Quepos and Manuel Antonio are both popular vacation destinations in Costa Rica. Quepos is a small town located on the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica, known for its proximity to Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the most popular national parks in the country.
The park is known for its beautiful beaches, lush tropical rainforest, and diverse wildlife, including monkeys, sloths, and exotic birds. Manuel Antonio is a small beach town located within the park and offers a variety of activities such as hiking, swimming, and wildlife viewing.
Additionally, Quepos and Manuel Antonio offer a variety of accommodations and restaurants, as well as opportunities for adventure activities such as zip-lining and white-water rafting.
Even though there are hotels and restaurants of many nationalities on this hill between Quepos and the park. It is still common to walk along the lush green, tree lined road and see two toed sloths, bright green parrots and large iguanas. In the hills overlooking the ocean are some of the most picturesque and stunning views in the country along with accommodations from luxurious to basic.
There are many hotels in Quepos to choose from, depending on your budget and preferences, but here are my choices for the top places to stay in Quepos.
The Top Hotels in Quepos
All are up on the hill between Quepos and Manuel Antonio National Park, where you can enjoy great views and cooling breezes. If you don’t have a car, there are taxis and there is a bus that runs every 30 minutes from the beaches and national park at one end to the town of Quepos at the other.
1. Costa Verde Hotel
The catch phrase of the Costa Verde Hotel is “still more monkeys than people” and it amazingly holds true despite the increase in the amount of people visiting the area.
At the hotel you will often see toucans, parrots, howler monkeys, white faced monkeys, squirrel monkeys, sloths, and numerous species of birds. This is part of the reason its been a favorite place to stay for travelers for some time now.
The hotel also offers a unique blend of luxury and adventure. The hotel is situated on a 50-acre private reserve that is surrounded by lush jungle, and offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. The hotel features a variety of accommodations, including standard rooms, suites, and beachfront villas. All rooms are equipped with comfortable amenities such as air conditioning, private bathrooms, and balconies with ocean views.
The hotel offers a variety of on-site activities, such as hiking and bird watching, as well as a variety of off-site activities such as zip-lining, and surfing. The hotel also features a restaurant and bar that serves a variety of local and international cuisine. The hotel also features a spa, a swimming pool and a fitness center.
The Costa Verde Hotel is an excellent option for those looking for an eco-friendly and luxurious vacation in Costa Rica. The hotel’s commitment to preserving the natural environment and providing a truly authentic Costa Rican experience makes it a top choice for those looking to experience the best of what the country has to offer.
2. La Mariposa Hotel
I used La Mariposa Hotel more then a few times for our fishing clients and as and a place for the awards ceremony for the Costa Rica Classic fishing tournament that was held annually.
This hotel has been discussed by Condé Nast Traveler as “Eden on a ridge” and is a winner of their “100 Best Hotels” award. Like the Costa Verde it has stood the test of time and has one of the best sunset views you will ever see with a infinity pool overlooking it too boot!
It offers a cozy and intimate atmosphere, surrounded by lush tropical gardens. The hotel is situated just a short walk away from the Manuel Antonio National Park, which is home to a diverse range of wildlife and offers some of the best beaches in the country.
The hotel features a variety of accommodations including standard rooms, suites, and bungalows, all decorated in a traditional Costa Rican style. Each room is equipped with comfortable amenities such as air conditioning, private bathrooms, and balcony or terrace with garden views.
The hotel offers a variety of on-site activities, such as yoga classes, bird watching and guided tours. The hotel also features a restaurant and bar that serves a variety of local and international cuisine. The hotel also has a beautiful swimming pool and a Jacuzzi, where guests can relax and enjoy the tropical surroundings.
You will also see your fair share of Monkeys, Macaws and Iguanas from this place as well and you are within easy walking distance of several good restaurants although you probably won’t for breakfast at least as they give one buffet style with some of the best fruit you will eat and the breakfast of champions and my personal favorite – “Gallo Pinto” and you get to eat this while looking at the pacific ocean.
La Mariposa Hotel is perfect for those looking for an authentic and peaceful experience in Costa Rica. Its proximity to the Manuel Antonio National Park, its beautiful gardens and the friendly staff will make your stay an unforgettable one.
3. Si Como No Resort & Wildlife Refuge
How many hotels do you know are both a fantastic place to stay and also have its own wildlife refuge? The only place that I know like this is the Peace Lodge which I recommended in the San Jose Area Hotels post.
The hotel offers a unique blend of natural beauty and luxury, and is situated on a lush rainforest hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The resort features a variety of accommodations, including standard rooms, suites, and villas.
All rooms are decorated in a traditional Costa Rican style and equipped with comfortable amenities such as air conditioning, private bathrooms, and private balconies or terraces with ocean or rainforest views.
The resort offers a variety of activities and excursions, such as guided hikes through the rainforest, bird watching, and wildlife safari. The resort also features a restaurant and bar that serves a variety of local and international cuisine. The resort also has a swimming pool, a spa, and a fitness center.
The Si Como No also has what is calls it Greentique Wildlife Refuge that has a butterfly garden, reptile lagoon and guided night walks just to name a few. Its is also home to many different species of wildlife, ranging from macaws to white-faced monkeys and sloths.
Oh and did I happen to mention has its own private theatre that offers movies every night?
The Si Como No Resort & Wildlife Refuge is an excellent option for those looking for a luxurious and eco-friendly vacation in Costa Rica. The resort’s commitment to preserving the natural environment, providing top-notch service, and unique activities makes it a top choice for those looking to experience the best of what the country has to offer.
4. Tulemar Bungalows and Villas
This is a place I always recommend to people if service is their top priority.
That is not to say that there aren’t many many more reasons to stay here but if there is one thing that stands out to me about The Tulemar Bunglows and Villas and what is often the first thing people mention to me about there stay there, it is the service.
Tulemar offers a wide variety of accommodations, including private bungalows and villas, which are surrounded by lush tropical gardens and offer breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. The bungalows and villas are equipped with comfortable amenities such as air conditioning, private bathrooms, and private terraces with ocean or garden views.
Whatever room you pick you get great views, lots of wildlife sightings like Scarlett Macaws, toucans, falcons, sloths, howler monkeys, iguanas and more! ( you will feel you are living in a zoo), and boatloads of flora and fauna!
Of course, you have the beautiful pools to sit around and relax by and the they have there own private beach so you all you need to do at either is put yourself under a shade tree and relax!
Tulemar also has great activities for both adults and kids, for example, they have what they call a sloth walk that is done by the Sloth Institute of Costa Rica ( yes, there is such a thing) and is just for those staying at the hotel.
There is also paddle boarding, a night jungle tour and a bunch of day tours that you can choose from but most of those are outsourced to local companies.
Staying at the Tulemar is not something you will soon forget!
Getting To Quepos
You can travel to Quepos by car or on regularly scheduled flights. Sansa has three flights a day during high season. The flight from San Jose takes about 20 minutes.
It is a beautiful three and a half hour drive by car from San Jose. While a 4×4 vehicle is not required, I recommend one because some sections of the road have serious potholes and the clearance and durability of 4X4s is an asset.
Manuel Antonio is a little slice of paradise that I highly recommend if you are looking to for a beautiful beach, sportfishing or if you are just nature lovers.
Final Thoughts
No matter which places you choose you will not go wrong. They are all different types of hotels, and all offer their own unique touches. What is certain however is that no matter which one you choose, you will have a memorable experience not only for the hotel but also because the Manuel Antonio and Quepos area is truly one of the remarkable places in Costa Rica to visit.
