Hotel El Tecal

Hotels
•
Independent
8.4 (49 reviews)
300 metros del parque Marino Ballena, Sector Chaman, Bahía Ballena, Puntarenas, 00011 , Ballena , CR
506-506-83014822

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Pets allowed

Facilities

Free breakfast
Free WiFi
Garden
Wheelchair accessible
Picnic area
Free breakfast
Front desk (limited hours)
Smoke-free property
Tours/ticket assistance
Free self parking
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Location
Friendly staff
View from balcony
Cons:
Room comfort due to lack of seating
Maintenance issue with air conditioning

Categories

Cleanliness
7.48
The air conditioning unit in our room stopped working, indicating some maintenance issues.
Service
8.95
Staff were quick to move us to another room and were accommodating during our stay.
Location
8.99
Great location with close access to the beach and Manuel Antonio National Park.
Room Quality
7.44
The room lacked adequate seating, making it uncomfortable.
Amenities
8.47
Basic accommodations with necessary amenities provided.
Value for Money
8.43
Decent pricing for the quality of service and location.
Food and Beverage
8.48
Enjoyed the breakfasts, which were well-received by the guests.
Overall Experience
8.95
A wonderful stay overall with highlighted pros, such as the view and service.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-09 19:02

Property Description

Relaxation and Recreation
Enjoy a refreshing dip in the outdoor pool or unwind in the serene garden setting at Hotel El Tecal. Take in the breathtaking views while basking in the sun or enjoying a leisurely stroll around the picnic area.

Complimentary Amenities
Start your day right with a delicious full breakfast served daily and stay connected effortlessly with the complimentary wireless internet access provided. Benefit from tour/ticket assistance for exploring the vicinity hassle-free and make use of the convenient free self-parking offered on-site.

Prime Location
Immerse yourself in the beauty of Playa Colonia and Uvita Beach located just a short walk away, with Marino Ballena National Park also in close proximity. Book your stay at Hotel El Tecal for a seaside getaway like no other.

Important information:

  • There is no hot water on site.
  • Children may not be eligible for complimentary breakfast.
  • No pets and no service animals are allowed at this property.
  • Contactless check-in is available.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: SJO

Property Policies

  • Children and extra beds

    No rollaway/extra beds available

  • Accessibility

    No elevators

  • Pets

    Pets allowed

  • General

    No hot water onsite

  • General

    Professional property host/manager

See all policies

Location

Guest Reviews

8.4
Based on 49 reviews
Cleanliness: 7.48
Service: 8.95
Location: 8.99
Room Quality: 7.44
Amenities: 8.47
Value for Money: 8.43
Food and Beverage: 8.48
Overall Experience: 8.95
C
Connie • partner
8
Pros:

The air conditioning unit in our room stopped working staff were quick to move us to another room, my only complaint is there were no chairs in the room to sit in and sitting on the bed was uncomfortable

2025-09-25 • via Nuitee
R
Rusty • partner
8
Pros:

Shower head was coming out of the wall. Nothing exciting but decent basic accommodations.

2025-09-14 • via Nuitee
L
Luis
10
Pros:

Friendly staff

2025-09-11 • via Nuitee
J
Julie
10
Great location and balcony views
Pros:

We had a wonderful stay at El Faro. The location was perfect for our family. The beach and Manuel Antonio National Park are very close. The view from our balcony was amazing. We knew about climbing the hill beforehand and really didn’t think it was that bad (our ages were 58, 49, 48, 46, 15, 14, 12, and 11). The hotel staff helped bring up and down our luggage, so that wasn’t an issue, and a golf cart ride was easily available, whenever needed. We also really enjoyed our breakfasts each morning, and the hotel staff were very accommodating with booking tours and answering any questions we had during our stay. Beware of the capuchin monkeys. There is a reason they are called La Mafia. They are cool to watch… from a distance. I’d definitely stay here again.

