The three-pearl Hotel La Colina offers plenty of tico charm with zero pretense and a location between downtown Quepos and Manuel Antonio National Park. Each of the 13 rooms is rustic, bordering on bland, with just the essentials including air-conditioning and wall safes; upgraded rooms offer balconies with decent Pacific Ocean views. The cascading outdoor pool, steakhouse/pizza restaurant with live music, and free breakfast with pancakes and fried eggs make this hotel a good overall value. Aside from the steep, hillside layout, it’s hard to imagine guests will find much to complain about. For similar money, El Faro Beach Hotel offers the same amenities plus two pools and an interesting shipping container design.
The three-pearl Hotel La Colina offers plenty of tico charm with zero pretense and a location between downtown Quepos and Manuel Antonio National Park. Each of the 13 rooms is rustic, bordering on bland, with just the essentials including air-conditioning and wall safes; upgraded rooms offer balconies with decent Pacific Ocean views. The cascading outdoor pool, steakhouse/pizza restaurant with live music, and free breakfast with pancakes and fried eggs make this hotel a good overall value. Aside from the steep, hillside layout, it’s hard to imagine guests will find much to complain about. For similar money, El Faro Beach Hotel offers the same amenities plus two pools and an interesting shipping container design.
The distinct industrial design of El Faro Beach Hotel immediately distinguishes it from other mid-range properties in Manuel Antonio. Despite the hotel's name, it's an eight-minute walk to the nearest beach. On-site, the two hillside pools and large open-air restaurant/bar with lovely ocean views are surprising features for this price range. Each of the 43 rooms is a repurposed shipping container with mostly modern amenities including free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and air-conditioning. Upgraded rooms add wet bars, larger layouts, and soak tubs. However, the design isn’t for everyone and, given its persistent maintenance issues throughout, the novelty wears thin quickly. While it lacks a unique architectural aesthetic, Hotel La Colina offers similar amenities and a better restaurant for less money.
The distinct industrial design of El Faro Beach Hotel immediately distinguishes it from other mid-range properties in Manuel Antonio. Despite the hotel's name, it's an eight-minute walk to the nearest beach. On-site, the two hillside pools and large open-air restaurant/bar with lovely ocean views are surprising features for this price range. Each of the 43 rooms is a repurposed shipping container with mostly modern amenities including free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and air-conditioning. Upgraded rooms add wet bars, larger layouts, and soak tubs. However, the design isn’t for everyone and, given its persistent maintenance issues throughout, the novelty wears thin quickly. While it lacks a unique architectural aesthetic, Hotel La Colina offers similar amenities and a better restaurant for less money.
Everything about the four-and-a-half pearl Makanda by the Sea offers a wow-factor that eclipses almost any other hotel in Manuel Antonio. The lush rain forest surroundings and prime location high above the Pacific Ocean create the feeling of sleeping in a luxurious treehouse village. All 27 rooms are chic and spacious. They come with premium minibars, flat-screen TVs, and panoramic balconies. Villas upgrade to kitchenettes and ocean-view plunge pools. Guests are spoiled with a well-reviewed gourmet poolside restaurant, a swim-up sushi bar, and an intimate spa. Although, the 20-minute walk to Playa Biesanz, sky-high restaurant prices, and hilly grounds could dissuade some. Overall, the Makanda is the kind of place that's going to attract celebrities and influencers -- no kids allowed. While it lacks the same panache, The Preserve at Los Altos offers similar amenities and a kid-friendly atmosphere for around the same rates.
Everything about the four-and-a-half pearl Makanda by the Sea offers a wow-factor that eclipses almost any other hotel in Manuel Antonio. The lush rain forest surroundings and prime location high above the Pacific Ocean create the feeling of sleeping in a luxurious treehouse village. All 27 rooms are chic and spacious. They come with premium minibars, flat-screen TVs, and panoramic balconies. Villas upgrade to kitchenettes and ocean-view plunge pools. Guests are spoiled with a well-reviewed gourmet poolside restaurant, a swim-up sushi bar, and an intimate spa. Although, the 20-minute walk to Playa Biesanz, sky-high restaurant prices, and hilly grounds could dissuade some. Overall, the Makanda is the kind of place that's going to attract celebrities and influencers -- no kids allowed. While it lacks the same panache, The Preserve at Los Altos offers similar amenities and a kid-friendly atmosphere for around the same rates.
