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Reviews of Pato Loco Inn |
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Review
From Lonely Planet |
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Pato Loco Inn |
| If you're going
to spend the night in Playa del Coco, do it here. This small inn is run by
an American artist who spends her free time painting murals on the few
remaining white walls. Each room has a design motif and range of amenities
depending on your budget. The backyard surrounds an inviting pool, and the
hanging lights on the trees are absolutely adorable. The small restaurant
(dishes US$4 to US$8) specializes in fresh pastas. |
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| Reproduced
with permission from Costa Rica, 7th
edition © |
Lonely
Planet |
| October
2006 Lonely Planet Publications |
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Review
From The Tico Times |
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Pato Loco Inn
Offers a Quirky Getaway on the Northern Pacific Coast |
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Maybe it's a lazy Guanacaste afternoon and
you fancy resting your bones after a stimulating day of world-class scuba
diving. |
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You peel off your clothes, slip into your
suit and plunge into the hidden backyard pool at Pato Loco Inn. |
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As the sun begins to set, howler monkeys
start to stir in nearby trees, giving your tiny, secret sun-drenched world
a savage tropical touch. An iguana wiggles out into the sun to soak up
it’s dying heat. |
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If you’re headed to Playas del Coco, on
the Pacific coast of the northwestern province of
Guanacaste, for unrivaled scuba diving, succulent seafood, or a surf trip to the
revered Witch’s Rock, you might want to book a night at Pato Loco. |
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Just a five-minute waddle from the beach,
this popular spot with the locals is now owned by a couple of U.S. expats
who are spicing up the place with their own flavor. |
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Mary Ramona Cox, 45, is an artist who has
covered the walls of the place with her nature-inspired paintings. Her
74-year-old mother, Mary Kirigin, is a retired radio personality with a
charismatically raspy voice, who doesn’t seem 74 at all. She’s a ball of
energy and hospitality. The Utah suburbanite first came to Costa Rica
about 5 years ago, when she had a “total epiphany”. |
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“I was on vacation here about 12 hours
before I knew I wanted to live with such people of peace,” Kirigin said,
squinting through her glasses. |
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The two scoured the land for a place to
set up a business before stumbling upon this hotel, once owned by a Roman
couple whose knack for great cuisine is still carried on in the hotel’s
restaurant. |
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The mom-amd-daughter hospitality is warm
here, and so is the lasagna, among other mouthwatering dishes. From Greek
moussaka to Hungarian paprika to North American meatloaf, every night
offers up a different international special at Pato Loco’s restaurant, for
just $8 including soup or salad. The place is a favorite among area Tico’s
and expats, who come here for the fine dining, afternoon Scrabble and good
company. |
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The 13-year-old inn even has a little
history. |
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The hotel’s name was handed down from the
former owner, who was dubbed pato loco, Spanish for “crazy duck,”
by baseball buddies who were poking fun of the way he used to waddle up to
the plate to take his turn at bat. |
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The duck theme is a quaint touch to the
quirky place, complete with duck lamps and even a billiards lounge dubbed
the “Duck’s Butt,” the hotels latest addition, installed by the new
owners. |
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Pool contests are one of many events the
place puts on. From German night with a Deutsch chef to wedding
celebrations, live music and Sunday Bible studies, the place serves as an
unofficial community center. |
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So, come dip in the quiet pool surrounded
by garden, or have a beer in the Duck’s Butt and be reminded by a Ben
Franklin quote posted up in the backyard that “beer is proof God loves
us.” |
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Either way, as nearby mega-resorts and
other developments promise to change the face of Playas del Coco fast,
Pato Loco is a place to tap into a peculiar mix of local flavor and
imported eccentricity. Get it while it lasts. |
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Rates, Getting There,
Info |
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Pato Loco offers four rooms, three with a
queen and a twin and one with just a queen. High-season rates for a double
are $58 without air conditioning and $69 with air conditioning, tax
included. Amenities include private bathrooms with hot water, cable TV,
wireless internet access, and continental breakfast (included in rate with
minimum four-night stay). Tours in the area can be arranged. |
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Two, one-bedroom apartments with living
room, bar, kitchen and patio area are also available; rates range from
$650-840 a month, depending upon length of stay. |
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Buses leave San Jose directly to Playas
del Coco three times a day (8 a.m., 2 and 4 p.m., about $5) from the Pulmiton bus station at Ca. 24, Av. 5/7, near the
Coca-Cola station. Or you can take a bus to
Liberia from the same station (hourly
departures), and then take a bus from
Liberia to Playas del Coco. The hotel is on the left as you enter Playas del
Coco on the main road, about half a kilometer from the beach. |
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For information, call 2670-0145, e-mail
patoloco@racsa.co.cr or
visit
www.costa-rica-beach-hotel-patoloco.com |
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reprinted with the permission
of The Tico Times |
The Tico Times |
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published Friday, August 10,
2007 |
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