Stay · South side
Casa Cereza
Two-bedroom house on a quiet south-end street, about four minutes' walk to the plaza and beach, with a private garden, outdoor shower and air-conditioned rooms. No pool; sleeps four.
Pick your side of town
Where you stay shapes the trip: the plaza’s buzz, a quiet palm grove on the north beach, or a view from the hill. Already booked? See what’s around your stay
Which side?
Centro and the plazaNights out, and walking to everythingPlaza 1 minBeach 3 minFeels livelyMost US$110–350
The north sideFamilies and groups: palms, pools and the long beachPlaza 10 minBeach 3 minFeels calmMost US$150–450
The south sideThe plaza and a quiet cove, both a short walkPlaza 7 minBeach 3 minFeels mixedMost US$130–400
Playa los MuertosCalm water for swimming and small kidsPlaza 11 minBeach 3 minFeels calmMost US$200–900
Nanzal hillBig views from the hill; you'll want a cartPlaza 20 minBeach 3 minFeels quietMost US$200–600
Up the valleyBudget stays and everyday local lifePlaza 13 minBeach 3 minFeels mixedMost US$80–250
Compare the sides in a table
| Side | Walk to the plaza | Walk to the beach | Feels | Most stays a night | Stays | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centro | 1 min | 3 min | lively | US$110–350 | 112 | Nights out, and walking to everything |
| North side | 10 min | 3 min | calm | US$150–450 | 169 | Families and groups: palms, pools and the long beach |
| South side | 7 min | 3 min | mixed | US$130–400 | 95 | The plaza and a quiet cove, both a short walk |
| Los Muertos | 11 min | 3 min | calm | US$200–900 | 14 | Calm water for swimming and small kids |
| Nanzal | 20 min | 3 min | quiet | US$200–600 | 36 | Big views from the hill; you'll want a cart |
| Up the valley | 13 min | 3 min | mixed | US$80–250 | 41 | Budget stays and everyday local life |
Walks are on foot from the middle of each side, roughly; carts take about a third of the time. Prices are what places publish, the middle half of them.
Sizes are what the places publish; a few don’t list them, so we keep those in. Pool, A/C and kitchen show the stays we know have them; a place that doesn’t say isn’t a no, it just isn’t listed here.
The south side
Hillside lanes between the plaza and Los Muertos: views, guesthouses and a short walk down to the beach.
20 of 95 stays fit · feels mixed
Stay · Gated community
Casa Llamarada
Four-bedroom villa in the gated Selva Maaku development just south of town, built for groups: a heated pool and hot tub ringed by three fire pits, a pool house with a wet bar and a chef's kitchen; sleeps twelve, with five baths.
Stay · South side near the south entrance, Selva Maaku
Casa Mango
Three-bedroom house with a saltwater pool, a garden and a bungalow on the roof, inside a gated estate with round-the-clock security; sleeps seven, with two kitchens and three and a half baths.
Stay · Gated community (5 min to town)
Casa Serene
Four-bedroom villa for big groups in a private development in the jungle south of town, with a saltwater pool, hot tub, wood sauna, cold plunge and fire pit; sleeps twelve, with five baths and a pool house.
Stay · South side
El Oasis
Compound of six casas sharing a waterfall pool and palapa lounge bar on the south side, under a 10-minute walk to the plaza and beach. Rent one casa or all nine bedrooms (24 guests).
Stay · South coast (Ojo de Agua)
Villa Valentin
4BR villa plus two 2BR casitas; popular for retreats; quieter and drier than town.
Stay · South side
Casa Almas
Three-bedroom, three-level hillside house with a heated saltwater pool and waterfall, rooftop pergola with soaking tub, and ocean views. Renovated in 2023, five minutes' walk to town.
Stay · South side
Casa Boho
Hilltop house with a private pool and open-plan living, offered in three sizes from 3 to 5 bedrooms. Within about half a mile of the plaza but up a steep hill; a golf cart helps.
Stay · South side
Casa Campana at El Oasis
Three-bedroom house on the south side with 360-degree views, a waterfall pool, roof terrace with soaking tub and housekeeping three times a week. Under ten minutes' walk to town.
Stay · South side
Casa Jacobo
Small group of villas on a hillside on Calle Naranjito, with views over the village and jungle and a five-minute walk to the beach. Daily maid service and an on-site manager.
Stay · South side
Casa Montaña
Newer two-bedroom house on a quiet cobbled cul-de-sac, with a private salt-water pool, mountain views from the upper deck and fibre internet. About a ten-minute flat walk to the beach.
Stay · South end of main beach
Casa Pata Salada
Beachfront 1BR casitas from $167; many stairs to some units.
Stay · South side, La Villa Buena Vida
Casita Limon
Second-floor studio at La Villa Buena Vida, overlooking a gated courtyard and pool. About five minutes to the plaza and six to the beach; four-night minimum.
Stay · South side
Condos del Sol
Eight two-bedroom condos with a pool, parking and A/C, rented only on six-month or longer terms. A few blocks from the beach and centre.
Stay · South side, Cocos Norte hilltop
Villa Cassandra Consuelo
Estate with views and wheelchair access.
Requests to book go straight to the owner or manager on WhatsApp; we don’t take payments or a cut. Owners and managers can claim a listing.