Property
El Encanto B&B, only one block from the swimmable black sand Playa Negra, is beautifully landscaped and has a very peaceful atmosphere. The Japanese style meditation pavilion is lovely and the rooms (with a double bed and a single bed) are nice but a bit small for families with more than one child. The real jewel here is the small 3 bedroom house that is perfect for families who want some space and privacy while still having the option to stroll over to the common area for a huge healthy included breakfast. No AC but they do have ceiling fans and a small pool for cooling off. There’s a common living room area with comfy chairs to read or watch TV.

Location
Playa Negra is a black sand beach on the Caribbean coast that has just a few small lodges and 3 restaurants. It’s a 10-minute walk into the town of Cahuita which has escaped overdevelopment and is full of eclectic locally owned shops and restaurants. Service is notoriously slow but the food is good with a strong Afro-Caribbean influence. 3-4 hours from the San Jose airport.

Sleeps
2-3 in the rooms. They also have a 3 bedroom house that sleeps 6-9 and is recommended for families.

Highlights
The property itself is lovely and quiet. Easy walk to Playa Negra for a swim. Walk or drive into Cahuita for banana bread and beans and rice cooked in coconut milk. Visit Cahuita National Park at the far edge of town, a gorgeous white sand beach with one of the best coral reefs in Costa Rica and a stretch of rainforest along the beach full of white faced capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, and birds.

Good to know
Cahuita and most of the Caribbean coast is still a cash economy- credit cards are rarely accepted except for lodging reservations. There can be riptides at Cahuita’s beach- ask at the ranger station where the safe areas are to swim or just play in the sand. It’s worthwhile hiring a local guide to take you for a walk through the rainforest in the National Park to point out wildlife. It’s a flat easy walk for kids and the monkeys are often easy to spot in the palm trees near the beach.

Contact
www.elencantobedandbreakfast.com/

October 7th, 2008 | by Jenny Jensen