Your stay — Hotel Almost Paradise
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The Property — Hotel Almost Paradise
Hotel Almost Paradise sits a block back from Nicoya’s main square, a low-rise whitewashed building with a small courtyard pool and a tile-roofed restaurant serving gallo pinto at breakfast. The lobby feels like a quiet provincial outpost—ceiling fans, rattan chairs, a desk where the owner might hand you a hand-drawn map. It suits overland travellers needing a clean, honest base for a night or two, not resort seekers.
Chronicles of Nicoya
Nicoya was founded in 1528 by Spanish colonists on an indigenous settlement, making it one of Costa Rica’s oldest colonial towns. Its grid of pastel-painted houses and a salmon-pink church reflect that Spanish inheritance, though most commercial buildings date from after the 1950s Pan-American Highway reached here. Historically a ranching centre, Nicoya today is the commercial and administrative hub of the Nicoya Peninsula. Its contemporary identity is practical and unhurried—a place to get supplies, eat a casado, and sleep before heading to the beaches or the dry forest. Despite rapid modernisation, Nicoyans still observe the town’s traditional Saturday bullfights and street market.
Best Time to Visit
Full Nicoya guide →Best months
December and January: clear skies after the rains end, less humidity than March, and the town is lively but not mobbed. March also works if you can handle the heat.
Peak / festival surge
Easter Week (Semana Santa) is the busiest, typically March or April, when Nicoya fills with Tico families and hotel prices can double. Christmas and New Year also spike. No major city festivals drive it—just national holiday exodus.
Budget shoulder season
November and May are ideal budget shoulder months. Rains taper off in November, the landscape is green, and prices drop before the December rush. May sees the first good rains after dry season, quieter roads, and lower rates at most hotels.
Weather & packing
Nicoya sits in the Pacific dry corridor, so July afternoons often crack with thunderstorms after a scorching morning. Pack a lightweight rain jacket and waterproof shoes—you’ll need them for the puddled streets even in dry season if you’re walking.
Live City Briefing — Nicoya
- The 160-km Nicoya coastal highway (Ruta 160) is being resurfaced in sections south of Nicoya town through late 2026; expect gravel patches and truck delays toward Samara and Nosara.
- Municipal water rationing has been a recurring issue in Nicoya during dry season (January–March); the town’s supply depends on the aging Tempisque River system, so fill your bottle early if you visit in those months.
- A new central market refurbishment finished in mid-2025, so the stalls near the parque central are cleaner and have better food court options for lunch.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hotel Almost Paradise, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on floors 3 or 4 (if they exist) facing the rear courtyard or the drier, wooded slope behind the hotel. These floors are high enough to escape street-level noise but low enough for stable air conditioning and quick stair access if the lift is slow.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor (floor 0 or 1) especially those facing Nicoya’s main street. Ground-floor rooms in 3-star hotels here often sit directly next to the pavement with poor soundproofing and are more likely to be disturbed by early morning traffic, motorbikes, and the occasional livestock truck.
Best views
Best view is from upper floors (floor 3 or 4 if they exist) facing east or south-east, which in Nicoya overlooks the town’s tiled rooftops and the green hills of the Nicoya Peninsula – not ocean, but genuine Costa Rican interior scenery.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are likely the quietest: above street hubbub but below the roof (which can get heat and machinery noise). If the hotel has only two floors, the second floor is quieter.
🔊 Noise notes
Nicoya’s main street (Calle 1 or Avenida 1 depending on block) carries motorbikes, tour buses, and livestock trucks from early morning (~5am) until late. Weekends have louder music from nearby bars and churches. Ground-floor rooms near the entrance also catch exhaust fumes and talk from the pavement.
Insider tips
1. Ask at check-in if you can leave your luggage before official check-in (most 3-star hotels in Nicoya are flexible). 2. If you have a car, request a room away from the parking area – some rooms share a wall with the parking lot, which can be noisy at dawn when tour groups depart.
- 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
Hotel Facilities — Hotel Almost Paradise
Free basic WiFi (3 Mbps) for all guests; premium upgrade to 15 Mbps for 5 USD (approx 2,600 CRC) per 24h; no login constraints
No lift; two-storey building with stairs only, no historic wings
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand; no notable building heritage quirks
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00 if room available; late check-out until 12:00 costs 20 USD (approx 10,400 CRC)
Free luggage storage at reception after check-out, no time limit same day
No step-free access; entrance has 3 steps; no wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms; ground-floor rooms available
Free on-site parking for 12 cars, first-come first-served; nearest public parking lot 200 m north at Municipal Parking (free after 18:00, 1 USD/hour daytime); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 13% VAT included in rates; tourist tax 1 USD per person per night (approx 520 CRC) payable at check-in
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required for booking; 50 USD (approx 26,000 CRC) incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Centro Comercial Nosara — 2.3 km · ~28 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 823 m · ~10 min walk
Guiones Liquor — 100 m · ~1 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Costa Rican Colón, CRC
Use ATMs in town for the best rate; avoid exchange bureaux at airports and tourist hub—they give terrible rates.
Visa/Mastercard widely accepted in supermarkets, hotels and nicer restaurants; cash essential for small shops, street food and taxis.
