As I wrap up my trip and prepare to head back to the USA, I feel compelled to share my experience with the food at Villa Sol in Costa Rica. Unfortunately, my culinary journey here was far from satisfying.
The Bad: Food Quality
The food at Vallejo was disappointing, to say the least. It was incredibly bland, and the menu lacked variety. They seemed to serve the same dishes repeatedly, which might be due to the low number of guests dining at the same time as I was. It was common to see the same items offered for both lunch and dinner.
Hygiene Concerns
What made matters worse were the hygiene issues. There were too many animals around the dining area, which made me uneasy about the safety of the meat served. After observing this, I decided to avoid meat altogether. Additionally, flies were a constant nuisance, particularly around the fruits and bread. This significantly diminished my appetite.
The Good: Dessert Highlight
Not everything was negative. I must give credit where it's due: the cheesecake (though it was more like a cake with a cheesecake name) was quite tasty. I enjoyed a few pieces of it during my stay, and it was one of the few highlights of my dining experience.
Beverage Disappointments
The drinks were another letdown. I often received watered-down Pepsi instead of the requested Diet Coke, which was frustrating. The service overall was subpar, contributing to a rather unpleasant dining atmosphere.
Overall Impression
Given these experiences, I would rate the food at this resort one star out of five. While the scenery at Villa Sol is beautiful and the staff generally friendly, the food quality and hygiene issues are significant drawbacks. If you're considering a stay here, you might want to plan your meals outside the resort or be prepared for a less-than-stellar dining experience.
Recommendations
Excursions: I highly recommend participating in excursions. They are fantastic and a great way to enhance your trip.
Pool and Beach: The pool area, though small, is clean and enjoyable. The beach, accessible by shuttle, has dark sand and can be slippery, so take care.
Dining Alternatives: There are other restaurants on the premises where you can dine at an additional cost. According to other guests, these offer better food quality, but I did not try them myself.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Villa Sol offers a mixed experience. The rooms are decent, and the scenery is stunning, but the food leaves much to be desired. If you decide to stay here, consider renting a car to explore dining options outside the resort, but be cautious of the driving conditions and always opt for insurance.