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Walking distance to the beach, paddle distance to the line-up, ideally located nearby downtown Dominical to enjoy its facilities within a private and tranquil property.
275 m SW & 90 m SE of BCR, Dominical 60504 Costa Rica
MAVI Surf Hotel de Dominical
5 reviews
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
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We have stayed at the Mavi at least 10 times. It feels like coming home to stay at the Mavi and see Barb and Max. The hotel is family run with the owners living on site and therefore very clean and well maintained. The hotel is 8 rooms so you feel like you are in your own place and every room has their own entrance so if you are on the second floor no one will ever walk past your room. They are always available for whatever you need with a smile, along with the amazing women that help cook breakfast (so delicious) or clean your room. The same ladies have been working there for the past 7 years I have been visiting. The hotel is a quick walk to the beach, restaurants and stores in town but without feeling like you are in the middle of town when it gets busy. (Bring a small flashlight for nighttime walks to dinner in town) If you look out your room door you see the pool and if you look out your bedroom window you see the neighbors which are only cows and horses. This is truly an oasis of peace and relaxation. If you need any restaurant suggestions or reservations they can help make them and get you a taxi if needed. If you surf you will most likely be in the water with Max during your trip at some point. I love taking my daily nap outside my room in the hammock after surfing or exploring Dominical and the surrounding areas. This is best place to stay in Dominical 🫶🏼🏄🏻♂️🌊🏄🏻♀️🌊
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Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:You can purchase beers from them by the pool. The water is safe to drink so request a refillable...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Massimiliano Peri, Owner at MAVI Surf Hotel de Dominical
Responded 30 Dec 2023
Thank you very very very much Sabina! It is always an honor and a pleasure having you all here! And we very much look forward to welcoming you back in a few days! All and only the very best for the end of this year, and even better for 2024 and beyond! Pura Vida
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I stayed at this incredible boutique hotel for 4 nights and was honestly blown away, they far exceeded my initial expectations of the hotel being that it was a smaller hotel. The family that operates this beautiful hotel are the friendliest people I have met in a very long time. From the moment I checked in I just was made to feel so welcome and like I was family which was an incredible feeling. Walking to my room I noticed how perfectly clean and well kept the grounds are at this hotel, which really give it a very tranquil and peaceful vibe. The room has a big comfy king size bed with equally comfortable pillows to match, Ac and good size fridge also included in the room, loved the private patio outside the room with table and chairs and the Hammock was so relaxing to use. Location is very convenient only 5 min walk to all the stores in town including my favorite Gelato/Frozen yogurt store, Less then 5 min walk to an incredible beach that you can walk for miles. A fresh breakfast is also included each morning at this hotel which was a nice surprise as I didn't even realize that was included when I booked here. To be this close to the beach was just true paradise for me and every time I return to Dominical I will only be staying at Mavi Surf hotel, I highly recommend everyone come to say here if you will be visiting Dominical. Thank you again to the owners for providing the BEST service and making me feel like family, this was an incredible experience that I will always remember.
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Date of stay: March 2022
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Massimiliano Peri, Owner at MAVI Surf Hotel de Dominical
Responded 17 Jan 2023
We want to thank you very much for taking the time to review MAVI on TripAdvisor, for the excellent rating, and for the very kind words. And we want to apologize for the Jurassic delay in our reply. With no obligation at all on your side, whenever you have the opportunity to jump back into the South Pacific of Costa Rica, you already know you have a place that can call home! Take good care and Pura Vida
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We spent three nights at this lovely little hotel and cannot praise it enough. Family run and I mean family run. They check you in, they help you with your bags if needed, they give you advice on where to go / eat, they serve breakfast etc etc. They could not do enough for you. The rooms are a really good size and centred around a lovely pool which was perfect after sweaty sight-seeing and wildlife watching. I cannot recommend this place highly enough and if I go back to Dominical I wouldn’t hesitate to stay here again.
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Massimiliano Peri, Owner at MAVI Surf Hotel de Dominical
Responded 9 Feb 2023
Good afternoon (Daniel, I would dare to say), and thank you very much for taking the time to review MAVI on TripAdvisor, for the excellent rating and for the very kind words. It was our honor and pleasure having you here (... and I mean it!), including checking you in, helping with bags, giving advice serving breakfast ... these are things that we normally try to do, but it goes without saying that there are guests so kind and educated that make these things even lighter and more "pleasing" to do (for sure you are among these!). Hence, if you ever have the opportunity to jump back into the South pacific of Costa Rica, ... you know you have a place where you are super welcome! Thanks again for the review and all the best from all of us Max (... and the family!)
