Arenas del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort

Our stay at Arenas Del Mar gave us some truly unforgettable memories, thanks in large part to the incredible people who made our experience so special. The setting of Arenas Del Mar is beautiful. Being nestled between the lush tropical forest and the Pacific Ocean, with the sounds of nature all around you and the opportunity to see Costa Rica’s amazing wildlife right outside your door, is something truly unique. It is a special place where you can enjoy the beauty of the beach while still feeling connected to the incredible wildlife Costa Rica is known for. Rafael was one of the absolute highlights of our stay. We booked the Nauyaca Waterfalls excursion through the hotel, and he was phenomenal. He was knowledgeable, kind, and passionate about sharing Costa Rica with us. He made the entire day memorable, from the journey there to the breathtaking waterfall itself. He even brought snacks for us to enjoy while we relaxed at the waterfall, which was such a thoughtful touch after our hike. We ended the day with an incredible lunch that was the perfect way to finish such a special adventure. Nauyaca Waterfalls was one of the most beautiful and memorable places we visited during our entire trip. Rafael didn’t just take us to a destination—he helped create a memory we will cherish forever. We are so grateful we had him as our guide. Lexi, who drove us around the property in the golf cart, was another wonderful part of our experience. He was so kind and always willing to stop and show us the incredible wildlife around the resort. Because of him, we were able to see sloths and monkeys in their natural environment. One moment we will never forget was being surrounded by what must have been 10–12 monkeys. We were able to sit there and simply watch them move through the trees, completely in their own world. It was such a magical experience and exactly the type of moment we dreamed of when we planned our Costa Rica anniversary trip. Our experience with the hotel itself was a little more mixed. When staying in such a natural setting, you do have to embrace that wildlife is all around you. Geckos and little crabs can make their way into your space, including the shower, which was definitely an adjustment for me the first night. For some travelers, this may be part of the charm of staying so close to nature; for me, it took some getting used to. Unfortunately, our first impression was not ideal. After a long 6-hour travel day, we were really looking forward to relaxing in our hot tub, only to find that it was not working our first night. The staff did offer to come fix it right away, which we appreciated, but we had already settled into bed after such a long day. Thankfully, it was repaired the following day and we were able to enjoy it afterward. We also found a used Band-Aid left in our shower when we arrived, which was disappointing, especially for a resort at this price point. We also found the food and drinks to be quite expensive compared to other places we stayed during our Costa Rica trip. Overall, we are grateful we experienced Arenas Del Mar. While the hotel itself had some areas that did not fully meet our expectations, the beauty of the location, the incredible wildlife encounters, our unforgettable day at Nauyaca Waterfalls, and especially the kindness of people like Rafael and Lexi made our stay memorable. Costa Rica was the perfect place to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, and the memories we made at Arenas Del Mar will always be a special part of our journey. Pura Vida!

We had an amazing stay at Arenas del Mar. Everything was excellent—the rooms, the food, the beautiful location, and the atmosphere. Staying in the middle of the rainforest while being right next to the ocean is a truly unique experience. What really makes this hotel special is the people. Every staff member was friendly, caring, and always happy to help. A special thank you to Rogelio, our bellboy, who did so much more than his role required. He not only drove us around the property but also acted as our guide. He was always proactive, checked if we needed anything, anticipated our needs, and made sure we were well taken care of throughout our stay. We would also like to thank Krishne from Customer Service. He truly showed us what luxury hospitality looks like. His outstanding customer orientation, professionalism, attention to detail, and genuine care made all the difference. He was always proactive and did everything possible to ensure we had the best possible experience. Thank you to the entire team for making this trip so memorable. We can’t wait to come back!

Great responsive service. I emailed them late afternoon the day before my interest in the day pass. They responded quickly and completed my reservations easily. I was greeted with excellent courtesy and transferred down to the beach( very steep roads) very easily with a good introduction ti my beach options which included lounge chairs that they set up where we wanted, bar service at the lounge chairs, lifeguard, ping pong tables, very clean changing areas and showers, towels, cushions, beach toys, volleyball and direct verbal safety instructions about the undercurrent and rip tide and location of rocks. There was a beachside set up of dining tables with excellent food options. We had access to the infinity pool of the hotel as well. The $50 per person fee was just right as we considered just above that amount and made it convenient to address tip at the end. When we were ready to go they had a driver brings us back to the top of the road. The beach was clean, great sand, sloths, tons of hermit crabs and iguanas. The waves are big and you have to time your entry with the tide level so it is not too rough . This is certainly not an area for wading but trying to body surf in it is perfect if you want a challenge.

Our stay at this beautiful oceanfront hotel in Costa Rica was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warm, genuine hospitality that made us feel instantly welcome. The location is spectacular, with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean from nearly every corner of the property. Waking up to the sound of the waves and enjoying stunning sunsets each evening was an unforgettable experience. Our room was spacious, spotless, and thoughtfully designed, offering both comfort and incredible ocean views. The staff consistently went above and beyond to ensure every detail of our stay was perfect. The dining experience was outstanding, featuring fresh local ingredients, delicious seafood, and excellent service. Whether relaxing by the pool, walking along the beach, or simply enjoying the peaceful atmosphere, every moment felt special. If you’re looking for a place that combines natural beauty and authentic Costa Rican charm, this hotel is an absolute gem. We left with wonderful memories and look forward to a return visit.

I can only comment on the Playitas Beachfront Restaurant. We turned up unannounced at hotel reception asking if we could have lunch as my daughter is coeliac and we knew they catered for restricted diets. We were taken down to the restaurant in a little golf cart and then positioned at a table on the beach under a shady palm tree. Very friendly and knowledgeable wait staff. Best ceviche I've ever had and a great spiced pineapple cocktail to accompany. Staff the delighted in showing us a sloth asleep in a nearby tree. A really lovely couple of hours. Just wished we were staying there!