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The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel

4.0 star property
4-star beach hotel near Playa Pelada

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Photo gallery for The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel

Relax by the serene pool surrounded by lush greenery and comfortable lounge seating.
Property video
Relax in a spacious room with a large bed against a vibrant green wall, offering a view of lush greenery outside through a large window.
Guest rooms and suites line a tranquil corridor with potted plants and a wooden ladder.
Enjoy dining or socializing on the open terrace with lush greenery views.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Gym
  • 24/7 front desk
  • Room service

Explore the area

Map
Playa Guiones, Nosara
  • Frog Pad
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Playa Pelada
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Nosara Beach
  • Nosara (NOB)
    ‪7 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Standard Double Room

Standard Double Room | Minibar, in-room safe, desk, blackout drapes

Standard Double Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 377 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Double Beds

View all photos for Surf Suite

Surf Suite | Minibar, in-room safe, desk, blackout drapes

Surf Suite

  • 936 sq ft
  • Sleeps 6
  • 1 Queen Bed and 4 Twin Beds

View all photos for PREMIUM 1 KING BED

PREMIUM 1 KING BED | Minibar, in-room safe, desk, blackout drapes

PREMIUM 1 KING BED

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(3 reviews)
  • 560 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for PREMIUM 2 QUEEN BEDS

PREMIUM 2 QUEEN BEDS | Minibar, in-room safe, desk, blackout drapes

PREMIUM 2 QUEEN BEDS

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(6 reviews)
  • 569.3 sq ft
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for PREMIUM PLUS 2 QUEEN BEDS

PREMIUM PLUS 2 QUEEN BEDS | Minibar, in-room safe, desk, blackout drapes

PREMIUM PLUS 2 QUEEN BEDS

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(4 reviews)
  • 602 sq ft
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Standard Room

Standard Room | Minibar, in-room safe, desk, blackout drapes

Standard Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 376 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for PREMIUM PLUS 1 KING BED

PREMIUM PLUS 1 KING BED | Minibar, in-room safe, desk, blackout drapes

PREMIUM PLUS 1 KING BED

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)
  • 602 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

About the neighborhood

Nosara

Seaside stay .With a stay at this Nosara hotel, you'll be steps from Frog Pad and within a 15-minute walk of Playa Pelada. Nosara Spanish Institute and Nosara Beach are also within 3 miles (5 km).

What's nearby

  • Frog Pad - 2 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Playa Pelada - 9 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • Safari Surf School - 13 min walk - 0.7 miles
  • Nosara Spanish Institute - 3 min drive - 1.4 miles
  • International Animal Rescue Costa Rica - 7 min drive - 3.1 miles

Getting around

  • Daniel Oduber Intl. Airport (LIR) - 177 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Howler’s Beach Lounge - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪The Restaurant and Bar at The Gilded Iguana - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪La Luna - ‬11 min walk
  • ‪Beach Dog Cafe - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪Café de Paris - ‬11 min walk

About this property

The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel

4-star beach hotel near Playa Pelada
The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel offers its guests a children's pool, an outdoor pool, a fitness center, and complimentary bicycles. There's a restaurant on site, as well as a snack bar/deli. You can enjoy a drink at one of the bars, which include a poolside bar and a bar/lounge. Free breakfast is served daily. WiFi and wired Internet are free in public spaces.

Event space at this hotel measures 915 square feet (85 square meters) and includes a conference center. Spa services, a terrace, and multilingual staff are also featured at the family-friendly The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel. An airport shuttle (available 24 hours) and an area shuttle are available for a fee. Free self parking is available.

This 4-star Nosara hotel is smoke free.

  • 29 guestrooms or units
  • 2 levels
  • Meeting rooms
  • 915 sq ft of conference space
  • 85 sq m of conference space
  • Built in 2018
  • Buffet breakfast (free)
  • Deli
  • Supervised childcare (surcharge)
  • Childcare (surcharge)
  • Towels for the beach
  • Poolside lounge chairs
  • Umbrellas for the pool
  • Conference center
  • Dry cleaning
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (24 hours)
  • Staff is multilingual
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Front-desk safe
  • Tour and ticket information
  • Concierge
  • Wedding services available
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • Gift shop
  • Television in lobby
  • No smoking on site
  • Bar or lounge
  • Bar by the pool
  • Dining venue
The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel offers 29 accommodations with minibars and safes. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wired and wireless Internet access.

Bathrooms include rainfall showerheads, bathrobes, slippers, and complimentary toiletries. Business-friendly amenities include desks and phones; local and international calls are complimentary (restrictions may apply). Additionally, rooms include coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. Housekeeping is offered daily and irons/ironing boards can be requested.

Guests can pamper themselves by indulging in the onsite spa services. There are 2 treatment rooms including rooms for couples. Services include deep-tissue massages, Swedish massages, facials, and body wraps. A variety of treatment therapies are provided, including aromatherapy and reflexology.

