Hotel Costa Verde, Manuel Antonio

Pros

• The hotel is on a cliffside between the national park and the beach, so you get exceptional ocean views.
• The furniture is made at the on-site woodworking facility.
• All rooms have balconies and kitchenettes.
• There are five eateries overall, with two located directly on the property (the others are along the road near the hotel's entrance).
• Enjoy three outdoor pools, one being adults-only with beautiful coastline and national park views. 
• Guests frequently see toucans, monkeys, and sloths around the grounds.

Cons

• Private functions can shut down some of the common areas of the hotel.
• Extensive, hilly grounds can mean lots of walking, but a shuttle is available to get between the hotel and restaurants.
• The kitschy decor isn't to everyone's taste, and some rooms show some wear and tear. 
• Rooms near the reception area and the main road are noisy, as are in-room air-conditioning and refrigerators.
• Service can be impersonal and inconsistent. 

Authenticity

This is a truly unique property that feels a bit out of a movie. Rooms, cabanas, bungalows, and cottages stretch across 20 acres (8 ha) of forests and jungles. Because the hotel sits on a bluff, the views are incredible, especially at the top of the property, where you'll find an old helipad-turned-terrace. 

Location

The hotel is located conveniently between the beach and the national park entrance, but you'll need to walk about 10 minutes via a rather steep path to access the beach. The property is also within walking distance of a few off-site restaurants and cafés.

Rooms & Bathrooms

There's a ton of variety in room type: standard, bungalows, cabins, cottages, and even a room inside an old fuselage. All units have patios or balconies, kitchenettes, cable TV, air-conditioning, and WiFi. Much of the furnishings feature recycled materials, creating rustic vibes. The cockpit cottage sits high in the trees, accessible by a hanging bridge. Keep in mind that for some of the rooms, you'll need to book far in advance to secure them.

Amenities

The property has three outdoor pools. Two are family-friendly, whereas the other is adults-only and sits at the top of the grounds overlooking the coast and national park. The adults-only pool has an adjacent pool bar. Nearby is a sun deck and lounge set on an old helipad. Much of the hotel is reached via stairs, steep paths, and bridges, but there are a few rooms designed for travelers with limited mobility.

Family-Friendliness

With many accommodations designed for families, two kids' pools, an on-site zip-coaster, and the chance to eat or sleep in an airplane, Costa Verde is popular with families. Children don't stay for free; they're charged reduced rates based on their age groups. The best rooms for families are Family Studios or Bungalows, and several of the dining venues have kids' menus. 

Wildlife

Hotel Costa Verde sits just outside Manuel Antonio National Park, on a hill above the Pacific Ocean surrounded by jungle. Guests can expect to see monkeys, sloths, toucans, parrots, and macaws from the pool area and balconies off of rooms.

Sustainability

Many of the buildings on the property come from recycled materials, including a restaurant with old train cars and a cabin made from an airplane's fuselage. Most furnishings and decor are handmade in the on-site woodworking facility, and lighting fixtures feature recycled glass. Every year, the property sows 10,000 plants and trees across its grounds.

Other Highlights

Hotel Costa Verde has five restaurants on the expansive property, and a free shuttle transports travelers between restaurants and accommodations. Anaconda is open for breakfast and lunch on a large terrace with ocean and jungle views. El Baguette is a casual café serving coffee, pastries, and egg dishes. El Avión bar and restaurant is crafted around a Fairchild C-123 aircraft. Inside, the airplane's details, such as windows and seats, are part of the restaurant, while outside is a large patio with sweeping ocean views. El Wagon is a casual restaurant focused on pizza, hamburgers, sandwiches, and pasta dishes. La Cantina BBQ is a lively two-level restaurant and bar with live music and a dance floor by night. El Wagon and La Cantina BBQ, like El Avión, have full bars.