ApartHotel Vista Pacifico

I absolutely loved this hotel. We spent 2 nights in Jaco en route to Montezuma, and I dont think that we could have possibly picked a better place to stay. We weren't exactly huge fans of Jaco itself, as the beach is dirty, and the town is very touristy and Americanized...but we completely fell in love with this hotel.

“Coolest Hotel in Jaco”

ApartHotel Vista Pacifico

I absolutely loved this hotel. We spent 2 nights in Jaco en route to Montezuma, and I dont think that we could have possibly picked a better place to stay. We weren't exactly huge fans of Jaco itself, as the beach is dirty, and the town is very touristy and Americanized...but we completely fell in love with this hotel.

The hotel sits on a big hill about a mile outside of town, with a fantastic view of the pacific ocean and surrounding mountains. What really makes this place so speical is the wonderful swimming pool and the lush, tropical gardens that surround it. The pool area is located on the side of the building facing away from town, so it was like having our own little private paradise completely isolated from the hustle and bustle of Jaco. My friend liked the pool so much, that she didn't even go to the beach the second day of our stay. I also have to mentio, that It was so pleasant to have breakfast with the other guests poolside each morning...they were all just as friendly as the owners, Jan and Greg.

As for Jaco, the town wasn't nearly as rough as I was led to beleive by some other online reviews. While there is definitely an element of drugs and prostitution that is hard to ignore, there was never a moment in Jaco (or anywhere else in costa rica) that made me feel unsafe....and that includes walking down the main street at 2am! Anyone who has ever lived in a big city in America or Europe will be just fine in Jaco.

All in all, I highly reccomend this hotel, both as a midway destination to other locations, or as a primary hotel for your stay in Costa Rica. Jaco is only a 2hr cabride from the airport in San Jose, and the weather there is absolutely perfect (surfing waves are huge too) Just keep in mind, that while jaco beach is kinda nasty, beautiful white sand beaches are only a $10 cab ride from the hotel. :o)

“Andrew: Toronto, Canada: Pura Vida!”

ApartHotel Vista Pacifico

My Girlfriend and I found the perfect costa rican nook at Vista Pacifico. Wonderful atmosphere and top notch service made this vacation stop one of the highlights. Our 10 night stay was made all the more enjoyable by extremely friendly and knowledgeable owners who were more than happy to steer us in the right direction whenever we had a question. I would recommend Vista Pacifico to anyone looking to get away from the noise of downtown Jaco but remain close to the beach.

“Great view!”

ApartHotel Vista Pacifico

We stayed at the Vista Pacifico for one night on our way up the Pacific coast. I wish we could have stayed longer! We were the only ones at the hotel (though I think one other room was booked that night) and had the place to ourselves. The owners were lovely, have a lovely pool, the rooms are great, and the coffee is very good :) We wanted to arrive very early (about 8am) and they were very amenable to our request. They had good recommendations for dinner in Jaco. The only slight, minute issue was that there was zero water pressure in the shower. However, the hotel is on top of a hill - and the view and sea breeze negate the soap left on your skin :) Also - like every other hotel we stayed at in CR - the ants are everywhere! We had some cereal that I thought I had sealed, but that we had to abandon because the ants had claimed it for themselves overnight! They have lovely kitchenettes in the rooms - but if you have food, bring ziplocks!

“Fantastic Hotel! Best value in Costa Rica!”

ApartHotel Vista Pacifico

My husband and I LOVED this hotel, both for its beauty and the incredible service.

First, the service: my husband and I were working our way from Manuel Antonio to Arenal and decided to spend a night in Jaco. The day before our arrival in Jaco, we called the hotel and booked a room. We asked the owner about reserving bus tickets for the morning after our stay to complete our journey to Arenal. The owner was incredibly helpful! Not only did she reserve Grayline tickets for us, but she ended up having to go into town and pay for the tickets in cash (70 dollars!) to guarantee our reservation. She did this not even knowing if we would definitely show up the next day.

Second, the hotel: The hotel sits on a hill overlooking Jaco; therefore, the view of the town and the ocean is spectacular. We also appreciated the fact that the hotel is outside of the craziness of the town, but still a short 5 minute cab ride (for about 3-4 dollars at most) down the hill to all of the restaurants and gift shops, etc. The rooms are great with AC and cable and a nice balcony view.

