Bahia Pez Vela Resort is situated on sprawling grounds, where wide roads lined with blossoming flowers wind between neat rows of villas. The resort backs on to a curved gray-black sand beach fringed by greenery. While the beach is small and rocky in some areas, it displays a striking contrast between the dark sands and blue water. The resort is popular with families, as well as groups of friends, with three- and four-bedroom villas not offering the best value for lone couples or solo travelers. The pool, beach, and restaurant can get busy, but the vibe is rarely rowdy. The owners of many of the individually owned units visit regularly, so you’ll find many guests are quite familiar with the property, the staff, and one another. There’s not a lot within walking distance, so guests should be prepared to rent a car or pay for the occasional taxi ride to the grocery store. 

Bahia Pez Vela Resort is set at the end of a backroad within the small community of condo complexes and hotels that populate the area around Playa Ocotal. The resort is right on its own private beach and is a 20-minute walk away from Playa Ocotal. It’s one of the less touristy beaches in Guanacaste -- more popular with locals than with visitors -- yet its black sands are quite attractive, and the waters off the coast offer excellent snorkeling conditions. There are a few restaurants within walking distance, but nightlife is virtually nonexistent, making this area an ideal base for guests with little interest in the region’s party scene. The buzzing shops, bars, and restaurants of Playa del Coco are a 15-minute drive away, while the surf town of Tamarindo can be reached in about 90 minutes by car. The airport is a 40-minute drive away, and it’s just under two hours to Rincon de la Vieja National Park.

Villas at Bahia Pez Vela Resort are individually owned, and therefore the decor varies significantly from unit to unit. Bedrooms are located on the upper levels, while the living areas, kitchens, and half bathrooms are set on the ground floors. All villas are tidy and bright, but not particularly modern. Tiled flooring, busy floral patterns, and beachy themes are common. Many bedrooms have white furniture and wooden closets, and master bedrooms include furnished balconies. Some units have TVs in every bedroom, while others only have TVs in the living rooms. All units feature washer/dryers and DVD players. 

Bathrooms are stocked with bars of soap and towels and have either walk-in showers or shower/tub combos. Kitchens have counter stools, full-sized fridges, ovens, and dishwashers, along with ample cookware and cutlery. Villas also include big six- to eight-person dining tables, and separate sitting areas with comfy sofas and chairs. Some feature private outdoor pools. 

Bahia Pez Vela Resort covers the basics when it comes to amenities travelers would expect from a mid-range, beachfront resort. The hotel’s two-tiered main pool is divided into three sections, one of which features an infinity ledge facing the ocean. The concrete deck surrounding the pool is lined with soft-blue lounge chairs as well as a few picnic tables shaded by thatched roofs. Palm trees create a few shady corners. A second, quieter pool is located up a steep hill in another section of the large property. Although more modest in size, this pool has a dramatic infinity ledge overlooking the forested surroundings and stretching out toward the ocean.

The resort’s on-site restaurant, Picante, is one of the better places to eat in the area, attracting a number of outside visitors, including locals. The decor isn’t particularly remarkable, with wooden chairs and dark, tiled flooring, but the views of the main pool are appealing. Poolside dining and room service is available. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property and there’s free parking on-site.