Situated five minutes from Playa Espadilla, the quirky Jungle Beach Hotel at Manuel Antonio is all about location, location, location. The hotel has some of the cheapest rates in town for a five-minute walk to Playa Espadilla. Common amenities at the two-and-a-half-pearl property -- including a small outdoor pool and a basic restaurant/bar -- are decent, though none are especially noteworthy. Continental breakfast is include in the room rate. The 12 rustic rooms range from small (with mini-fridges, free Wi-Fi, and rain forest-view balconies) to apartment-sized (with all of the above, plus multi-room layouts that include full kitchens, multiple bathrooms, and separate living/dining areas). For a bit more money, Manuel Antonio Hotel offers a more full-featured restaurant and a spot directly across from the beach.
Situated five minutes from Playa Espadilla, the quirky Jungle Beach Hotel at Manuel Antonio is all about location, location, location. The hotel has some of the cheapest rates in town for a five-minute walk to Playa Espadilla. Common amenities at the two-and-a-half-pearl property -- including a small outdoor pool and a basic restaurant/bar -- are decent, though none are especially noteworthy. Continental breakfast is include in the room rate. The 12 rustic rooms range from small (with mini-fridges, free Wi-Fi, and rain forest-view balconies) to apartment-sized (with all of the above, plus multi-room layouts that include full kitchens, multiple bathrooms, and separate living/dining areas). For a bit more money, Manuel Antonio Hotel offers a more full-featured restaurant and a spot directly across from the beach.
The three-pearl Mango Moon Villa blends design elements of tropical residential villas and traditional Costa Rican inns. The intimate, garden-style pool area (with Biesanz Bay views) and eclectic, open-air restaurant lounge center the hotel with a distinctly adult-centric vibe. Each of the 12 rooms is individually decorated. All feature TVs, air-conditioning, free (though spotty) Wi-Fi, and balconies with optional water views. The property is unabashedly rough around the edges (some would call it charming), and insects and noisy wildlife can also be an issue. For less money, the adult-only Hotel Vela Bar offers more modern amenities within walking distance of Playa Espadilla.
The three-pearl Mango Moon Villa blends design elements of tropical residential villas and traditional Costa Rican inns. The intimate, garden-style pool area (with Biesanz Bay views) and eclectic, open-air restaurant lounge center the hotel with a distinctly adult-centric vibe. Each of the 12 rooms is individually decorated. All feature TVs, air-conditioning, free (though spotty) Wi-Fi, and balconies with optional water views. The property is unabashedly rough around the edges (some would call it charming), and insects and noisy wildlife can also be an issue. For less money, the adult-only Hotel Vela Bar offers more modern amenities within walking distance of Playa Espadilla.
Hotel Parador Resort and Spa is an upper-middle-range resort located on the outskirts of Manuel Antonio National Park. While the resort’s 121 guest rooms come with plenty of appealing features such as furnished balconies and mini-fridges, the decor is bland. The resort’s green, 12-acre property offers ample opportunities for hiking and wildlife-viewing, plus there are several restaurants, three pools, and a spa; however, the facilities aren’t as luxe as guests might expect for a resort at this pearl level. Rates at nearby Arenas del Mar Beachfront and Rainforest Resort are higher, but travelers looking for something fancy may find that it’s worth the upgrade.
Hotel Parador Resort and Spa is an upper-middle-range resort located on the outskirts of Manuel Antonio National Park. While the resort’s 121 guest rooms come with plenty of appealing features such as furnished balconies and mini-fridges, the decor is bland. The resort’s green, 12-acre property offers ample opportunities for hiking and wildlife-viewing, plus there are several restaurants, three pools, and a spa; however, the facilities aren’t as luxe as guests might expect for a resort at this pearl level. Rates at nearby Arenas del Mar Beachfront and Rainforest Resort are higher, but travelers looking for something fancy may find that it’s worth the upgrade.