Finally, the extremely reasonable room rate included a complimentary breakfast. It was so nice to sit by the pool, sip coffee, chat with the owner, and enjoy the great breeze on the hilltop. We wish we could have stayed longer!

“One of our best holidays!”

ApartHotel Vista Pacifico

Wonderful and restful stay with my husband and 2 teenage daughters. Friendly and welcoming hosts, safe, clean, quiet, beautiful view , and many fun activities in surrounding area.

“Good value”

ApartHotel Vista Pacifico

Very helpful hosts, make you feel at home right away. Hotel is very clean, water pressure could be better. Great views of Jaco, very safe location, great breakfast. Bamboo beds are comfortable, but VERY noisy.

“The perfect place to stay in Jaco”

ApartHotel Vista Pacifico

Greg...

i would like to take the time to thank you personally for one of the best stays that i have ever had the pleasure of experiencing in any hotel.

Your hotel is beautiful , you have put your heart into it and it truly shows, the service was great, the rooms were great, your advice and tips were always right on point, the morning coffee and fruit were lovely, the late night conversation was challenging, the staff were friendly, the area was safe and clean....

simply perfect.

If i would try my best to come up with something negative to say about my stay at vista pacifico, the only thing i could come up with is that it was truly terrible.... to leave...! :)

once again, thank you so very much for everything you so humbly dismiss as it just being your job.

i hope we cross paths again sometime soon.

“One of the best options in Costa Rica”

ApartHotel Vista Pacifico

We spent 4 nights at Vista Pacifico and our time there was just amazing since the very first minute. The owners know very well how to take good care of all their guests, Jan and Greg are extremely helpful and friendly, took care of us and our children. Being Costa Rican locals we have been at many different hotel categories and this place offers a high variety of options in Room sizes and distribution something that I have not even seen at big hotels with lots rooms.

EVERYTHING is kept in like new condition, kitchen stuff, beds, sheets, towels, I mean everything.

The barbecue is something that I haven't found at other places.

The view is great, you can see the ocean and the mountains all around.

We are definitely going back!!!!!!!!

“Awesome!!!”

ApartHotel Vista Pacifico

We loved this place! We were only searching for a place to stay for one night, but ended up staying three nights...

The owners are wonderful and have vast knowledge about the region and the available activities.

Rooms are very very clean and provide nice amenities such as small kitchenettes. The property itself with its pool and garden is gorgeous!

Jaco is a very touristy and americanized place, but Vista Pacifico is just in the right spot: Close to everything you need, but far away from the crazyness of a tourist town!

We met great people at Vista Pacifico and even had a BBQ with all the hotels' guests and the owners one night, because we caught so much yummy Mahi Mahi on the sport fishing tour recommended by Jan and Greg!

Thanks for a pleasant stay and great memories!!!

~Steph & Mike (Germany)

“Vista Pacifico is perfect!”

ApartHotel Vista Pacifico

My friend and I stayed at Vista Pacifico from May 24th, 2008 to June 3, 2008. We stayed in Room 5, which had two double beds, a small kitchenette (which was perfect for preparing small meals).

I really can't say enough wonderful things about Vista Pacifico. The location is perfect with a stunning view. It's a short, inexpensive taxi ride into the core area and taxi's come very quickly when called. Our room was always spotless, the housekeeping staff really does a great job. The room also has a tv with plenty of channels (lots of english channels too). Our room did not have air conditioning (which we knew in advance because it's stated on their website) but we found that the ceiling fan was more than enough to keep us comfortable.

But the best part of our stay was meeting Jan and Greg! They are fantastic hosts. They are warm, friendly and always willing to assist. They also recommend great places to eat (Pacific Bistro - fabulous!). Breakfast was our favourite part of the day. During the green season, a light breakfast of coffee, pastries, juice and fruit (bananas) is served. This is clearly stated on their website and we were very happy with it. But it was sitting around chatting and meeting a friend a Jan and Greg's that we enjoyed the most! They are very knowledgeable about the area and assisted us with arranging for surf lessons (which I highly recommend!) and assisted other guests with arranging other tours. They really will go out of their way to help their guests, which we thought was wonderful.

