Calle Principal - 600 metros sur del Banco Costa Rica, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa Rica | (888) 252-1244
Prime access to Puerto Viejo's leisurely town center and beach
Large outdoor swimming pool
Hotel has it's own cafe, restaurant, and bar
Free breakfast include eggs, pancakes, gallo pinto, fruits, yogurt, granola, juice, and coffee
Bikes and surf gear available for rent
Free, reliable Wi-Fi
Free parking
Pets are allowed
Spacious and sunny upstairs lounge overlooks main avenue
Not all rooms have air-conditioning
Noise complaints
No loungers by the pool, only plastic chairs
No closets or dressers
Some floorboards on the lower level are warped and uneven
The three pearl Lizard King Hotel and Resort may be closer to a bed-and-breakfast in size than what its name implies, but it's a comfy and cozy place to stay near the fun happening in the heart of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. The pet-friendly hotel's 16 rooms -- most of which are without air-conditioning -- are all bright with simple white and wood decor, clean bathrooms, and pool views. In addition to the plate options served during free breakfast hours, Lizard King has its own restaurant/bar and cafe on site. Guests can rent bikes and surf gear to explore the beach area down the street and beyond. Free parking and Wi-Fi are nice bonuses.
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Scene
Charming and bright hotel with a healthy mix of active and laidback guests
At Lizard King Hotel & Resort, guests see and hear almost everything going on inside the hotel. This is, in part, because the hotel is relatively small -- totaling at just 16 rooms -- and open in design. Rooms on the second and first floors face the center pool, bar, and deck area, so noise can be an issue. The sunny upstairs lounge has wooden benches and booths. Chair swings and views of Avenida 71 make it an ideal spot to chill out on the premises. At nights, the front gate closes, so there's no extra noise from outsiders. Lizard King is technically located in Puerto Viejo, but it'sout of earshot from where all the live music and partygoers thrive.
Location
On Avenida 71 near the action of Puerto Viejo's town center
Lizard King is housed on Limon, Costa Rica's busy Avenida 71, one of the streets closest to all the action of Puerto Viejo's town center. A walk or bike ride up or down the street leads to several restaurants, food stands, bars, shops, and other hotels. Parada Jaguar Rescue Center is less than a 10-minute drive east of the hotel. Plan on a 20-minute drive to the entrance of Cahuita National Park. Puerto Viejo is a four-hour drive away from Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose, which is the primary point of entry into the region. Parking at the Lizard King is free.
Rooms
Bright rooms with pool views
The 16 Standard, Double, and Deluxe rooms and suites at Lizard King are bright, tidy, and a comfortable size so guests can move around. With the exception of an added rug or curtain here and there, most rooms have the same general set up. Stark white full- and queen-size beds are made up with soft tan blankets and two to four pillows depending on the bed size. Walls, floors, and ceilings are partially patterned with horizontal planks of wood in various shades of brown. There aren't any closets, just low wall hooks with a few hangers on them. Instead of proper dressers there are shelving units against the wall. In order to get a room with air-conditioning, guests have to put in a request and pay a little more. On the upside, there are TVs, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers in each room. Clean bathrooms vary in size but are on the smaller side with walk-in showers. In some rooms, the sink and vanity area is actually outside the bathroom in a corner of the guest room. As is customary for most Caribbean hotels, tissue paper isn't to be flushed down the toilet but disposed of in the wastebaskets.
Features
Expect a large pool, recreational rentals, on-site restaurant, and other freebies like Wi-Fi and parking
Lizard King is within close proximity to several daytime and nightlife activities, and there are a few things to take advantage of on-site. A large square pool is smack dab in the center of all the rooms at the hotel, with plastic chairs and mini-tables outside of the first floor rooms' doorways. There are two dining options on site: Mexican Grill and the Lizard King Cafe. Breakfast here is free for guests and is broken up into plate options which include eggs, pancakes, gallo pinto, fruits, bread, plantains, yogurt, granola, juice, coffee, and tea. Lizard King's Wi-Fi is free, fast, and reliable for those who need the Internet for work or leisure. Free parking and surf and bike rentals are available, as well as laundry services for a fee.
