Hotel Arco Iris is an immaculate, mid-range, 13-room boutique hotel with a sparkling pool, a restaurant run by a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef, and perfectly manicured gardens. Located just outside the noise of Tamarindo, yet still within walking distance to the nightlife and beach, Hotel Arco Iris offers rustic-chic private bungalows with hammocks and Deluxe Rooms with terraces that overlook the gardens. If ocean views are a must, The Best Western Tamarindo Vista Villas has ocean views and lower rates, but its pool gets noisy and its rooms are drab.
Hotel Arco Iris is an immaculate, mid-range, 13-room boutique hotel with a sparkling pool, a restaurant run by a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef, and perfectly manicured gardens. Located just outside the noise of Tamarindo, yet still within walking distance to the nightlife and beach, Hotel Arco Iris offers rustic-chic private bungalows with hammocks and Deluxe Rooms with terraces that overlook the gardens. If ocean views are a must, The Best Western Tamarindo Vista Villas has ocean views and lower rates, but its pool gets noisy and its rooms are drab.
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.
Los Altos de Eros is an upscale, adult-only, six-room boutique hotel set on 28 acres of mountaintop terrain. The vibe is social and villa-like with rooms ringing a free-form infinity pool that overlooks the stretching mountains and valleys of the Guanacaste region and the distant Pacific. The hotel is somewhat isolated, and requires a journey up a steep, rocky road to access, but that's part of its appeal, especially to honeymooners and romantics. It's a 20-minute drive to Tamarindo and the nearest beach, but transportation is included in the all-inclusive room rate.
Los Altos de Eros is an upscale, adult-only, six-room boutique hotel set on 28 acres of mountaintop terrain. The vibe is social and villa-like with rooms ringing a free-form infinity pool that overlooks the stretching mountains and valleys of the Guanacaste region and the distant Pacific. The hotel is somewhat isolated, and requires a journey up a steep, rocky road to access, but that's part of its appeal, especially to honeymooners and romantics. It's a 20-minute drive to Tamarindo and the nearest beach, but transportation is included in the all-inclusive room rate.
A 33-room budget-oriented hotel in need of updating, the Best Western Tamarindo Vista Villas is one of the first hotels visitors to Tamarindo notice as they make their way to town. Perched on a rocky hill, across the street from Tamarindo Beach and the estuary that separates Tamarindo from Playa Grande, the hotel is popular with surfers, families, and partygoers, who flock to the hotel's Crazy Monkey Bar for its famous Friday night poolside dance party. Rooms are small and a bit dreary, although some have airy terraces and ocean views. The pool is frequently crowded with yelling kids, so those seeking a quieter, more relaxing atmosphere may want to consider other comparably priced hotels in Tamarindo such as the more intimate Hotel Arco Iris.
A 33-room budget-oriented hotel in need of updating, the Best Western Tamarindo Vista Villas is one of the first hotels visitors to Tamarindo notice as they make their way to town. Perched on a rocky hill, across the street from Tamarindo Beach and the estuary that separates Tamarindo from Playa Grande, the hotel is popular with surfers, families, and partygoers, who flock to the hotel's Crazy Monkey Bar for its famous Friday night poolside dance party. Rooms are small and a bit dreary, although some have airy terraces and ocean views. The pool is frequently crowded with yelling kids, so those seeking a quieter, more relaxing atmosphere may want to consider other comparably priced hotels in Tamarindo such as the more intimate Hotel Arco Iris.
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.