Where the jungle meets the ocean, on a ridge with perfect horseshoe bays to the north and south, is this classy haven of cool. Once through the gates at the end of a precipitous driveway, you'll discover a private reserve of trees entwined with lianas and creepers embellished with sloths and white-faced monkeys, toucans and tanagers. The reception area is a soaring thatched palanque with elegant armchairs and a circular bar. An organic infinity swimming pool forms a natural oasis; the airy restaurant’s windows make paintings of the rainforest and coastline beyond. Just minutes away is Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica’s most visited. Go with a tour guide to gain fascinating insights into the abundant wildlife, kayak through nearby mangroves, or have a go at surfing, then return to Arenas del Mar’s own beautiful stretch of secluded beach.
Elegant suites are found behind tall columns and curving stairways, lights glowing mysteriously through glass bricks; many of the rooms have ocean views from the beds or balcony hot tubs. The food is superb in both restaurants; a spa offers massages and organic treatments. And yet it’s all rigorously sustainable. Wondrous.
Highs
- Fabulous setting: nowhere in Manuel Antonio has views and a beach like this
- Gorgeous airy design: the suites exude a natural, simple elegance, as does the fine dining restaurant
- Excellent for families with a daily menu of activities, a choice of swimming pools, and a kids menu
- Local staff soon know your name and greet you like friends, embodying the 'pura vida' spirit
- A great example of Costa Rican sustainability and a hotel with minimal environmental impact
Lows
- No twin beds (except in Playitas Suite), though friends or children can use the sofabed in the living room of the suites
- A stiff uphill walk from the beach, but an electric cart can be summoned at a moment’s notice
- No lift, though 3 rooms on the ground floor are adapted for disabled guests, and you can be whisked around in the golf trolley
- All this lotus-eating doesn't come cheap (although note the mini-bars are complimentary)
Both restaurants are wonderfully accommodating if you have dietary requirements, and the kids menu includes favourites such as cheeseburgers, grilled fish or chicken, or mac and cheese.
- Two swimming pools: clifftop infinity and beachside
- Private beach; and access to Espadilla Beach
- Night safaris
- Tortilla making class
- The activities menu includes piñata parties, bracelet-making, bingo and seasonal events such as Easter egg hunts
- Movie nights
- Beach BBQs
- Boutique Hotel
- 37 rooms
- Breakfast (+ other meals on request)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Babysitting
- Creche / Kids Club
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Surfboards and SUP boards
Rooms
The 7 blocks of suites are spread out along a winding path which descends from the reception area down to the beach; blocks 1-3 are near the beach and 4-7 are at the top with the best views. The exterior architecture aims to fit organically with the rainforest all around . Inside, the design is carefully considered across all 37 elegant rooms and suites: white walls and tiled floors; handsome wooden doors and Egyptian cotton sheets.
Ocean Breeze Suites have a bedroom with a glass-fronted balcony for sea glimpses through the trees, and a pretty tiled Jacuzzi, plus a sitting room with a sofabed. Ocean View Premium Suites are similar, but they have an extra bathroom and (as the name suggests) stunning long views. The Playitas Suite down by the beach is the largest, and has three double beds, three bathrooms and a living room plus a hot tub on its covered balcony, making it ideal for families.
Superior Rooms are also divided into ocean breeze or ocean view categories. Though without a sitting room or Jacuzzi, they're still quite spacious.
Bathrooms are sumptuous with circular walk-in showers, slate tiles, and glass bricks. Excellent quality biodegradable and organic toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, body lotion) are provided in big bottles. There are bathrobes too, and a hairdryer; you also get a safe, a well-stocked complimentary minibar, air-conditioning above your bed and living rooms have a fan.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Fan
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
The El Mirador Oceanview Restaurant is a chic space with polished stone floors and subtly-lit open-sided rooms perfect for wildlife viewing (including cute geckos), with the forest, ocean and bay below seen through cinemascope windows.
The dinner menu remains faithful to native organic ingredients and flavours; look out for the Dock to Dish symbol. Appetisers might include fried cauliflower, yucca croquettes or beetroot pave. We loved our delicious tamarind seared tuna and roasted octopus with smoked chayote for mains. Desserts could be pineapple with rum and ginger or hibiscus flower sorbet. Veggie options are plentiful too - we were tempted by the chickpea and nuts cake with pita bread, pickled onions, cucumber and tomatoes. The wine list is excellent and well-chosen, with some superb Argentine and Chilean bottles.
