This 13-room, mid-range boutique hotel has beachy contemporary style, a crescent-shaped pool, and an intimate restaurant known for its daily specials and homemade ice cream. The rooms are spacious and bright, outfitted with traditional furnishings and private terraces. While not located on the beach, Playa Samara and its calm waves are just a quick walk down a gravel road. The nearby Hotel Villas Playa Samara is right on the sand, but accordingly has higher rates.
This 13-room, mid-range boutique hotel has beachy contemporary style, a crescent-shaped pool, and an intimate restaurant known for its daily specials and homemade ice cream. The rooms are spacious and bright, outfitted with traditional furnishings and private terraces. While not located on the beach, Playa Samara and its calm waves are just a quick walk down a gravel road. The nearby Hotel Villas Playa Samara is right on the sand, but accordingly has higher rates.
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.
Pacific Paradise Resort (formerly Layla Resort) is a budget-friendly hotel on the outskirts of Quepos, a three-minute drive to the airport. As of our visit in 2015, the hotel seems to be in a bit of a transition from a property that's popular with locals (and, maybe, working girls) to a family-friendly resort. An outdoor swimming pool is adjacent to the palapa-style bar and breakfast area. Freebies include parking, Wi-Fi, and made-to-order breakfast, but there isn't a full restaurant. The 20 rooms feature dark wood furniture and coffeemakers. Travelers may want to compare prices at La Sirena, an intimate budget hotel right in the center of Quepos.
Pacific Paradise Resort (formerly Layla Resort) is a budget-friendly hotel on the outskirts of Quepos, a three-minute drive to the airport. As of our visit in 2015, the hotel seems to be in a bit of a transition from a property that's popular with locals (and, maybe, working girls) to a family-friendly resort. An outdoor swimming pool is adjacent to the palapa-style bar and breakfast area. Freebies include parking, Wi-Fi, and made-to-order breakfast, but there isn't a full restaurant. The 20 rooms feature dark wood furniture and coffeemakers. Travelers may want to compare prices at La Sirena, an intimate budget hotel right in the center of Quepos.
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.
Seis Playas Hotel is a 25-room budget chain hotel with a huge pool, an on-site restaurant, and a 24-hour lobby. The hotel features basic, cottage-style rooms with private terraces entwined with pink bougainvillea, most with views of the pool. While not located on the beach, the beaches of Tamarindo and Playa Flamingo are within a 10-minute drive. Those looking for ocean views and closer beach proximity may prefer the similarly priced Best Western Tamarindo Vista Villas.
Seis Playas Hotel is a 25-room budget chain hotel with a huge pool, an on-site restaurant, and a 24-hour lobby. The hotel features basic, cottage-style rooms with private terraces entwined with pink bougainvillea, most with views of the pool. While not located on the beach, the beaches of Tamarindo and Playa Flamingo are within a 10-minute drive. Those looking for ocean views and closer beach proximity may prefer the similarly priced Best Western Tamarindo Vista Villas.
The 32-room Bosque del Mar is an upper-middle-range, contemporary boutique hotel set on the shores of Playa Hermosa. The hotel offers spacious suites with separate living and bedrooms as well as glass walls that open to private wood-deck terraces, some facing the ocean. A soaring, modern tree house-like structure encompasses three stories of property features, which include an open-air restaurant and a breezy second-floor lounge, both which overlook the ocean through a gorgeous canopy of old trees.
The 32-room Bosque del Mar is an upper-middle-range, contemporary boutique hotel set on the shores of Playa Hermosa. The hotel offers spacious suites with separate living and bedrooms as well as glass walls that open to private wood-deck terraces, some facing the ocean. A soaring, modern tree house-like structure encompasses three stories of property features, which include an open-air restaurant and a breezy second-floor lounge, both which overlook the ocean through a gorgeous canopy of old trees.
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.
Renovated in 2014, three-and-a-half pearl Villas Alturas is where nature and style come together on a hilltop overlooking Uvita and its famous Whale's Tale. It's a bit of an adventure to get to the entrance via a winding, rocky road that's steep enough to require four-wheel drive. When we pulled into the parking lot, we spotted a brown snake, unsurprising when you consider that the nearest neighbor is the Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary. There are just seven Villas on-site, with either one or two bedrooms and full kitchens. An organic and vegetarian-friendly restaurant and bar is adjacent to the outdoor swimming pool; made-to-order breakfast is free. Views of the Pacific Ocean, Whale's Tail, and Uvita are some of the best in Dominical. For faster beach access and kitchenettes (without the uphill drive) check rates at nearby Costa Paraiso.
Renovated in 2014, three-and-a-half pearl Villas Alturas is where nature and style come together on a hilltop overlooking Uvita and its famous Whale's Tale. It's a bit of an adventure to get to the entrance via a winding, rocky road that's steep enough to require four-wheel drive. When we pulled into the parking lot, we spotted a brown snake, unsurprising when you consider that the nearest neighbor is the Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary. There are just seven Villas on-site, with either one or two bedrooms and full kitchens. An organic and vegetarian-friendly restaurant and bar is adjacent to the outdoor swimming pool; made-to-order breakfast is free. Views of the Pacific Ocean, Whale's Tail, and Uvita are some of the best in Dominical. For faster beach access and kitchenettes (without the uphill drive) check rates at nearby Costa Paraiso.
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.
Villas Rio Mar is a mid-range family-style resort with low rates, located across the street from the Baru River and a 15-minute walk to the main drag of Dominical. The 52 rooms each have a private, furnished terrace equipped with a sink and mini-fridge and are housed in 13 bungalows across the property. Some of the units have maintenance issues and could use a style update. El Rancho restaurant serves a quality, free breakfast buffet and a variety of options for lunch and dinner, including a kids' menu. Outdoor fun can be had in the large outdoor swimming pool, kids' playground, tennis courts, or mini-golf course. A small spa provides a spot for parents to relax. It's a bit of a trek to Dominical Beach with little ones, so a car is recommended. This is a solid pick for families and groups; couples would probably be happier at Cuna del Angel or Villas Rio Mar -- though they're farther from the beach.
Villas Rio Mar is a mid-range family-style resort with low rates, located across the street from the Baru River and a 15-minute walk to the main drag of Dominical. The 52 rooms each have a private, furnished terrace equipped with a sink and mini-fridge and are housed in 13 bungalows across the property. Some of the units have maintenance issues and could use a style update. El Rancho restaurant serves a quality, free breakfast buffet and a variety of options for lunch and dinner, including a kids' menu. Outdoor fun can be had in the large outdoor swimming pool, kids' playground, tennis courts, or mini-golf course. A small spa provides a spot for parents to relax. It's a bit of a trek to Dominical Beach with little ones, so a car is recommended. This is a solid pick for families and groups; couples would probably be happier at Cuna del Angel or Villas Rio Mar -- though they're farther from the beach.