Hotels in Isla de Montecristo

The island has two thatched-roof hostels with beds and hammocks, and one restaurant that offers fish and pupusas. Cabanas y Rancho Brisas del Mar (tel. 503/2367-2107; no credit cards) offers two rustic but comfortable two-bed-plus hammock cabins with patios right on the river for $15 a night. Brisas del Mar also has the island's only open-air, riverside restaurant. Round-trip boat transportation is available from La Pita for $20 per person, and there are also 1- to 2-hour estuary tours for $5 to $10 per person. Prices can often be negotiated down.

Back on the mainland in La Pita is Hostal Lempa Mar (tel. 503/2310-9901 or 503/7787-5824; no credit cards), which features small but comfortable, three-person, $25-per-night cabins and a riverside restaurant. The hostel will take you to the island for $10 per person each way.