In an area beset with modest hotels and traditional guesthouses, the four-pearl Preserve at Los Altos stands out. The sheer number of resort-style amenities outnumbers the competition. There's an ocean-view restaurant, free breakfast, a sparkling infinity pool, and a hillside spa. The 28 condo-style units are the largest in Manuel Antonio, and include gourmet kitchens, multiple bedrooms, flat-screen TVs, and panoramic ocean views from all the balconies. But the rocky beach, hilly grounds, and pricey room surcharges for more than two guests may push some to look elsewhere. Tulemar Resort is the area’s only comparable lodging, offering similar amenities plus a full-featured beach for around the same rates.
In an area beset with modest hotels and traditional guesthouses, the four-pearl Preserve at Los Altos stands out. The sheer number of resort-style amenities outnumbers the competition. There's an ocean-view restaurant, free breakfast, a sparkling infinity pool, and a hillside spa. The 28 condo-style units are the largest in Manuel Antonio, and include gourmet kitchens, multiple bedrooms, flat-screen TVs, and panoramic ocean views from all the balconies. But the rocky beach, hilly grounds, and pricey room surcharges for more than two guests may push some to look elsewhere. Tulemar Resort is the area’s only comparable lodging, offering similar amenities plus a full-featured beach for around the same rates.
Byblos Resort & Casino is a mid-range pick drawing both families and couples. Rooms range from seven cute freestanding Bungalows tucked into the jungle grounds to 10 slightly dated Deluxe Rooms that overlook the parking lot and street, with the ocean in the distance. Whiteface monkeys are often seen, and howler monkeys are heard, by the outdoor pool. There's an adjacent family-friendly restaurant that serves a free breakfast and offers poolside service. Closer to the hotel entrance is the now closed casino and a lively sports bar that hosts karaoke nights and broadcasts U.S. sports on flat-screen TVs. Expect a five-minute drive to Manuel Antonio National Park.
Byblos Resort & Casino is a mid-range pick drawing both families and couples. Rooms range from seven cute freestanding Bungalows tucked into the jungle grounds to 10 slightly dated Deluxe Rooms that overlook the parking lot and street, with the ocean in the distance. Whiteface monkeys are often seen, and howler monkeys are heard, by the outdoor pool. There's an adjacent family-friendly restaurant that serves a free breakfast and offers poolside service. Closer to the hotel entrance is the now closed casino and a lively sports bar that hosts karaoke nights and broadcasts U.S. sports on flat-screen TVs. Expect a five-minute drive to Manuel Antonio National Park.
For those who want fast access to both Manuel Antonio National Park and Manuel Antonio public beach, it doesn't get any closer than three-and-a-half pearl Hotel San Bada, built directly next to the park's entrance and a two-minute walk from the sand. The hotel is large enough to provide separate facilities for families and couples. There's a wonderful adult-only rooftop bar and small pool that provides a sunset happy hour and food service, and a family pool with a waterslide and swim-up bar. Rooms, though spacious and clean, are a bit of a letdown style-wise.
For those who want fast access to both Manuel Antonio National Park and Manuel Antonio public beach, it doesn't get any closer than three-and-a-half pearl Hotel San Bada, built directly next to the park's entrance and a two-minute walk from the sand. The hotel is large enough to provide separate facilities for families and couples. There's a wonderful adult-only rooftop bar and small pool that provides a sunset happy hour and food service, and a family pool with a waterslide and swim-up bar. Rooms, though spacious and clean, are a bit of a letdown style-wise.
Hotel Villa Roca is the place in Manuel Antonio for the LGBT set. Rates are competitive at this small, mid-range property, and the location is convenient for walking to restaurants and bars in the area (though it is a 40-minute trek to Manuel Antonio National Park -- most will prefer to take a taxi). Slightly bland rooms have private balconies with ocean views and flat-screen TVs. Freebies include a solid make-to-order breakfast, easy parking, and fast Wi-Fi. Guests are generally gone during the day but reconvene at the infinity-edge, clothing-optional pool for cocktails and sunset views. The party doesn't last long, as the bar closes early.