Service charge often included (10% is common); extra tip not expected but 5-10% appreciated for good service. Taxis don't expect tips; hotel staff around 500–1000 CRC per bag/night.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of black coffee at a local soda (small diner) costs around 500-800 CRC.
A casado (rice, beans, salad, protein) at a soda runs 3000-4000 CRC.
A main dish like grilled fish or chicken with sides at a local eatery costs 4000-6000 CRC.
Central Nicoya market area has small stalls selling empanadas, tacos and fresh fruit; also bakeries for cheap pastries.
Supermercado El Pelón and Palí are common budget chains in the area.
Local ferias (street markets) on weekends sell cheap clothing; avoid tourist shops.
Local buses between towns cost around 500-1000 CRC per ride; from airport (Liberia) take the direct bus to Nicoya for about 2000 CRC—no need for shuttle.
Eat at sodas for budget meals (not tourist restaurants); buy bottled water and snacks at Palí; use shared taxis (colectivos) for short trips rather than private ones.
Emergency Contacts
NicoyaCosta Rica uses a single 911 system for police, ambulance, and fire. From a landline or mobile, dial 911. English operators are often available. For the local Red Cross ambulance dispatch in Nicoya, call 2685-1715.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Nicoya, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hotel Almost Paradise
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 823 m · ~10 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Cruce Playa Santa Teresa (main junction) → Nicoya bus terminal
💡 A cheaper split — flag one down at the junction. They'll let you pay per seat (around 5,000 CRC each). No AC, bumpy road. Works for beach travellers heading inland. From terminal, walk east.
Terminal Liberia (next to La Amistad hotel) → Parada de Buses, Nicoya (500m from Club Pez Gallo)
💡 Cramped without AC; sit on the right for shade. No luggage compartment, so backpack only. Bus drops you on Avenida 1 — walk east on Calle 4 for 8 minutes.
Terminal San José (Coca Cola) → Parada de Buses, Nicoya
💡 Use this for trips from San José to Nicoya. It's direct. Bring snacks and a fleece — AC is aggressive. From Nicoya terminal, it's a 10-minute walk to Club Pez Gallo.
Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR, Liberia) → Club Pez Gallo, Hotel zone, Nicoya
💡 Book with a local operator like Nicoya Shuttle or Interbus. Shared shuttles run twice daily at 10am and 2pm, cost 45 USD per person, but take 2 hours due to stops.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hotel Almost Paradise?
Request rooms on floors 3 or 4 (if they exist) facing the rear courtyard or the drier, wooded slope behind the hotel. These floors are high enough to escape street-level noise but low enough for stable air conditioning and quick stair access if the lift is slow.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hotel Almost Paradise?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor (floor 0 or 1) especially those facing Nicoya’s main street. Ground-floor rooms in 3-star hotels here often sit directly next to the pavement with poor soundproofing and are more likely to be disturbed by early morning traffic, motorbikes, and the occasional livestock truck.
Is Hotel Almost Paradise noisy?
Nicoya’s main street (Calle 1 or Avenida 1 depending on block) carries motorbikes, tour buses, and livestock trucks from early morning (~5am) until late. Weekends have louder music from nearby bars and churches. Ground-floor rooms near the entrance also catch exhaust fumes and talk from the pavement.
Which rooms have the best views at Hotel Almost Paradise?
Best view is from upper floors (floor 3 or 4 if they exist) facing east or south-east, which in Nicoya overlooks the town’s tiled rooftops and the green hills of the Nicoya Peninsula – not ocean, but genuine Costa Rican interior scenery.
What are insider tips for staying at Hotel Almost Paradise?
1. Ask at check-in if you can leave your luggage before official check-in (most 3-star hotels in Nicoya are flexible). 2. If you have a car, request a room away from the parking area – some rooms share a wall with the parking lot, which can be noisy at dawn when tour groups depart.
What time is check-in at Hotel Almost Paradise?
Check-in at Hotel Almost Paradise is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hotel Almost Paradise have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi (3 Mbps) for all guests; premium upgrade to 15 Mbps for 5 USD (approx 2,600 CRC) per 24h; no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hotel Almost Paradise?
13% VAT included in rates; tourist tax 1 USD per person per night (approx 520 CRC) payable at check-in
Where can I eat cheaply near Hotel Almost Paradise?
A casado (rice, beans, salad, protein) at a soda runs 3000-4000 CRC.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hotel Almost Paradise?
Local buses between towns cost around 500-1000 CRC per ride; from airport (Liberia) take the direct bus to Nicoya for about 2000 CRC—no need for shuttle.
When is the best time to visit Nicoya?
December and January: clear skies after the rains end, less humidity than March, and the town is lively but not mobbed. March also works if you can handle the heat.
Top Attractions in Nicoya
💡 Ask the staff about the Chorotega pottery techniques still used by a few families in the hills just outside town.
💡 Go late afternoon when the light hits the murals best. There’s a small bakery halfway along selling empanadas for 500 colones.
💡 Visit during Sunday mass (8am) to hear the traditional marimba music played by locals.
💡 Buy a bag of fresh mango slices from vendors by the church steps. Try the ones with chilli powder.
💡 Start the climb just after 6am – the heat builds fast, and you’ll see howlers and parakeets in the trees along the trail. Bring water.