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Buddha Retreat Hotel

2.5 star property
Travelers kayak and snorkel in crystal-clear waters at Hotel Buddha San Juanillo, then return for satisfying meals at the waterfront restaurant

Choose dates to view prices

Adventure meets relaxation at this beachfront hotel where guests can try archery, motor boating, or unwind with a spa massage. The property features a coffee shop, garden, and an outdoor pool with sun loungers for those who prefer to soak up rays closer to home.

Reviews

7.0 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Parking included
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Restaurant
  • Air-conditioning
  • Breakfast available
The current price is NZ$181
includes taxes & fees
15 Mar - 16 Mar

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 2 of 2 rooms

View all photos for Exclusive Double Room

Egyptian cotton sheets, premium bedding, down duvets

Exclusive Double Room

Highlights

Patio
Garden
Separate sitting area
Individually furnished
Air conditioning
Hypo-allergenic bedding
Pillow menu
Premium bedding
  • Garden view
  • 50 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed OR 1 Single Bed

View all photos for Comfort Triple Room

Comfort Triple Room

Comfort Triple Room

Highlights

Patio
Garden
Air conditioning
Hypo-allergenic bedding
Pillow menu
Premium bedding
Down duvet
Egyptian cotton bed sheets
  • Garden view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bed
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About the area

Located in San Juanillo, Buddha Retreat Hotel is on the beach. Shoppers can check out Frog Pad, while everyone can enjoy the natural beauty of San Juanillo Beach and Playa Cocal. Take the opportunity to explore the area for water adventures such as fishing. Visit our San Juanillo travel guide
Map
Playa San Juanillo Frente de la Plaza, Cuajiniquil

What's nearby

  • Drive on dirt roads and through rivers forever to get to this beautiful almost-private beach. Couple little shops in "town" for coffee & snacks.
    San Juanillo Beach
    14 min walk - 1.2 km
  • Menschenleere Strand, Playa Pelada, Costa Rica
    Playa Pelada
    41 min drive - 19.3 km
  • The red eyed tree frog looking
    Frog Pad
    41 min drive - 20.3 km
  • Playa Cocal
    14 min walk - 1.2 km
  • Playa Pleito
    3 min drive - 1.4 km

Getting around

  • Liberia (LIR-Daniel Oduber Intl.)
    145 min drive

Restaurants

  • Restaurante Chirriboca
    29 min drive
  • Ancient People San Juanillo
    5 min drive
  • Rancho Cocobolo
    5 min drive
  • Tiki Hut
    23 min drive
  • Brisas del Mar
    6 min drive

About this property

Buddha Retreat Hotel

Hotel near the bay
A terrace, a coffee shop/cafe and a garden are just a few of the amenities provided at Buddha Retreat Hotel. The on-site restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi, and guests can find other amenities, such as a bar and a conference centre.
You'll also enjoy the following perks during your stay:
  • An outdoor pool, along with sunloungers
  • Free self-parking
  • Breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour front desk and tour/ticket information
  • A banquet hall, luggage storage and coworking spaces
Room features
All guest rooms at Buddha Retreat Hotel have thoughtful touches, such as premium bedding and pillow menus, in addition to amenities, such as free WiFi and air conditioning.
Extra amenities include:
  • Hypo-allergenic bedding, Egyptian cotton sheets and Select Comfort beds
  • Bathrooms with rainfall showers and shampoo
  • Private gardens, ceiling fans and daily housekeeping

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Free self parking on site
  • Limited on-site self parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking and van parking available

Food and drink

  • Daily breakfast to-go available 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM for a fee: USD 6.50 to 12 for adults and USD 6.50 to 12.50 for children
  • A bar/lounge
  • A coffee shop/cafe
  • A restaurant
  • Snack bar/deli

Things to do

  • Outdoor pool

Family friendly

  • Outdoor pool
  • Snack bar/deli

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Business services

  • Conference centre (700 square foot of space)
  • Coworking space

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • In a nature reserve
  • On the beach
  • Pool loungers
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • 4 accessible parking spaces
  • Fixed shower seat
  • Front entrance ramp
  • No lift
  • Smooth flooring in room
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible business centre
  • Wheelchair-accessible concierge desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible lounge
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible public bathroom
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk (60 centimetre high)
  • Wheelchair-accessible van parking

More

  • Banquet hall
  • Designated smoking areas

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Down comforter
  • Egyptian cotton sheets
  • Hypo-allergenic bedding
  • Pillow menu
  • Select Comfort mattress

Bathroom

  • Private bathroom
  • Rainfall showerhead
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Ceiling fan

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 1:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime
Early check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Late check-out subject to availability

Special check-in instructions

Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are available for USD 25.0 per night.
Cots (infant beds) are not available

Payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Fee for to-go breakfast: approximately USD 6.50 to 12.00 for adults and USD 6.50 to 12.50 for children
  • Rollaway bed fee: USD 25.0 per night

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
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
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

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

Property is also known as

Buddha San Juanillo
Hotel Buddha San Juanillo
Buddha Retreat Hotel Hotel
Buddha Retreat Hotel Cuajiniquil
Buddha Retreat Hotel Hotel Cuajiniquil

Frequently asked questions

Does Buddha Retreat Hotel have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

How much does it cost to stay at Buddha Retreat Hotel?

As of 11 Mar 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Buddha Retreat Hotel on 15 Mar 2026 start from NZ$181, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Is Buddha Retreat Hotel pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Buddha Retreat Hotel?

Self-parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at Buddha Retreat Hotel?

Check-in start time: 1:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime.

What time is check-out at Buddha Retreat Hotel?

Checkout is at 11 AM.

Where is Buddha Retreat Hotel located?