It's all about the Suites at Hotel Plaza Yara, an intimate, mid-range boutique hotel located off of Route 618, the road to Manuel Antonio National Park. Each of the 14 units here is a spacious Suite decorated in hues of soft gray and white. Kitchens are stocked with a microwave, sink, coffeemaker, refrigerator, and little extras like a bag of microwavable popcorn and local coffee. Huge bathrooms have some of the strongest water pressure in the area. The lobby shares its space with a local art gallery and there's a small pool that overlooks the neighboring rain forest. Made-to-order breakfast is included in the room rate, but there's no full restaurant or bar affiliated with the hotel. For those who want private beach access, compare rates at nearby Karahe Hotel, but expect smaller rooms.
It's all about the Suites at Hotel Plaza Yara, an intimate, mid-range boutique hotel located off of Route 618, the road to Manuel Antonio National Park. Each of the 14 units here is a spacious Suite decorated in hues of soft gray and white. Kitchens are stocked with a microwave, sink, coffeemaker, refrigerator, and little extras like a bag of microwavable popcorn and local coffee. Huge bathrooms have some of the strongest water pressure in the area. The lobby shares its space with a local art gallery and there's a small pool that overlooks the neighboring rain forest. Made-to-order breakfast is included in the room rate, but there's no full restaurant or bar affiliated with the hotel. For those who want private beach access, compare rates at nearby Karahe Hotel, but expect smaller rooms.
La Posada Private Jungle Bungalows is a budget option with an incredible location directly next to the entrance of Manuel Antonio National Park and a three-minute walk to the beach. Rates are low for the area, and include a free daily breakfast buffet, Wi-Fi, and limited street parking. Rooms range from a two-story villa that sleeps six to cute bungalows with microwaves, small refrigerators, and flat-screen TVs with cable channels. Three of the eight rooms face the street and can be a bit noisy. A limited restaurant serves a free breakfast and casual fare, but there are better options within fast walking distance for lunch and dinner. The vibe here is warm and convivial, with guests gathering on their porches or by the small pool to play guitar or swap monkey sighting stories. Family-style dinner is served for free three nights a week. For those who want bigger pools and sunset views, check out Hotel San Bada across the street -- but expect to pay more.
La Posada Private Jungle Bungalows is a budget option with an incredible location directly next to the entrance of Manuel Antonio National Park and a three-minute walk to the beach. Rates are low for the area, and include a free daily breakfast buffet, Wi-Fi, and limited street parking. Rooms range from a two-story villa that sleeps six to cute bungalows with microwaves, small refrigerators, and flat-screen TVs with cable channels. Three of the eight rooms face the street and can be a bit noisy. A limited restaurant serves a free breakfast and casual fare, but there are better options within fast walking distance for lunch and dinner. The vibe here is warm and convivial, with guests gathering on their porches or by the small pool to play guitar or swap monkey sighting stories. Family-style dinner is served for free three nights a week. For those who want bigger pools and sunset views, check out Hotel San Bada across the street -- but expect to pay more.
Hotel California is one of the more affordable hotels in Manuel Antionio, offering all the perks found at competing mid-range hotels, but lower rates due to the less than convenient location. Guests must drive (or walk) 200 meters up a gravel road from the main paved road that leads to Manuel Antonio Park and Beach. The 28 basic rooms have furnished balconies, some with phenomenal Pacific Ocean views. There's an outdoor swimming pool as well as an adjacent restaurant that provides free breakfast buffet and excellent lunches and dinners at a reasonable cost for the area. Downsides include minor maintenance issues and no Wi-Fi in the rooms. It may be worth comparing rates with Falls Resort, which has nicer rooms, or Karahe Hotel, which has more basic rooms but private beach access.
Hotel California is one of the more affordable hotels in Manuel Antionio, offering all the perks found at competing mid-range hotels, but lower rates due to the less than convenient location. Guests must drive (or walk) 200 meters up a gravel road from the main paved road that leads to Manuel Antonio Park and Beach. The 28 basic rooms have furnished balconies, some with phenomenal Pacific Ocean views. There's an outdoor swimming pool as well as an adjacent restaurant that provides free breakfast buffet and excellent lunches and dinners at a reasonable cost for the area. Downsides include minor maintenance issues and no Wi-Fi in the rooms. It may be worth comparing rates with Falls Resort, which has nicer rooms, or Karahe Hotel, which has more basic rooms but private beach access.
