I think Le Cameleon is a fantastic choice for many travelers, not only solo travelers. While I was visiting I saw everyone from families, to friend groups, and older travelers. Somehow they’ve successfully created a space that is suited to all kinds of travel styles without diluting the experience for any one of them, and for that they deserve a lot of credit. Here’s a real talk review of Le Cameleon Boutique Hotel and why I think it’s the best hotel in Puerto Viejo for solo travelers.
The Best Hotel In Puerto Viejo For Solo Travelers – Le Cameleon Review
Disclaimer
There are affiliate links included in this post. This means at no extra cost to you, I earn a commission if you book through the link.
FAQ for Le Cameleon Boutique Hotel in Puerto Viejo
What are the highlights?
Wildlife, location, tours, free classes, and staff.
Who is it good for?
Everyone! Of course solo travelers, but also families, friends, girls trips, and older travelers.
Where is it located?
8 minute drive/ 45 minute walk from Puerto Viejo town.
2 minute walk to the beach.
What facilities are available?
Included: free wi-fi, in room safe, toiletries, classes e.g. cooking or cocktail making.
Extra charge: laundry, bicycle rentals, spa treatments, tours and excursions.
How do you book your stay?
Why it’s the best hotel in Puerto Viejo for solo travelers
Here are a few reasons why I think it’s a great option for solo travelers based on my experience and observations.
They’ve created the best of both worlds in terms of solo time and social time.
When you’re feeling social, you can easily meet and mingle with people in the tours and free classes they have. I took a class for cooking and cocktail making and not only were the classes fun, I met some really cool people.
Then you can share a drink and hang out by the beach at the gorgeous common area of NOA Beach Club. It was an easy place to meet other travelers and socialize.
However, you also have the easy option to simply enjoy your solo time and privacy – it’s not like you have to share a bedroom, bathroom or anything like that. When you want to be alone and wind down, you can do that too.
Another reason it’s great for solo travelers is because it’s easy to make the most of your trip there. With the convenient location you can walk, cycle, or taxi to town, nearby restaurants, or the popular beaches.
They also offer Jungle Man’s adventure tours directly from the hotel which are fantastic but also very convenient to have the pick up and drop off just steps from your room.
It simplified the travel experience and made it very easy to make the most of my time there.
Lastly, it’s a safe and secure place to stay. The property has cameras all around, it’s staffed overnight with security, and there’s a safe in your room for valuables.
A tour of Le Cameleon Boutique Hotel
Let’s start with the rooms.
Everything was comfortable and it had everything you could need – free wi-fi, balcony setting, a mini-bar, great shower, and I have to give special mention to the high quality toiletries provided.
As you walk to your room, you walk along wooden boardwalks through a jungle setting. It is simply a dream! With the setting you get to feel like you’re waking up in the jungle, but with all the comforts of a luxury hotel.
You’ll also be surrounded by lots of wildlife who call that jungle setting home. Sloths, birds, and all sorts of creatures will be your neighbors. My dream was to see a wild sloth and I saw one every day just around the hotel! If you’re a wildlife lover, it’s pretty magical.
I had read in some reviews that people didn’t like the white interior and linen, but I felt it provided a bright and airy vibe that contrasted perfectly with the jungle setting outside.
If you don’t want to swim in the ocean, you have access to a pool and jacuzzi in the jungle setting of the hotel grounds and another pool besides the NOA Beach Club which is more out in the sunshine.
NOA Beach Club
Directly across the road you’ll have access to the NOA Beach Club.
It’s a gorgeous, open air restaurant and bar just steps from the beach.
This is where you can lounge in the comfy chairs, play around with the aerial silks hanging from the trees, look for wildlife, or just chill by the beach. It’s got it all. If you have kids or just want a chill vacation without rushing around the whole time, then having this across the road makes that relaxing vacation vision come to life.
Breakfast is served here in the mornings and, let’s be honest, what feels more like a vacation than eating breakfast while watching the waves? I really loved the breakfast option called ‘Tipico’ because it had a little of everything.
During the day you can stop in for lunch, one of their obnoxiously large and delicious smoothies, have drinks in a beach chair, and of course dinner.
I found myself hanging out here a lot in the evenings to have a quiet drink before winding down for the night and it was a lovely addition to the hotel experience.
Tours and extras
One thing I wish I had known before visiting is that Le Cameleon offers a reasonably priced and efficient laundry service. The thing about visiting Costa Rica is, it’s always hot and you’re always sweating. So I packed a little more clothes than usual to accommodate for that.
I ended up using half of it because I just did my laundry a couple of times through the hotel and wore the same things again.
Best of all, I didn’t have to find a laundromat and wait around for my clothes to be done. I just had to fill out a slip and leave the bag for the housekeeping staff and it was all returned clean later that day. So it was great to still be able to maximize my vacation time.
Another thing I want to highly recommend is Jungle Man’s private tours which you can book through the hotel. They cost a little extra and are worth every cent.
If you’re not sure which to choose, I want to highly suggest the ‘Waterfalls and Indigenous Reservation’ tour. It was a great opportunity to learn about the indigenous culture through weapons, food, craft, and using the natural environment for things like food and medicine. You can also see poison frogs and swim in a waterfall so you get a lot for the time you’re out there.
The staff will be able to guide you on the best tour for your interests, but I certainly recommend taking one. Jungle Man is the coolest guide ever and will bring the destination to life.
And of course, you just have to finish your trip off with a visit to the jungle spa. Whether you get a massage, body treatment, or facial – treat yo’self because you won’t regret it!
How to book your stay
If this convinced you to visit this amazing hotel, check availability and book your own stay here.
It’s on the Genius loyalty program so you can even snag a good discount there.
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