Nestled on the beach, this Cuajiniquil hotel is within 2 mi (3 km) of San Juanillo Beach, Playa Cocal and Playa Pleito. Playa Ostional is 2.3 mi (3.7 km) away.

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Reviews

Buddha Retreat Hotel Reviews

7.0

Good

7.4

Cleanliness

8.6

Location

7.8

Staff & service

7.0

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 4 out of 18 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 7 out of 18 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 18 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 18 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 18 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Angelina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great Place to stay near the beach! Tasty food and good service! Definitely will be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

4/10 Poor

Jorge

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Truly an experience not to repeat. I consider that it was not a real hotel, because there was no real reception, only a person in charge of giving you the keys and from there, you never have contact with anyone responsible again. The condition of the room is far from what is seen in the photos. - I booked a king bed room and got a regular double. - The a/c didn't cool enough, it made a lot of noise, as did the ceiling fan. - There were constant water and electricity cuts, even one of almost 3 hours that made us spend a terrible night. - The pool had a regulation of use until 10:00 p.m., however at midnight there were people in it who even played music with a very high volume and you could not sleep. In short, much to improve for this supposed hotel.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023

8/10 Good

Mike

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

A very pleasant surprise!

We booked our trip to Costa Rica at the last minute and this was the only hotel with rooms available on the entire west coast. With no previous reviews, we were a bit concerned, but very pleasantly surprised! Hotel Buddha has been open for less than two months and is located in the delightful village of San Juanillo. The staff are very friendly, the rooms clean and comfortable (with both overhead fans and air conditioning), the pool inviting, and the restaurant quite reasonable with superb food. A beautiful beach is just a short walk away and appears to be very popular with local Costa Ricans. You can hire horses for riding on the beach, go fishing, or swim and snorkel. It is clearly off the beaten path with few tourists around. We stayed two nights, including New Year's Eve, and were treated to hometown fireworks. It is a dirt road most of the way down Route 160 with several streams to cross. A 4WD car is a must. The Ostional National Wildlife Refuge is 20 minutes south and well worth a nighttime visit! We saw 20-25 turtles laying eggs on the beach during a two hour walk. The guide's office in Ostional is clearly marked. Arrive around 6 PM to reserve a spot for the 8:30 PM walk ($10 per person). If you want elegant hotels, shops, and restaurants, head to Nosara, 45 minutes down the coast on Route 160 (this is the closest gas station by the way). Hotel Buddha is perfect if you want a true Costa Rican experience. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay there.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2017

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice place away from the crazys, rooms were clean and comfortable. The staff was friendly, English was a little difficult but doable.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026

10/10 Excellent

Mercedes

Liked: Amenities
Staff muy amable. Limpio. Habitacion comoda. Baño Amplio. Parqueo Amplio. Comida deliciosa.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

patricia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Hôtel très mignon où nous avons passés qu’une nuit. La chambre était confortable et la douche chaude. Nous avions accès à la piscine et il y avait un parking sécurisé aussi. La plage est à côté dans une petite baie où l’on peut admirer les petits poissons et se baigner tranquillement loin des surfeurs.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2023

2/10 Terrible

Albert

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Expert in hospitality tries to scam

We arrived to the hotel to find that the owner had received a booking just for two people. I politely clarified that if that was the case, we would happily honour extra beds, but I would first check with hotels.com. The owner claimed he didn't work with hotels.com, showed very little empathy to figure out the issue while he clarified he was from California, and had traveled the world a lot, knew a lot about how the world works. I'm still trying to figure out why he thought this was relevant to me. He first attempted to charge us for the extra beds (+15% cost). After I proved him that our booking included free extra beds and breakfast, he literally told us to leave the hotel and figure out how to get a refund. He reacted emotionally claiming we had been disrespectful to him. While we were looking for a new hotel on 30/12 lunch time in the area, he decided to provide one extra bed (not two, as our booking made him). Again, claimed that he didn't work with Hotels.com, ONLY expedia, which is not true as I've seen his hotel in multiple platforms. This was a clear attempt to not honor his commitment. After this, everything else was trouble. Thousands of mosquitoes in our room, we ask for help: and he clarifies we are in the jungle. Thanks for the info. 5 cars parked behind ours and we couldn't move the car on time: he asks us to pay the dinner bill before he moves the cars. A real crook. Good luck building up a business, Californian expert.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2019

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service
Not quite there yet. Pros: beautiful modern quiet room JoseLyn is nice, smiling and helpful. Great communication Cons: We were charged once we had book through Expedia. Turned out out that it came up double the price. Says it’s on the beach, know that it is about a 5 minute walk. The hotel is in town. Wiffs of dumpster or garbage near wall in pool area... No big deal. I had to clean the pool twice, filter was off most of the time we were there. We had an awkward experience checking in -like we were unexpected. We concluded that San Juanillo is a developing town. The Buddha is trying to bring it upwards, but is charging you as if it were already there. Don’t get me wrong the room is great, but the whole experience is not worth the steep price. Included breakfast is a joke (1 or 2 toasts and 2 eggs) compared to what is offered everywhere in Costa Rica (fruits, eggs, rice beans, plantain...) You want a handful of beans? $4 extra! We ended up eating at Soda Las Brisas del Mar. Great food, Tico owned and great prices.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2019

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Pros: location, restaurant on site, staff support, A/c, wireless, pool Cons: breakfast is included but is just one every day, rooms need more bed options for families
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The hotel was nice , rooms clean , area very well manicured with a pool . Has an attached restaurant and the food was very good , even vegan selection. 1 block from the beach . Was a pleasent stay
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2018

6/10 Okay

Tania

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

Donna

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

2/10 Terrible

Edgar

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

2/10 Terrible

Alice

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2022

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2018

8/10 Good

Klemen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2018

8/10 Good

Patricia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2018