Hotel El Encanto offers a luxurious retreat where you can bask in the sun on the black sand beach, snorkel, or relax by one of two outdoor pools. With free full breakfast and a daily manager's reception to indulge in, unwind with spa services like manicures and massages.
Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) - 94.2 miles/151.6 km
Airport shuttle (surcharge)
Restaurants
Soda Kawe - 8 min walk
Restaurante sobre las Olas - 2 min walk
Reggae Bar - 9 min walk
Del Rita Paty's - 8 min walk
Bar & Restaurant Cahuita National Park - 10 min walk
About this property
Hotel El Encanto
With access to onsite snorkeling, Hotel El Encanto is a great choice for your beach stay in Cahuita. 2 outdoor pools provide fun for everyone, while guests in the mood for pampering can indulge in massages, facials, and mani/pedis. The coffee shop/cafe is a great spot for a bite to eat and cold drinks are served at the bar/lounge. A terrace and a garden are other highlights.
At a glance
DONE
Hotel size
8 rooms
DONE
Arriving/Leaving
Check-in start time: 2 PM; Check-in end time: 9 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out time is 11:00 AM
DONE
Special check-in instructions
This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply); guests must contact the property with arrival details before travel, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
DONE
Required at check-in
Credit card, debit card, or cash deposit required for incidental charges
Government-issued photo ID may be required
Minimum check-in age is 18
DONE
Pets
No pets or service animals allowed
WIFI
Internet
Free WiFi in public areas
Free WiFi in rooms
LOCAL_PARKING
Parking
Free onsite self parking
DONE
Transfers
Airport shuttle from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM*
DONE
Other information
Smoke-free property
Property amenities
Food and drink
Free full breakfast each morning 7 AM–8:30 AM
Restaurant
Bar/lounge
Coffee shop
Coffee/tea in a common area
Free daily reception
Room service (limited hours)
What to do
Horse riding/rentals
Snorkeling
Beach nearby
Bicycle rentals nearby
Horse riding nearby
Fishing nearby
Working away
Meeting rooms
Services
24-hour front desk
Concierge services
Tour/ticket assistance
Dry cleaning/laundry services
Multilingual staff
Pool loungers
Facilities
Safe-deposit box at front desk
Garden
Picnic area
Terrace
Library
Television in common areas
2 outdoor pools
Spa services
Banquet hall
Accessibility
Accessible airport shuttle
Room amenities
Be entertained
32-inch TV
Cable TV channels
Home comfort
Air conditioning
Ceiling fan
Sleep well
Premium bedding
Freshen up
Shower only
Free toiletries
Towels
Stay connected
Free WiFi
More
Daily housekeeping
In-room safe
Special features
Spa
Guests can pamper themselves by indulging in the onsite spa services. Services include facials, body scrubs, and manicures and pedicures.
Fees & policies
Refundable deposits
Breakage deposit: USD 700 per stay
A damage deposit of USD 700 will be collected before check-in
Optional extras
Airport shuttle service is offered for an extra charge of USD 200 per vehicle (one-way, maximum occupancy 4)
Children & extra beds
Cribs/infant beds are available for USD 10.0 per day
Rollaway beds are available for USD 26.0 per day
Policies
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room.
This property does not have elevators.
Guests can rest easy knowing there's a fire extinguisher on site.
This property accepts credit cards. Cash is not accepted.
Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard, American Express
This property reserves the right to pre-authorize the guest's credit card prior to arrival.
Also known as
El Encanto Cahuita
Hotel El Encanto Cahuita
Hotel El Encanto Hotel
Hotel El Encanto Cahuita
Hotel El Encanto Hotel Cahuita
Frequently asked questions
Does Hotel El Encanto offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, Hotel El Encanto does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure to check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.
Is there a pool at Hotel El Encanto?
Yes, there are 2 outdoor pools.
Are pets allowed at Hotel El Encanto?
Sorry, pets and service animals aren't allowed.
Is parking offered on site at Hotel El Encanto?
Yes, there's free self parking.
Is airport shuttle service offered by Hotel El Encanto?
Yes, an airport shuttle is available from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM on request. The charge is USD 200 per vehicle one-way.
What are the check-in and check-out times at Hotel El Encanto?
Check-in start time: 2 PM; Check-in end time: 9 PM. Check-out time is 11:00 AM.
What is there to do at Hotel El Encanto and nearby?
Have fun with onsite activities like horseback riding and snorkeling. Enjoy a swim in one of the 2 outdoor swimming pools or use the hotel's other amenities, which include spa services and a picnic area. Hotel El Encanto also has a garden.
