Cant do any better than Banana Azul

Banana Azul is a wonderful 3 room small bed and breakfast located about 1.5km north of Puerto Viejo in Playa Negra.

Rooms consist of the smaller "Sloth Cabinas" or the "Red Frog Room" (where we stayed).

Our room was located on the ground floor underneath where Collin and Roberto (the owners) live. The room is wonderfully decorated (the best I've seen in Costa Rica) and has a comfortable queen sized bed with big open windows and a ceiling and floor fan for ventilation. I never felt that a/c was needed and it even got a little chilly at night (blankets are available). The room also has a satellite color television. The real gem of this room is the bathroom (see pictures) - large and tiled with a hot water shower. Just outside the room is a large common area deck with a built in fish and turtle pond. There is a table and chairs for relaxing.

Breakfast (included in the price) is served upstairs in Collin and Roberto's dining area. We were there for four days and had something different and delicious every day. Coffee is available downstairs in the deck area early in the morning.

banana Azul is located right on the beach. It was probably 100 steps from our room to the ocean where the water was warm and safe for swimming

They also have four friendly dogs who love to accompany guests on walks to the beach.

Bicycles are available to borrow to ride into town (20 minute walk)

The hosts, Collin and Roberto, really go out of their way to make guests feel welcome and may even take guests to secret sports in the area that only locals know of (ask to go to the waterfall)

I cant wait to go back!

The perfect getaway

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Banana Azul. The rooms are lovely, well-constructed and have lots of charming little details. Puerto Viejo has a very warm climate, but there was a cool ocean breeze wafting through the rooms every night, which made it easy to sleep, and lazing around on the hammock was a nice past time when resting from our other activities. This place is just a few steps from the beach, and the hosts, Colin & Roberto, are fabulous. They are helpful, charming, interesting to talk to, and they really think of everything. They serve the best breakfast in Costa Rica too!

Sandy C.

JoyfulHeartYoga

A Little Piece of Romantic Paradise!

Finding the Banana Azul was a serendipitous discovery, indeed! My partner and I were extremely impressed by the whole experience. Not only were Colin and Roberto exceptionally attentive to our vacation needs, but they provided an amazingly romantic atmosphere to boot!

The rooms are beautifully constructed and garnished with (in our opinion) unsurpassed attention to detail. In addition, the location of Playa Negra makes it very easy to enjoy the peacefulness of a beach retreat, while at the same time being able to enjoy all the action and amenities in Puerto Viejo.

We were so easily swept away from our modern worries by the seductive beauty of this beachfront inn that we really did not want to return to cold Toronto.

Not only did the Banana Azul exceed our expectations, it set new standards of romantic vacationing!

My Jungle Paradise

I satyed at the Banana Azule Guest House For 2 Months on my escape from Northern Canada, Every morning the owners and staff we're up with the sun, busy preparing breakfast and expanding/compleating the guesthouse, never did i expect a more enviting atmosphere. The rooms are as gorgeous as the setting, and the trip to town is half the beauty of stayin there, as it is just far enough to walk....or Rip in on a complementary bike if you should so choose. I'm 21 Years old and love the night life... and this place was my sanctuary when the night was over.

Off the beaten path

It was our first time in Costa Rica and had planned on returning to New Orleans much sooner until we discovered Puerto Viejo. It was our first trip to the Caribbean side of Costa Rica and we only stayed 4 days - which is when we discovered Banana Azul. One week later we left our location in Central Valley and B-lined it for Puerto Viejo. We fell in love with the place and ended up staying for a whole month. A matter of fact, our entire trip through Central America lasted 5 months and we spent more time in Puerto Viejo than any other location. Roberto and Colin were easy going and each had a special way of making sure that all of needs were met. They are an invaluable source of information and always willing to point out the do's and don'ts as well as the long list of must see's that you shouldn't miss. Through Roberto and Colin we met so many wonderful people and I am certain it won't be long before we head back down. A matter of fact, we are already planning our next trip. If you have the time and are physically fit, try your best to make the trip down the coastline from Manzanillo to Gandoca through unspoiled jungle for some of the most dramatic scenery in Costa Rica - Caribbean and Pacific side included. If you do this trip, plan on overnighting right on the beach in complete solitude. It's a gorgeous day hike, but difficult to complete without overnighting. Sloths abound and the only footprints on the beach were of howler monkeys. You can do this trip alone like we did, but unless you are really familiar with the harshness of the jungle, consider hiring a guide. I have to give this advise, even though we did it perfectly fine by ourselves.

