I have stayed at this location for 4 out of the last six years. I have read the reviews. I love this place! Ok Rick and Lori are just a little off beat but they have have always provided a great stay. The cabins's are dated and rough, just what I'm looking for. The beach is outstanding, where else can you go during season and find only five people on the beach. The food is the best you will find in the area and prices can't be beat. Willy, Carla are always ready to help. If you are looking to be pampered or have someone jump when you request something.........go elsewhere so the rest of us can enjoy!!!

Playa Zancudo has to be one of the most beautiful beaches I've visited and walked... and I loved the laid back atmosphere of the small town and the people I met along the beach or along the street. However, as good a deal as Sol y Mar is (and it is), Lori, the owner's s/o has a lot to learn when it comes to hospitality and graciousness! I agree with an older review: if drinking, foul jokes, loud music and bar noise are not for you then Sol y Mar is not the place for you... and you wll be treated completely differently than the other revellers.... each to his own but it's sad when the only negative experience I've had in Costa Rica has been at the hands of an ex-pat!! But don't skip Zancudo - still one of my highlights in Costa Rica...
despite my unpleasant experience with the management I would still recommend this cabina for location +++ only... and Rick, the owner, seems like a nice guy...

Fantastic location in sleepy Zancudo where you look out at the sea from the porch of your cabin. Watch picture perfect sunsets from the lively bar (sports on TV and good live music once in a while) where your friendly hosts (Rick and Lori) and the lovely Karla will make you delicious cocktails or serve you ice-cold beer. Big tasty breakfasts, lunches and dinners - you won't want to eat anywhere else. However, there are several restaurants within easy walking distance along the main (dirt) road. Cabins are large with a sofa and table and a cute rock garden shower. Lori & Rick will help you organise taxis or whatever you need

My wife and I (Mick & Jodie, we are in our mid 40's) spent several weeks in Zancudo in Feb of 2010, now missing that I couldn't go again this year. (Medical bills) This is a real review, I didn't know these guys before I went, just a recommendation from a friend, but I would like to know Rick and Lori for the rest of my life. The Sol Y Mar is the heart of Zancudo for us. Rick and Lori own and Willie and Karla run this hotel with the only real bar and excellent restaurant at the nice side of Zancudo. PROs 70 feet from the beach!, Cabinas are just a few steps from the bar and restaurant. FREE WiFI ! the signal is good! FOOD, the RIBS are to die for. they are about 15 inches lone and 3 are more than enough for me and I weight 275 lbs and stand 6'3". Cheap too, like 6 or 7 bucks for a lavish amount of excellent food. Same for the rest of the dishes, all excellent. The Cabinas are clean and neat with a private bathroom beds and fans which works out perfectly as you don't really need AC and if you want to watch TV (WHY?) you can watch the big TV at the open air cafe / Bar. I would love to go again and plan to as soon as we are well enough. You can rent a bike for 10 bucks a day or better yet get it by the week and its really cheap and its really nice to be able to peddle around the beach to and fro down to the city bakery or up to the pizza place. There is a country grocery store 5 min walk away but Sol Y mar will get you anything you need. CON ;Take plenty of US CASH (not big bills) as the nearest real ATM is at Gulfito or Puerto Jimenez and that is an hour away. and there is a surcharge for Credit Cards. We were there during HIGH season in Feb and yet you can walk the beaches passing only about 6 people an hour. THAT is priceless! Its in a protected gulf so its a really wonderful place. This IS the jungle so don't expect the 4 seasons and bugs are around but none to pesky if you mind what you do. While I was there, I think I spent about a total of 80 bucks a day for the two of us for all Food, Lodging,and my BAR TAB but not including the side trips up the river through the mangrove s kayaking or over to the Oca penisula to the wildlife preserve or the fishing trips (Great fishing) While were there a guy caught a 40 pounder Rooster fish right out of the surf!! no kidding!! they have pictures to prove it , I was stunned. My friend stayed in cabina 5 which is very cheap, 25 a day and it has a little fridge. We stayed in cabina 3 and it ran about 40, I think the nicest one is cabina 4 because its on the end by itself . They have a nice beach house on the property that I would like to rent, but it was booked up because its only about 700 a month! This is your private getaway with a good bunch of ex pats/ locals at the bar to drink with and swap stories Local Musicians and even bands from the states come to play at night. This is the best place I have ever been.