Hotel Aguas Claras
Curated by Katy
Immersed within a color palette of a thousand greens, Aguas Claras is an oasis nestled among the jungle of Costa Rica's Caribbean coast.
The property is the life project of a local artist and her daughter that started in 1992 and has slowly revealed itself over the years to become what it is today– a surprise retreat tucked among the leaves, equipped with lush gardens, a yoga shala of bamboo, a pool, an intimate beach club, and access to the crystalline waters of the Caribbean.
At a glance
Location: Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
Price: from $290
Rooms: 13
Suitable for: Families (children 8+) and people with disabilities
Nearest Airport(s): San Jose (SJO)– 4h30min
Arrive by: Car, Taxi
Open: Year Round
Check in: 2pm Check out: 11am
The Hotel
Handcrafted with a vibrant touch of luxury, the inspiration for Aguas Claras came from Costa Rican multimedia artist Elizabeth Steinvorth's desire to put her various artworks to good use. Nearly everything in the hotel is from her body of work or an original creation made by her network of artist friends. The property is adorned with artistic details– from floral watercolors to mosaics and upcycled antique furniture– each carefully collected by Steinvorth and her daughter Elena. "The hotel is really an art project," Steinvorth says. "It's the union of all my artwork from my life…like a retrospective." All the details of Aguas Claras have been carefully created and curated.
Rooms
The property comprises six luxury bungalows, five themed suites, and a two-story Caribbean House, all uniquely arranged spaces. Each accommodation is decorated with one-of-a-kind art pieces, reclaimed furniture, and handcrafted objects, creating rooms that playfully blend with their tropical surroundings.
The gardens surrounding the stand-alone bungalows provide space and seclusion for those looking for privacy. Verandas and open-air showers blend the indoors and outdoors, bringing the famed nature of Costa Rica front and center. For a large family or group of friends, Casa Floralia is the best alternative to renting a house in Puerto Viejo. You'll have all the space and freedom of a private home combined with every comfort you've come to expect from a luxury hotel stay.
Food and drink
Papaya pinks and Caribbean blues. Terrazzo tiles and a jungle landscape. The colors, textures, and details are what make the Papaya Restaurant so effortlessly cool and are what sets it apart from the rest of Puerto Viejo. Contemporary design accents hint at the eclectic mix of flavors that are a modern take on Afro-Caribbean comfort food– locally sourced from sustainable ingredients. As for fish, they're all about the tried-and-true catch of the day, brought in by local fishermen from the waters that lap the hotel's shores.
Not just for food lovers, Papaya is also a secret hotbed for music lovers. A host to intimate DJ sets, themed cocktail nights, and live music, you never know what you might stumble upon when you visit. Worth mentioning is the DaLime Beach Club. It's the only one on Playa Chiquita, and you can order bites and tropical cocktails just meters from the beach. As well, the easy-going jungle pool is worth checking out.
The area
You'll hear Patois, English, and Spanish spoken widely in the streets of Puerto Viejo. Rich with Afro-Caribbean influence, you'll find a unique side of Costa Rica that is authentic and under-the-radar.
Puerto Viejo feels relatively undiscovered compared to other popular destinations in the country. Crowds are few, and wildlife is abundant in this lush part of the coast. As a result, you won't find any big real estate developments or mega resorts.
And the beaches are of the jaw-dropping, crystal-clear, jungle-lined variety type that will spoil you. Visitors come for the snorkeling, surfing, and beach life and stay for the free-spirited energy.
Your hosts
Elizabeth and Elena are committed to their hospitality community. Here, you'll find an exclusively Costa Rican staff– predominantly from the local area– and a community dedicated to professional development. Year-round employment, family healthcare, and growth opportunities are paramount to Aguas Claras' mission.
Why we love Hotel Aguas Claras
It’s a mouthful, but for the sake of brevity: a family-owned, casual yet superbly designed sustainable accommodation with a ton of heart at the beach and in the jungle filled with art is a place we didn’t realize could be a reality. A living art installation and a hotel all in one, Aguas Claras brings creativity and consciousness in equal measure as the hosts of the creative platform and art club, Familia Paraíso. The group promotes arts residencies, events, and projects that serve as a cultural bridge between guests and the local community.
Good Trips perks
Welcome drink
Complimentary breakfast
A sustainability back of the house tour
Promo code: GOODTRIPS
Sustainability in practice
Aguas Claras keeps its footprint small and the well-being of the hotel's surroundings at the heart of everything they do. For example, they have banished all single-use plastics from the property and encourage guests to use refillable bottles provided by the hotel. They are also part of various initiatives to clean beaches and local nature reserves.
Papaya Restaurant and DaLime Beach Club source ingredients from local suppliers, ensuring that every product they serve is as pure as possible. The property uses solar energy whenever it can and is committed to sustainable hospitality done in style.
Food is local, seasonal, humane, and organic
Locally made, organic toiletries
Low-to-no plastic use
0KM Food
Conscious waste management
Runs on renewable energy resources
Involve locals in decisions that may directly affect them
Construction materials are local and low impact
Designed with the local surroundings (built and natural) and culture in mind
Locally designed/made furniture and/or secondhand
Supports local community and economy
Historic preservation of the original structures
Support community projects and initiatives
Inclusion, respect, intercultural understanding and equality are central within the workplace and relationship with the community
Provide meaningful and respectful connections between travellers and locals