The budget Hotel Las Tres Banderas feels every bit the 20-year-old hotel that it is with basic amenities and a rough around the edges vibe. Aside from the well-reviewed traditional Polish restaurant, free continental breakfast, outdoor pool, and pet-friendly nature (rare in Manuel Antonio), there’s little to set it apart from the area’s many budget and mid-range alternatives. Most of the 17 rooms feel basic, but do come with flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and mini-fridges. Suites upgrade to larger layouts with living rooms and kitchenettes/kitchens. It's about a nine-minute drive to Manuel Antonio National Park. Hotel La Colina offers comparable nightly rates, plus optional ocean views and beautiful grounds.
The budget Hotel Las Tres Banderas feels every bit the 20-year-old hotel that it is with basic amenities and a rough around the edges vibe. Aside from the well-reviewed traditional Polish restaurant, free continental breakfast, outdoor pool, and pet-friendly nature (rare in Manuel Antonio), there’s little to set it apart from the area’s many budget and mid-range alternatives. Most of the 17 rooms feel basic, but do come with flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and mini-fridges. Suites upgrade to larger layouts with living rooms and kitchenettes/kitchens. It's about a nine-minute drive to Manuel Antonio National Park. Hotel La Colina offers comparable nightly rates, plus optional ocean views and beautiful grounds.
La Mansion Inn is an upper-middle-range boutique hotel that's a hit with honeymooners and offers decor and features not usually found in Manuel Antonio. The owner was a friend of famous undersea explorer Jacques Cousteau and the underwater theme is evident in the lobby aquariums. Rooms are spacious and pleasant, with ample natural light and flat-screen TVs. The dimly lit and ambient Bat Cave bar is built into a natural cave. Outside, the Terrace Restaurant and pool offers panoramic, uninterrupted views of both Manuel Antonio Beach and the harbor. Kids under the age of 12 are discouraged from staying. Families should check out Hotel San Bada, which has a waterslide and faster access to Manuel Antonio National Park.
La Mansion Inn is an upper-middle-range boutique hotel that's a hit with honeymooners and offers decor and features not usually found in Manuel Antonio. The owner was a friend of famous undersea explorer Jacques Cousteau and the underwater theme is evident in the lobby aquariums. Rooms are spacious and pleasant, with ample natural light and flat-screen TVs. The dimly lit and ambient Bat Cave bar is built into a natural cave. Outside, the Terrace Restaurant and pool offers panoramic, uninterrupted views of both Manuel Antonio Beach and the harbor. Kids under the age of 12 are discouraged from staying. Families should check out Hotel San Bada, which has a waterslide and faster access to Manuel Antonio National Park.
This small hotel is not so small considering it takes up over 100 acres of space on the jaw-dropping, remote coast of Nicoya Peninsula. Owned by an energetic and omnipresent Belgian and her attentive staff, the place ticks like a well-oiled European machine. Most of the 43 minimalist rooms and three villas, as well as two restaurants (breakfast is included) overlook the dreamy ocean. Waves might make swimming a challenge, but the secluded beach is great for strolling and suntanning -- otherwise, three small pools and a swim-up bar will do just fine. Romantic couples and somewhat older groups who are not concerned with nightlife also enjoy the private access to horses, tennis, a waterfall, a (casual) golf course, and spa services. Everything else will require a drive. Younger couples looking for a slightly more hipper scene should consider Ylang Ylang Resort.
This small hotel is not so small considering it takes up over 100 acres of space on the jaw-dropping, remote coast of Nicoya Peninsula. Owned by an energetic and omnipresent Belgian and her attentive staff, the place ticks like a well-oiled European machine. Most of the 43 minimalist rooms and three villas, as well as two restaurants (breakfast is included) overlook the dreamy ocean. Waves might make swimming a challenge, but the secluded beach is great for strolling and suntanning -- otherwise, three small pools and a swim-up bar will do just fine. Romantic couples and somewhat older groups who are not concerned with nightlife also enjoy the private access to horses, tennis, a waterfall, a (casual) golf course, and spa services. Everything else will require a drive. Younger couples looking for a slightly more hipper scene should consider Ylang Ylang Resort.
Open-minded singles and swingers of all ages will feel at home at this three-pearl, adults-only hotel on Jaco Beach with 33 rooms and suites and plans to expand. For a hint at the vibe, there are two pools: one clothing optional and one where nudity is required. The poolside sports bar, called the Naked Iguana, offers music or entertainment until the wee hours, and the restaurant serves all three meals. All-inclusive packages are available. Room decor is simple, and some have hot tubs, balconies, and full kitchens, but Standard Rooms are rather basic and could use some attention. For an all-inclusive option with a less naked party scene, consider the Hotel Club del Mar, farther down the beach.
