Arenas del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort

My family and I really loved this resort - the swimming and the activities are second to none, and the bartender can mix you any kind of drink - we would definitely come back if not for the food , which had a strange bitter after taste . It’s best to eat down the road . There are other options that taste better .

This was the best part of our trip to CR for sure! Great hotel with a wonderful beach, animals at the hotel (sloths, monkeys, macaws) plus close to national park. The service was outstanding and the food was great-we ventured out for one meal and missed the hotel for sure. The breakfasts were THE BEST! The room with a plunge pool and perfect ocean view was great too-nice AC in the room. If we returned to CR, we would stay here the whole time!!

The reviews are correct- this is a wonderful resort on a very, very big hill. the staff at Arenas Del Mar are fabulous and kind. They remember who you are and engage with you on a personal basis when you approach them. They are, indeed, ready with golf carts whenever you want to go anywhere. My husband and I are in average shape, and we were able to walk most places without the carts, but when we didn't want to walk because we had been at the beach or had a few drinks with lunch, they were there for us. We had a fabulous time. The beach is beautiful. I wouldn't go in the water - it's a VERY rough surf - but it's beautiful and listening to it while you eat or read is a perfect way to spend the afternoon. The only downside of this resort is a downside of Manuel Antonio in general- it's not a realistic idea to walk into town or around most of town. The roads are narrow, and the drivers are terrifying. The resort will call you a car to go anywhere you want, and if you ask the people at the place you are at to call the resort, they will send a car to get you. They'll add about $10 USD to your hotel bill for the ride. This is a part of the service they provide, and we had an amazing time because the staff at the resort were so good at what they did.

This is a fabulous resort with a private, tree fringed beach - everything you could wish for. Lounging on the beach and looking up to see sloths in the trees above was very special. Getting around the large site was easy, as calling for a golf cart was simple and quick - the service was excellent and friendly. Everyone knew our names and greeted you where every you were. Food was great but our room with plunge pool and deck and view over the beach was fantastic. It was difficult deciding where to spend our relaxing time - beach or deck. Easy to walk along the Manuel Antonio beach - and although we had tickets to the reserve we didn't use them as the resort had so much wild life already - and in a nicer setting!

We thoroughly enjoyed our 3 night stay at the hotel. The grounds are beautiful and you feel totally isolated. After long hot mornings out on tour it was wonderful to be able to relax at the beach and enjoy lunch on a chaise lounge. Prices for dinner are not cheap, but enjoyable. However after spending $38 on a main shrimp dish, to be charged $7 additionally for rice is something that seemed to be a little much. All of the staff are personable and kind and well trained. They know their guests by name and really aim to please. We enjoyed our ocean view premium suite with the wrap around balcony - to see the sunset there at night and sunrise in the morning soothed the soul!