Arenas del Mar is the hotel for travellers who want Manuel Antonio at its most polished. It sits on the Playitas side of the coast, with direct access to two beaches and surrounded by about eleven acres of rainforest that the resort protects as a private reserve. The property is part of the Cayuga Collection and carries a strong sustainability record, with a national sustainable tourism certification, and the whole feel is of a luxury lodge rather than a standard beach hotel. Rooms and suites are large and quiet, with ocean or forest views, and the room types range from Ocean View Superior rooms, which sleep two, to one- and two-bedroom suites that sleep up to six. Two restaurants anchor the stay, Playitas on the beach and Mirador with views toward the national park, and a wellness centre called Las Brisas offers massage and spa treatments. In-house naturalist guides lead walks on the property, and monkeys, sloths and birds are regularly seen without leaving the grounds. Guests score it 9.8 from more than three hundred reviews, among the highest of any property in the area, and breakfast and parking are free.
Location and getting around
The resort is on a private road off the main Manuel Antonio road, at roughly kilometre 4.6 on Route 618, which puts it away from the busiest stretch of the strip. That is its charm, with quiet, forest and beach, and also its trade-off: you are a short drive from the restaurants of Manuel Antonio and the entrance to the national park, so most guests use the resort shuttle or a taxi.
An airport shuttle can be arranged for a fee, and the drive from San José takes around three hours. If you plan several day tours, the staff will arrange pickups from the property.
The rooms and who they suit
The Ocean View Superior rooms are the entry point and sleep two, with the Ocean Breeze rooms facing the mountain side and the suites giving more space for families or groups. The Playitas Suite, with two bedrooms, suits a family or two couples. The resort has a children's pool and offers babysitting for a fee, but it has a quiet, grown-up atmosphere, so check the family policy if you are travelling with young children.
Good to know
Rates are at the top of the local market and rise sharply in the dry season, from December to April, and over holidays. The green season, from May to November, brings lower prices and the resort says it is the most active period for wildlife. Breakfast is free, and free self-parking is available. The resort promotes a dock-to-dish approach to its dining. This is the best choice for honeymooners, anniversaries and anyone who wants to be woken by monkeys, and a poorer one if you want to walk to nightlife.
Why stay here
- ✓Direct access to two beaches
- ✓Eleven acres of private rainforest reserve
- ✓Two pools
- ✓Beachfront and ocean-view restaurants
- ✓Las Brisas wellness centre
- ✓In-house naturalist guides
- ✓Free breakfast
- ✓Free parking
Good questions
Is Arenas del Mar on the beach?+
Yes. The resort has direct access to two beaches and is set in a private rainforest reserve. It is a short drive from the national park entrance rather than a walk.
Do I need a car?+
Not necessarily. Many guests use the resort shuttle, taxis and tour pickups, though the property is a little removed from the main strip, so plan transport for dinners out.
When is the best time to stay?+
The dry season, from December to April, is the busiest and most expensive. The green season, from May to November, is quieter and cheaper, and the resort describes it as the most active time for wildlife.
