Best Hotels in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica — 2026 Guide

Manuel Antonio is a small destination with a surprisingly strong hotel market. A national park, Pacific beaches and rainforest — all within a few kilometres. The challenge is not finding a good hotel. It is finding the right one for your trip.

This guide covers the best-known luxury and upper-upscale stays. Every entry includes what the property does well and who it is not right for.

One thing worth knowing before you start: most hotels here are hillside properties with Pacific views. Only one — Arenas del Mar located on the beach. For everyone else, the beach is a short walk, drive or shuttle away.

TripAdvisor 4.9 · Google 4.7 · Booking.com 9.4

The only five-star hotel in Manuel Antonio with direct access to Playa Manuel Antonio. It offers around 40 rooms set within 11 acres of rainforest. Sustainability certified. Located away from most restaurants, shops, and town activity.

Best for: families and travelers who want to stay right by the beach

Not ideal for: guests looking for a strong spa experience or those who prefer easy access to local dining and shopping because of the hotel’s location

TripAdvisor 4.8 · Google 4.8 · Booking.com 9.0

Makanda is in a category of its own in Manuel Antonio.

Strictly adults-only, 18+ with no exceptions. Set in the jungle on a hillside above the Pacific. 33 rooms and private villas, every single one facing west over the ocean. No children, no noise, no interruptions. The kind of quiet that is genuinely hard to find at this level anywhere in Costa Rica.

The private pool villas are why most guests choose Makanda over everything else in the area. Three categories: Honeymoon Junior Pool Villa, Honeymoon Grand Pool Villa, and the Sky Penthouse at the top of the property, with the widest Pacific panorama on site. Floating breakfast served in your pool. Jungle sounds in the morning. Sunset over the ocean from your terrace in the evening.

Sloths, toucans, monkeys, and macaws are everyday visitors.

Árbol Restaurant: breakfast 7 to 10 am, lunch 11 am to 6 pm, dinner 6 to 10 pm (reservation required). New Costa Rican cuisine, local ingredients. Shanti Spa on a private terrace with 270-degree Pacific views. Sauna, Jacuzzi, and multiple programs for full reset and relaxation.

Within walking distance of a secluded wild beach, with no crowds, beach beds, and drinks service. Golf cart service available.

Best for: couples and honeymooners who want adults-only, a private pool, jungle setting, and Pacific views all in one place

Not the right fit for: families with children, guests with limited ability to walk

TripAdvisor 4.9 · Google 4.7 · Booking.com 9.2

A 5-star eco-boutique hotel set within a private nature reserve. Winner of the World Travel Awards’ World’s Leading Green Hotel in 2025, 2024, and 2023. Offers 22 rooms with Pacific views, Spa Terra with six treatment rooms, and a Skylounge with 360-degree views. Located on the hillside, approximately 10 minutes by car from the nearest beach.

Best for: guests who prioritize sustainability credentials and a private reserve atmosphere

Not suitable for: guests who prefer to stay closer to the beach

TripAdvisor 4.8 · Google 4.6 · Booking.com 9.0

A large hillside resort with around 130 rooms. Offers four restaurants: La Galería, Nama Sushi, La Fragata, and La Panga Pool Bar. Features multiple pools with ocean views, a full spa, gym, game room, and toddlers’ playroom. Also offers wildlife trails and night hikes. The beach is a short walk, drive, or shuttle ride away. Located away from most local shops and restaurants.

Best for: families and groups who want a wide range of amenities and dining options on site

Not ideal for: guests seeking a quieter, more intimate atmosphere, as the resort is larger in scale and often hosts groups. Also less suitable for those who want easy access to local restaurants and shops

TripAdvisor 4.6 · Google 4.8 · Booking.com 9.3

A four-star, medium-sized hilltop hotel known for its wide-angle Pacific views. Home to Le Papillon Restaurant, known for sunset dining. Also offers the private Casa Manuel Antonio villa with four bedrooms. Located around 10 minutes by car from the beach.

Best for: guests who prioritize the view and sunset dining above all else, with local restaurants and shops within walking distance

Not ideal for: guests looking for a true five-star luxury experience

TripAdvisor 4.4 · Google 4.5

Offers two accommodation styles: high-rise apartments with full kitchens, ideal for families and longer stays, and townhouses with private plunge pools added in 2024, better suited to couples. Features one infinity pool, Karola’s Restaurant, and included activities such as yoga, cooking classes, and jungle trails. Access to a beach cove is available by shuttle. Within walking distance of local shops and restaurants.

Best for: families and longer-stay travelers who want spacious self-catering comfort

Not ideal for: couples seeking a purely adults-only atmosphere. Also less suited to those who prefer boutique scale over a high-rise apartment-resort format.

TripAdvisor 4.8 · Google 4.6 · Booking.com 9.1

Four questions narrow it down quickly.

Adults-only or family-friendly? Makanda is the only strictly adults-only luxury boutique in Manuel Antonio — 18+, no exceptions. Gaia allows guests 13 and older.

Need beach access from the hotel? Arenas del Mar and Tulemar are the only luxury options with direct access.

Want a private pool in the room? Makanda's pool villas and Tulemar's villa format are the main options at luxury level.

Want a large resort with multiple restaurants? Parador or Arenas del Mar.

Most guests who choose Makanda want adults-only and a private pool in a boutique setting. Most who choose Tulemar want the private beach and villa privacy. Most who choose Arenas del Mar want to walk to the ocean.

Policies vary by property. Makanda by the Sea includes à la carte breakfast at Árbol Restaurant for all direct bookings on makanda.com. Tulemar villas have kitchen facilities. Parador and Arenas del Mar include breakfast in some rate categories. Always confirm directly with the hotel or check the rate details at time of booking.

View Rates and Availability

Official secure booking on makanda.com