Arenas Del Mar, Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica

Dawn breaks in Manuel Antonio with a duet of surf and cicadas. 

From your terrace, you watch the first scarlet macaw slice across the sky, the sand below edged by jungle vines.

With just 37 rooms and suites, Arenas del Mar feels like a secret—an eco-minded beach hideaway where sloths nap in almond trees and the Pacific glows silver at dusk.

What Makes It Special

• Rainforest-to-beach setting on the edge of Manuel Antonio National Park.
• Two serene pools with ocean panoramas and plenty of shade.
• Nature-forward experiences—guided wildlife walks, night hikes, and surf lessons.
• Local, seasonal cuisine: just-caught fish, plantain tostones, and chilled guanábana.
• Genuinely green ethos woven into daily operations and design.

A Day at Arenas del Mar

Morning

Coffee arrives fragrant with panela; white-faced capuchins chatter in the treetops. Barefoot, you wander down to the beach where the sand is still cool and hermit crabs leave tiny constellations of tracks. Breakfast might be gallo pinto with cilantro and a slice of sweet mango.

Afternoon

Paddle out for a mellow lesson as pelicans patrol the break, or take a guided walk where your naturalist points out a dozing sloth tucked like a comma into a cecropia tree. Back at the upper pool, condensation pearls on your glass of maracuyá.

Evening

Sunset paints the water bronze. You share whole grilled snapper with lime and achiote, then follow lanterns back through the gardens as tree frogs begin their chorus.

Night

From your terrace hammock, the Pacific hush is a metronome; somewhere, a gecko chirps like a squeaky toy.

Insider Tips for Arenas Del Mar

• Watch out for the monkeys! Capuchins and sloths are everywhere—adorable but clever thieves.

• Follow beach flags for safe swimming conditions.
• Bring binoculars for wildlife watching right from your balcony.
• Complimentary laundry service (one small load per stay) is part of their sustainable practice (so don’t overpack).
• Breakfast is included and excellent—eat at the main dining room every morning for fresh fruit, local coffee, and ocean views.
• The resort sits on a steep cliffside—use the complimentary golf cart shuttles between the beach, rooms, and main lodge.
• Uber does not reach the resort, so rely on the hotel shuttle or taxis arranged through reception.

Why We Love It (Curated Highlights)

At Hotelagio we hand-pick only stays that feel truly one-of-a-kind. This property made our list because of these rare details:

• Wildlife at arm’s length—breakfast with monkeys in the canopy and sloths overhead.
• True toes-in-the-sand living—jungle shade steps from soft Pacific swells.
• Flavors of Costa Rica—ceviches bright with lime, palm heart salads, and sugarcane-sweet cocktails.
• Credible sustainability—not a slogan, but daily practice you can feel and see.

For Whom

Couples: private terraces, candlelit dinners on the sand, sunset-soaked pools.
Families: gentle beach entry, nature guides who keep kids rapt, roomy suites.
Nature lovers: direct park access, birding before breakfast, and night walks under the stars.
Remote workers: strong Wi-Fi, shady verandas, and the soft percussion of surf as your soundtrack.

Quick Facts (Luxury Snapshot)

Location: Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica—~3 hrs by road from San José (SJO) or short hop to Quepos + ~20-min drive
Rooms: 37 (rooms & suites; many with ocean-view terraces)
Rates: From USD 883 (for scarce-on-the-coast, rainforest-on-the-beach privacy)
Best for: Beach & wildlife lovers, couples, families who want nature without roughing it
Style: Boutique tropical beach retreat