Besides the incredible breakfasts, my favorite part of Banana Azul was being lulled to a peaceful sleep by the sound of the Caribbean Sea at our doorstep. Truly and amazing experience we will soon be a part of again.

Perfect location, wake up to the beach just steps away from your room

Banana Azul is a unique bed and breakfast run by a friendly and enthusiastic crew that is as diverse culturally as Puerto Viejo and Costa Rica's Caribben coast. I learned some Bri-Bri from one of their employees and the B&B's owner is very knowledgeable about the area and had plenty of recommendations that turned out right.

The location is close enough to Puerto Viejo you can walk to the action, but it is nicely removed enough that you feel you can relax and breathe, enjoy the tropical climate. The hotel is brand spanking new and the rooms are placed high so that the view of the flora and fauna are excellent.

The food is well-prepared and tasty.

What I think was best, though, is that you don't have to "go" anywhere to get to the beach, with a few steps past the garden gate you are right there at the ocean, so there is no need to worry about carrying things, bringing your wallet, and your room is close enough that after your time at the beach you come back, shower, and nap with either the rain on the roof, or immersed in the sounds of jungle.

Incredibly friendly and great small touches

Wow, it was the little touches that really made it special for me: the fresh flowers in the room, the lovely tile work in the bathrooms. Colin and Roberto pay attention to every detail! Great place. And I love the quiet location on Playa Negra so that the fun of Puerto Viejo is just a short ways away but the waves crashing on the beach are the only thing you'll hear sleeping.

The most excellent Banana Azul

My wife and I stayed here in early March 06 and had a very enjoyable, relaxing time.

We enjoyed the hospitality immensely. Roberto and Colin and very kind and generous and the place is spectacular.

Descanso y relajamiento al 100%

He tenido la oportunidad de estar en Banana Azul varias veces y la verdad no me canso de ir.

El lugar es magnifico, lleno de vida, comodidad. Todo e estres de la cuidad, el bullicio de la gente y autos se olvida inmediatamente. Es tan tranquilo que se puede escuchar las olas del mar, las aves, la brisa del mar en conjunto con el vaiven de los grandes arboles de almendra que estan en el limite de la propiedad que da a la playa... sus arenas blancas, intimas y limpias son el lugar perfecto para una cita de romance, de cerveza, de paseo o bien para broncearse y leer un buen libro!

La atencion y servicio de Colin y Roberto es magnifica, y aunque estan muy ocupados siempre tienen un tiempo para compartir una cerveza o un café junto a una buena e interesante conversacion.

Sin duda alguna de todos los lugares que he visitado en la zona Banana Azul es superior!

I Found Paradise

Banana Azul was absolute paradise. This was my first trip to Costa Rica and I am not kidding when I say that upon leaving I felt as though I were leaving a friend. Colin and Roberto, our hosts, were delightful. Every morning we woke to a breakfast of fresh fruit, coffee, juice, Costa Rican coffee and delicious homemade local cusine. We would then walk on the black sand beach that was right outside our door. The beach was almost always empty except for a few dogs here and there that romped and played all along our walk. The water was just lovely. Nice and cool. We would then walk or ride our bike in to town and then rent scooters to ride around to the other side and see the white sand beaches. This is truly paradise. Colin and Roberto were able to tell us the best places to eat (not one bad meal) and we saw a waterfall that most tourist wouldn't even know exsisted. While there we searched for land to buy we loved it so much. We will go back without a doubt and we will once again see our new friends. Costa Rica, Colin and Roberto. And of course their four--legged children.

This place is not to be missed!! Take my word for it.