We stayed at Sirena Del Mar for a month. The community is wonderful. It is gated and completely secure, and all staff are very friendly and helpful. There is a grocery store on site, which has all your basic needs. The Rancho Beach Bar recently reopened after renovations, and it is terrific.
The beach is stunning beyond words. In a word, it is perfect. Miles and miles of sand, both along the beach and out into the water. Perfect for both adults and the littlest kids. There are lounge chairs around for renters’ use, and lots of shaded areas under the palms. The 9-hole golf course is beautiful.
The villa is comfortable and has all the basic needs. You will need to bring everything you need for cooking with you (oils, spices, cling wrap/aluminum foil, etc.) as nothing is provided, but this is not unusual. Just be aware that you need to do this, especially if you arrive without a car. All bedrooms and main open-concept living area are individually air conditioned. The outdoor laundry facility is a nice bonus.
You will likely spend the majority of your time at the villa outside. The patio and pool are absolutely lovely. There is a nice 6-seat dining table, 2 comfy chairs with side table under the rancho, and 2 lounge chairs with an umbrella. The villa write-up mentions backpack-style beach chairs, but those were not in the villa when we were there. Insects are not really an issue here so you can always be outside, which is fantastic.
It is an 800-meter, approximately 10-minute walk, to the beach, about the same to the onsite store, and a few minutes more to the Rancho - all within the community, of course.
You could stay here without a car, which we had thought we would do, but we ended up renting a car for most of our stay. There is so much to see and do in the surrounding area, and we do like to explore, so it is our personal recommendation to have a car. There are lots of lovely restaurants in nearby Tambor (Tambor Tropical, Tango Mar, Henry’s Pizza, to name a few), Cóbano (Soda Familiar), Montezuma (Restaurante Montezuma Latino Beach Food, Butterfly Brewery), Santa Teresa (Restaurante Playa Carmen, Banana Beach), Mal Pais (La Cevicheria), and so on.
Go horseback riding with Juan or get a massage on the beach with Carmen, both at the Barceló.
Take a day trip (2-2.5 hour drive) to the artisan town of Guaitil, where the gorgeous Chorotega pottery is made.