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.
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.
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.
Las Cascadas The Falls is a mid-range option for travelers who want to be close to the marina or downtown Quepos. The kinda-quirky hotel can be a bit hard to find; it's situated in a working class Costa Rican neighborhood high on a hill, which makes for excellent views of the surrounding rain forest and distant Pacific Ocean, but steep steps to some of the rooms. Guest rooms range from a Penthouse with marina views and an artificial rock fountain to smaller condos with full kitchens. There's a cute outdoor swimming pool and adjacent restaurant with a la carte breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For those who want to be closer to the action in Quepos, La Sirena Hotel has cheaper rates and is just around the corner from the bus stop that takes passengers to Manuel Antonio.
Las Cascadas The Falls is a mid-range option for travelers who want to be close to the marina or downtown Quepos. The kinda-quirky hotel can be a bit hard to find; it's situated in a working class Costa Rican neighborhood high on a hill, which makes for excellent views of the surrounding rain forest and distant Pacific Ocean, but steep steps to some of the rooms. Guest rooms range from a Penthouse with marina views and an artificial rock fountain to smaller condos with full kitchens. There's a cute outdoor swimming pool and adjacent restaurant with a la carte breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For those who want to be closer to the action in Quepos, La Sirena Hotel has cheaper rates and is just around the corner from the bus stop that takes passengers to Manuel Antonio.
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.