With respect to security, we found the hotel to be very safe and never had any safety concerns. Mika, the dog, is not only very friendly and so sweet, but she barks at strangers! I stayed alone for the last few days of the trip and never had any concerns either at the hotel or while in town.

I highly recommend this hotel to anyone staying in Jaco. It really is a fantastic hotel that is clean, safe and feels like home. I hope to be able to return to Costa Rica soon and will definetely stay here again. Thanks for a great stay!

Daniele -- Toronto, ON

“Complete Review of the ApartHotel Vista Pacifico”

ApartHotel Vista Pacifico

My husband and I are in our early 30's and we've traveled extensively. We attended a wedding in Costa Rica in March of 2008 and decided to stay at Jan & Greg's hotel after discovering it on the Internet. We wanted to have a more unique experience of Costa Rica, versus the mainstream Americanized Marriott type hotel experience.

The hotel is on the top of a large hill with sweeping views from every room. It is very safe as Jan & Greg are almost always there and they have a very friendly and adorable dog running around barking at strangers. All of the guests loved the dog and we all played with him and laughed at his antics. There is free parking in front of the gate of the hotel for your rental car.

Our room, #1 was an end unit and had two floors. We had a kitchen, living room, full bathroom and balcony downstairs and a bedroom with king sized bed, full bathroom and another balcony upstairs. It was so lovely that it was hard to drag ourselves away from the hotel. The maids are very hard working at keeping the rooms spotless. There is an inground pool surrounded by lounge chairs with big padding to make a very comfortable and quiet experience for poolside lounging. In fact we didn't bother with a trip to the Volcano as it was so far and lounging by the pool was so tranquil. After our days of surfing, hiking, zip lining, sight seeing and nights out, we couldn't wait to get back to the peace and tranquility of the hotel. By far the best deal for your money. We left the food from our kitchen and some money for the maids at the end of our stay - they much deserved it.

Every morning guests gather at the patio for breakfast. Jan & Greg serve the tastiest yogurt parfait, fresh fruits, cereals and store-bought baked goods. One thing, they need a different brand of coffee! I hate to even mention it as the breakfast is such a treat but the coffee needs an upgrade. lol Sorry Jan! The other guests that were with us felt the same way so I know it's not me. Quite difficult to fit in any meals out after all that but of course for a mere $5-10 dollars American you can get superb dishes in downtown Jaco, just ask Jan for ideas. She is full of them and it really helps! Jan can help you plan your excursions and she has great ideas for where to go. Very helpful! Like having a second mom around to help :)

The pool is lovely, very clean. There is a garden next to the pool where a kincachu lives. He stops by every once in a while which is neat. There is a grill which we used one night. Tables and chairs as well. The family down the way from our room had a 2 year old and he ran around and enjoyed his stay as much as his parents as the hotel grounds are surrounded by gates and it is very safe.

Late night we came home and had a glass of wine on the patio or balcony or took a late dip in the pool quietly so not to wake anyone up. It is a very quiet place which is great for wanting to get out of the dirty crazy Jaco each day. The views are unbeatable, the best in Jaco. The price is fabulous- can't beat it anywhere. So you can be adventurous, party do whatever you want but come home to this hotel as if it were your private escape- it's perfect. So relaxing and beauitful.

Overall I would say this is probably the best hotel we have ever stayed in for the money. I have stayed at the Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, Marriotts (we have a time share), motels and hotels but the experience of having an apartment with a view and Jan & Greg makes the Costa Rica visit much more personal.

One word of advice, don't go during Holy Week, the week before Easter. The beaches are ridiculously crowded with locals. You won't find parking in Jaco and it just is annoying everywhere you go. Oh, during the week we were at the hotel someone found a scorpion in their room. It's Costa Rica right? There are Toucans and Monkies everywhere, it's a rain forest. :)

I am leaving some pictures of the hotel on here that we took also. It's conviently located to everything, the roads are so clearly marked we didn't even maps anywhere. Renting a car is very worth it. Very safe as long as you stay out of San Jose.