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Staying at The Mavi Surf hotel was like staying with your favorite aunt and uncle. My sister and I felt spoiled by Max and Barbara. A delicious fresh breakfast started our day off and after reviewing plans with our hosts we felt ready to explore and enjoy. Feeling safe in a new country was important to us and we were not disappointed. Max outlined the restaurant scene, giving us tips and suggesting favorites. My sister fell ill at one point and Barbara took time to make a special tea tray to help her recover quickly. Due to her illness we needed to adjust scheduled excursions and our gracious hosts were there to help with our language barriers and telephone challenges. Returning to the hotel at the end of the day, taking a dip in the pool, and relaxing on our balcony and in our comfortable room were additional benefits to our stay. We felt so comfortable with our surroundings it was hard to leave!
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Date of stay: February 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This hotel is one of the coolest places I have ever stayed in my world travels, and I would rate it higher than 5 if I could. The rooms and grounds are stupendous. The informal breakfast each morning was cooked by Barbara and one older grandma like employee in a family style kitchen with outdoor tables where all of us from different parts of the world easily visited. It was a bit of a walk to the beach and town, but it was on a semi private road along a cow pasture where one doesn't have to dodge cars. The owners, Barbara and Max, are from Italy and incredibly friendly and interactive with those of us staying there. One couple needed transportation to Manual Antonio, and Barbara did everything to arrange it. There is also a cool tri-color kitty named Penny with great attitude if you are missing your own pets. The pool is beautiful. There is a little patio outside each 1st floor room where I sat each evening to unwind. I just cannot say enough about how cool this place is.
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Date of stay: February 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Playa Dominical is a great beach, but the main reason I would go back again is to stay at the Mavi.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Massimiliano Peri, Owner at MAVI Surf Hotel de Dominical
Responded 28 Mar 2023
Sharooon!!! It is great reading back from you (and sorry a lot for the late reply). It was our honor and pleasure having your small group here, as it is an honor and pleasure reading these lines as well as knowing that you enjoyed the area, the town, the Hotel, the stay, ... and the security cat! With no obligation at all on your side, if and whenever you have the opportunity to jump back into the South Pacific of Costa Rica, you know you have a place where you are super welcome! Best guests to have! At least a 10++!!! All and only the very best from all of us to all of you! Pura VIda
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This place is an absolute delight. I picked it based on the previous reviews, and we were not disappointed. While it is technically a hotel/motel, I guess, you really feel like you're staying with family.
The rooms and grounds are impeccably maintained, and the rooms are very comfortable. There's a setup for coffee making plus a fridge and dishes--we ended up making one cold meal a day from the local markets, where we also purchased the coffee. But a delicious breakfast is available at 7 AM. For those who wish to partake, beer and soda are available on the premises during the day.
The pool area is very pretty and incredibly relaxing, and everyone has their own lanai or balcony if they prefer. I did not expect to like Dominical as much as I did, but it is a wonderful surfer's/new ager's paradise. There is nothing wrong with zip lining, adventure tours, etc., and we've done all that on other trips, but you won't be seeing all the signs for that in this small town.
Kudos to our fabulous hosts, Max and Barbara, who make sure everyone is well taken care of. We're in CR to explore a move, and they cheerfully put up with our incessant questioning regarding just about everything. They couldn't have been better.
This is an outstanding value for those who want to experience the laid-back side of Costa Rica!
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Date of stay: March 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Massimiliano Peri, Owner at MAVI Surf Hotel de Dominical
Responded 28 Mar 2023
Good afternoon Stanley! Thank you very much for taking the time to review MAVI on TripAdvisor, for the excellent rating and for the very kind (and originally precise, in our view) words. It was our honor and pleasure having you here and chatting with you about the intricacies of moving into an alien Country. In case of doubts, feel free to reach out and, in case you happen to jump back into the beautiful Costa Ballena, you already know you have a place where ... you are staying with a family! All and only the very best form all of us! Pura Vida
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We stayed at the Mavi Surf Hotel for 10 nights and could not have been more happy with our stay. The hotel itself is SPOTLESS and well designed, with each room having plenty of space both inside and outside on the private balcony overlooking the pool. The grounds are lovely, the included breakfast fantastic (especially the home made pancakes!). The hotel is owned and run by the kindest, most helpful Italian family. Barbara and Max and two daughters became like family. Can't wait to visit them again! Conveniently located a block from the beach and far enough from town to not hear the bar noise, but close enough to walk where you need to go. Go stay there!
