Tucked away on a residential street 1 block from Vía España, this eight-room guesthouse is a delightful find for budget travelers seeking a homey atmosphere and personalized attention. The Casa de Carmen is in a converted home and therefore rooms vary in size (and price); one room has bunk beds for backpack travelers, and another is an apartment with kitchen facilities for longer-term renters. Other rooms are doubles with private or shared bathrooms.
A perk here is the tranquil, plant-filled backyard patio, with lounge chairs, hammocks, and a small dining area for the free continental breakfast. Casa de Carmen is infused with color and art, and even the rooms are themed “Lilac,” “Brown,” “Green,” and so on, but they are no-frills rooms — adequately comfortable but not deluxe. The guesthouse is located in the neighborhood El Carmen, which is an easy walk or quick taxi ride to restaurants in El Cangrejo.