2025-08-05 • via Nuitee
S
SAMIRAN • family
10
Pros:

Staff was very helfful,friendly and down to earth.It's a huge property with decent size room and on site restaurant.Very close to National park.

2025-06-01 • via Nuitee
S
Samantha
6
Pros:

When we arrived in the pouring rain, we could not check in because the front desk clerk was away despite open hours.

2025-05-18 • via Nuitee
J
Jenny • family
10
Pros:

We have stayed here a few times with our dog and it is a convenient halfway point between Hermosa and Pavones. Very secure and safe, great restaurant onsite, and big, clean rooms with everything you need for a short or extended stay.

2025-05-05 • via Nuitee
L
Larry
8
Pros:

It was worth the cost.

2025-04-13 • via Nuitee
G
Garrett Neil
10
More than we expected
Pros:

Amazing big and clean room with a balcony. Did not expect it would be that huge and nice.

2025-02-25 • via Nuitee
M
Mario
10
Pros:

Friendly staff, easy access, clean. Well worth the money

2025-02-18 • via Nuitee
L
Laura • family
10
Pros:

Excelente ubicación.

2025-02-12 • via Nuitee
J
Joan
10
Just book it.
Pros:

Loved this place so much we booked to stay longer. Fantastic location just 5 mins walk from the national park beach which is stunning. The grounds of the hotel are lovely with two pools to cool down in after a hot day in the beach. Staff are exceptionally helpful snd kind. There is a restaurant attached to the hotel and a Mexican restaurant just along the road. We had the superior double room with a large kitchen and terrace so nice that we went to Maxi Palí supermarket at the end of the road and bought food to cook in the lovely kitchen. Now sitting in a hotel further up the coast and wishing we hadn’t left paradise

2025-02-07 • via Nuitee
G
Gerardo Fallas • family
8
Pros:

There was good parking

2025-01-22 • via Nuitee
V
Verified traveler
10
Great pkave!
Pros:

Great place, nice pools and breakfast was wonderful. Started early enough for us to eat before heading out on our adventures. We will be back.

2025-01-15 • via Nuitee
K
Karla • partner
10
Pros:

Great location. People were nice!

2025-01-06 • via Nuitee
S
Stephanie • family
8
Pros:

Le service pour l’hôtel est ok. Très peu de contact avec eux et on nous évitait quasiment. Aucune étoile à donner pour un wow pour le service à la clientèle sur place. Le service au restaurant pour les déjeuners était plus convivial et rapide. La dame était souriante et très sympathique.

La chambre qui était avec une cuisine avait deux portes barrées au fond d’un corridor pour probablement des gens qui habitent l’hôtel. Je ne me sentais pas totalement en chambre privée à cause de cela. De plus on les entendait suffisamment pour comprendre ce qu’ils disaient et des enfants criaient.

Un autre point un peu négatif était la qualité du lit et matelas qui était médiocre alors que tout le reste de la chambre était vraiment très beau et fonctionnel. C’était comme s’ils avaient mis de la qualité partout sauf dans le lit et les oreillers ultra minces un peu comme sur utilisées. Nous étions deux et avions qu’une minie oreiller chaque.
Les bons points étaient le stationnement à même l’hôtel et fermé par des barrières la nuit, deux belles piscines propres et l’aire climatisée permettant une belle fraîcheur dans la chambre.

2024-07-10 • via Nuitee
A
Andrew • family
8
Pros:

Quality rooms and the restaurant has good food. Outside of the main town, walkable to beach.

2024-06-15 • via Nuitee
S
SHAWN • partner
8
Pros:

2nd night good place to stay.

2024-04-28 • via Nuitee
S
SHAWN • partner
8
Pros:

Had a few noisy neighbors our first night, they have a pool looked nice did not use, 2 minute drive to whale tail beach entrance. Breakfast was excellent.

2024-04-28 • via Nuitee
A
Anthony • family
6
Pros:

There's not enough space in the rooms. Kind of uncomfortable

2024-04-01 • via Nuitee