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The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel

4.0 star property

Photo gallery for The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel

Poolside bar
Property grounds
Reception
PREMIUM PLUS 1 KING BED | Bathroom
Restaurant

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

View map
Playa Guiones, Nosara
  • Place, Frog Pad
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Playa Pelada
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Place, Nosara Beach
  • Airport, Nosara (NOB)
    ‪7 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Standard Double Room

Standard Double Room

Standard Double Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 35 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Double Beds

View all photos for PREMIUM 1 KING BED

PREMIUM 1 KING BED

PREMIUM 1 KING BED

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(4 reviews)
  • 52 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for PREMIUM 2 QUEEN BEDS

PREMIUM 2 QUEEN BEDS

PREMIUM 2 QUEEN BEDS

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(6 reviews)
  • 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

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(4 reviews)
  • 56 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Standard Room

Standard Room

Standard Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 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

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)
  • 56 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Surf Suite

Surf Suite

Surf Suite

  • 87 sq m
  • Sleeps 6
  • 1 Queen Bed and 4 Twin Beds

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About the area

Nosara

When you stay at The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel in Nosara, you'll be by the ocean, just steps from Frog Pad and 15 minutes by foot from Playa Pelada. .This beach hotel is 1.5 mi (2.5 km) from Nosara Spanish Institute and 3.1 mi (5 km) 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

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

Restaurants

  • ‪La Luna - ‬11 min walk
  • ‪Orgánico Bakery - ‬11 min walk
  • ‪Beach Break - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Howler’s Beach Lounge - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Blue Zone Brewery - ‬2 min walk

About this property

The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel

Beach hotel with free breakfast and a fitness center
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.

An outdoor pool and a children's pool are on site. Other recreational amenities include a fitness center.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

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.
Make yourself at home in one of the 29 guestrooms featuring minibars. Complimentary wired and wireless internet access is available. Private bathrooms have rainfall showerheads and complimentary toiletries. Conveniences include safes and desks, as well as phones with free international calls.
Relax and unwind with massages, body treatments, and facials. You can take advantage of recreational amenities such as an outdoor pool and a fitness center. Additional amenities at this hotel include complimentary wireless internet access, concierge services, and babysitting (surcharge). Guests can catch a ride to nearby destinations on the area shuttle (surcharge).
Enjoy a meal at the restaurant, or stay in and take advantage of the hotel's room service (during limited hours). Unwind at the end of the day with a drink at the bar/lounge or the poolside bar. A complimentary buffet breakfast is served daily from 7:00 AM to 10 AM.
Featured amenities include complimentary wired internet access, dry cleaning/laundry services, and a 24-hour front desk. Planning an event in Nosara? This hotel has 915 square feet (85 square meters) of space consisting of a conference center and meeting rooms. A roundtrip airport shuttle is provided for a surcharge (available 24 hours), and free self parking is available onsite.
A complimentary buffet breakfast is served each morning between 7:00 AM and 10 AM.
The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel has a restaurant on site.
Late night fare is available from room service (during limited hours).

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 buffet 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
  • Gym
  • Outdoor pool
  • Surfing/bodyboarding
  • TV in common areas
  • Yoga classes

Family friendly

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

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 (915 square foot of space)
  • Meeting rooms

Outdoors

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

Spa

  • 2 treatment rooms
  • Aromatherapy
  • Body scrubs
  • Body wraps
  • Couples treatment rooms
  • Deep-tissue massages
  • Facials
  • Prenatal massages
  • Reflexology
  • Swedish massages

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

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Blackout drapes

Bathroom

  • Dressing gowns
  • 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

No pets or service animals allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Payment types

Important information

Optional extras

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

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

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

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Reservations are required for massage services and spa treatments; reservations can be made by contacting the property prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation
No pets and no service animals are allowed at this property

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

Reviews

The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

10/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Staff & service

9.6/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.8/10

Eco-friendliness
Rating 10 - Excellent. 343 out of 375 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 22 out of 375 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 375 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 6 out of 375 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 375 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jeremy, Laguna Hills

Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Debra

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Everyone was super friendly and helpful would definitely go back
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

samuel, Medfrod

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
awesome safe property hot tub was cold
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dr Dorothy

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

Exceptional quality and customer service

They have customer service now Pat. I have got to be the fussiest traveler and very spoiled because we always stay at a really nice places. There is not one criticism or suggestion I would give the management about our stay. The room was exceptionally clean, large airy high ceilings perfectly working air conditioner fan lovely patio wonderful rainforest shower. They have saltwater pools and fabulous food in their restaurants. All of the staff it provides exceptional customer service especially the front desk staff, the restaurant management and Andres! I don’t know the name of the woman who is at the Apple station for the complementary breakfast but my goodness… She learned after the first day exactly what we order and provided it every time she saw us come into the dining area! Fabulous location because it’s near everything. Loved it and recommended highly❣️
Quinoa chickpea appetizer
Salt water pool and jetted area
Breakfast made at the omelette station for a vegan
Dinner entrée
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

John

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

katie

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loved the SPA
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christian, Miami

Travelled with family, Travelled with family and small children, Travelled with partner, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very good hotel
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Natalya

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great, please!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Whitney

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent stay at this property. The front desk, custodial and housekeeping staff were fantastic. Location was ideal, and yoga class with Hanna was fantastic! Would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Roger

Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Diane

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

10/10 Excellent

Sally

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

10/10 Excellent

Azat

Travelled 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

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