Le Caméléon Hotel in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

The simple luxury of Le Caméléon Hotel contrasts with Puerto Viejo’s more traditional rustic lodging. White-washed walls, plush furniture and top-of-the-line amenities form the essence of a night's stay here and offers guests a new way of experience the rasta-loving, surf-chasing rural Caribbean town.

Located part way down the dirt road leading to Manzanilla and across from the Cocles Beach, Le Caméléon has consequently drawn a new clientele to the area since it opened in 2009.

In keeping with its name, this Puerto Viejo hotel changes accent colors daily; swapping out the pillows, picture frames and centerpieces on a rotating color scheme. Some mornings, hotel guests wake up to a deep red, other days a rich blue and other days a rainforest green.

Walls, floors and furniture are painted a bright white to accentuate the day’s color choice.

With only 23 rooms, Le Caméléon provides a decidedly boutique experience, complimented by the hospitality Costa Rica is known for. 

Naturally-landscaped grounds and wooden walkways form the centerpiece of the property, with rooms condensed in three small buildings. A small outdoor pool, ringed by lounge chairs, occupies the space between the buildings.

Outdoor seating and open-aired dining combined with a high-end international cuisine are features that make this restaurant a must-try for the guest and passerby alike.

A chameleon’s tail spans the backdrop of the bar, changing colors every few minutes. Tiki torches light the perimeters of the seating area.

Numu means chameleon in the native language of the area, which is BriBri.  

Guests can choose between deluxe rooms, junior suites, Suite Le Caméléon and superior rooms. All rooms come with an iPod docking station, minibar, 32-inch Plasma TV, air conditioning, wireless internet connection and digital safety deposit box.

Rooms range from $340 to $690 a night. Reservations can be made online or by calling 2291-7750.