Hotel Plaza Yara

From the street, Hotel Plaza Yara has a two-story light blue and gray exterior accented with a square turret and planted palm trees. The parking lot and a ramp are slightly sloped, so guests walk up to the front door under a sign that reads, "Gallery & Hotel Reception." On arrival, it can seem like you're in the wrong place: the lobby is partially an art studio and gift shop, filled to the brim with jewelry, paintings, mask, and bags for sale. The reception desk is at the far end of the space, just past the sleeping beagle. Guests have to walk through the art gallery to access the small swimming pool, which is mostly surrounded by uninterrupted lush rain forest. There are a few sun loungers and one of the Suites has a private terrace that takes up part of the deck space. Z Seafood & Grill shares the same building as the hotel, but is unaffiliated and not open until two in the afternoon. The majority of guests here are international couples who spend their days exploring the area. 

Hotel Plaza Yara, like the majority of hotels in this part of the world, is built right off of busy Route 618 which dead ends at Manuel Antonio National Park. Many people do walk on the road, but vast stretches of it don't have sidewalks or shoulders, and taxis, busses, and cars tend to speed around the winding curves. It would take a solid hour to walk to Manuel Antonio National Park, though it's just a 10- to 15-minute drive or bus ride. Quepos is a four-minute drive, or a 25-minute walk. Bus service to both destinations is reliable and cheap, and there's a bus stop a few hundred yards from the hotel. Across the street is a wall of green; nearby neighbors include Coyaba Tropical Guesthouse. It's a 10-minute drive to Quepos Managua Airport, and less than three hours to Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose. Parking is free on-site. 

There are 14 Suites at Hotel Plaza Yara and each of them is spacious, spotlessly clean, and outfitted with the little things that make a big difference in terms of comfort. Mattresses are high quality and the shower pressure is super strong. Bags of microwavable popcorn are provided, as is local Costa Rican coffee. Each Suite comes standard with air-conditioning, fast and free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, sitting area, rainhead shower, microwave, mini-fridge, and sink. Decor includes furniture with clean lines and hues of light gray and soft white. Tile floors are warmed up with small area rugs under glass coffee tables. Modern bathrooms have gray or neutral tiles, and large showers. Wall-mounted shampoo and soap dispensers are provided, as is a bar of nubby soap and soft towels. All rooms include a furnished balcony or terrace that overlooks the thick rain forest -- monkeys and birds are regularly spotted. Suites are built to face a hallway, so some rooms only get natural light from the back windows that overlook the jungle. Past guests have complained about noise from neighboring door slams. Rooms have one or two queen beds, and often an additional single bed.

This is a smaller boutique hotel, so there aren't loads of features. An excellent breakfast is included in the room rate. Guests help themselves to fresh orange juice, tea, and strong coffee, then chose from a selection of eggs and bacon (bacon is a rarity in Manuel Antonio), rice and beans, or yogurt and fruit that's made-to-order. The breakfast room, called Havana Cafe, is simple but pleasant with white-cushioned wooden chairs and tables. Abstract art lines the soft yellow walls. Nearby is a furnished courtyard area set with comfy couches and chairs that overlooks the jungle. Potted plants add to the natural setting. The outdoor, rectangular swimming pool is small on space but big on ambience. An unheated whirlpool is built slightly into the rain forest. Wi-Fi is free and reliable throughout the hotel. The lobby shares space with a local art gallery that sells tropically inspired paintings, beaded and metal jewelry, painted masks, woven purses, and more. Cold drinks are for sale in a cooler near the reception desk.