Shana by the Beach is a mid-range hotel on the road to Punta Quepos, on the quieter side of Manuel Antonio, a short walk from Biesanz Beach. It is a smaller, more relaxed property than the big resorts, in a rural setting with gardens and a terrace. Guests score it 9.2 from more than a thousand reviews, and the property has a full-service spa, a restaurant, a poolside bar, an on-site winery, an outdoor pool with a children's pool and an adults-only pool with a bar. A free buffet breakfast is served each morning from 6:30 to 10:00, and free wifi and free self-parking are included. An airport shuttle is available for a fee. The property suits couples and travellers who want a quiet base, good service and a free breakfast without paying luxury prices, and it also welcomes families, with the children's pool and room for kids.
Location and getting around
The hotel sits on the road toward Punta Quepos, about nine hundred metres from La Mariposa Hotel, and Biesanz Beach is a four-minute walk, which makes it ideal for a calm, sheltered swim. The national park is within about three miles, so it is a short taxi or drive rather than a walk, and the restaurants of the main road are a drive away. A rental car helps, but taxis are plentiful and many tours collect from the door.
The rooms and who they suit
Expect comfortable, modern rooms in a garden setting, with the pricing placing it in the mid-range upward. The adults-only pool and the on-site spa make it a good choice for couples, while the children's pool and free breakfast help families. Because it is a smaller hotel, service is more personal than at the big resorts, though facilities are more limited. If you want waterslides, kids' clubs and many restaurants, choose a larger resort.
Good to know
Rates are noticeably better value in the green season, from May to November, than in the dry season, from December to April, when prices climb. The free buffet breakfast saves money, and parking is free. The airport shuttle is a surcharge, about 190 US dollars per vehicle one way, so compare it with shared shuttles.
The hotel is on a hillside, so expect some stairs and slopes. Biesanz Beach is a small bay, great for swimming and snorkelling but with limited facilities, so bring what you need. Overall it is a calm, friendly base for travellers who value quiet over nightlife.
Why stay here
- ✓Free buffet breakfast
- ✓Outdoor pool and children pool
- ✓Adults-only pool with bar
- ✓Full-service spa
- ✓Restaurant and poolside bar
- ✓On-site winery
- ✓Free parking and wifi
- ✓Four-minute walk to Biesanz Beach
Good questions
How far is Shana by the Beach from Biesanz Beach?+
About a four-minute walk, which makes it handy for a calm, sheltered swim. The national park is within about three miles by road.
Is breakfast included?+
Yes, a free buffet breakfast is served daily from 6:30 to 10:00, according to the hotel. Parking and wifi are also free.
Does the hotel have an airport shuttle?+
Yes, for a fee, around 190 US dollars per vehicle one way. Compare it with shared shuttles and confirm the price when you book.