Light and delicious lunches are served in Playitas bar and restaurant by the beach and the lower pool. Think tropical and tasty salads, tortillas, ceviches, burgers, wraps and sandwiches, brownies and coconut flan. There are great cocktails too. We really enjoyed the atmospheric themed evenings – such as beach BBQ or seafood – where you get a set menu of several beautifully presented courses.
Breakfast is a treat taken in El Mirador, starting with a plate of tropical fruits, fresh juice, tea (in pots!) and excellent organic shade-grown coffee. Follow this with a hot dish, perhaps omelettes cooked to order, avocado on toast, pancakes with mango confit, or Costa Rican favourites such as taco wraps or gallo pinto with eggs.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Dinner by arrangement
- Kids' meals
- Lunch by arrangement
- Microwave
- Room service
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- The highlight is popular Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica’s smallest. Expect white-faced monkeys, iguanas, sloths, hummingbirds, toucans, bats and the famous red-eyed tree frog. And to plunge into the sea afterwards from Manuel Antonio Beach
- Arenas del Mar has its own 5-acre nature reserve planted with native species to reproduce the forest that was originally here, and give a habitat to indigenous animals
- Go on the early morning bird-watching tour around the hotel for an astonishing array of tanagers, hummingbirds, flycatchers, woodpeckers, toucanets and hawks. Equally recommended is the night walk when you could see coatis, kinkajous, snakes, frogs and even tarantulas
- Learn to surf or SUP, right on the beach
- Kayak through mangrove swamps to see birds close up
- Take a hike to Villa Nueva waterfall – 2 beautiful falls that converge. You need to be in good shape but it's great for wildlife and birds
- Visit the local community: see schools and organic farms, have breakfast with the locals, go to the farmers market and milk a cow
- Thrill-seekers will want to try the canopy tour for a birds-eye view of the trees, or go mountain biking, coastering or paragliding in the bay
- Go white-water rafting for a day (you have a choice of rivers and grades)
- Horse-riding through the jungle to waterfalls can also be organised
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Birdwatching
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horse riding
- Kayaking
- Plantlife / flora
- Sailing
- Scuba diving
- Scuba diving courses
- Snorkelling
- Surfing
- Swimming
- Traditional cultures
- Well being
- Wildlife
Best Time to go
The hotel is open all year. The dry season is December to April, when it’s hot with less rain rain, so it's great for the beach. This is the rainforest though, so there has to be a rainy season, and it’s April to November. In September and October, the rain is very heavy, November is lovely and Thanksgiving brings lots of US guests, who stay for the following week. January, February and March are the busiest months. It's far better to come in May, when the rain is supposed to start, but it’s still very pleasant. Even then it only rains in the afternoons. Book a year ahead for Christmas and New Year.
Our Top Tips
Immerse yourself in the natural world on the property itself. Make time to walk through the hotel grounds along a forest trail down to Espadilla Beach; your key card unlocks the gate. You can also book an early morning birdwatching tour, a sunset walk or night safari around the grounds.
Location
Arenas Del Mar Manuel Antonio Hotel is on the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, about 2km from the port of Quepos in Manuel Antonio, and 4 hours' drive from San José.
By Air:
You'll fly into San José Juan Santamaria International (99km) or Liberia (260km). From San José you can take an internal flight to Quepos airstrip (2km), although most guests opt for a transfer. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.
From the Airport
Arenas del Mar can arrange a transfer from any airport - see Rates; from Quepos it may be a bit cheaper getting a taxi on arrival, but less reliable.
By Car:
Consider carefully if you really want to drive in Costa Rica. The roads can be awful and the signage is hopeless. In Manuel Antonio you really won’t need a car, and you might prefer to arrange transfers if you’re travelling to a couple of destinations within Costa Rica. If you'd still rather travel under your own steam, see our car rental recommendations. Make sure you choose a 4-wheel drive for a more comfortable journey on the uneven roads.
By Public Transport:
If you're feeling adventurous, there's a public bus from San José to Quepos. Once in Quepos, take a taxi to the hotel.
Detailed directions will be provided when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Costa Rica and getting around
Airports:
- Quepos 2.0 km XQP
- San Jose Juan Santamaria 99.0 km SJO
Other:
- Beach 0.2 km
- Shops 1.0 km
- Restaurant 0.5 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 2 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape