It’s a bit worn out, but is situated in a smal cozy village by the sea. Macaws flew around and were so beautiful. It’s easy to go to Carara National Park and the crocodile tour is down the road. We were happy to stay in this quiet and local place in stead of Jaco near by. The staff were extremely helpful and we were even invited to a 15.th birthday. It is not touristic at all, and we felt we were in REAL Costa Rica.

They only served traditional breakfast. But if you ask kindly, you can also have some fruit.

Not touristy. Lots of trees around, with birds and squirrels. Some trails and roads to wander down. Excellent free breakfast with fluffy eggs and perfect fruit. Restaurant on premises. Very nice staff. DO have wifi, although property info said they don’t. Pool is a plus!

First room offered was small, dark, and next to the street. Ask for one on the back with balcony, only cost us a wee bit more! The beach was unfortunately covered in trash. Most communities get together to clean beaches, but not this one. The beach, Playa Azul, closer to the river is perfectly clean.

The breakfast was very good - a good choice, plus juice and coffee. Dinner was good too and there were a lot of options. The staff were friendly and welcoming. I was upgraded to a better room on arrival which was a nice surprise. There is a lot of wildlife around. The restaurant is a pleasant place to eat and there is also a little area with comfy chairs and books where you can relax. There is a little path leading to the beach, which is stunning. There is also a fairly large swimming pool.

Nothing - it was all very good.

Location! Just a few feet from the beach. Close to Tarcoles estuary. Recommend taking the early morning Jungle Crocodile Cruise and saw 30+ types of birds (bring a pen to check them off on the brochure they give you!) and huge 75 yr old crocs including “Tyson”,”Lady Gaga”, & ”Captain Hook”. It is the original cruise starter by a biologist to raise awareness of the uniqueness of the area. We saw 4 scarlet macaws flying around the trees of the hotel! So beautiful. Great breakfast - easy to order: either photo #1 or #2. Pool was refreshing. Sit out under the umbrellas and have a lovely mint lemonade.

The mattresses need to be replaced. They are too bouncy and soft, so much so as to be uncomfortable..Would have preferred to pay using a credit card but we knew in advance we needed to pay in cash but US dollars are accepted as well as local currency.

The location was great, the beach was at a short walk diatance, greatbplaces to eat near the hotel. Best of all, it was nice and quiet ☺️, lots of peace and pet friendly.

The only thing is that the shower head in the bathroom needs to be replaced. It's kinda scary to see all the wires kinda crazy and the water heater broken, but other than that, the place was great!

House of Macaws is incredible. It’s as if some historic colonial villa has been magically placed in Tarcoles, itself a magical place! We came here from a week in Manuel Antonio and saw more beautiful and plentiful wildlife around House of Macaws than about our hotel beside the M.A. reserve. Pairs of macaws nest in the trees around the hotel, butterflies and reptiles abound, and the in high skies glide magnificent frigate birds, vultures and herons. The hotel is only 50 yards from the beautiful black sand beach, where we could see across the bay to distant Nicoya. There were hermit crabs, cormorants and fishermen, and nobody else but us! The hotel is under new management and whilst it is reburbishing the rooms are unbelievably good value. It’s still a little rough around the edges but clean, comfortable, and wonderfully atmospheric. I think that it will soon cost more to stay in this gorgeous place where the terraced rooms and restaurant are set around a central swimming pool and where a whitewashed stone path winds through the garden to the sea. The staff are great and Joanna, the manager, the best, saving our bacon in a travel emergency! House of Macaws, I think, is one of those special, unexpected places that sticks in the memory. I struggled to write this review as I didn’t want to oversell the place. Suffice to say, if you decide to spend a couple of days off the beaten track in Tarcoles you will find it very untouristic, very tranquil, full of incredible wildlife (some more toothy than others!), and very friendly. We loved it.

There was some initial confusion over the booking but that was quickly sorted out.

Found this hidden gem. Needed to rest at night on our drive to San Isidro. Loved it, would stay longer here. Quiet and peaceful. Good breakfast and good coffee. Hosts were very nice

I think it was recently taken over, I think they are working on it to restore it.

It’s in a quiet fishing village by the beach and is a haven for birdwatchers with Red Macaws in the garden amongst a host of other birds evident by the visit of guides with parties of birdwatchers and has the local Carara National Park just down the Road. The staff produce good and substantial meals and are always ready with any help required. 5 star hotel in a 5 star resort it is not but if you enjoy Costa Rican birds and wildlife together with a trip to the Pacific cost then don’t bypass Tarcoles and The House of Macaws

having to leave

Tarcoles is a hidden gem for nature lovers. Many scarlet macaws in the trees right next to the hotel every morning. Crocodile tours are fantastic. I went with Crocodile man tour. Jungle crocodile tour always had full boats where Crocodile man had 4 -7. Same tour, same crocs. Several 4-6 meter crocs so close you could reach out and touch (don't). Lots of birds I haven't seen other places. Hourly bus to Carara national park/ crocodile bridge about 300 meters from hotel. Walking distance to markets. Room was nice. Clean. Good AC. Hot water showers. Good breakfast: rice, beans, eggs, bread, slice of ham. Also has a lunch/ dinner menu. Pool looked clean and I saw it being maintained daily.

WiFi was spotty both times I stayed there. It is a little off the beaten path, so you have to walk through town out to the main road by the pescaderia and wait for either TQP green bus for Manuel Antonio/ Puntarenas (can connect to Monteverde there) or Transporte Jaco (light gray bus) for San Jose. Ticket times are from the origin, so about an hour after the time on the ticket but ask. You can buy tix online for Tansporte Jaco. They do sell out sometimes. If you have a car, no worries.

Excellent restaurant for lunch and dinner, lovely swimming pool. Extensive garden extending to the sea. We saw close up about twelve macaws really close up , feeding in a fruit tree. The lagoon nearby had an extensive variety of birds in it. The village of Tarcoles was most interesting, especially looking at the fishing boats on the beach.

The fittings in the bedroom needed attention.