Costa Rica's Brightest Hidden Gem!
Located on a four-mile long sand peninsula, Puntarenas is a coastal fishing town that also supports a lot of tourism. While there we happened to stumble upon this magnificent mansion turned hostel on the northern shore, the Perla de Pacifico, our most highly recommended lodging option in all of Costa Rica. This place will shock and amaze you, instantly transporting you to a tranquil environment far from Central America -- you have to see it to believe it, there is no other way to put it.
As Puntarenas is lacking in both hostels and hotels, Perla de Pacifico is the only one you will find without having to taxi it back 30 minutes further deep into the mainland. Even more conveniently, it is located on the same block as the Calypso Cruises office and dock. Right after we came back from Tortuga Island we were able to walk 60 feet and be at our new home.
Walking through the front doors you are greeted by a beautiful marble staircase that leads you either to the main level with the jacuzzi and outside courtyard, amongst other things, or upstairs to the kitchen and dining room, two guest rooms, and wrap-around balcony.
As if the house itself was not exquisite enough, it is stocked full of artwork and collectibles from all corners of the globe. This is undoubtedly due to the the owners, Michael and Elisabeth, connoisseurs of the world. Be it canvases of Audrey Hepburn, old Asian artwork, rare drawings, original pictures of Salvador Dali and his wife, or any one of a thousand other exquisite -- yet perfectly placed -- collectible pieces of artwork and sculpture, everything seems like it is in just the right spot.
Sound good? Well, it gets better. How do you become world connoisseurs? By traveling the world. And that is exactly what Michael and Elisabeth have done. From the minute we walked in the door the conversation just flowed endlessly! Michael has some of the most fantastic stories to tell, Jared and I frequently got lost in the most random yet intricate conversations with him and his wife. Regardless of whether you are a travel blogger or cultural enthusiast, lifelong vagabond or sufferer of wanderlust, you will feel instantly at home here, I guarantee it. Make sure to view the many pictures below.
Jared says: "This place reminded me of Galveston TX kind of crumby but still cool vibes and little restaurants. The BnB there was out of this world its like walking into a mix of countries when you walk in made the whole town worth it. Definitely check out the pictures of this place but nothing is like actually going there!"
Derek says: "Just when I had given up faith on having any really mind-blowing experiences in Costa Rica, we stumbled into Puntarenas. After a day cruise out to Tortuga Island we arrived at Perla de Pacifico (actually turns out the mansion was right next door to the Calypso Cruises office/dock -- totally meant to be !) and were blown away. The place is exquisite! And even cooler were the owners, a German man named Michael and his French wife. They too are fellow travelers of the world and were filled with entertaining stories. As a matter-of-fact, Jared and I enjoyed our few days here so much that we did not want to leave Costa Rica!"
