Hotel Villa Amarilla is a funky, laid-back, eight-room, budget-oriented bed-and-breakfast with a surfer vibe, a prime beachfront location, and colorful, friendly owners who go out of their way to make guests feel at home. The hotel lacks a pool, but the ocean and Tamarindo’s famous surf break is just steps outside the back gate. Rooms are basic and bright, individualized by colorful murals of sea life and sunsets. Guests can prepare meals in the communal outdoor kitchen or walk to Tamarindo for a variety of dining options. Hotel Arco Iris is a similar option that does have a pool, but it's not nearly as close to the beach.
Hotel Villa Amarilla is a funky, laid-back, eight-room, budget-oriented bed-and-breakfast with a surfer vibe, a prime beachfront location, and colorful, friendly owners who go out of their way to make guests feel at home. The hotel lacks a pool, but the ocean and Tamarindo’s famous surf break is just steps outside the back gate. Rooms are basic and bright, individualized by colorful murals of sea life and sunsets. Guests can prepare meals in the communal outdoor kitchen or walk to Tamarindo for a variety of dining options. Hotel Arco Iris is a similar option that does have a pool, but it's not nearly as close to the beach.
This 28-room upper-middle-range resort is set on the shores of Playa Potrero, an uncrowded, black-sand, crescent-shaped beach that’s ideal for swimming, not surfing. The resort caters to active travelers with free fitness and yoga classes as well as to those who crave a more sedentary vacation. Rows of lounge chairs are arranged by the pool, on the lawn, and along the beach, allowing guests to enjoy the ocean views. Rooms, ranging from cozy Standard Rooms sleeping four to Suites with kitchens, appeal to both couples and families, and have colorful fabrics and plenty of Costa Rican flair.
This 28-room upper-middle-range resort is set on the shores of Playa Potrero, an uncrowded, black-sand, crescent-shaped beach that’s ideal for swimming, not surfing. The resort caters to active travelers with free fitness and yoga classes as well as to those who crave a more sedentary vacation. Rows of lounge chairs are arranged by the pool, on the lawn, and along the beach, allowing guests to enjoy the ocean views. Rooms, ranging from cozy Standard Rooms sleeping four to Suites with kitchens, appeal to both couples and families, and have colorful fabrics and plenty of Costa Rican flair.
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.
This seven-room, upscale, all-inclusive boutique hotel is set on a hillside overlooking the region's dry forest and distant ocean. Villa Buena Onda's hushed, retreat-like vibe stems from the fact that it caters to adults only. The decor is stylish with lots of white seating and colorful contemporary art, while the pool serves as the social center, a place for guests to lounge, drink in hand, and take in the views. While the hotel is not on the beach, guests can catch a free five-minute shuttle ride to Playa delCoco and other nearby beaches.
This seven-room, upscale, all-inclusive boutique hotel is set on a hillside overlooking the region's dry forest and distant ocean. Villa Buena Onda's hushed, retreat-like vibe stems from the fact that it caters to adults only. The decor is stylish with lots of white seating and colorful contemporary art, while the pool serves as the social center, a place for guests to lounge, drink in hand, and take in the views. While the hotel is not on the beach, guests can catch a free five-minute shuttle ride to Playa delCoco and other nearby beaches.
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.
Playa Grande Park is a laid-back, mid-range boutique hotel with personal service and a surfer-chic restaurant and bar serving organic burgers and artisan brews. The hotel offers eight rooms set in a two-story building overlooking a pool shaded by an enormous Guanacaste tree as well as more spacious villas enclosed in a private compound. Set within the Marina Las Baulas National Park, an important sea turtle nesting site, the hotel neighbors the park's welcome center and is just a short walk to the sand and surf of the aptly named Playa Grande, one of the area's most sought-after surfing destinations.