You can't go wrong with this apartment hotel! It's lovely, we hope will be lucky enough to come back :)

“Loved Vista Pacifico!!!!!”

ApartHotel Vista Pacifico

I just returned from a solo trip to Costa Rica and Vista Pacifico was the best choice I could have made. Jan and Greg have created a true labor of love. They are as friendly as I had previously read on Trip Advisor. They assisted me with every decision of where to go and what to do and who to contact (free of charge). They are amazing! The room was very clean, cheery yellow, with a tropical breeze through the screened windows.....loved it! The pool was great, the view spectacular, and the coffee and banana bread amazing. Yoga close by, hikes, canopy tours, unbelievable surfing, everything you could dream of doing in Costa Rica. Thank you for making my birthday the best ever! I can't wait to return......

“Spotless, Friendly, almost perfect!”

ApartHotel Vista Pacifico

My husband and I stayed at Vista Pacifico from 5/2/08 - 5/12/08. We stayed in #2 and it was always spotless...the housekeeping staff was exceptional. At first I was a little surprised at the septic tank/no flushing toilet paper (or anything) down the toilets, but I got used to it. Also I had to get used to the low water pressure in the shower....maybe that's an American thing? The owners, Jan and Greg, were as accomodating and friendly as all the other reviewers state. They did leave to go on vacation around 5/5/08 and were gone the rest of our visit. They had Mary Jane (and later, Jamie) "holding down the fort" in their absence. Robert & I both really enjoyed Mary Jane and thought she did a fine job while we were there....despite what the previous reviewer said! Before they left, Jan drove us into town our 2nd day and physically went with us to help us figure out Costa Rican ATMs....she is a SAINT! She also arranged a tour for us to Manuel Antonio National Park through King Tours, which was very, very good (but be prepared to walk A LOT). Mika the Weimaraner was a very good girl and a great watch-dog.

The only "negative" for me was that the hotel did not have internet access or wi-fi, not even in the Rancho area by the pool, which would have made the entire stay COMPLETELY PERFECT. I realize that when one is 'on vacation' they aren't supposed to worry about email, but the internet is my lifeline, so every time I needed an "internet fix", we had to take a taxi down to town to one of the places that had free wi-fi (like Clarita's on the Beach or Casa del Mar restaurant). Once I even paid to check my email (less than $1 US) at Mexican Joe's Internet Cafe, but it was worth every cent.

My husband booked the room and he chose #2, thinking that we wouldn't need air conditioning since the room is on the 2nd floor, has cross-ventilation, a ceiling fan and a standing floor fan. However, a few nights it was quite warm, without much breeze at all, so next time I'd pick a room with a/c.

All in all, I enjoyed staying at Hotel Vista Pacifico--it was quiet, clean and the staff is very friendly!

“Owners Away”

ApartHotel Vista Pacifico

The rooms were large and clean. The view was great and location was a short distance away from busy Jaco.

The owners who we had heard such great things about were away on vacation.

The individual selected to operate the hotel while they were away was unable to provide us with outstanding service and satisfaction. Not accurate and enough information was provided of the area as the person taking care of the place did not have this knowledge.

The pool was small and the dog frequently swims in it which may be considered unsanitary to some guests.

The breakfast provided...could not be called breakfast...all that was provided was some juice..coffee bananas..and very small pasteries...(not what we had expected after previous reviews).

The room did not have an air conditioner and I do not believe air conditioners are present in many...if any of the units...it was very hot in the rooms.

The hotel is on a septic system...and we were asked to not place any toilet paper in the toilets!!! which was an unexpected feature of the hotel.

Security at the hotel seemed good however safety deposit boxes were not available in the room which would have been a great benifit that would have made us feel more secure.

I must say that the person that the owners decided to leave the hotel with may not be of much help...only help to destroy this hotels previous positive feedback and reputation.

“Great Hotel”

ApartHotel Vista Pacifico

This is by far the best hotel we have stayed at ever!

Jan and Greg are the worlds best host and very knowledable about the area.

The rooms are spotless and the view is great.

The pool cant be beat- all personal very freindly.

There is no place finer to stay in Costa Rica!

Thanks Jan and Greg for a great time!

