If you’re looking for a convenient beachside retreat in Costa Rica, look no further than Balcon del Mar.
Balcon del Mar of Jaco, Costa Rica
Conveniently located in the busy, buzzing seaside city of Jaco (less than 2 hours from the airport), but precisely situated to avoid the noise and hustle and bustle, Balcon del Mar is a peaceful and pleasant retreat.
Staying at the Balcon del Mar, I had the whole city of Jaco within my reach, but when I wanted to relax at the end of an adventurous day, I wasn’t bothered by noise or traffic.
Balcon del Mar is friendly and welcoming, from the staff who check you in all the way to the warm color palette used throughout the hotel.
The rooms are pretty and simple.
The comfy bed was one of the best I slept on in my whole Costa Rican stay, and the flatscreen TV was perfect for unwinding with a few shows before passing out (they have English channels!).
My room on the ground floor opened right into the poolside area, and had a nice little nook with chairs and a table – perfect for reading or simply relaxing outdoors.
Tons of storage space in the room was perfect for organizing my stuff, and the in-room safe was also appreciated and provided peace of mind. It was actually even large enough to store ALL of my valuables inside – even my big old laptop.
The best part of Balcon del Mar must be the stunning poolside area.
The plants and flowers throughout the pool area are absolutely lovely, and the grounds are exquisitely upkept.
Balcon del Mar’s resident restaurant Vista Mar offers a seaside view, and some delicious food. Certain room options have an included breakfast – and I would highly recommend it!
I went with the Tico (typical Costa Rican) breakfast, and was served two courses (one fruit, one main dish), juice, and coffee.
At night, I again sampled the Vista Mar restaurant, which outside of breakfast is known for its Peruvian cuisine and its Peruvian chef. I picked a vegetarian appetizer, washed it down with an Imperial beer, and was more than filled for a really affordable price ($11USD). Many hotel restaurants tend to overcharge, but I was extremely pleasantly surprised by both the quality and quantity of Vista Mar.
With multiple different pools, endless seating options, an awesome restaurant, and a beautiful ocean view, you don’t even have to venture off the hotel grounds to have a relaxing, peaceful time.
But if you do want to explore (even a bit further) – check out the beach across the street from Balcon del Mar.
With many sunning beds and umbrellas set up just for Balcon del Mar guests, I passed many hours people-watching and catching up on Kindle
I also found Balcon del Mar to be an excellent base for organizing activities throughout Jaco. I was picked up from the hotel for a waterfall rappelling tour with Jaco Canyoning (which I would totally recommend!), and the front desk can help with other activity suggestions as well.
Exploring more of Costa Rica? I was lucky enough to get the following recommendations from Balcon del Mar manager, Paulo:
- Biensanz or Espadilla beach
- Nahuyaca Waterfalls
- Chirripo hiking
- Dominicalito Beach
Love Balcon del Mar? Pin for later!
You can book Balcon del Mar directly on their website here, or also through Agoda here
Interested in more Jaco adventures and advice? Click here
*While I was hosted by Balcon del Mar with a complimentary stay, I was not compensated for this post and as always my opinions remain unbiased and unaltered*
A short vacation in Thailand turned into a life abroad with a canceled ticket home. Nearly a decade later and after living in Bangkok, Rio de Janeiro, Puebla, and Puerto Vallarta, Steph is on to her next adventure and living back in beautiful, cosmopolitan Mexico City. She is living, traveling, and working (both as an expat therapist and an international health insurance representative) around the world to find the beautiful, inspirational, and interesting while sharing it with you!