Open-minded singles and swingers of all ages will feel at home at this three-pearl, adults-only hotel on Jaco Beach with 33 rooms and suites and plans to expand. For a hint at the vibe, there are two pools: one clothing optional and one where nudity is required. The poolside sports bar, called the Naked Iguana, offers music or entertainment until the wee hours, and the restaurant serves all three meals. All-inclusive packages are available. Room decor is simple, and some have hot tubs, balconies, and full kitchens, but Standard Rooms are rather basic and could use some attention. For an all-inclusive option with a less naked party scene, consider the Hotel Club del Mar, farther down the beach.
Hotel Tramonto is a three-pearl property outside the town of Jaco, located across the road from lovely Playa Hermosa. Some of its 76 spacious rooms include balconies and whirlpool tubs, and nice wood accents, against otherwise generic, neutral toned decor. A hot authentic Costa Rican breakfast -- along with more American-style fare -- is included in the room rate, and the hotel has an outdoor pool and deck with loungers. The restaurant, with views of the beach, serves Italian and international fare -- but there’s no other dining or nightlife within walking distance of the hotel. And the fitness center is tiny, with an exercise bike, treadmills, and elliptical machines that don't always work. Travelers seeking a hotel closer to the Jaco action might want to consider the Jaco Laguna Resort & Beach Club, although its rates don't include breakfast.
Hotel Tramonto is a three-pearl property outside the town of Jaco, located across the road from lovely Playa Hermosa. Some of its 76 spacious rooms include balconies and whirlpool tubs, and nice wood accents, against otherwise generic, neutral toned decor. A hot authentic Costa Rican breakfast -- along with more American-style fare -- is included in the room rate, and the hotel has an outdoor pool and deck with loungers. The restaurant, with views of the beach, serves Italian and international fare -- but there’s no other dining or nightlife within walking distance of the hotel. And the fitness center is tiny, with an exercise bike, treadmills, and elliptical machines that don't always work. Travelers seeking a hotel closer to the Jaco action might want to consider the Jaco Laguna Resort & Beach Club, although its rates don't include breakfast.
Though it only has 160 rooms, Villas Sol Hotel & Beach Resort feels like a much larger property. Thanks to its sprawling acreage on the cliffs above Playa Hermosa, this upper-middle-range hotel feels like a massive resort. With two pools, a beautiful restaurant, and rooms that range from standard Double Rooms to massive Three-Bedroom Villas, Villas Sol appeals to a wide range of guests. While some may find the all-inclusive option attractive, others may find the food mediocre and repetitive. Note that there's some minor wear and tear, and that the cliffside location means great views but also steep hills that make it difficult to get around (walking to the beach is almost certainly out of the question). Guests who’d prefer a (flat) beachfront property should compare rates at Casa Conde Beach-Front Hotel, a similar all-inclusive resort on Playa Panama.
Though it only has 160 rooms, Villas Sol Hotel & Beach Resort feels like a much larger property. Thanks to its sprawling acreage on the cliffs above Playa Hermosa, this upper-middle-range hotel feels like a massive resort. With two pools, a beautiful restaurant, and rooms that range from standard Double Rooms to massive Three-Bedroom Villas, Villas Sol appeals to a wide range of guests. While some may find the all-inclusive option attractive, others may find the food mediocre and repetitive. Note that there's some minor wear and tear, and that the cliffside location means great views but also steep hills that make it difficult to get around (walking to the beach is almost certainly out of the question). Guests who’d prefer a (flat) beachfront property should compare rates at Casa Conde Beach-Front Hotel, a similar all-inclusive resort on Playa Panama.
Hotel Playa Carmen is a two-and-a-half-pearl hotel a short walk from Playa Carmen Beach, one of the many gorgeous Santa Teresa beaches. The hotel recently changed ownership and is slated for a big overhaul. During our winter 2017 visit, its 23 available air-conditioned rooms were a mix of Suites, Standard, and Deluxe Rooms with flat-screen TVs, hardwood armchairs, and private balconies. The Standard Rooms could use some TLC, as we spotted worn furniture. There's also a small pool, and hotel freebies are limited to parking and Wi-Fi. For a more tropical stay with a lush grounds, a pool, a yoga studio, and a short walk to the beach, it's worth pricing out Otro Lado Lodge and Restaurant.
Hotel Playa Carmen is a two-and-a-half-pearl hotel a short walk from Playa Carmen Beach, one of the many gorgeous Santa Teresa beaches. The hotel recently changed ownership and is slated for a big overhaul. During our winter 2017 visit, its 23 available air-conditioned rooms were a mix of Suites, Standard, and Deluxe Rooms with flat-screen TVs, hardwood armchairs, and private balconies. The Standard Rooms could use some TLC, as we spotted worn furniture. There's also a small pool, and hotel freebies are limited to parking and Wi-Fi. For a more tropical stay with a lush grounds, a pool, a yoga studio, and a short walk to the beach, it's worth pricing out Otro Lado Lodge and Restaurant.