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Date of stay: April 2021
Rooms
Location
Service
Room Tip:All rooms are exactly the same and all great!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Massimiliano Peri, Owner at MAVI Surf Hotel de Dominical
Responded 22 Apr 2021
Good afternoon Great Couple! And thank you very much for taking the time to review MAVI on TripAdvisor, for the excellent rating, and for the very kind words! (And thanks Costa Rica Dive and Surf for the suggestion!) It was our honor and pleasure having you here and (with no obligation at all on your side) we hope we will have the occasion to welcome you back at your best convenience! All and only the very best from all of us to all of you! Take care! (P.S.: Scott, today I went to the Point; it was hhhuuuge and I caught one wave that ... she seemed TWO!)
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This would be the only place I would stay in Dominical if looking for low key, clean, exceptional owners/operators that is comfortable. It all starts with care and attention to detail Max provided on just getting to town from San Jose for us tourist types who find the lack of addresses and street signs interesting in Costa Rica. They helped make our 8 nights in Dominical a very a special family experience. The morning breakfasts and care the team (mostly Barbra) make to get your day started off right really helped our visit to Costa Rica. Thie rooms are simple, clean, and comfortable. The pool is really a gem for beings so small but very clean, perfect temp any time for a dip and nice and deep to hang out in. If you want party town then keep on looking this is a place for enjoying a chill and respectful time. What can we say to the family and staff but - Grazie
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Date of stay: December 2022
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:There are only 8 and they are the same- all Excellent
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Massimiliano Peri, Owner at MAVI Surf Hotel de Dominical
Responded 17 Jan 2023
Prego! We would say! It was really our honor and pleasure having you here. Thank you very much for the Review, the excellent rating, and the very kind words. We are super glad to read that you enjoyed the place and the stay. With no obligation at all on your side, we sincerely hope that we will have the occasion to welcome you back here whenever you have the possibility to jump back into the South Pacific of Costa Rica: it will be another honor and pleasure! All the very best and Pura Vida
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what a positive surprise! our expectations were not particularly high, especially after we had read that children under 12 were not allowed and our tour operator had booked us there with our 9-year-old son anyway. it was our 9th accommodation on the trip and we were never given such a warm welcome as at Mavi Surf. The owners are incredibly friendly, informative and helpful. we felt very welcome and at home. we were in the luxurious position of being the only guests. the room was large, very well equipped and very clean. the pool is lovely, there were even extra towels for the pool. various restaurants are within easy walking distance and Barbara is happy to give recommendations on what is worth it and what is not. one day we had to leave very early and had expected not to get breakfast. instead there was a really rich, super tasty breakfast to take away for us, lovingly prepared and brought the evening before. the breakfast on site was also great, very rich and tasty. nothing was left to be desired. you can tell that everything is done with passion. If you are looking for a small, individual accommodation with great hosts and a fantastic breakfast, this is the place for you! For us, another highlight at the end of our trip
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Very welcoming owners that go out of their way to make you feel welcome and safe. Barbara has amazing energy and the staff was very helpful in every way. Everything is kept super clean. They serve fresh breakfast daily and will help you make arrangements for tours and such. We are so thankful to have found this place away from the main drag of tourists but a short walk to everything you need.
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Date of stay: March 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Massimiliano Peri, Owner at MAVI Surf Hotel de Dominical
Responded 17 Jan 2023
Good afternoon Howard! Thank you very much for taking the time to review our place on TripAdvisor, for the excellent rating, and for the very kind words! It was our honor and pleasure having you here, and we are glad to read that you enjoyed the experience, the stay, and the place. We all want to thank you very much for being such wonderful guests and (with no obligation at all on your side), we hope we will have the occasion to welcome you back one day or another! All and only the very best from all of us to yourself, your family and all of your loved ones! Pura VIda
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Hi Mike,
Thanks for reaching out to us, and sorry for the Jurassic delay in replying (... a shame!).
We have no surf instructor in our team, but if you are interested in any surf classes, we can arrange for you with one of our Partner Surf Schools.
In case, please feel free to get back to us, and we will execute accordingly (... only a little bit faster, we hope!).
Thanks again for your contact, and
All the best
Massimiliano
Good morning Kimberly!
And thanks for reaching out to us.
We are extremely sorry but, for the way the Hotel is, we can not accept dogs (nor other pets).
We hope you can understand our position, and we remain at your total availability for any information or support you may need.
Have a great day and
All the best
Massimiliano
Good morning Henry!
And thanks for reaching out to us.
MAVI is 3-4 (depending on traffic and ... speed) hours drive from SJO and a 45-60 minutes drive from Manuel Antonio.
We thank you.
Have a great day!
There are more places to choose from in the Dominical area.
PRICE RANGE
$253 - $292 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
Costa RicaProvince of PuntarenasDominical
NUMBER OF ROOMS
8
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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