Parador sits on top of the Punta Quepos promontory, with views across the Pacific and about twelve acres of rainforest around it. It opened in 1995 with 57 rooms and expanded to 130 rooms and suites in 2008, and its site describes it as the only full-service resort in Manuel Antonio. It holds the top level of Costa Rica's sustainable tourism certification, and the founder's family has filled the property with a private collection of European artefacts, so it feels more like a grand estate than a modern block. Rooms range from Garden and Tropical rooms to Premium rooms, Vista suites with ocean views, Family Suites, Casitas and a Penthouse. There are several ocean-view pools, a children's pool and a pool bar, along with a spa, a breakfast buffet and five places to eat and drink, including a fine-dining restaurant with a view and a sushi lounge. Monkeys, sloths, macaws and toucans live on the property, and guests can join a night tour of the trails. Guests score it 9.8 from more than a thousand reviews, and parking and wifi are free.
Location and getting around
Punta Quepos is the hillside west of Quepos, above Biesanz Bay, and the resort is a short drive from the beaches and the national park rather than a walk. The site says guests can be shuttled to the park, and free parking makes it simple if you have a rental car, while taxis are inexpensive.
The location is peaceful and green, with sea breezes, and it is also set apart from the restaurants on the main road, so plan dinners in or take a taxi. San José airport is about three hours away by road, and shuttles are arranged through the front desk.
The rooms and who they suit
This is the best fit for families and groups who want everything in one place. Family Suites and Casitas give space for children, the property has a children's pool, a playhouse and mini-golf, and the site says children are defined as ages zero to eight. Some pool areas are adults-only, so couples can find quiet, and the vista rooms are the pick for a view. Pets are not allowed. Rooms and amenities are designed for guests with disabilities, and the property asks you to notify it in advance.
Good to know
Check-in is from 3pm and check-out is by 11am. The buffet breakfast is a big part of the offer, so confirm whether it is included in the rate you book. Rates sit in the upper tier and climb in the dry season, from December to April, and holidays, with lower prices from May to November.
The scale of the resort means it can feel busy at breakfast and by the pools, and the hillside setting means stairs and slopes. It suits families, groups and travellers who want a spa and many dining options, and it is less suited to anyone who wants to walk from the door to a beach or to a lively strip of bars.
Why stay here
- ✓Ocean-view swimming pools
- ✓Children pool and playhouse
- ✓Pacifica Spa
- ✓Five restaurants and bars
- ✓Sushi lounge
- ✓Daily breakfast buffet
- ✓Free parking and wifi
- ✓Guest shuttle to the national park
Good questions
Is Parador good for families?+
Yes. It has family suites, a children's pool, a playhouse, mini-golf and movie nights, and babysitting costs extra. Some pool areas are adults-only for quieter time.
Can I walk to the beach or the park?+
Not comfortably. The resort sits on the hillside at Punta Quepos, and guests are shuttled to the national park, while beaches are a short drive away.
Does Parador allow pets?+
No. The resort is pet-free. Check in is from 3pm and check out is by 11am, with early or late times depending on availability.
