and at university before spending a year living in Santiago, Chile.

  • Alex
    Alex Walker - Travel Expert

    A globetrotter since her childhood, Alex spent a year studying abroad in Guadalajara and has returned to Latin America countless times since then.

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