Bungalows Malú
Bungalows by Playa Negra in Cahuita with a pool, an open-air bath and a restaurant
About this stay
Staying at Bungalows Malú means waking up to the sound of the waves and having the beach right at your doorstep. The property is designed for relaxation, with a refreshing outdoor swimming pool and a unique open-air bath for a tranquil experience. Guests can enjoy the lush garden and terrace views from their rooms, many of which come with private balconies or terraces. The on-site restaurant and bar provide convenient dining and unwinding options, making it easy to settle into the laid-back Caribbean pace. It's a place where the natural beauty of Cahuita is always within reach, perfect for those seeking a peaceful escape.
- A few steps from Playa Negra, on the north side of Cahuita
- Outdoor pool and open-air bath
- Air-conditioned bungalows with fridge and TV, some with a kitchen
- Restaurant, bar and garden; free parking
- Rip currents in front: swim in the pool or at Playa Blanca
- 8.7 guest score from 137 reviews
Our take
Bungalows Malú is a few steps from Playa Negra, the black-sand beach on the north side of Cahuita, and its bungalows combine air conditioning, a fridge and a TV with, in some cases, a terrace, a balcony or a kitchen. The pool matters more than usual here: guest reviews warn that rip currents make the sea in front unsafe for swimming. I would book it for couples and families with a car or bikes who want quiet nights by the water and plan to swim in the pool or at Playa Blanca inside Cahuita National Park. Skip it if you want to walk out of the gate into a calm sea. Guests rate it 8.7 across 137 reviews.
- ✓Enter Cahuita National Park through Kelly Creek, at the south end of the village: it is pedestrian-only and runs on donations, the only national park in Costa Rica that works this way.
- ✓Walk the coastal trail one way from Kelly Creek to Puerto Vargas, the second entrance, which has car access and a paid ticket, and arrange a pick-up there.
- ✓Swim at Playa Blanca, the first and busiest beach inside the park from Kelly Creek, rather than off Playa Negra, where reviews warn of rip currents.
- ✓Ask which bungalow you are getting when you book, since only some have a kitchen, a terrace or a balcony.
Why we love it
- Direct beachfront access to Negra Beach
- Relaxing outdoor swimming pool
- Unique open-air bath experience
- Comfortable bungalows with private spaces
Why guests love itBungalows Malú gives families space and practical comforts on the quiet north side of Cahuita: air-conditioned bungalows with a fridge, some with a kitchen and a terrace, a pool, a garden, and a restaurant and bar on site, plus free parking. The open-air bath is a pleasant extra for parents after a day on the trails. The point to weigh with children is the sea: Playa Negra is a few steps away, but reviews warn that rip currents make it a beach for walking and sandcastles rather than swimming, so the pool or Playa Blanca in the national park become the places to swim. The park's Kelly Creek entrance, open to walkers on donations, makes an easy family morning on the coastal trail. Guests rate it 8.7 from 137 reviews.