Hotel Villa Roca is the place in Manuel Antonio for the LGBT set. Rates are competitive at this small, mid-range property, and the location is convenient for walking to restaurants and bars in the area (though it is a 40-minute trek to Manuel Antonio National Park -- most will prefer to take a taxi). Slightly bland rooms have private balconies with ocean views and flat-screen TVs. Freebies include a solid make-to-order breakfast, easy parking, and fast Wi-Fi. Guests are generally gone during the day but reconvene at the infinity-edge, clothing-optional pool for cocktails and sunset views. The party doesn't last long, as the bar closes early.
For beach lovers, Karahe Hotel is one of the best mid-range bets in Manuel Antonio, as its one of the few properties with direct, private access to Playa Espadilla and is a 13-minute walk to Manuel Antonio Beach and National Park. It's best to think of this hotel as two properties, with the cheaper rooms, Bungalows, and lobby built on a steep hillside, and the more expensive rooms, tiered pool, and restaurant located in front of the beach across the street. Jungle grounds are lush and natural, with iguanas, monkeys, and sloths as regular visitors. Remember, you get what you pay for with room decor and location.
For beach lovers, Karahe Hotel is one of the best mid-range bets in Manuel Antonio, as its one of the few properties with direct, private access to Playa Espadilla and is a 13-minute walk to Manuel Antonio Beach and National Park. It's best to think of this hotel as two properties, with the cheaper rooms, Bungalows, and lobby built on a steep hillside, and the more expensive rooms, tiered pool, and restaurant located in front of the beach across the street. Jungle grounds are lush and natural, with iguanas, monkeys, and sloths as regular visitors. Remember, you get what you pay for with room decor and location.
It's hard to believe that four-pearl Shana Hotel is located in Costa Rica and not in the Aegean Sea. With terra cotta roofs, a blue and white color scheme, and beautiful outdoor pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the hotel looks straight out of Santorini. The location is excellent for access to Biesanz Beach, but guests will need to take a car or taxi to Manuel Antonio National Park and the hilly property is difficult for some guests to navigate without a golf cart. Mostly white rooms look romantic, especially those with ocean views from private balconies. Breakfast buffet at Bien Gusto Restaurant is included in the room rate. For those who must have fast beach access, check rates at Karahe Hotel, but expect a room downgrade.
It's hard to believe that four-pearl Shana Hotel is located in Costa Rica and not in the Aegean Sea. With terra cotta roofs, a blue and white color scheme, and beautiful outdoor pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the hotel looks straight out of Santorini. The location is excellent for access to Biesanz Beach, but guests will need to take a car or taxi to Manuel Antonio National Park and the hilly property is difficult for some guests to navigate without a golf cart. Mostly white rooms look romantic, especially those with ocean views from private balconies. Breakfast buffet at Bien Gusto Restaurant is included in the room rate. For those who must have fast beach access, check rates at Karahe Hotel, but expect a room downgrade.
For travelers on a budget who don't want to deal with renting a car in Manuel Antonio, it doesn't get any easier or any cheaper than Manuel Antonio Hotel. The two-pearl hotel has 26 identically decorated rooms located directly across the street from a public beach and next door to the national park. The bus from San Jose stops, literally, in front of the hotel. A meager breakfast buffet and Wi-Fi are included in the room price, as is parking. There's an on-site restaurant and bar with beach views, but no swimming pool. Some rooms include a balcony and views of the beach; all have air-conditioning and flat-screen TVs. If you're looking for nicer digs and beach access, check rates at Karahe Hotel -- but expect to pay more.
