It’s hard to describe how to find Cabinas Coco Azul, and unlike many hotels in Playas del Coco, once you arrive, the searching doesn’t really seem worth the effort. To get here, make a left at the soccer field, pass the white church, and make another left at the next “intersection.” From the entrance, the property doesn’t look like much. A white, hand-painted sign is the only indication that you have, in fact, successfully found Cabinas Coco Azul. However, you’ll probably have to snoop around and call out a few “holas” to get anyone’s attention. When we arrived, the owner was next door, so it took a while before he heard us calling out. From first glance, the itty bitty property looks abandoned. A shanty tin roof and some chicken wire surround an outdoor hot tub, feral cats and dogs roam about, and there hardly seems to be a soul in the vicinity. There’s a door marked “Recepcion,” but it was questionably locked during our visit. 

Our take? You really have to be desperate (like this is the only safe hiding place in the zombie apocalypse desperate) to stay at Cabinas Coco Azul. But some guests seem perfectly satisfied with these dirt-cheap accommodations near the beach. 

Located on the outskirts of Playas del Coco, Cabinas Coco Azul is within walking distance of the beach and most of the downtown bars and restaurants. The immediate area surrounding the hotel is quiet, but almost eerily so, and feels a little sketchy. The town of Playas del Coco itself is completely safe and tourist friendly. It’s popular with backpackers, but also with families and couples. Playas del Coco is known for its round-the-clock party scene, plentiful bars, and beautiful beach. Travelers interested in a quieter setting might prefer the nearby town of Playa Hermosa, which has a cleaner, prettier beach, but not nearly as much to do. Cabinas Coco Azul is about 35 minutes from Liberia Airport.   

Anyone who calls rooms at Coco Azul “clean” has a questionable understanding of the word’s definition. All eight rooms here are filthy, with dusty furniture, noxious smells of cigarette smoke, and grimy bathrooms. In some rooms, we even spotted (and smelled) mold on the ceilings. Most rooms are incredibly dark (probably because most of the windows are boarded up with plywood), and low-hanging wood paneled ceilings don’t do much to brighten things up. Other "amenities" include exposed wiring, cups and dishes that may or may not be clean, filthy, torn dish rags, and in one room, a mysterious substance melting in a dish. Bathrooms are pretty tiny, and we found a lot of leaky fixtures during our visit. Also, hot water is a rarity, so be prepared for some frigid showers.     

Cabinas Coco Azul has three features: free parking, free Wi-Fi, and an outdoor hot tub. If you can fit your car somewhere on the hotel’s gravelly front lot, consider it your parking space. There’s no formal lot, save for the shanty tin roof structure that has space for about four cars. Behind the gravelly lot is a hot tub, covered by another tin roof structure and fenced in by chicken wire. There’s also a hammock and a small picnic table next to the hot tub. Wi-Fi is free for all guests throughout, but can be spotty.