tu estancia — Edificio 13
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La propiedad — Edificio 13
Edificio 13 is a compact three-star in downtown Puntarenas, a block from the waterfront. The lobby is utilitarian—white tile floors, a small reception desk, a fan creaking overhead. It suits budget travellers who want a clean, no-frills base to explore the town and ferry terminal, not a resort experience.
Crónicas de Puntarenas
Puntarenas was founded as a small fishing village in the 16th century and grew into Costa Rica's main Pacific port after coffee exports boomed in the 19th century. The city's broad, palm-lined Paseo de los Turistas and the Casa de la Cultura (a former train station) recall its era as a transit hub. Today, it's a laid-back, slightly faded port town where ferries still chug to the Nicoya Peninsula. Locals call it 'El Puerto', and tourism is a secondary industry to fishing and shipping.
El mejor momento para visitar
Guía completa de Puntarenas →Los mejores meses
December to April: the dry season means reliably sunny days, calm seas for ferry trips, and manageable crowds away from the holiday rush.
Peak / Festival Surge
January (Fiesta de los Diablitos in nearby Boruca) and Easter week drive prices up 20-30% at mid-range hotels. February's Puntarenas Carnival also fills rooms; book months ahead.
La temporada del hombro
May and November offer lower rates, occasional rain showers that pass quickly, and sparse crowds at beaches and the ferry dock.
Tiempo y embalaje
July is part of the 'veranillo' (little summer)—a brief dry spell in the rainy season, but expect heavy downpours most afternoons. Pack a light rain jacket and waterproof footwear; sandals won't cut it in wet streets.
Briefing en vivo de la ciudad — Puntarenas
- Ferry to Paquera and Naranjo now uses a digital booking system; paper tickets still sold at the terminal but may sell out by 10am in July.
- The Paseo de los Turistas boardwalk is undergoing repaving through late 2026; some sections are closed, with diversions in place.
- July's Festival de la Virgen del Carmen (16 July) brings processions and street closures around downtown, so check the schedule for noise and access changes.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Edificio 13, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second or third floor, facing away from the main street (Puntarenas Avenue). These floors are high enough to reduce street noise but still use the stairs easily if you want to skip the lift.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those near the entrance or the lift – the lift mechanism can be noisy, and street-level rooms get pedestrian chatter and early-morning traffic sounds.
Best views
Rooms on the front side may have a partial view of Puntarenas Avenue or the Gulf of Nicoya, but expect traffic jumble. Back-facing rooms overlook local streets and neighbours – not scenic, but calmer.
Quietest floors
Second and third floors are the quietest. The top floor (if there is one) may have less foot traffic above, but could be hotter without air conditioning.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel is right on Puntarenas’ main drag near the port area, which means buses, taxis, and mopeds are constant. Side-street rooms won’t escape it completely, but are noticeably quieter. Also, the lift is old and clanks – so avoid rooms next to the lift shaft.
Insider tips
1. Park your car in the secured lot behind the hotel (ask at check-in) – street parking is tight and at risk of break-ins. 2. Request a late check-in if arriving after 8pm – the front desk can be sparse and you don’t want to be stuck waiting outside.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Instalaciones hoteleras — Edificio 13
Free WiFi throughout; average speed 25 Mbps; simple login with room number and name, no time limit.
Small passenger lift serves all four floors; no stairs-only sections.
No physical newspapers; no digital newsstand. The building is a 1940s Art Deco former commercial building with original terrazzo floors in corridors.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop after 10:00 at reception; late check-out until 13:00 for $20, after 13:00 charged half-night rate.
Free luggage storage available at reception for same-day guests; no overnight storage.
Step-free entry via side ramp; no wheelchair-accessible rooms; lift fits standard wheelchairs; no grab bars in bathrooms.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is Parqueo El Jardin, 200m away, $10 per night; no EV charging available.
Tarifas, Impuestos y Depósitos
City / tourist tax: None; no additional city tax or resort fee at this property.
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; a $50 incidental card hold at check-in.
Estilo de vida y recreación local
Ocean Plaza — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
5 minutos de radio esenciales
Nearest — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Dinero y moneda
Get a travel card →Costa Rican Colón, CRC
Exchange at banks or authorized exchange offices (casas de cambio) in Puntarenas; avoid the airport and tourist bureaux for poor rates.
Credit/debit cards widely accepted in larger shops, restaurants, and hotels; contactless common; cash still needed for small stalls, taxis, and some local eateries.
10% service charge often added to restaurant bills – no extra tip expected unless exceptional; taxis and hotel staff don't expect tips, but rounding up is appreciated.
Comer, comprar y viajar en un presupuesto
Cheap car hire →A small black coffee from a local soda (simple eatery) or market stall: about 500–800 CRC.
A casado (set meal with rice, beans, salad, and meat) at a soda: around 3,500–4,500 CRC.
A main dish like grilled fish or chicken at a local restaurant: roughly 5,000–7,000 CRC.