“Comfort, tropical ambiance, spectacular views”

ApartHotel Vista Pacifico

We were VERY happy with Vista Pacifica. If offered us everything that we needed. First, great accomodations on lovely grounds with spectacular views to the ocean. Our unit - 2 story 2 br 21/2 bath - was perfect for our group of 2 couples. Second, they enthusiatically gave us travelor assistance - where to go, how to get there, what to pay etc. etc....They suggested a sunset location that was out of this world! They made boat reservations for an excusion to Montezuma...all so very helpful. We would most definitely go back!! Kat/San Diego

“Vista Pacifico”

ApartHotel Vista Pacifico

My husband and I stayed at Aparthotel Vista Pacifico and have done nothing but rave about not only the hotel, but the service of the owners. After two weeks, they felt like friends we had known for a long time without feeling we were in each others face. There are 9 rooms, 7 of which are overlooking the ocean/mountains from one view and the mountains from the kitchen view. We stayed in a studio which was perfect for the amount of time we spent in the room. We were up by 7a.m. with breakfast served by Jan and Greg beside the pool in the kitchen bar, swimming by 9, reading by 9:15 and either ready for a trip (which was arranged by Jan) to one of many sites within a quick trip (Manual Antonio Park, Crocodile Safari, Tortuga Island Cruise, or the Canope Tours.

Restaurants are great. Again you can explore on your own or Jan/Greg will give great reviews. The beach to us was not the best because of the rip tides and dark sand with large rocks in it, but there are a lot of people on the beach. We are use to a gorgeous sand beach at our local beach on Lake Huron so it did not compare, but the pool made up for it.

“An Amazing Deal”

ApartHotel Vista Pacifico

We stayed at Vista Pacifico for just a couple days out of the week we were in Costa Rica, and Vista Pacifico was the nicest hotel we stayed in by a long shot. We stayed at hotels near Arenal and San Jose that cost nearly twice as much but weren't nearly as nice.

The room was perfectly clean, and the breakfasts were amazing. We had a beautiful view, and felt completely safe. Jan and Greg were extremely friendly and knowledgeable, even about activities not in or around Jaco. I would definitely come back.

“What a great time”

ApartHotel Vista Pacifico

What a great stay at Vista Pacifico. We (me and my wife + 2 kids 5 and 3 yrs) stayed for 20 days and had a lovely time. This beautiful building had a great apartment for us. It was clean and perfect with two bathrooms and a bedroom for 3-4 persons. The small kitchen was perfect to make lunch and dinner if we wanted to.The owners, Greg and Jan are the most lovely couple, and they took excellent care of us. The location gives great view of Jaco beach and a breeze of wind gives just the refreshing touch. A car is recommended and the area is packed with different activities you can do. Jan was always helpful organizing whatever we wanted (car, crocodile trip etc.)

“Wonderful Hosts, Beautiful Little Hotel”

ApartHotel Vista Pacifico

We had a great time. Greg and Jan are super hosts; so helpful, thoughtful and great resources. Hotel is really quaint, cozy, and picturesque (and very clean), with spectacular views. The road up to it is a bit of an adventure, but it's worth it.

“Vista El Premo”

ApartHotel Vista PacificoWe stayed here from Dec.11th till the 16th. 2007 It was recommended by a young couple we meet in Puerto Veijo. We sure are glad they gave us a card from the hotel.We made our reservations over the phone while we were staying in Ojachal. Jan and Greg (a very nice Canadian Couple) are excellent hosts, they will bend over backwards to help you. The room was excellent along with the view from the top balcony. The pool was very clean and neat along with the patio and garden area. We really enjoyed the breakfast that they had out every morning. I would highly recommend this place to anybody. You are a couple of km's from the core of town, but well worth the view & tranquility.

Brian & Iris

Kelowna, BC Canada.

“A gem”

ApartHotel Vista Pacifico

The hotel is a real treat, great pool, very nice rooms and just far enough away from Jaco to get some peace and quiet but close enough to get to the beach and supplies in 5 mins. As a bonus the room also had a tv with many NA programs ie. NFL football. The owners are wonderful, they could not be more helpful. We wish we could have stayed longer, and will go back for sure.

