Villa Mango Moon

From the entrance, the hotel is a blend of a private tropical villa and a traditional Costa Rican inn. The updated Spanish Mission-style architecture is reminiscent of many local upscale homes, but the multi-level, motel-style hallways are a clear indication of its real nature. The location just off bustling Route 618 belies the surprisingly quiet, lush, ocean-view oasis on the backside of the property. Here, the outdoor pool sits under a thick green canopy where sloths, howler monkeys, iguanas, and parrots roam freely. Above the terrace, an open-air lounge serves as the social hub which is frequently buzzing with locals and guests -- it's livelier  than one would expect of such a small property. By afternoon, guests line the bar and the wide outdoor balcony to soak up the sea views and occasional live music. While children are allowed, the hotel is geared toward couples seeking a relaxed poolside vacation with daily happy hour specials and a dash of Costa Rican wildlife.

The adjacent, moderately trafficked side street is dotted with other small hotels and inns. A five-minute walk toward town takes guests to the center of Manuel Antonio with dozens of bars, shops, restaurants, and services including grocery stores and pharmacies. Five minutes by car (or 30 minutes on foot) in the opposite direction, guests will find the bustling tourist district surrounding Playa Espadilla. A minute beyond that lies the official entrance to Manuel Antonio National Park -- arguably Costa Rica’s most popular national park. The nearest international airport, Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), is three hours away by car. Due to Costa Rica’s dangerous roads and sky-high auto rental insurance, shuttle bus hire is often cheaper, safer, and more convenient.

Room decor is traditional Costa Rican with chunky, dark wood furnishings, Spanish-tile flooring, and a mishmash of Central and Latin American accents. It’s clear the hotel isn’t new (it was built in 1992), though everything from the fixtures to the furniture to the tilework feels more broken in than old. Subtle updates like vessel sinks and flat-screen TVs add touches of modernity. Each of the rooms -- with names like Iguana Pad and Howler Hangout -- are individually decorated. Every category offers a typical mid-range hotel room layout that includes a sleeping and sitting area, plus a balcony with optional (distant) views of the sea. In-room amenities include air-conditioning, mini-fridges, and flat-screen TVs. Free Wi-Fi is also included, although we found the service to be spotty throughout the property. Bathrooms are rustic and cozy with some modern touches (like brushed nickel hardware). All feature walk-in shower stalls and generic toiletries.

The outdoor terrace is almost completely enveloped by lush tropical greenery with peeks of Biesanz Bay. It’s an intimate space with upscale lounge chairs and an outdoor bed lining the pool on a series of stepped platforms that feel more private than they actually are. A tiny adjacent pool bar serves happy hour cocktails most afternoons, although it’s only open seasonally or during high occupancy. A wide outdoor balcony overlooks the entire outdoor space. The balcony and adjacent indoor room collectively serve as the lobby, lounge, and restaurant/bar. Caribbean-inspired tapestries, artwork, and decorative accents crowd the space and provide a sense of eclectic intimacy. Breakfast is served daily. However, the free options are minimal. Additional hot entrees (like juevos rancheros and traditional Costa Rican casado) garner a surcharge. By late morning, the attached bar offers a list of cocktails, wine, and beer. Live music can also be heard on select nights each week. Self-parking and Wi-Fi are both free. The hotel accepts pets for a per-stay fee.