Where To Stay In Manuel Antonio Costa Rica 2025
Are you wondering where to stay near Manuel Antonio National Park? You’ve come to the right article.
Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the world’s most beautiful national parks, and it’s no surprise why it sees nearly 5 million tourists each year. With the gorgeous coastal views and the diversity of wildlife, it was by far my favorite area I stayed while in Costa Rica.
This article will cover all of the best places to stay in Manuel Antonio, from spa resorts to budget hotels right by the park’s entrance.
Ready to book a memorable stay in Manuel Antonio? Let’s dive in!
Where To Stay In Manuel Antonio
If you plan on visiting the national park, the three main areas to stay are by the park’s entrance, on the hill in Manuel Antonio, or in Quepos.
Manuel Antonio is a small town on a hill overlooking the coast, with hotels, and a few restaurants and grocery stores. It’s less than a 10 minute drive to the park’s entrance, which is just a short drive down from the hill.
If you want to walk into Manuel Antonio National park from your hotel, there are a few good hotels right by the park’s entrance.
This is a great option if you want to avoid having to find parking by the entrance, which costs around ₡3-5 (6-10 USD) for the day.
If you want a hotel with a view, however, opt for a hotel in Manuel Antonio. This area is located on the hill overlooking the coast, and it has everything from spa resorts to budget hotels.
Here you’ll be within a 10 minute drive of the park’s main entrance, and within walking distance to restaurants.
If you’re traveling on a budget, you’ll find some of the cheapest hostels/Airbnbs in Quepos. Here you’ll be a 20 minute drive from the park’s entrance, but near many restaurants, grocery store, and a walkable marina.
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Don’t have time to read the article? Here are my top 3 picks in Manuel Antonio.
- Hotel Playa Espadilla: Quiet hotel within a 5 minute walk from the park’s entrance with free breakfast, easy secure parking, and outdoor pools
- Parador Resort & Spa: Luxury spa resort in the rainforest with free breakfast, adults-only infinity pools, and a free shuttle to the national park
- Shana By The Beach: Spa resort in the rainforest with free breakfast, pools, and easy access to a white sand beach
Here are the top-rated hotel options in each area.
By The Park Entrance
The most convenient place to stay when visiting Manuel Antonio National Park is by the park’s entrance.
Here you’ll be within walking distance to Espadilla Beach and the park’s entrance. There’s limited restaurant options, but it’s worth staying at so you’ll be steps away from the national park.
Here are the top-rated hotels near the park’s entrance.
- Hotel Playa Espadilla: Quiet hotel with free breakfast, easy secure parking, and outdoor pools (5 min walk from the entrance)
- La Vela Boutique Hotel: Charming boutique hotel with free breakfast, easy secure parking, and outdoor pools (5 min walk from the entrance)
- Hotel San Bada Resort: Spa resort steps away from the park’s entrance with pools, an onsite restaurant, free parking and free breakfast
Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio is the best place to stay if you want to relax in a hotel with a view, overlooking the rugged coastline.
This area consists of all of the hotels up the hill from Manuel Antonio National Park, many of which are luxurious spa resorts. It’s a great place to stay if you’re on a romantic getaway, but it has budget-friendly hotels as well.
Here you’ll find a variety of restaurants and grocery stores located off of one main street, and it’s only a 10 minute drive from the park’s entrance.
Here are the best hotels in Manuel Antonio.
- Hotel Costa Verde: Unique rainforest resort with treehouse & converted plane suites overlooking the ocean, 5 minutes from the park’s entrance
- Si Como No Resort: Spa resort in the rainforest with free breakfast and pools with waterslides, less than 5 minutes from the park’s entrance
- Shana By The Beach: Boutique spa hotel with free breakfast and outdoor pools, steps away from a white sand beach
- Parador Resort & Spa: Luxury spa resort in the rainforest with free breakfast, infinity pools, and a free shuttle to the park
Quepos
Quepos is a good place to stay if you’re traveling on a budget, and don’t mind driving 20-25 minutes to the park’s entrance. This is a small and lively town with a variety of shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and a walkable marina.
Here are some of the best budget hotels in Quepos.
- Hotel Plaza Yara: Clean hotel in the rainforest with pools and free breakfast (10 min drive to the park)
- Villas Jacquelina: Budget hostel with a pool, gym, and free breakfast (20 min drive to the park)
My Experience Staying In Manuel Antonio
I spent two days exploring Manuel Antonio National Park, and stayed in Hotel Colina. This is an extremely budget-friendly hotel in between Quepos and Manuel Antonio that’s nestled in the jungle.
It didn’t offer a view of the coast, but it was in a convenient location on top of the hill, within walking distance to restaurants. From the hotel, I drove 15 minutes to the park’s entrance, where I paid $10 to park at a private parking lot for the day.
Manuel Antonio is surrounded by wildlife everywhere you go, and it was the most beautiful area I stayed while in Costa Rica. If you want to spot wildlife from your hotel, I recommend staying at a hotel like Shana By The Beach or Si Como No Resort.
These hotels are tucked in the rainforest, so you’ll feel like you’re staying overnight at Manuel Antonio National Park.
Manuel Antonio FAQs
Where’s the best place to stay in Manuel Antonio for families?
The best places to stay in Manuel Antonio for families are Hotel Playa Espadilla and Shana By The Beach. Hotel Playa Espadilla is a comfortable hotel with free breakfast and secure parking, that’s within walking distance to the park’s entrance.
Shana By The Beach is a nice spa hotel nestled in the rainforest, with free breakfast, and direct beach access. These hotels are in the best locations, and have outdoor pools as well.
Where’s the best place to stay in Manuel Antonio for couples?
The best places to stay on a romantic getaway in Manuel Antonio are a spa resort like Parador Resort or Si Como No Resort. Parador Resort has adults-only infinity pools, breathtaking ocean views, an onsite restaurant, and free breakfast.
Si Como No Resort is another spa resort tucked in the rainforest with adults-only pools, gorgeous ocean views, and an onsite restaurant with free breakfast.
Where’s the cheapest place to stay for budget travelers?
If you’re traveling on a budget, there are many affordable hostels in Manuel Antonio. One of the best places to stay is Art Hostel Costa Linda, which is just a block down from the park’s entrance.
I traveled solo on a budget, and stayed at Hotel La Colina for around $50/night. It wasn’t the nicest hotel, but it had a private bathroom and a kitchenette.
Is Manuel Antonio safe for solo travelers?
In my experience, Manuel Antonio felt very safe as a solo traveler. It’s a beautiful peaceful area nestled in the jungle, and has all the conveniences you’ll need as a tourist.
The only safety concern to watch out for is pickpockets, which often target tourists at the popular attractions. To avoid them, always bring your belongings with you, and never leave anything in your rental car.
How many days do you need in Manuel Antonio?
Two to three days is the ideal amount of time to explore Manuel Antonio National Park, and the nearby attractions. I recommend spending one full day at the park, and dedicating another day or two to visit the nearby waterfalls and beaches.
One of the best day trips from Manuel Antonio is Nauyaca Waterfalls, a stunning 2-tiered waterfall that you can swim in! For more ideas on how to spend your time in town, check out our 2 day Manuel Antonio itinerary.
Is Manuel Antonio worth visiting?
Yes, Manuel Antonio is definitely worth visiting if you want to spot wildlife, or relax on a white sand beach.
The area is surrounded by lush rainforest, and has a laid back tropical vibe that left me wishing I spent more time there! If you still need more convincing, check out our article on the best things to do in Manuel Antonio.