Pages: 238-239. Published on October 2004, 6th edition.

Villa Alegre B&B 653 0270; www.villaalegrecostarica.com; r US $140- $158, villa US$216 (from lonely planet. Costa Rica)

This quaint beachside B&B has five rooms of various sizes, each lovingly decorated with different themes. All have private bathrooms, hot water, air-con and fans. Two larger and more expensive villas have a kitchen and living room as well. There’s an honor bar, a comfortable guest living room and plenty of games for children. Bounteous breakfasts (included in the rates) are served on the deck and the friendly owners can make tour arrangements. Two units are wheelchair-accessible; credit cards are accepted.

The New Key to Costa Rica

Page: 340. Published on 2006, 18th edition.

Villa Alegre B&B. Behind its high white walls, the friendly, helpful owners have created a spacious yet welcoming retreat with a lovely pool and rooms furnished with fabric and art from their worldwide adventures, Their gourmet breakfast, served on the terrace, are memorable, as is the stretch of Playa Langosta that fronts the villa. Group rates are available for small workshops or seminars. Some rooms are wheelchair accessible. Recommended.

Sleeping with the Toucans 100 great places to stay in Costa Rica

Pages: 156-157. Published 2007, first printing.

Villa Alegre

Playa Langosta    Oceanfront, Kid-friendly

Essentials:

• 4 rooms, 1 Casita, Two 2BR Villas
• English, Spanish
• All major credit cards accepted
• Secure parking
• Swimming pool
• Breakfast included, Restaurants nearby
• Room Amenities: AC, Free WiFi, Villas have full kitchens with coffee makers and private outdoor space.

Barry, our genial host, greeted us upon our arrival at Villa Alegre and welcomed us as though to his own home - which it is. The big living room is comfortable and informal with picture windows, a wall of books, and a fridge full of beer and soft drinks. Step outside onto the deep verandah and you are greeted by sparkling pool, an open, conical-roofed palapa with an outdoor kitchen, and the green of the coastal Guanacaste jungle. This house is designed to be shared and Barry and Suzye Lawson welcome you like family.

A short walk downhill past the pool brings you to a different world empty, west-fancing Playa Langosta with ist soft, water-soaked sand and hard black rock. High tide here comes right up to the gnarled, wind-twisted trees. You can walk from Villa Alegre to central Tamarindo if the tide is out. Aside from weekend crowds at the Barcelo Resort at its southern end, the beach here is quiet except for the surf.

Villa Alegre offers four main-house rooms, a casita (the only room with a full ocean view), and two villas each named for a country and decorated with folk art and souvenirs of Barry and Suzye’s travels. The main house rooms face away from the public spaces providing privacy and quiet. Our favorite room is Mexico with its huge outdoor bathroom. If you want a private patio opt for El Caribe. Japan and Russia, the villas are beautifully decorated with full kitchens, big master bedrooms, private patios, and either jungle (Japan) or jungle and ocean (Russia) views. The USA room in the main house and the Russia villa are handicapped accessible.

Villa Alegre is equipped for families, and even small children are welcome. There’s a shuffleboard court, a horseshoe pit, and a list of tours and activities the Lawsons can organize for you.

Barry cooks an impressive breakfast and promises a different breakfast every day. Everyone eats at 8:30, so if you want something light before your early-morning walk, purchase it in town the night before. The villas have their own coffee makers, but the rooms do not. Barry graciously prepared the coffee maker for us the night before so we could fuel ourselves four our 5:30 a.m beach walk. Tamarindo is full of restaurants for lunch and dinner; there are within an easy walk of Villa Alegre. We particulary like the restaurant at Cala Luna for lunch.