“Lovely, Homey, SO SPECIAL!”

ApartHotel Vista Pacifico

We just returned from a week in Jaco at Vista Pacifico. I don't think we could have improved on our experience. Jan and Greg are the most lovely people and the small, gemlike hotel perched on a cliff top is simply spectacular. Situated perfectly to catch the mountain breezes and the incredible views of the ocean and the mountains, the hotel has a beautiful little pool and gorgeous landscaping and tropical flowers everywhere. There is even a pet parrot and a sweet Weimaraner named Mica. Our two-story unit had a nice little kitchen, two bathrooms, two great patio/balconies (up and down), and was spotlessly clean the whole week. There was even a little turret room where our son was thrilled to sleep on a cot - it was like a little tree house with a 360 degree view. The hosts and the other guests were so friendly and relaxed - it really felt like being welcomed into a beautiful, peaceful, comfortable family home in paradise. Jan and Greg recommended and arranged restaurant reservations, a zipline jungle tour (amazing), and the most enjoyable day I have ever spent on horseback. They are clearly delighted to share their love of their adopted country with their guests. We will definitely be back. And it was only $95 per night!!! what a bargain!! one of my all time favorite lodging experiences!!!!

“Best Hotel in Jaco!”

ApartHotel Vista Pacifico

My husband and I were at Vista Pacifico in January 2007...This place is awesome.. The rooms are very clean and there is all you need for cooking! The hosts Jan and Greg are a great Canadian couple who welcomed us with open arms. We stayed in Cabina #9 for $50 US.

The breakfast is really good, fresh fruits, toast, yogourt etc...

The location is amazing with a great view of downtown Jaco and the ocean from the pool itself...

If you are staying in Jaco this is the place to stay... the grounds are very well kept and clean.

Caroline

Barrie, Ontario, Canada

“An absolute treasure”

ApartHotel Vista Pacifico

Just came back from Costa Rica and stayed at a wonderful hotel in Jaco named Vista Pacifico. The owners Greg and Jan are absolutely amazing. The hotel is not only beautifully situated on a mountain minutes from Jaco but the view is breath taking. You are very safe at Vista Pacifico and something that always worries me is the cleaning staff. I can honestly say they are very trustworthy. Numerous times we left money and jewelry out and never had a worry that any of it would be missing when we arrived back at the hotel.

A little about the hotel. Each room has a fridge and some means of cooking (mircowave/stove) as well as a coffee maker. You have full use of the bbq, which we took full advantage of. This is a huge cost saver. The grocery store is a 2 minute cab ride which costs approx. 1000 colonies (2 bucks) and has everything you need plus. The rooms are spacious and nicely decorated. There are ceiling fans in all the rooms as well as air conditioning. We never once had to use the air conditioning because there is an amazing breeze from the mountains in the evening and from the ocean during the day. Breakfast is fresh fruit, granola, biscuits, yogurt and more starts your day off nicely.

There are numerous lounging chairs for those days you just want to lay by the pool and plenty of room to just sit and read. Because Vista Pacifico is on a mountain there is no noise. It is very peaceful.

I would highly recommend this hotel to single women, families.

If you need anything to be planned, Jan and Greg are right thete offering their help.

So if you are in the Jaco, Costa Rica and need a place to stay VISTA PACIFICO is the place to stay, you will not regret it.

“Vista Pacifico”

ApartHotel Vista Pacifico

What a great place to stay. The hotel itself is situated about 5 minutes by car away from downtown Jaco and the beachfront. Taxis are a dime a dozen and are there in minutes. The cost into town is about 2000.00 colones which is about $1.

The hotel itself is small (9 rooms, singles and suites - 2 bedrooms etc), intimate and has that laid back home-like feeling. The surrounding are awesome, with mountain and ocean views and a much wanted breeze, that trust me, you will be thankful for. We were there in late Feb and beginning of March..its Hot!

The owners of the hotel, Jan and Greg are orginally from Canada and are wonderful. From arranging tours for guests, making sure you have everything you need and just making you feel at home...they really go all out to make your stay awesome. We would recommend this hotel to anyone wanting a relaxing, safe (great for single woman) and unforgettable experience.

Would definately be back.