A boutique jewel on Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast, Hotel Aguas Claras in Puerto Viejo is a beautifully curated collection of Victorian-tropical bungalows and suites, discreetly tucked within 2 acres of lush gardens. Untouched by the development of the Pacific Coast, Costa Rica’s southern Caribbean has long captivated local Ticos with its laid-back vibe, crystal clear seas and influence from Afro-Caribbean and indigenous cultures. Renowned Costa Rican artist Elizabeth Steinvorth first fell under Puerto Viejo’s spell 32 years ago, and has returned nearly every other month since. In 2014 she and her daughter Elena Rohrmoser purchased the old Hotel Aguas Claras property and began meticulous renovations, focused on using reclaimed materials, highlighting the natural surroundings and collaborations with local artists and makers. Opened in 2018 the hotel is an expression of their creativity and love of place. A brief stroll down a forested lane leads guests to the hotel’s Da Lime beach club and the clear waters & coral reefs of Playa Chiquita. The property is a 10 minute bike pedal from the restaurants & shops of Puerto Viejo and a 45 minute drive from the Limon Airport. Black, gold and white sand beaches dot the surrounding coast, offering multiple locations to surf, swim or snorkel. Both Cahuita National Park and Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, home to monkeys, sloths and endangered Great Green Macaws, are within 20 minutes of the hotel. Aguas Claras is an ideal retreat for writers & artists and pairs particularly well with Pacuare Lodge or properties near Arenal.
PROPERTY FACTS
15
Pavlova Suites (6), Studio Bungalow (1), One-Bedroom Bungalows (2), Two-Bedroom Bungalows (2), Two-Bedroom Deluxe Bungalows w/ Plunge Pool (2)
Bed & Breakfast
Yes, Throughout and Complimentary
Open Year Round
N/A
Massages, Body Treatments and Facials can be arranged in-room or in Casa Ghandi. A full spa and wellness center is planned for the future.
Pool, Papaya Restaurant & Lounge, Casa Ghandi (yoga shala), Da Lime Beach Club & Restaurant, complimentary banana bikes, beach gear & snorkel equipment.
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RATES
Starting from $412 per room/per night
Starting from $463 per room/per night
Starting from $684 per room/per night
Rates are based on specific room/bungalow maximum occupancy. Rates include government taxes (13%).
Wildlife Season
High Season
Holiday Season
LOCATION: Puerto VIEJO, coSTA RICA
Closet Domestic Airport:
Limon (LIO) is the closest domestic airport and is about a 45 minute drive from Aguas Claras. SANSA offers up to 5 flights per day between Limon and San Jose.
Costa Rica has two international airports. Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) is located in the capital of San Jose and Daniel Oduber Quiros Airport (LIR) in Liberia is located in the northern Guanacaste region.
Most guests access Aguas Claras by flying between San Jose and Limon and then driving 45 minutes to Puerto Viejo. By private and public ferry boat, or a combination of boat & land transfers, one can connect Puerto Viejo with Tortugeuro National Park (via Limon) and Bocas del Toro in Panama.
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WHEN TO VISIT
The majority of Costa Rica has two well defined seasons; the dry season from December to April and Rainy Season or 'Green Season' from May to November. However, the Caribbean marches to the beat of its own drum. The driest and sunniest months in Puerto Viejo are actually late February, March and late August through early November. This is also when the sea is at its most tranquil, with lake-like conditions and perfect clarity ideal for snorkeling and diving. Snorkeling is still possible outside of these months and experienced surfers flock to the area almost year round.
Keen birders will want to visit in October & November to catch the annual fall trans-American Raptor Migration.
FOR FAMILIES
Hotel Aguas Claras now Accepts Children 3 Years and Older! Due to the frequent requests of their guests, Hotel Aguas Claras has decided to lower the minimum age for children at Aguas Claras from 8 to 3 years. Family stays can be arranged in the two-bedroom bungalows with ample space and privacy.Particularly, the newly inaugurated two-bedroom deluxe bungalows with private pools are an excellent option for families with children. The beach is just a 3 minute walk from the main hotel area; snorkel gear & bikes are provided.
Just a 7 minute walk from the hotel, the Jaguar Rescue Center is a particularly engaging experience for families, enabling up-close views of baby sloths and monkeys. Volunteers & veterinarians rescue and rehabilitate a variety injured wildlife with the ultimate goal of reintroducing healthy animals back into their natural habitat.
RECOMMENDED LENGTH OF STAY
Four nights is ideal for guests to soak in the relaxed vibe of the Caribbean, explore town and explore a few of the nearby wildlife preserves & parks. For travelers looking for deep disconnection or in need of a creative retreat, a week or more is recommended.
UNIQUE SELLING POINTS
Costa Rican can appear culturally homogenous, but the southern Caribbean is a diverse mix of indigenous (Bribri and Cabecar), West African, Chinese and Costa Rican that is unique within the country. This cultural blend informs everything, especially the flavorful cuisine and the Calypso or live Reggae being performed at local beach bars.
The mother/daughter team of Elizabeth Steivorth and Elena Rohrmoser, who own and designed Aguas Claras, have great style. Their attention to details (like custom made ceramic dinnerware), pops of 70s surfer style mixed with Victorian-era touches and an eclectic mix of repurposed & custom made furniture & art pieces combine for a Wes-Anderson esque design vibe that is both chic, cool and welcoming.
Clear water and healthy coral reefs make the Caribbean Coast the best place to dive and snorkel in Costa Rica. You can snorkel right from the beach club at Hotel Aguas Claras.
Observe abundant wildlife without the crowds of tourists that are becoming more and more common in Manuel Antonio. Cahuita National Park and Manzanillo Wildlife Reserve are meccas for rainforest and marine wildlife but receive a fraction of the human visitors when compared to the Pacific coast.
Outstanding birding - both for endemic and migratory species. The local ARA Project has done incredible work to reintroduce breeding populations of Great Green Macaws into their natural Caribbean lowland tropical forest habitat. View these birds up close and then venture to Kèköldi Indigenous Reserve which is one of just five Million Raptor Migration locations in the world.
A variety of room types & configurations are ideal for couples, families, groups of friends or a small retreat or workshop group. Hotel Aguas Claras has a covered yoga shala for group practice.
BEST COMBINED WITH
An excellent itinerary option is to combine 1 night San Jose, 3 nights Pacuare Lodge and 4 nights Hotel Aguas Claras. Many travelers to Pacuare Lodge want to combine it with a beach option; traveling to Puerto Viejo from the rafting takeout takes approximately 2 hours in a car whereas traveling back to the Pacific Coast can be an all day affair combining long drives and/or multiple flights.
Puerto Viejo and Arenal also share similar weather patterns and work well in combination.
Lastly, while it involves a little more effort to pull off, the ultimate nature-lovers trifecta in Costa Rica would include Cloud Forest (Senda Monteverde), the Osa Peninsula (Lapa Rios) and the Caribbean (combining Tortuguero National Park + Hotel Aguas Claras.)
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