Occidental Papagayo is an adult-only, three-and-a-half-pearl property located on the Gulf of Papagayo. The resort’s 163 rooms aren’t especially chic, but they’re nonetheless adequate, offering coffeemakers, minibars, and flat-screen TVs. Occidental’s all-inclusive package covers food, drinks, and entertainment. Guests also have access to a solid roster of amenities that includes a picturesque pool, four restaurants and numerous bars, as well as beach access. While this resort lacks wow factor, travelers looking for a fun, all-inclusive vacation are likely to be satisfied. Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica has sleeker facilities and a better beach, but its rates are generally higher.
Occidental Papagayo is an adult-only, three-and-a-half-pearl property located on the Gulf of Papagayo. The resort’s 163 rooms aren’t especially chic, but they’re nonetheless adequate, offering coffeemakers, minibars, and flat-screen TVs. Occidental’s all-inclusive package covers food, drinks, and entertainment. Guests also have access to a solid roster of amenities that includes a picturesque pool, four restaurants and numerous bars, as well as beach access. While this resort lacks wow factor, travelers looking for a fun, all-inclusive vacation are likely to be satisfied. Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica has sleeker facilities and a better beach, but its rates are generally higher.
Open since 1980, Hotel Condovac la Costa is one of the oldest time-share properties in Guanacaste. With 107 one- and two-bedroom apartments, multiple pools, a kids' club, and an optional all-inclusive meal plan, Condovac attracts a lot of families, many of whom are locals. Though the beach isn’t within walking distance, the hotel’s hilltop location provides stunning views of Playa Hermosa. The infinity-edge pool is gorgeous and kitchens are well-equipped, but room decor is dated, the restaurant receives mixed reviews, and the property shows signs of age throughout. Another drawback is the steep hill that separates rooms from the public areas, though there are shuttles that make trips around the property. Nearby Casa Conde Beach-Front Hotel is completely flat and has better food, but nightly rates are more expensive.
Open since 1980, Hotel Condovac la Costa is one of the oldest time-share properties in Guanacaste. With 107 one- and two-bedroom apartments, multiple pools, a kids' club, and an optional all-inclusive meal plan, Condovac attracts a lot of families, many of whom are locals. Though the beach isn’t within walking distance, the hotel’s hilltop location provides stunning views of Playa Hermosa. The infinity-edge pool is gorgeous and kitchens are well-equipped, but room decor is dated, the restaurant receives mixed reviews, and the property shows signs of age throughout. Another drawback is the steep hill that separates rooms from the public areas, though there are shuttles that make trips around the property. Nearby Casa Conde Beach-Front Hotel is completely flat and has better food, but nightly rates are more expensive.
The no-frills, 22-room Hotel El Velero is one of the only beachfront options in Playa Hermosa. Rooms are clean and simply decorated, and rates are often surprisingly affordable, considering the hotel’s prime location. Amenities include a small pool, an on-site restaurant, and freebies like parking and Wi-Fi. There’s not really much to do in the immediate area aside from hitting the beach. Nearby Playas del Coco has tons of bars, restaurants, and touristy attractions -- and Hotel Coco Palms is a short walk from the beach -- but the scenery isn’t nearly as beautiful as that in Hermosa.
The no-frills, 22-room Hotel El Velero is one of the only beachfront options in Playa Hermosa. Rooms are clean and simply decorated, and rates are often surprisingly affordable, considering the hotel’s prime location. Amenities include a small pool, an on-site restaurant, and freebies like parking and Wi-Fi. There’s not really much to do in the immediate area aside from hitting the beach. Nearby Playas del Coco has tons of bars, restaurants, and touristy attractions -- and Hotel Coco Palms is a short walk from the beach -- but the scenery isn’t nearly as beautiful as that in Hermosa.