Are there restaurants at or near Hotel El Encanto?
Yes, there's an onsite restaurant.
What's the area around Hotel El Encanto like?
Hotel El Encanto is a short 5-minute walk from Negra Beach and 10 minutes' walk from Playa Cahuita.
Have a question?
AI iconBetaBeta
Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
Reviews
Hotel El Encanto Reviews
9.4
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
9.6
Cleanliness
8.8
Location
9.6
Staff & service
9.2
Property conditions & facilities
Guest review summary
What guests liked
The pool area was very pretty, especially at night, and the perfect temperature with minimal crowds. (7 reviews)
The property is located close to the beach and offers a great location for walking to beaches and nearby attractions. (5 reviews)
Breakfast was consistently described as great, excellent, and very good. (7 reviews)
From real guest reviews summarized by AI.
Popular mentions
Service staff
Restaurant
Room
National parks
Gardens
Breakfast
Birds
Food
Oasis
Towns
Reviews
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Sep 14, 2025
We enjoyed the stay very much! Everything was just beautiful, the room, the Terrasse, the surroundings. Would return!
Restaurant options and supermarkets plenty. The breakfast was lovely.
Chahrazad
Chahrazad, 4-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
Jul 17, 2025
July visit
It's a cozy hotel with specialized attention. Very good for small families.
Mitra
Mitra, 3-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Jun 21, 2025
The staff was very welcoming and friendly. We could hear the ocean at all times. It is a very calming place with a nice pool and good food.
Stefan
Stefan, 2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Nov 18, 2024
Wonderful property and staff, near town.
Wonderful property, very nice staff, close walk to town and beach. Saw lots of wildlife in the lovely garden. Easy walk to town and national park.
Amy
Amy, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Dec 29, 2024
This is a great place that is in walking distance to beach, park, restaurants. Place is secure with a gate and has parking. This is a great place to stay to explore Cahuita. The rooms are nice and clean and the staff was very nice.
Thomas
Thomas, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Jun 1, 2025
Beautiful property so many gorgeous species of birds, very peaceful and quiet, on main road right across from a black sand beach, down the street from a police station
Lucia
Lucia, 3-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
Oct 30, 2023
Liked the location, close to the beach, privacy and safety.
Jose
Jose, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
May 4, 2024
Amazing little hotel across the street from the beach. Fantastic restaurant, coffee shop/deli right on the beach as well. Sloths in the trees, birds, super nice for such a small and remote town.
Monica
Monica, 3-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
Oct 25, 2023
Absolutely beautifully managed property. Staff was very kind. Would stay here again.
chiara
chiara, 3-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Nov 13, 2024
Beautiful property, very romantic vibe. Rooms were very clean, staff was friendly, included breakfast was awesome. I liked that the whole place is gated in. It felt very safe, like a secret little retreat. Great location, very walkable to beaches, food, and Cahuita National Park.
Madison
Madison, 2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Apr 21, 2025
Comfort, service, and nature at your doorstep
We had an amazing time at El Encanto. Our room was comfortable and well outfitted, breakfast (and dinner) was tasty, the pools were great and the service was helpful and friendly. Our unexpected favorite part of the experience was the nature you could see from within the hotel walls - sloths (2)!, monkeys, frogs, iguanas and lots of birds. A great combo of luxury and nature.
Claire
Claire, 3-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Oct 5, 2024
I’d rather not tell anyone about this place,just to keep it to myself- but our stay there was amazing. Super friendly staff, location was great in Cahuita. Everything walkable, but they helped us get a scooter and that opened up our excursion possibilities and was very helpful. Would and WILL stay here again when we return.
Kyle
Kyle, 4-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Dec 31, 2024
Property consists of 10 or so villas. Well appointed and comfortable. Small, quiet and peaceful.
Paul
Paul, 2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Jan 28, 2024
The Bungalow, the Garden with the plants and the animals, the beautiful Swimmingpool.The stuff is very friendly and helpful.
Elisabeth
Elisabeth, 3-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Nov 5, 2024
The property is beautiful, quiet, close to the beach and a short walk from town. Laurent, at reception, was extremely helpful regarding recommendations for activities and transportation. Sara, also at reception, was very helpful for setting up tours. The restaurant’s snapper in coconut sauce was delicious.
Cathleen
Cathleen, 2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Sep 26, 2024
Lovely cabins near the main street of Cahuita. The interior has beautiful wooden surfaces. Beds come with mosquito nets which is handy. Food was great, particularly the breakfast toast with pineapple jam. All the staff was lovely. The garden is also beautiful, with chances to spot some frogs and lizards.