For travelers on a budget who don't want to deal with renting a car in Manuel Antonio, it doesn't get any easier or any cheaper than Manuel Antonio Hotel. The two-pearl hotel has 26 identically decorated rooms located directly across the street from a public beach and next door to the national park. The bus from San Jose stops, literally, in front of the hotel. A meager breakfast buffet and Wi-Fi are included in the room price, as is parking. There's an on-site restaurant and bar with beach views, but no swimming pool. Some rooms include a balcony and views of the beach; all have air-conditioning and flat-screen TVs. If you're looking for nicer digs and beach access, check rates at Karahe Hotel -- but expect to pay more.
Issimo Suites Boutique Hotel and Spa is a small, upscale property that's a strong contender for most romantic in Manuel Antonio. All of the rooms are suites and include jetted tubs, ocean views, and minibars. Issimo Restaurant serves a free, luxe breakfast buffet and Italian favorites for lunch and dinner, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The pool is on the small side, but it's open 24 hours and there's an adjacent bar for sunset cocktails. Kids under the age of 16 aren't allowed. Families should check out neighboring Shana Hotel for a larger pool and family-friendly atmosphere.
Issimo Suites Boutique Hotel and Spa is a small, upscale property that's a strong contender for most romantic in Manuel Antonio. All of the rooms are suites and include jetted tubs, ocean views, and minibars. Issimo Restaurant serves a free, luxe breakfast buffet and Italian favorites for lunch and dinner, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The pool is on the small side, but it's open 24 hours and there's an adjacent bar for sunset cocktails. Kids under the age of 16 aren't allowed. Families should check out neighboring Shana Hotel for a larger pool and family-friendly atmosphere.
Falls Resort at Manuel Antonio is a solid upper-middle-range choice for families and couples who want to be within quick walking distance of shops and restaurants, but slightly away from the commotion near Manuel Antonio National Park (still reachable in a five-minute drive). These are some of the largest and most modern rooms and Casitas in the area, complete with minibars, flat-screen cable TVs, and huge bathrooms. Lush garden grounds center around an infinity-edge pool and Falls Garden Cafe. Made-to-order breakfast, minimal parking, and Wi-Fi are included with the price of a room. For those who must have beach access, check rates at Tulemar Bungalows & Villas.
Falls Resort at Manuel Antonio is a solid upper-middle-range choice for families and couples who want to be within quick walking distance of shops and restaurants, but slightly away from the commotion near Manuel Antonio National Park (still reachable in a five-minute drive). These are some of the largest and most modern rooms and Casitas in the area, complete with minibars, flat-screen cable TVs, and huge bathrooms. Lush garden grounds center around an infinity-edge pool and Falls Garden Cafe. Made-to-order breakfast, minimal parking, and Wi-Fi are included with the price of a room. For those who must have beach access, check rates at Tulemar Bungalows & Villas.
Las Cascadas The Falls is a mid-range option for travelers who want to be close to the marina or downtown Quepos. The kinda-quirky hotel can be a bit hard to find; it's situated in a working class Costa Rican neighborhood high on a hill, which makes for excellent views of the surrounding rain forest and distant Pacific Ocean, but steep steps to some of the rooms. Guest rooms range from a Penthouse with marina views and an artificial rock fountain to smaller condos with full kitchens. There's a cute outdoor swimming pool and adjacent restaurant with a la carte breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For those who want to be closer to the action in Quepos, La Sirena Hotel has cheaper rates and is just around the corner from the bus stop that takes passengers to Manuel Antonio.
Las Cascadas The Falls is a mid-range option for travelers who want to be close to the marina or downtown Quepos. The kinda-quirky hotel can be a bit hard to find; it's situated in a working class Costa Rican neighborhood high on a hill, which makes for excellent views of the surrounding rain forest and distant Pacific Ocean, but steep steps to some of the rooms. Guest rooms range from a Penthouse with marina views and an artificial rock fountain to smaller condos with full kitchens. There's a cute outdoor swimming pool and adjacent restaurant with a la carte breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For those who want to be closer to the action in Quepos, La Sirena Hotel has cheaper rates and is just around the corner from the bus stop that takes passengers to Manuel Antonio.