Quintas Papagayo

Quintas Papagayo is a complex of small rustic buildings in a gated area. There’s a '70s-style vibe throughout and from the look of things some of the buildings haven’t been updated since that decade, which doesn’t seem to bother the budget-friendly guests – a mix of families, couples, and friends -- who stay here. There’s a definite rustic theme. The lobby has terra-cotta tiled floors, wood-slated ceilings, and a stone fireplace. Between the small buildings are lovely green lawns with a variety of trees. The paths eventually lead to a small sandy beach with a rocky shoreline. Despite the dated drawbacks of the rooms, it’s a good spot for budget travelers who don’t need or want a lot more than a pool and self-service room space with their quiet stay. 

Travelers are attracted to Quintas Papagayo's beachfront location. It’s about an eight-minute drive from the hotel to the city center, and six minutes by car to the marina. There are restaurants on surrounding streets and a grocery store that’s five minutes away on foot. The hotel is near a few colleges that are about 20-minute walks away. Tijuana is an hour- and 15-minute drive away, while the Tijuana International Airport takes one hour and 20 minutes by car to reach. 

Though the rooms, chalets, and suites at Quintas Papagayo are clean and have traditional Mexican touches, they’re quite dated and show visible wear and tear. The design is primarily rustic with dated wood furniture, terra-cotta tiles, and some painted stone fireplaces. Lovely floral or nature-scene paintings can be found in some rooms. All rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs. Some include kitchenettes with stoves, ovens, microwaves, mini-fridges, and kettles, and others have microwaves and mini-fridges. However, all lack air-conditioning. The units have furnished patios or balconies, and some of the patios have built-in stone grills. The bathrooms are extremely dated with cracked tiles, stained tubs, and visible wear. They have showers or shower/tub combos and free toiletries, but lack hairdryers. 

On-site facilities are few at Quintas Papagayo. The only true leisure feature is the outdoor swimming pool and hot tub under a covered cabana. There are loungers surrounding the pool, but like most furniture here, they’re a bit dated. Easy and direct access to the beach is one of the hotel’s perks, however, large rocks that lead into the water might make it difficult for an ocean swim. The garden and outdoor terrace can be rented for events. Wi-Fi is free throughout, as is parking. There’s a restaurant with a bar attached to the hotel but it’s not owned by the hotel, so if you want breakfast, you'll have to pay for it through them.