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The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel

4.0 star property
Salt air and outdoor pool, near Frog Pad

Photo gallery for The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel

Poolside bar
Reception
PREMIUM PLUS 1 KING BED | Bathroom
Restaurant
Building design

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Gym
  • Pool
  • 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

Rainfall showerhead, free toiletries, hair dryer, slippers

Standard Double Room

Highlights

Patio
Soundproofed
Air conditioning
Connecting rooms available
Frette Italian bed sheets
Premium bedding
Blackout curtains
Ceiling fan
  • 35 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Double Beds

View all photos for Surf Suite

Surf Suite

Surf Suite

Highlights

Patio
Soundproofed
Air conditioning
Connecting rooms available
Frette Italian bed sheets
Premium bedding
Blackout curtains
Ceiling fan
  • 8 sq m
  • Sleeps 6
  • 1 Queen Bed and 4 Single Beds

View all photos for PREMIUM 1 KING BED

PREMIUM 1 KING BED

PREMIUM 1 KING BED

Highlights

Patio
Soundproofed
Air conditioning
Connecting rooms available
Frette Italian bed sheets
Premium bedding
Blackout curtains
Ceiling fan
  • 52 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for PREMIUM 2 QUEEN BEDS

PREMIUM 2 QUEEN BEDS

PREMIUM 2 QUEEN BEDS

Highlights

Patio
Soundproofed
Air conditioning
Connecting rooms available
Frette Italian bed sheets
Premium bedding
Blackout curtains
Ceiling fan
  • 52 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for PREMIUM PLUS 2 QUEEN BEDS

PREMIUM PLUS 2 QUEEN BEDS

PREMIUM PLUS 2 QUEEN BEDS

Highlights

Balcony
Soundproofed
Air conditioning
Connecting rooms available
Frette Italian bed sheets
Premium bedding
Blackout curtains
Ceiling fan
  • 56 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Standard Room

Standard Room

Standard Room

Highlights

Patio
Soundproofed
Air conditioning
Connecting rooms available
Frette Italian bed sheets
Premium bedding
Blackout curtains
Ceiling fan
  • 35 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for PREMIUM PLUS 1 KING BED

PREMIUM PLUS 1 KING BED

PREMIUM PLUS 1 KING BED

Highlights

Balcony
Soundproofed
Air conditioning
Connecting rooms available
Frette Italian bed sheets
Premium bedding
Blackout curtains
Ceiling fan
  • 56 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

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About the area

Nosara

The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel places you steps from Frog Pad and within a 15-minute stroll of Playa Pelada. Highlights at this beach hotel include a full-service spa, a restaurant and an outdoor swimming pool. .A day of pampering can include massages and body wraps along with aromatherapy and reflexology. The hotel's own lounge bar and poolside bar are nice places to enjoy a drink. Enjoy the gym, kids' swimming pool and pool loungers as well as access to ecotours. Business travelers can take advantage of meeting rooms and a conference centre. Additionally, you'll find free Wi-Fi in public areas, a snack bar/deli and free supervised childcare. Each morning free continental breakfast is offered between 7:00 AM and 10 AM. There's also free self parking, along with the convenience of an airport shuttle. .With a stay at this 4-property class Nosara hotel, you'll be 2.3 km (1.5 mi) from Nosara Spanish Institute and 4.3 km (2.7 mi) from Nosara Beach.

What's nearby

  • Frog Pad - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Playa Pelada - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Safari Surf School - 13 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Nosara Spanish Institute - 3 min drive - 2.2 km
  • International Animal Rescue Costa Rica - 7 min drive - 4.9 km

Getting around

  • Liberia (LIR-Daniel Oduber Intl.) - 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

Salt air and outdoor pool, near Frog Pad
The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel offers its guests a full-service spa, an outdoor pool, and a fitness centre. 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.

A children's pool, a terrace, and multilingual staff are also featured at the business-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
  • Conference rooms
  • 85 sq. m of conference space
  • Built in 2018
  • Continental breakfast (free)
  • Deli
  • Supervised kid's activities (free)
  • Towels for the beach
  • Poolside lounge chairs
  • Umbrellas for the pool
  • Conference centre
  • Dry cleaning
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (24 hours)
  • Staff members are 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 a safe. Beds feature Frette Italian sheets and premium bedding. Guests can surf the web using complimentary wired and wireless Internet access.

Bathrooms include a rainfall showerhead, slippers, complimentary toiletries and hairdryers. Business-friendly amenities include desks and telephones; local and international calls are complimentary (restrictions may apply). Additionally, rooms include coffee/tea makers and a ceiling fan. Housekeeping is offered on a daily basis and an iron/ironing board can be requested.

The on-site spa has 2 treatment rooms, including rooms for couples and outdoor treatment areas. Services include facials, body wraps, body scrubs and body treatments. A variety of treatment therapies are provided, including aromatherapy and reflexology. The spa is open daily.

Languages

English, Spanish

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Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transport

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

Food and drink

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

Things to do

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

Family friendly

  • Children's pool
  • Free supervised activities for children
  • Laundry facilities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Snack bar/deli
  • Soundproofed rooms

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Gift shop/newsstand
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff
  • Tour and ticket assistance
  • Wedding services

Business services

  • Conference centre
  • Meeting rooms

Outdoors

  • Beach towels
  • Garden
  • Pool loungers
  • Pool umbrellas
  • Terrace

Full-service spa

  • 2 treatment rooms
  • Aromatherapy
  • Body scrubs
  • Body wraps
  • Couples treatment rooms
  • Facials
  • Massage
  • Outdoor treatment areas
  • Reflexology
  • Spa open daily

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 lift
  • Stair-free path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible pool
  • Wheelchair-accessible restaurant

More

  • 2 floors
  • Built in 2018
  • Mosquito nets
  • Reception hall
  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes
  • Frette Italian sheets

Bathroom

  • 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

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

  • No pets allowed, but service animals are welcome

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are available for USD 75.0 per day.
  • Cots (infant beds) are available for USD 20.0 per night.

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)
  • Crib (infant bed) fee: USD 20.0 per night
  • Rollaway bed fee: USD 75.0 per day

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-authorise 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 and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that 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 and terraces, which may not be suitable for children. If you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that 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-authorise 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 all 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.

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

What is the cancellation policy at The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel?

The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel offers free cancellation on select room rates. Check out the cancellation policy for more info.

Is parking available at The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel?

Yep, The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel has a free self car park.

Are there any beaches close to The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel?

Yep, The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel is a short 3-minute walk from Guiones Beach. Fun beach activities include body boarding and fishing.

Is there a spa on site at The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel?

Yep, there is an onsite spa at The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel. You'll enjoy heaps of services like body wraps, body scrubs and facials.

Does The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel have a pool?

The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel has an outdoor pool and a kids' pool. Grab your bathers and lounge poolside while enjoying under the shade of an umbrella and with a coldie from the bar.

What makes The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel a romantic place to stay?

Couples spa treatments and a lounge bar, as well as rainfall showerheads and Frette Italian sheets in the guestrooms, help set the scene for a romantic weekend at The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel.

Does The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel serve breakfast?

Yeah, free continental brekkie is on offer daily from 7:00 AM to 10 AM.

Is there a free airport shuttle available at The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel?

No, but there's an airport shuttle that runs 24 hours a day for a fee.

Is there a bar or restaurant at The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel?

Yep, they've got a lounge bar and an onsite restaurant.

What time are check-in & check-out at The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM. Check-out time is noon.

Are pets allowed at The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel?

No, only service animals are allowed.

The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 325 out of 355 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 20 out of 355 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 355 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 6 out of 355 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 355 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

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

Travelled 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

Travelled 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

Travelled 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

Travelled 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

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

10/10 Excellent

Danielle Celine

Travelled 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

Travelled 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

Travelled with family, Travelled with group
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

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

4/10 Poor

Jeramie

Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities
Wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone. It was a joke being waited on by the restaurant staff. The food was awful and it would take the servers 5-10 mins to talk to you then another 5-10 for a drink when there was no one in the restaurant. I got hives from their soap. I asked to check out early and they blamed Orbitz. Orbitz said they would refund any amount that the hotel would give. I left 3 days early after I was rudely turned away from coffee 5 mins after the “breakfast” was served. Won’t be returning to that hotel, but I did enjoy Nosara.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ian

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

10/10 Excellent

Francis Luke

Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Eliana

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
This was a perfect place to get away- beautiful grounds, a short romantic walk to the beach. The staff is extremely helpful and satisfied all our needs.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024