Tulemar Resort, Manuel Antonio

5.0 (3 reviews) · Luxury
Exclusive jungle resort offering luxurious villas, private beach access, an on-site spa, and four swimming pools

Overview

Tulemar Resort sits amid a lush rainforest preserve overlooking the Pacific, just minutes from downtown Manuel Antonio. Guests can choose from studio-like rooms and one-bedroom bungalows to luxurious three-bedroom villas, all with unique octagonal designs that take advantage of the surrounding nature and ocean vistas. Amenities include four swimming pools, an on-site spa, two restaurants, and access to a private beach. There are also plentiful wildlife spotting opportunities throughout the property, including a thriving sloth population supported by the resort's partnership with The Sloth Institute of Costa Rica.

Kimkim's Take

Adam
Adam Gomez kimkim staff
Based on kimkim staff visit, August 2023 (Learn more)
Pros
  • You'll be in the center of Manuel Antonio, surrounded by lush rainforest and the Pacific Ocean.
  • There are plenty of opportunities to see wildlife, such as sloths, monkeys, and birds, in their natural habitat.
  • Each self-contained bungalow and villa offers modern amenities and panoramic views, and you can book larger units that sleep up to 10.
  • The property has four pools, including an adults-only option, with infinity edges and poolside service from the café.
  • You can grab meals and snacks at Tulemar Café or stock your unit's kitchen with groceries from the on-site shop.
  • A private walking trail leads to the resort's exclusive beach, complete with kayaks and loungers.
Cons
  • The expansive and varied terrain may be challenging if you have mobility limitations, but shuttles are available.
  • There's no communal gym, though some of the higher-end villas offer small private gyms. 

Authenticity

Tulemar Resort sits on 33 acres (13 ha) of designated rainforest preserve that serves as an extension of Manuel Antonio National Park. The resort's first distinctive octagonal bungalows were built in 1992; today, there are 47 separate units, most featuring Costa Rican-inspired decor and an octagonal, treehouse-like design that maximizes the rainforest and ocean views. Because of the resort's partnership with the Sloth Institute of Costa Rica, you're likely to see two and three-toed sloths throughout the lush grounds, and you can follow a walking trail down to the exclusive beach without leaving the property.

Location

The resort is conveniently located close to downtown Manuel Antonio, so you'll have easy access to local attractions while still enjoying the exclusivity of a gated property with security and privacy amid the lush jungle and Pacific Ocean views. If you don't feel like walking or driving, you can take the hotel's complimentary shuttle service. You can also take the shuttle to Tulemar Beach, or reach it on foot via a 10-minute stroll along footpaths. Due to the steep slopes and lack of accessible rooms, the resort isn't ideal for guests with limited mobility. 

Rooms & Bathrooms

The resort offers 47 units with various configurations, most with an octagonal design and ocean and rainforest views. Options range from Standard rooms with balconies and kitchenettes to one-bedroom Villas and standalone Bungalows. Multilevel Casas sleep up to 10 with three bedrooms, and some units include hot tubs, pools, garages, and even private gyms. Decor varies; some feature a more retro design with dark woods and tile floors, while newer options feel airier and brighter with white walls and vaulted ceilings. Each unit also includes a personal concierge to ensure a tailored and exceptional stay.

Amenities

The resort has four pools to choose from, including an adults-only option tucked away in a quiet spot. Plumeria Spa offers an extensive list of luxurious treatments and you can receive treatments on-site or have staff come to your private villa. Tulemar Café is the longstanding dining option at the resort, offering all meals of the day and room service, while the recently added Victoria's Restaurant serves Italian-inspired cuisine in the evenings. There's a small grocery store on-site to stock self-catering kitchens, and you can arrange for grocery deliveries or a personal chef. The sandy Tulemar Beach is stocked with sun loungers and recreational activities and is staffed during the day, allowing you to order food and drinks. 

Family-Friendliness

Tulemar Resort is a fantastic stay for families, providing a range of accommodation options. Smaller families can book Bungalows or Villas, while the Tulemar Casas and Tulemar Private Houses can host up to 10 people. Children under the age of 10 accompanied by an adult stay for free. The hotel's secluded beach is outfitted with boogie boards, sea kayaks, and sandcastle toys, perfect for keeping your kids entertained all day. 

Wildlife

As a part of the hotel's partnership with The Sloth Institute of Costa Rica, a sloth walk is offered daily, allowing you to learn more about the region's sloth species and other creatures. The two on-site hiking trails are also great places to spot the property's wildlife, and you're likely to see squirrel monkeys,  macaws, toucans, and iguanas on a regular basis. 

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Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 4-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +1 8005180831
Hotel address icon Tulemar Gardens
View on Expedia Open in Google Maps Hotel website
Free parking
Free wifi

Traveler Reviews

3 total ratings, 2 with reviews
5.0
Feature ratings
Authenticity & Character
5.0
Location
5.0
Staff
5.0
Cleanliness & Comfort
4.7
Brook
Brook W.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Jul 30, 2024
We loved our bungalow (number 121) at Tulemar. We had our own balcony with views of the jungle and the Pacific ocean and lots of wildlife. I told our travel planner (Holden at Serendipity Adventures) that I wanted to see wildlife from our room and he found us the best room in the whole resort (in my opinion). Our balcony was on the feeding route of different monkey troops and so every day between 3 and 4 pm monkeys would climb trees right next to our balcony. One day 10 squirrel monkeys even... Read more

We loved our bungalow (number 121) at Tulemar. We had our own balcony with views of the jungle and the Pacific ocean and lots of wildlife. I told our travel planner (Holden at Serendipity Adventures) that I wanted to see wildlife from our room and he found us the best room in the whole resort (in my opinion). Our balcony was on the feeding route of different monkey troops and so every day between 3 and 4 pm monkeys would climb trees right next to our balcony. One day 10 squirrel monkeys even climbed onto the balcony right next to us and wrestled and played with each other while we looked on! It was truly magical!

We had our own concierge (Miguel) who was available via WhatsApp to answer questions and book reservations for us. Since the phone in our room wasn't working he also called shuttles for us and placed room service orders for us. He was extremely responsive. The service was excellent!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in July 2024
Karen
Karen P.
Middletown, NJ | Reviewed on Jan 16, 2023
Amazing location with wildlife and beach - would definitely recommend staying at Salty Breeze as monkey troops come through every single day. The amenities were top notch, but so was the price. Read more

Amazing location with wildlife and beach - would definitely recommend staying at Salty Breeze as monkey troops come through every single day. The amenities were top notch, but so was the price.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in January 2023

Like what you see?

Chat with our local specialists and let us help you customize your trip with hotels like this.

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Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 4-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +1 8005180831
Hotel address icon Tulemar Gardens
View on Expedia Open in Google Maps Hotel website
Free parking
Free wifi