One of the things I’ve always loved about traveling through Costa Rica is finding the places people pass by without ever really stopping. La Cruz, up in northern Guanacaste near the Nicaragua border, is one of those places. For many travelers it’s just a name on the road map, a place they’re heading through on the way to Liberia, Tamarindo, Nicaragua, or somewhere more familiar. But when you slow down there, the country starts to feel different. Quieter. More open. A little more itself.
During my time in the area, Hotel Punta Descartes gave me a comfortable place to settle in while I took in that part of the country. It’s an older property, but it felt welcoming and well-kept, with modest, cozy rooms and views that really stayed with me. I enjoyed sitting there and looking out over the surrounding landscape, watching the light settle across northern Guanacaste and finding those little moments that make for a good photograph, and a good pause.
What I appreciated most was the convenience. If you’re driving between Costa Rica and Nicaragua, or flying into Liberia and needing to get close to the border crossing, the hotel is in a very practical spot. The town center of La Cruz is within walking distance, so you can step out for local shops, restaurants, and services. Having the restaurant and bar on-site was also a comfort after a long day on the road, and the food was very good. There’s something grounding about being able to sit still for a while and not have to rush back out again.
It’s worth remembering, though, that while the hotel is close to the Nicaragua border, it is not especially close to Liberia International Airport. The drive is roughly an hour, depending on traffic and conditions, and transportation takes a little planning. Taxis are available, the hotel can often help arrange a ride, and buses can be caught from the town center. Uber isn’t something I would count on there, and airport transportation can add to the budget, with service to Liberia Airport sometimes running around $100.
Over the years, travel has taught me that the places that stay with us are not always the most famous ones. Sometimes it’s the quieter corners, the slower pace, the good meal after a long drive, and the chance to notice the land and the people around you without any hurry. La Cruz gave me a little of that, and Hotel Punta Descartes served as a fine home base for it. Sometimes that’s enough. Sometimes that’s exactly the point.
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