Maxime
Maxime, 5-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Dec 20, 2024
Loved it to come back for another night.
We ended up staying 2 nights. We weren’t sure where to stay but decided to come back for another night. The staff are great, location to town and park and beach are also great. We stayed on ground level and on 1st floor with a balcony. Both rooms were spacious with great AC and hot water. Property is very nice and fauna is around. Breakfast was excellent.
Shireen
Shireen, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Apr 7, 2024
Receptionist gave us a garden tour introducing us to many CR plants and birds and iguana, sloths hiding. Made to feel very welcome. Ate at the restaurant— server very good and food excellent. Would recommend.
gerard
gerard, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Oct 12, 2023
Lovely family trip to Cahuita
We loved our stay at Hotel El Encanto. The pool was the perfect temperature and never too crowded. The restaurant onsite had great food and drinks. We got a two bedroom room and it was spacious and comfortable. During our stay we saw multiple frogs and a toucan; it was a great experience! And the town of Cahuita had so many great restaurants and little shops, but wasn't super crowded our touristy - we loved it!
Sunrise
Sunrise, 4-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Nov 15, 2023
I absolutely loved this hotel. Spent my birthday here. Staff are fantastic, grounds are beautiful, breakfasts are great. Excellent location - a short walk to restaurants and the national park. It’s spotlessly clean as well and has aircon. It even has its own resident wild sloth in the gardens as well as lizards and frogs.
There is nothing not to like, really enjoyed it 10/10
Grant
Grant, 4-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Feb 15, 2025
Wonderful El Encanto
We stayed for four nights in the Deluxe Suite upstairs from Reception and the restaurant. It is huge and comfortable. There is a very large living room with a kitchen at one end, a bedroom with a king bed, a second bedroom with two twin beds and a large bathroom. Also a wide hallway between the living room and main bedroom in front and the second bedroom and bathroom in back. Both the living room and the front bedroom have doors leading to a front veranda with - on one side - a table and four chairs and-on the other side - two lounges and a small table.
The outside grounds were beautiful and beautifully maintained with two swimming pools, an outside shower, and lots of chairs and tables scattered around. Also on the grounds are a number of bungalows. We stayed in one of the bungalows the night we arrived, before moving to the Deluxe Suite, and it was also comfortable and well-maintained.
The best thing about El Encanto is the staff. They answered lots of questions we posed before we arrived. While we were there they provided superb service including setting up two tours for us with excellent guides. The breakfast at the hotel, included in the price, is very good and the restaurant is excellent, although a bit pricier than some of the restaurants in town. The staff did everything we asked and went "above and beyond" on several occasions.
Robert
Robert, 4-night trip
Verified
6/10 Good
Jul 23, 2024
The cottages were perfect, great bathrooms, air conditioning, fans, comfortable beds but with awful pillows. The grounds were also perfect and beautiful with two small swimming pools. What needs improvement is their customer service. They made a mistake with the number of beds in our room. Instead of comping us or apologizing, they had us wait and pay an extra fee for the additional bed. We were never given complimentary drinks as per their cards in the room, nor were we given two for one drinks during happy hour. I asked on two occasions before booking if the restaurant provides vegan breakfast and if they have vegan choices for dinner. The breakfast was by far the worst breakfast we had in Costa Rica. I was offered dry stale bread with thin slices of avocado and two slices of tomato. No rice and beans like all the other hotels. The fruit was delicious. We had dinner once there on our first night and the bean burger was soft and not good so we decided not to eat there again. If visiting this area again, I would not stay here and probably stay in the Punta Uva area with better beaches, restaurants, more hotels to choose from and just more to do overall. This hotel has a lot going for it but the customer service and subpar food has made us think twice. Coffee only available after 7am even though tours start early in Costa Rica and you’re up at 4:30 or 5, and there is no coffee, and the breakfast we were given to go had no vegan options.
Elizabeth
Elizabeth, 2-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
Sep 4, 2025
I was on business. Rooms are modest but the staff is great, especially Conrad.
I would have liked a small refrigerator in the room and since I was their working, breakfast that started earlier than 7am, which was often delayed past 7 even for coffee.
David
David, 10-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Sep 26, 2022
Had a great time, the service was great
Eliza
Eliza, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Jul 6, 2023
Beautiful hotel
Beautiful place looks just like the photos. Restaurant food was good and staff there and at reception were nice and efficient. Definitely recommend!