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.
Located in the tiny beach town of Playa Hermosa, Hotel ManGaby is a 17-room value property with hospitable owners and a family-friendly atmosphere. Rooms are a bit dated, with worn furniture and tube TVs, but all have large balconies or patios that overlook the hotel’s gorgeous mosaic tile pool. The on-site restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and breakfast is free for hotel guests. There are also free parking and free Wi-Fi. The hotel’s greatest feature is definitely its prime location -- just a two-minute stroll from the beach. For travelers who absolutely must stay on the sand, nearby Hotel Velero is a beachfront property with similar accommodations and comparable nightly rates -- though it lacks ManGaby’s family-friendly atmosphere.
Located in the tiny beach town of Playa Hermosa, Hotel ManGaby is a 17-room value property with hospitable owners and a family-friendly atmosphere. Rooms are a bit dated, with worn furniture and tube TVs, but all have large balconies or patios that overlook the hotel’s gorgeous mosaic tile pool. The on-site restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and breakfast is free for hotel guests. There are also free parking and free Wi-Fi. The hotel’s greatest feature is definitely its prime location -- just a two-minute stroll from the beach. For travelers who absolutely must stay on the sand, nearby Hotel Velero is a beachfront property with similar accommodations and comparable nightly rates -- though it lacks ManGaby’s family-friendly atmosphere.
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.
Asia meets Costa Rica at this small, upper-mid-range hotel run by an Israeli couple, Gali and Yoav. The walk-up setting (good for the glutes!) offers stunning Pacific Ocean views from the tea house, where healthy fare is served from the organic garden. Above here, with even better views, is the wooden yoga deck for daily classes: Sivananda and/or Vinyasa, and sometimes Pilates. Eight units are made mostly of pine and include balconies, kitchenettes, and three pools -- two of which are for the villas only. Surfing waves, restaurants, and groceries are a walk away, and massages can be arranged on-site. Take note that the hotel closes annually during the months of September and October. Those looking for a beach setting with a similar yogi vibe should consider Pranamar Villas and Yoga Retreat, though rates will be higher.
Asia meets Costa Rica at this small, upper-mid-range hotel run by an Israeli couple, Gali and Yoav. The walk-up setting (good for the glutes!) offers stunning Pacific Ocean views from the tea house, where healthy fare is served from the organic garden. Above here, with even better views, is the wooden yoga deck for daily classes: Sivananda and/or Vinyasa, and sometimes Pilates. Eight units are made mostly of pine and include balconies, kitchenettes, and three pools -- two of which are for the villas only. Surfing waves, restaurants, and groceries are a walk away, and massages can be arranged on-site. Take note that the hotel closes annually during the months of September and October. Those looking for a beach setting with a similar yogi vibe should consider Pranamar Villas and Yoga Retreat, though rates will be higher.
This mid-range home-away-from-home offers just four standalone villas on the edge of Santa Teresa, and manages to be both kid-friendly and romantic. Canadian owners -- Brad and Tara -- have successfully created a relaxed environment that keeps visitors coming back. Breakfasts are served each morning, and then it's time for surfing, hanging by the pool, or perhaps an ATV tour given by Brad himself. Comfortable and clean units have air-conditioning, kitchens, and outdoor space, but luxurious they are not. The hotel lacks a fitness center, but offers free Wi-Fi and a small playground.
This mid-range home-away-from-home offers just four standalone villas on the edge of Santa Teresa, and manages to be both kid-friendly and romantic. Canadian owners -- Brad and Tara -- have successfully created a relaxed environment that keeps visitors coming back. Breakfasts are served each morning, and then it's time for surfing, hanging by the pool, or perhaps an ATV tour given by Brad himself. Comfortable and clean units have air-conditioning, kitchens, and outdoor space, but luxurious they are not. The hotel lacks a fitness center, but offers free Wi-Fi and a small playground.
This 26-room mid-range boutique hotel is owned by a couple raising their young son, so it's no surprise that it attracts more of the same. Located on the far end of the beach, which boasts consistent beginner waves, this is indeed a place for laid-back families who want to see their kids get up on a board early (adults, too). Lessons for surfing and stand-up paddle boarding are provided by some of Playa Jaco's best teachers, and are cited as a major draw here. Otherwise, there are two outdoor pools (one that is kid-friendly) with day beds, and an open-air spa. Rooms are squeaky clean and very simply decorated; they have pillow-top mattresses, quality A/C units, and walk-in showers. The tiki bar and restaurant serves great seafood and pub fare next to the beach, but breakfast isn't included in the price, and there are no fridges for stocking items. It's just a short cab to restaurants and shops, though -- better yet, rent a red cruiser bike and pedal to town.
This 26-room mid-range boutique hotel is owned by a couple raising their young son, so it's no surprise that it attracts more of the same. Located on the far end of the beach, which boasts consistent beginner waves, this is indeed a place for laid-back families who want to see their kids get up on a board early (adults, too). Lessons for surfing and stand-up paddle boarding are provided by some of Playa Jaco's best teachers, and are cited as a major draw here. Otherwise, there are two outdoor pools (one that is kid-friendly) with day beds, and an open-air spa. Rooms are squeaky clean and very simply decorated; they have pillow-top mattresses, quality A/C units, and walk-in showers. The tiki bar and restaurant serves great seafood and pub fare next to the beach, but breakfast isn't included in the price, and there are no fridges for stocking items. It's just a short cab to restaurants and shops, though -- better yet, rent a red cruiser bike and pedal to town.