Playa Grande Park is a laid-back, mid-range boutique hotel with personal service and a surfer-chic restaurant and bar serving organic burgers and artisan brews. The hotel offers eight rooms set in a two-story building overlooking a pool shaded by an enormous Guanacaste tree as well as more spacious villas enclosed in a private compound. Set within the Marina Las Baulas National Park, an important sea turtle nesting site, the hotel neighbors the park's welcome center and is just a short walk to the sand and surf of the aptly named Playa Grande, one of the area's most sought-after surfing destinations.
Costa Rica Yoga Spa is an intimate, all-inclusive, eight-room retreat set on a breezy mountaintop overlooking the distant Pacific and the protected Ostional National Wildlife Refuge. Catering to yoga retreats, the hotel offers immaculate, although basic, bunk rooms with shared baths as well as more sophisticated suites with private baths and air-conditioning. Wellness is the focus for most guests, and they tend to spend time meditating, practicing yoga, enjoying massages, or writing in journals as they sway in the rope hammocks that line the terrace corridor outside the rooms. While the resort is not located on the beach, the staff provides daily shuttle service to nearby beaches and can also arrange surf lessons and a variety of adventure tours.
Costa Rica Yoga Spa is an intimate, all-inclusive, eight-room retreat set on a breezy mountaintop overlooking the distant Pacific and the protected Ostional National Wildlife Refuge. Catering to yoga retreats, the hotel offers immaculate, although basic, bunk rooms with shared baths as well as more sophisticated suites with private baths and air-conditioning. Wellness is the focus for most guests, and they tend to spend time meditating, practicing yoga, enjoying massages, or writing in journals as they sway in the rope hammocks that line the terrace corridor outside the rooms. While the resort is not located on the beach, the staff provides daily shuttle service to nearby beaches and can also arrange surf lessons and a variety of adventure tours.
The laid-back, upper-middle-range, 34-room Hotel Capitan Suizo is one of Tamarindo's most revered properties. Its location at the southernmost end of Tamarindo Beach is more private and less traveled than other parts of the busy stretch of shoreline, making it attractive to well-heeled guests who prefer a quieter vibe as well as the perks of a spa, gourmet restaurant, private pool, and attentive service. The spacious bi-level rooms and Bungalows feature separate living areas and private terraces, some with direct access to the beach, while the jungle-like backdrop of flowering plants, tall palms, and dramatic Guanacaste trees keeps guests in touch with nature, including active families of howler monkeys.
The laid-back, upper-middle-range, 34-room Hotel Capitan Suizo is one of Tamarindo's most revered properties. Its location at the southernmost end of Tamarindo Beach is more private and less traveled than other parts of the busy stretch of shoreline, making it attractive to well-heeled guests who prefer a quieter vibe as well as the perks of a spa, gourmet restaurant, private pool, and attentive service. The spacious bi-level rooms and Bungalows feature separate living areas and private terraces, some with direct access to the beach, while the jungle-like backdrop of flowering plants, tall palms, and dramatic Guanacaste trees keeps guests in touch with nature, including active families of howler monkeys.
The Lodge las Ranas is a mid-range, mountaintop boutique hotel close to the town of Samara. Its 10 tidy, tree-house-like rooms offer canopy beds and lovely balconies equipped with wooden rocking chairs, perfect perches for up-close viewing of local howler monkeys and toucans as well as gazing upon the distant Pacific. Hot breakfasts, a shaded pool, and a tiny lounge keep guests occupied but most spend their days away from the hotel, exploring the local beaches. Walking to town is possible, but it requires navigating the steep driveway, followed by a trek down a dirt road.
The Lodge las Ranas is a mid-range, mountaintop boutique hotel close to the town of Samara. Its 10 tidy, tree-house-like rooms offer canopy beds and lovely balconies equipped with wooden rocking chairs, perfect perches for up-close viewing of local howler monkeys and toucans as well as gazing upon the distant Pacific. Hot breakfasts, a shaded pool, and a tiny lounge keep guests occupied but most spend their days away from the hotel, exploring the local beaches. Walking to town is possible, but it requires navigating the steep driveway, followed by a trek down a dirt road.
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.