The three-and-a-half-pearl El Establo offers an extensive list of resort-style amenities in a stunning, hilltop setting overlooking the rainforests of Monteverde. A full-service spa, mountain-view pool, zip-lining canopy tour, and a reasonably priced gourmet restaurant are among its most notable highlights. This is one of the larger hotels in the area, with 155 rooms that are spacious and simple and include rustic details, modern bathrooms, and private balconies or terraces with lovely views. While the hotel serves a decent free breakfast buffet, the lack of free in-room Wi-Fi -- and a steep, expansive layout that requires a shuttle to navigate -- may discourage some guests. Check rates at the nearby Monteverde Lodge & Gardens for a cheaper boutique alternative with just slightly fewer amenities.
The three-and-a-half-pearl El Establo offers an extensive list of resort-style amenities in a stunning, hilltop setting overlooking the rainforests of Monteverde. A full-service spa, mountain-view pool, zip-lining canopy tour, and a reasonably priced gourmet restaurant are among its most notable highlights. This is one of the larger hotels in the area, with 155 rooms that are spacious and simple and include rustic details, modern bathrooms, and private balconies or terraces with lovely views. While the hotel serves a decent free breakfast buffet, the lack of free in-room Wi-Fi -- and a steep, expansive layout that requires a shuttle to navigate -- may discourage some guests. Check rates at the nearby Monteverde Lodge & Gardens for a cheaper boutique alternative with just slightly fewer amenities.
A simple, but bold design sets the two-and-a-half-pearl Hotel Vela Bar apart from most budget hotels in the area. All 20 rooms are crisp, bright, and sleek with modern amenities like air-conditioning, mini-fridges, and luxury Britt espresso makers. Lush, tropical greenery envelopes every inch of the intimate grounds creating a relaxed, quiet feel that’s conducive to its adult-only policy. However, with a small pool and breakfast-only dining space (no full restaurant/bar), guests will need to venture off-site for dining and entertainment options. Thankfully, it's located right next to the entrance of Manuel Antonio National Park and near Playa Espadilla. Falls Resort at Manuel Antonio offers the same amenities and a similarly great location, but it’s a bit pricier and it lacks contemporary flair
A simple, but bold design sets the two-and-a-half-pearl Hotel Vela Bar apart from most budget hotels in the area. All 20 rooms are crisp, bright, and sleek with modern amenities like air-conditioning, mini-fridges, and luxury Britt espresso makers. Lush, tropical greenery envelopes every inch of the intimate grounds creating a relaxed, quiet feel that’s conducive to its adult-only policy. However, with a small pool and breakfast-only dining space (no full restaurant/bar), guests will need to venture off-site for dining and entertainment options. Thankfully, it's located right next to the entrance of Manuel Antonio National Park and near Playa Espadilla. Falls Resort at Manuel Antonio offers the same amenities and a similarly great location, but it’s a bit pricier and it lacks contemporary flair
Hotel Tropico Latino is a three-pearl oceanfront hotel on the south side of Santa Teresa, a tranquil (and dusty) Costa Rican surf and yoga town. The hotel’s 20 air-conditioned rooms (some with ocean views) are a mix of modern, clean-lined hotel rooms with flat-screen TVs and comfortably rustic bungalows with vaulted ceilings and hardwood and stone accents. All rooms have big balconies or patios. The tasty, oceanfront restaurant has beautiful views and breakfasts are especially delicious. Hotel amenities include a gorgeous beach with lots of hammocks and chairs, a rain forest surrounded freshwater pool with cold-water whirlpool, daily yoga classes (for a fee), and ocean-view massage rooms. However, rocks make it too dangerous to swim directly off the beach. For a beachfront stay with gorgeous open-air villas, quiet beach, and infinity pool, it’s worth exploring Latitude 10 Beachfront Resort.
Hotel Tropico Latino is a three-pearl oceanfront hotel on the south side of Santa Teresa, a tranquil (and dusty) Costa Rican surf and yoga town. The hotel’s 20 air-conditioned rooms (some with ocean views) are a mix of modern, clean-lined hotel rooms with flat-screen TVs and comfortably rustic bungalows with vaulted ceilings and hardwood and stone accents. All rooms have big balconies or patios. The tasty, oceanfront restaurant has beautiful views and breakfasts are especially delicious. Hotel amenities include a gorgeous beach with lots of hammocks and chairs, a rain forest surrounded freshwater pool with cold-water whirlpool, daily yoga classes (for a fee), and ocean-view massage rooms. However, rocks make it too dangerous to swim directly off the beach. For a beachfront stay with gorgeous open-air villas, quiet beach, and infinity pool, it’s worth exploring Latitude 10 Beachfront Resort.