Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 2750-0490; mains US$12-30; 5pm-late Tue-Sun; )
If you splurge for a single fancy meal during your trip, do it at this romantic eatery run by
Tuscan-born Ilario Giannoni. On a lovely, candlelit patio, deftly prepared Italian seafood
and pasta dishes are served alongside unusual offerings such as the delicate
carpaccio di
carambola:
transparent slices of starfruit topped with shrimp, tomatoes and balsamic
vinaigrette.
There is an extensive wine list (from US$32 a bottle), but you can't go wrong with the
well-chosen and relatively inexpensive house wines. The restaurant has also branched out
to a more casual spot next door,
Gatta Ci Cova
(
2750-0730; sandwiches US$7-11, mains
US$10-14;
noon-10pm Tue-Sun;
)
, where you can grab panini and drinks.
Playa Chiquita
It isn't exactly clear where Playa Cocles ends and Playa Chiquita begins, but conventional
wisdom applies the name to a series of beaches 4km to 6km east of Puerto Viejo.
Villas del Caribe
HOTEL
( 2750-0202, 2233-2200;
www.villasdelcaribe.com
; incl breakfast d standard/junior US$80/110, ju-
nior villa/villa US$120/150; )
With a prime location near the beach, this resort offers lovely, brightly painted rooms,
comfortable beds, sitting areas and roomy bathrooms with Spanish tile. Junior villas also
come with kitchenettes, while the two-story villas have ocean views, king-size beds, kit-
chens and BBQ. All have private decks with hammocks.
Aguas Claras
BUNGALOW
( 2750-0131;
www.aguasclaras-cr.com
; 1-/2-/3-room cottages US$70/130/220; )
Five tropical Victorian cottages painted in bright candy colors and edged in lacy wood-
work sit tucked amid the trees on the beach side of the road. All come with fully equipped
kitchens.
Tierra de Sueños
BUNGALOW
(
2750-0378;
www.tierradesuenoslodge.com
; bungalows incl breakfast $95-165;
)