Doubletree Resort by Hilton, Central Pacific is an upper-middle-range all-inclusive property on the coast of Puntarenas province. With its restaurants and bars, fitness and spa facilities, big pools, outdoor activities, beach access, and kid-friendly amenities, it checks all the mega-resort boxes, offering a steady stream of food, drinks, and organized entertainment. Its 315 rooms, some of which have balconies, terraces, and hot tubs, are pleasant but chain-hotel generic, which isn't necessarily a negative. There aren't many dining and nightlife choices outside the resort, and most guests stay on the property to take advantage of its all-inclusive rates. Travelers might want to compare rates and amenities with Barcelo Tambor Beach, another all-inclusive on the other side of the Gulf of Nicoya.
Doubletree Resort by Hilton, Central Pacific is an upper-middle-range all-inclusive property on the coast of Puntarenas province. With its restaurants and bars, fitness and spa facilities, big pools, outdoor activities, beach access, and kid-friendly amenities, it checks all the mega-resort boxes, offering a steady stream of food, drinks, and organized entertainment. Its 315 rooms, some of which have balconies, terraces, and hot tubs, are pleasant but chain-hotel generic, which isn't necessarily a negative. There aren't many dining and nightlife choices outside the resort, and most guests stay on the property to take advantage of its all-inclusive rates. Travelers might want to compare rates and amenities with Barcelo Tambor Beach, another all-inclusive on the other side of the Gulf of Nicoya.
Hotel Mar de Luz is a two-and-a-half-pearl hotel located in the busy beach town of Jaco. This small hotel offers 30 clean, unfussy rooms, all of which have kitchenettes with microwaves and coffeemakers; a few have two-burner hot plates. Family-friendly is the ethos here -- there's a kids’ pool and a playground. The hotel also has two large pools for adults, and a relaxed common area. Decor is far from trendy, but with its natural woods and colors, it has tropical flair. Breakfast is included in the room rate, as is Wi-Fi, and the hotel’s central yet quiet location is tough to beat. Travelers might want to check out the nearby Aparthotel Vista Pacifico, which offers similarly affordable rates and low-key charm, but it doesn’t have Hotel Mar de Luz’s prime location.
Hotel Mar de Luz is a two-and-a-half-pearl hotel located in the busy beach town of Jaco. This small hotel offers 30 clean, unfussy rooms, all of which have kitchenettes with microwaves and coffeemakers; a few have two-burner hot plates. Family-friendly is the ethos here -- there's a kids’ pool and a playground. The hotel also has two large pools for adults, and a relaxed common area. Decor is far from trendy, but with its natural woods and colors, it has tropical flair. Breakfast is included in the room rate, as is Wi-Fi, and the hotel’s central yet quiet location is tough to beat. Travelers might want to check out the nearby Aparthotel Vista Pacifico, which offers similarly affordable rates and low-key charm, but it doesn’t have Hotel Mar de Luz’s prime location.
For those who want a clean room, free made-to-order breakfast, and a quiet night's sleep without paying higher prices found in nearby Manuel Antonio, two-and-a-half pearl La Sirena Hotel is an excellent choice. The property is built on a side street in Quepos, a block from the water and about a 20-minute drive or bus ride to Manuel Antonio National Park and Beach. There's a bus stop and bank just around the corner and several restaurants, gift shops, and the ocean within walking distance -- though there isn't a proper beach. The 14 guest rooms are clean and have tube-style TVs with English cable channels. A small swimming pool provides a spot to cool off. Overall, there's a convivial atmosphere among the guests, many of them older couples and travelers on a budget.
For those who want a clean room, free made-to-order breakfast, and a quiet night's sleep without paying higher prices found in nearby Manuel Antonio, two-and-a-half pearl La Sirena Hotel is an excellent choice. The property is built on a side street in Quepos, a block from the water and about a 20-minute drive or bus ride to Manuel Antonio National Park and Beach. There's a bus stop and bank just around the corner and several restaurants, gift shops, and the ocean within walking distance -- though there isn't a proper beach. The 14 guest rooms are clean and have tube-style TVs with English cable channels. A small swimming pool provides a spot to cool off. Overall, there's a convivial atmosphere among the guests, many of them older couples and travelers on a budget.
Alma del Pacifico Beach Hotel & Spa is an upscale hotel located on picturesque Playa Esterillos beach. Its 20 bungalows and villas have dazzling, open-plan layouts that include wet bars and private terraces. The property is defined by imaginative art and architecture, with its rooms, restaurant, spa, and pool area all exuding oodles of color and character. The hotel’s secluded setting allows its beach to remain blissfully uncrowded, but guests without a rental car may find the location a bit remote. Travelers may want to compare amenities and rates with Florblanca Resort in Santa Teresa.
Alma del Pacifico Beach Hotel & Spa is an upscale hotel located on picturesque Playa Esterillos beach. Its 20 bungalows and villas have dazzling, open-plan layouts that include wet bars and private terraces. The property is defined by imaginative art and architecture, with its rooms, restaurant, spa, and pool area all exuding oodles of color and character. The hotel’s secluded setting allows its beach to remain blissfully uncrowded, but guests without a rental car may find the location a bit remote. Travelers may want to compare amenities and rates with Florblanca Resort in Santa Teresa.