Languages

English, Spanish

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Property amenities

Family friendly

  • Babysitting (surcharge)
  • Children's pool
  • Laundry facilities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Snack bar/deli
  • Soundproofed rooms
  • Supervised activities for children (surcharge)

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi and wired internet
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi and wired internet

Parking and transportation

  • 24-hour roundtrip airport shuttle (surcharge)
  • Area shuttle (surcharge)
  • Free self parking on site

Food and drink

  • Free buffet breakfast available daily 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM
  • A bar/lounge
  • A poolside bar
  • A restaurant
  • Snack bar/deli

Things to do

  • Children's pool
  • Ecotours
  • Free bicycle rentals
  • Gym
  • Outdoor pool
  • Surfing/bodyboarding
  • TV in common areas
  • Yoga classes

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Accessible airport shuttle
  • No elevator
  • Stair-free path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible pool
  • Wheelchair-accessible restaurant

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Blackout drapes

Bathroom

  • Bathrobes
  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Rainfall showerhead
  • Slippers
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste (on request)
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Electric kettle
  • Late-night room service
  • Minibar

More

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Ceiling fan
  • Connecting rooms available
  • Desk
  • Free international calls
  • Free local calls
  • Iron/ironing board on request
  • Phone
  • Safe
  • Soundproofed rooms

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before noon
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply); to arrange pick-up, guests must contact the property 72 hours prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • Pets and service animals are not allowed at The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Airport shuttle fee: USD 180.00 per vehicle (one-way, maximum occupancy 4)

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
This property reserves the right to pre-authorize the guest's credit card prior to arrival.
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, and a first aid kit
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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. 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 accepts Visa and Mastercard. Cash is not accepted. This property reserves the right to pre-authorize the guest's credit card prior to arrival. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, and a first aid kit in each accommodation.

We should mention

  • Reservations are needed for massage services and spa treatments. For reservations, contact the hotel before arrival using the contact information on the booking confirmation.
  • Connecting/adjoining rooms are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property at the number on your booking confirmation.
  • Pets and service animals are not allowed on site.

Property is also known as

Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel Nosara
Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel
Gilded Iguana Surf Nosara
Gilded Iguana Surf
The Gilded Iguana Surf
The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel Hotel
The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel Nosara
The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel Hotel Nosara

Frequently asked questions

How close is The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel to the airport?

The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel is 3.8 mi (15-min drive) away from the Nosara (NOB) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel have an airport shuttle?

The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel offers an airport shuttle 24 hours a day, for a charge of USD 180.00 per vehicle, one-way.

How close is The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel to the beach?

This hotel is a short 15-minute walk from Playa Pelada and 3-minute walk from Guiones Beach. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Does The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel offer free breakfast?

The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel offers free buffet breakfast every day from 7:00 AM to 10 AM.

Is there a casino at The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel?

No, there is no casino at this hotel.

What time is check-in at The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight.

Is there free parking at The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel?

This hotel offers free self parking.

Does The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel have a pool?

The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel features an outdoor pool and a children's pool.

Does The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel have a restaurant?

Yes, there is a restaurant on site.

Does The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel have a spa?

This hotel doesn't have a spa, but it does offer facials, deep-tissue massages, and body scrubs.

How close is The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel to downtown Nosara?

The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel is 2.6 mi away from Nosara.

The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 332 out of 362 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 20 out of 362 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 362 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 6 out of 362 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 362 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Staff & service

9.6/10

Amenities

9.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Diane

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 8 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sally

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful hotel.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Azat

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
excellent!!!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Daniel

Stayed 8 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tracy, Castle Rock

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Amazing all around!! Loved every minute I was there.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Amanda

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The hotel was in a great location and very nice. We enjoyed the included breakfast, the walkability to the beach, shops and restaurants. The staff were very kind and available to help. The gym is only accessible by reservation and only allows 5 people per hour. And we weren’t able to use the yoga room for our own practice on Sunday because it was closed. We felt like we were on someone else’s schedule trying to fit things in. The pool area is beautiful but didn’t seem big enough given how many people were using it. And there were a lot of kids which made the pool area loud and not very relaxing for us. Overall we would recommend this hotel.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sheree

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dawn

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michele, Portland

Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Scott

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

8/10 Good

Alexa

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Pros We had an excellent stay at the Gilded Iguana. Staff were very helpful and helped us book surf lessons and board rentals as well as a turtle hatching tour at Ostinal. Our room was really nice and clean and all the facilities were beautiful. The restaurant was great and had good food and drinks. The breakfast was more than what you would expect for an inclusive breakfast. I will say there was not a lot of vegan options for breakfast but I was able to easily make changes with the serving staff to accommodate this. Cons The street was under construction and it took us forever to find a way to get to the hotel driving around at night with bad road conditions after a long day of travel. It would have been nice if the hotel had messaged us in advance to let us know about the construction and help us with directions. There is not a lot of parking available at the hotel. We ended up having to park on the street which would have been fine except the street is under construction and in the morning large aggregate trucks were driving past which were dropping rocks. Thankfully we didn’t have any damage. We booked this room for our honeymoon and I accidentally booked a room with two double beds. I totally get this was my mistake but I did specify it was our honeymoon and it would have been nice to be moved to a king room. That being said the staff left us a dessert and kind note to congratulate us. Overall would recommend, excellent stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Vishal

Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Chris, Philadelphia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

terry

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The Gilded Iguana was a wonderful resort. Staff were friendly and very helpful connecting us with amazing restaurants and experiences in the area. Specifically Coyol Restaurant and Huacas Restaurant provided amazing world class food AND beautiful vistas of both sunsets and the Costa Rican Mountains. A great, relaxing stay
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rhonda Marie, North Hampton

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was beautiful. Wonderful bathroom. Great housekeeping and concierge’s service. 5 stars to Francisco and yoga instructor Juliana.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Adam

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

John

Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Karen

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful location

10/10 Excellent

Danielle Celine

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very kind staff and amazing food!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Timothy

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The perfect place to stay! I’ve been visiting Nosara for year, and will keep coming back to the Guilded Iguana!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lorine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
5 Star property and service. Beautiful and peaceful. Walkable to beach, shops and restaurants Highly recommend
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Katherine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Edna

Traveled with group, Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Slick Tile.

We had a great stay. Only problem was the slick tile which got wet from the humidity.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christophe

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ian

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024