We stayed for one night on our way to Matapalo and that was more than enough. The room was spare and clean with a nice bathroom, but in my opinion, way over priced (and it was the low season). I think $50/night would have been fair. The food was average and the bartender was not very friendly, probably because we weren't indulging like the family of 15 from Texas sitting across from us. In fact, the bartender tacked on two glasses of wine and one glass of beer on our tab and we weren't even drinking liquor! I politely called it to her attention (in spanish) and she didn't apologize, just stubbornly adjusted the total. Her mistake---we are usually great tippers.

Breakfast at the Iguana (sister hotel next door) was pretty good and the staff seemed nicer there, probably because their rooms were double what we were paying. Other guests told us dinner at the Iguana was delicious, but pricey. Oh, and the rooms at the "Pearl" are right above the bar, so don't plan on going to bed early. I also recall the owner (he's American) making himself comfortable in the common area, while we were playing chess, and blabbing personal business on his cell phone, which I found to be rude and unprofessional. He didn't even throw us a smile.

My only fond memories were a long walk on the pretty beach (steps away from the hotel), the resident cats that were very friendly and happy to share the hammocks and the books and games available to guests of both hotels.

Stayed here for one night on our way home from the Osa. Its a nice motel with new nicely appointed rooms. I was pleasantly surprised with the nice bathrooms and comfortable beds . The owners were very friendly and hospitable to us. We had to catch an early flight the next am and she made sure the kids had french toast (freshly prepared) and fruit before we left, very kind. Our only beef was that the night we stayed there was "pasta night". Sounded benign enough when they told me about it at booking but it was unbearable for us. Pasta night involves the installation of a speaker the approximate size of a small volkswagon by a local DJ. Soon after the place is packed with 20 something locals for dancing and a lot of beer consumption.The speaker is turned up as high as it will go resulting in bone rattling sound. We had spent the previous week at a very special,back to nature quiet place with no tv, radio, cell phone etc. Needless to say this was a huge shock to our systems and continued until 10:00 pm (DJ removed small vw at 9:00). You couldn't retreat to the room as it is above the whole scene. We fled in a cab to a wonderful nearby restaurant Jade Luna (quite good) to pass the time. We returned to the motel at 8:45 or so and joined the rest of the occupants of our floor at the Iguana Lodge lobby waiting for the bone rattling "music" to stop. We returned to our room and a barrage of "f" bombs from below. As we were traveling with our three kids, we weren't happy. Pasta night will provide you with ear drum busting music and make you feel like you are in the middle of a frat party at full swing. If this doesn't appeal to you, as it didn't appeal to us, I would stay elsewhere.

You won't find a friendlier staff, anywhere in Costa Rica! Although the rooms are Spartan, the staff & excellent breakfast make up for it. The owners are responsive & knowledgable. The nightlife is fun, and they make you feel like a local. The dinner is fantastic, with fresh local seafood, and an outstanding chef. Need a drink after that long trip? Can't remember the name of bar, but ask a local how to get to Emillio's bar in nearby Puerto Jimenez. Also friendly. We also liked the food at "Juanita's" in Puerto Jimenez. Going to book my 3rd trip there again, today. Bring something for the no-seeums. They are brutal. Have fun! Mike & Jacqueline from New Mexico

August 14, 2006 : The Pearl is a great place to stay if you don't want to spend the money at the Iguana. The location is a bit off the beaten path, so you would need a vehicle, taxi or bicycle to get there. But otherwise,if you're looking for a quiet place to stay, that is clean and has nice views, I totally recommend the Pearl. The beach is right there, the bar downstairs is open for meals and drinks and some of the locals come to eat there and hang out. There is a ping pong table for fun, and volleyball area near the beach front and plenty of hammocks to lie around in. The Pearl rooms are small, and during busy season there will be guests all around, but if you can be open to that, all the other space makes up for it. Plus, you get access to the main Iguana lodge which has a nice reading room, plenty of books on the local region and fiction/non fiction to read in case you forgot to bring your books. I recommend checking out what one of the Iguana rooms looks like while you're there. Who knows, you migh decide to upgrade!

The best thing: the staff is super nice !