Where to stay

The island is small enough that no base is a bad one, but where you sleep changes the feel of your trip.

El Centro (the town, north end)

Where most people should stay. You are walking distance to Playa Norte, the ferry, and the bulk of the restaurants and bars. It suits first-timers, anyone without a cart, and people who want dinner and a drink a few steps from bed. It is also the liveliest and, at the north tip near the beach, the priciest. Budget travelers can find guesthouses and hostels a few blocks inland from the water for a lot less.

Playa Norte beachfront

The handful of hotels right on the north beach put you on that calm water at sunrise before the day crowd arrives, which is the single best reason to pay up. Good for couples and anyone whose whole plan is the beach. You pay a premium and it can feel resort-bubble.

The south and the middle of the island

Quieter stays and private rentals sit along the road toward Punta Sur. These suit people who want calm, a cart, and space, plus repeat visitors who already know the town. The trade-off is real: you will drive or taxi for dinner and nightlife, and the swimming near you is rockier than up north.

A friend’s advice

If it is your first visit and you have two nights, book in El Centro within a few blocks of Playa Norte and skip the car-dependent south. You can drive down there for the day and come home to walkable dinners.