Arenas del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort

If you want to be steps from the beach in Manuel Antonio and experience real Pura Vida hospitality, this is the spot. I recommend booking in green season/low season — you get way better price for value. Breakfast is fantastic with an impressive variety. Just note that lunch and dinner are a bit pricey.

Superb hotel with two wonderful beaches on the doorstep!

My husband and I just returned from a fabulous honeymoon here. The location cannot be beat- it is SO perfect and beautiful. Our room was very clean and spacious- we booked an Ocean Breeze Suite and had two bathrooms with rainfall showers, a large bedroom, a big balcony with an ocean view, and a little sitting area. There are lots of things to see on the property- iguanas, sloths, Halloween crabs, monkeys, birds… it’s definitely worth doing the night walk on the property! We had excellent tours to the Rainmaker, Manuel Antonio, and the Barú Wildlife refuge (shout out to Maria Teresa and Julien!) As a celiac, I felt very safe eating here- almost the whole menu is GF and the staff are very knowledgable. Service was very good (shoutout to Karen and Carolina!) My top recommendations for food are: 1. Breakfast: Chilaquiles 2. Lunch: Casado 3. Dinner: vegetable casserole (more like a curry) While our stay was excellent, there were a few moments that made it feel a bit less than five stars; the resort charges for pretty much everything, and the prices (excluding the spa) for food and drink are steep. A coke is 3.50. Lunch entrees are about $40. The free breakfast is AMAZING, but the lunch and dinner felt, at times, overpriced and inconsistent. There is a high food tax, a 10% service fee, and tips are encouraged. The food was good, but not over $2,000-for-eight-days good. Especially at breakfast, wait times can be very long. If you stay at the resort, you can’t just charge things to the room- (you have to wait for a check so you can tip), and waiting for the check could take 20-30 minutes. On another note— it is a $25 fee to order room service. They also ask you to make a reservation at the restaurant each night, which kind of ruins the ability to be spontaneous. There were also long wait times for golf carts, and if you’re at the bottom of the resort like we were, it’s a VERY steep (and often) wet walk to get to the top. We waited over 10 minutes for golf carts three times, and only got a pickup after messaging the front desk. If you plan to go to the beach in the morning, be prepared to wait for towels. One morning, we had to wait over an hour for towels, even though the beach was open and there was a lifeguard. Many of the public bathrooms lacked hand-towels, as well. All of this is to say that Arenas Del Mar is amazing, but not perfect. If you are not uber- wealthy, it might be better to do an all-inclusive. But, if you have the cash to spare, it’s an incredible spot!

Here is the updated review incorporating that exact location detail: --- ### ⭐️☆☆☆☆ **Terrifying Experience — Beware the Wildlife & Pass On This Resort!** We booked Arenas del Mar expecting a relaxing, luxurious tropical getaway in Manuel Antonio. Instead, our vacation turned into a total nightmare starring a **Black Spiny-Tailed Iguana** and Elizabeth. While the resort markets itself on being "immersed in nature," they fail to mention that the local wildlife acts like aggressive predators—and in our case, launched an outright assault. Elizabeth was simply relaxing and eating lunch at the poolside chaise lounge chairs where food service is provided, when a massive, prehistoric-looking Black Spiny-Tailed Iguana violently attacked her right at her chair, ripping her fingers apart. It was horrifying, bloody, and completely ruined our entire stay. To make matters worse, the resort displayed a completely nonchalant attitude toward such a traumatic and serious injury. While we understand Arenas del Mar is situated in the rainforest, guests should at least be able to eat in designated guest areas without suffering severe bodily harm from territorial, aggressive reptiles. There needs to be strict wildlife deterrence around dining and pool spaces, clear warnings, and actual safety protocols in place. I would strongly recommend passing on this resort. If you value your safety and want to relax or eat a meal without fear of a prehistoric creature attacking you and causing real harm, look elsewhere. Elizabeth is physically hurt and traumatized!

Absolutely stunning location. Breathtaking views and unbelievable natural surroundings. The hotel is simple yet feels luxurious because it blends in with the surroundings so well. The food was unbelievable- best vegan food I ever tasted! Breakfast was unreal. (There was even plenty on the BBQ evening for me.) Beaches unbelievable- Ocean amazing. The forest and ocean and cliffs together are so dramatic. Loads of monkeys and lizards and birds and crabs & a sloth seen at the hotel. So beautiful. The staff were really friendly with excellent service. I had a fantastic massage looking over the forest and ocean. We tried surfing from the hotel and it was excellent. The instructors were great. Room had everything we needed but could be more luxurious as it was very small. Could hear the family next door. Trip was very expensive but it was absolutely worth it. This place is fantastic.