Arenas del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort is a four-pearl hotel located on the outskirts of Manuel Antonio National Park. This remarkable location is combined with impressive eco-conscious practices and upscale amenities. It’s almost impossible not to spot exotic wildlife while dining at one of the resort’s restaurants or lounging by the pools. Not only is it one of the few hotels in the area located on the beach, it has access to two different beaches. The resort’s 38 guest rooms are subtly stylish, offering minibars stocked with generous supplies of Costa Rican treats. For a more luxurious stay, travelers might want to check out Los Altos Beach Resort, which offers huge three-bedroom condos, but the beach is rocky.
Arenas del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort is a four-pearl hotel located on the outskirts of Manuel Antonio National Park. This remarkable location is combined with impressive eco-conscious practices and upscale amenities. It’s almost impossible not to spot exotic wildlife while dining at one of the resort’s restaurants or lounging by the pools. Not only is it one of the few hotels in the area located on the beach, it has access to two different beaches. The resort’s 38 guest rooms are subtly stylish, offering minibars stocked with generous supplies of Costa Rican treats. For a more luxurious stay, travelers might want to check out Los Altos Beach Resort, which offers huge three-bedroom condos, but the beach is rocky.
In an area beset with modest hotels and traditional guesthouses, the four-pearl Preserve at Los Altos stands out. The sheer number of resort-style amenities outnumbers the competition. There's an ocean-view restaurant, free breakfast, a sparkling infinity pool, and a hillside spa. The 28 condo-style units are the largest in Manuel Antonio, and include gourmet kitchens, multiple bedrooms, flat-screen TVs, and panoramic ocean views from all the balconies. But the rocky beach, hilly grounds, and pricey room surcharges for more than two guests may push some to look elsewhere. Tulemar Resort is the area’s only comparable lodging, offering similar amenities plus a full-featured beach for around the same rates.
In an area beset with modest hotels and traditional guesthouses, the four-pearl Preserve at Los Altos stands out. The sheer number of resort-style amenities outnumbers the competition. There's an ocean-view restaurant, free breakfast, a sparkling infinity pool, and a hillside spa. The 28 condo-style units are the largest in Manuel Antonio, and include gourmet kitchens, multiple bedrooms, flat-screen TVs, and panoramic ocean views from all the balconies. But the rocky beach, hilly grounds, and pricey room surcharges for more than two guests may push some to look elsewhere. Tulemar Resort is the area’s only comparable lodging, offering similar amenities plus a full-featured beach for around the same rates.
Byblos Resort & Casino is a mid-range pick drawing both families and couples. Rooms range from seven cute freestanding Bungalows tucked into the jungle grounds to 10 slightly dated Deluxe Rooms that overlook the parking lot and street, with the ocean in the distance. Whiteface monkeys are often seen, and howler monkeys are heard, by the outdoor pool. There's an adjacent family-friendly restaurant that serves a free breakfast and offers poolside service. Closer to the hotel entrance is the now closed casino and a lively sports bar that hosts karaoke nights and broadcasts U.S. sports on flat-screen TVs. Expect a five-minute drive to Manuel Antonio National Park.
Byblos Resort & Casino is a mid-range pick drawing both families and couples. Rooms range from seven cute freestanding Bungalows tucked into the jungle grounds to 10 slightly dated Deluxe Rooms that overlook the parking lot and street, with the ocean in the distance. Whiteface monkeys are often seen, and howler monkeys are heard, by the outdoor pool. There's an adjacent family-friendly restaurant that serves a free breakfast and offers poolside service. Closer to the hotel entrance is the now closed casino and a lively sports bar that hosts karaoke nights and broadcasts U.S. sports on flat-screen TVs. Expect a five-minute drive to Manuel Antonio National Park.
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.
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.
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.
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.