US$50–100

West of the main street, about 200 meters from the pedestrian thoroughfare, Atelie del Mar (tel. 5752-5528, www.hotelateliedelmar.com [1], $50–56 d) has somewhat smallish rooms centered around a sizeable swimming pool. The hotel is set away from the beach and there’s a restaurant with spotty service. (Avoid the room directly above the kitchen, as smells tend to filter in.) It’s worth springing the extra $6 for a room with a/c.

Eight kilometers east in the community of Hawaii, Hawaian Paradise (tel. 5361-3011, www.hawaianparadise.com [2], $93 d) is another welcome addition to the area’s hotel infrastructure. Comfortable air-conditioned rooms are housed in a cheerful yellow structure topped with a palapa-roof terrace. The hotel fronts a swimming pool and the ocean and has a restaurant/bar; there are also hammock lounges and a pool table. It’s the place to go if you’re not into Monterrico [3]’s somewhat raucous atmosphere and just want to get away from it all.

Over $100

Monterrico’s most stylish beachside digs are at the Italian-owned Dos Mundos Pacific Resort (tel. 7823-0820, www.dosmundospacific.com [4], $120 d), located about one kilometer east of Monterrico, along the beach. This fabulous property features 14 luxurious beachfront villas with terra-cotta floors, hot-water shower, and air-conditioning housed in ecochic thatched-roof structures with private patio. The bathrooms feature artsy ceramic sinks and oversize “rain” showerheads. The fine restaurant serves excellent Italian cuisine overlooking an infinity-edge swimming pool and the sea.

Another option in this pricier domain is located east of Monterrico in the village of Hawaii. Casa Bella (www.casabellamonterrico.com [5], $150 per bungalow) offers spacious one or two-story bungalows (2 or 4 bedrooms) with cable TV, full kitchen, and sitting area featuring tropical rattan furniture. Each bungalow has a covered private patio with sea views. There is a pool and restaurant.