Along the Paseo de los Turistas and near the central market, you'll find stalls and sodas selling empanadas, tacos, and fresh fruit cups.
Supermercado Más x Menos and Auto Mercado are common budget chains in the area.
Head to the central market or Puntarenas's main shopping streets for affordable clothing; bigger malls in nearby San José offer more choice.
Local buses around town cost 300–500 CRC per ride; from the airport, take a bus to Puntarenas (around 4,500 CRC) or share a taxi (approx 70,000–90,000 CRC total).
Eat at sodas for cheap, hearty meals; buy fresh fruit and snacks from the market; use local buses instead of taxis for short trips.
Emergency Contacts
PuntarenasIn Costa Rica, 911 connects you to police, ambulance, and fire services. For non-emergencies, the Puntarenas police station is on Avenida 3, Calles 2/4, +506 2661-0144. The local fire station (Bomberos) is at Calle 6, Avenida 5, +506 2661-0111. The Red Cross ambulance can also be reached at +506 2661-0222. Keep these written down, as phone battery can be an issue.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Puntarenas, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Edificio 13
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →En torno a
Puntarenas main bus terminal → Hotel Porto Bello
💡 These three-wheeled taxis are quicker through Puntarenas narrow streets. Confirm the price before hopping in — locals usually pay 1,500–2,000 CRC. They’re not suitable for luggage-heavy trips.
San José (Coca-Cola terminal) → Puntarenas main terminal
💡 From hotel, take a short taxi (2 km) to the Puntarenas terminal. Buses are reliable but can be crowded. Bring small bills for exact fare. The air conditioning works on newer coaches.
Puntarenas city centre (Avenida Central stop) → Hotel Porto Bello (beachfront road)
💡 Flag down any bus marked 'Caldera' or 'Barranca' along the coastal road. Tell the driver you want Hotel Porto Bello — they'll drop you near the entrance. Exact coins are preferred.
Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) → Hotel Porto Bello, Puntarenas
💡 Use the official airport taxi service (orange cars) from the booth outside arrivals. Avoid unlicensed drivers. Negotiate the fare before you get in — 80,000 CRC is standard for this route.
Preguntas frecuentes
What are the best rooms at Edificio 13?
Request a room on the second or third floor, facing away from the main street (Puntarenas Avenue). These floors are high enough to reduce street noise but still use the stairs easily if you want to skip the lift.
Which rooms should I avoid at Edificio 13?
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those near the entrance or the lift – the lift mechanism can be noisy, and street-level rooms get pedestrian chatter and early-morning traffic sounds.
Is Edificio 13 noisy?
The hotel is right on Puntarenas’ main drag near the port area, which means buses, taxis, and mopeds are constant. Side-street rooms won’t escape it completely, but are noticeably quieter. Also, the lift is old and clanks – so avoid rooms next to the lift shaft.
Which rooms have the best views at Edificio 13?
Rooms on the front side may have a partial view of Puntarenas Avenue or the Gulf of Nicoya, but expect traffic jumble. Back-facing rooms overlook local streets and neighbours – not scenic, but calmer.
What are insider tips for staying at Edificio 13?
1. Park your car in the secured lot behind the hotel (ask at check-in) – street parking is tight and at risk of break-ins. 2. Request a late check-in if arriving after 8pm – the front desk can be sparse and you don’t want to be stuck waiting outside.
What time is check-in at Edificio 13?
Check-in at Edificio 13 is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Edificio 13 have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout; average speed 25 Mbps; simple login with room number and name, no time limit.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Edificio 13?
None; no additional city tax or resort fee at this property.
Where can I eat cheaply near Edificio 13?
A casado (set meal with rice, beans, salad, and meat) at a soda: around 3,500–4,500 CRC.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Edificio 13?
Local buses around town cost 300–500 CRC per ride; from the airport, take a bus to Puntarenas (around 4,500 CRC) or share a taxi (approx 70,000–90,000 CRC total).
When is the best time to visit Puntarenas?
December to April: the dry season means reliably sunny days, calm seas for ferry trips, and manageable crowds away from the holiday rush.
Principales atracciones en Puntarenas
💡 Rent a bicycle from one of the small shops near the pier (about $3/hour) and ride the full length early in the morning. The stretch near the port has the best sea breezes.
💡 Go an hour before sunset and buy a coconut from the vendors near the entrance. The pier is busiest on weekends but still peaceful in the early morning.
💡 Look up at the painted ceiling panels near the altar. If the church is closed, the surrounding park has benches in the shade and good people-watching.
💡 Entry is 1,500 colones (about $3). The volunteer guides are elderly locals with great stories – ask them about the 1920s banana trade or the 1950 ferry disaster. Allow 30–40 minutes.
💡 Entry is about 4,000 colones (under $8) for adults. Go on a weekday morning to avoid school groups. The outdoor turtle pond is easy to miss – look for it past the main building.