El Mangroove, Autograph Collection

From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel truly welcome. Check-in was smooth, and as a Marriott Platinum member, I was kindly offered all the expected perks, even though a room upgrade wasn’t possible due to high occupancy. We were taken to our room in a golf cart, and once we arrived, a staff member gave us a quick walk-through of the space. There was a thoughtful welcome snack waiting for us along with a handwritten note, which was a nice touch. One of the things we really enjoyed was the beach. It’s technically public, but it felt almost private because there were so few people around—peaceful, clean, and perfect for relaxing. We even bought fresh coconut water from a friendly local vendor right by the shore, which added to the whole Costa Rican experience. The resort encouraged us to explore at our own pace, which we appreciated. Everything felt calm and peaceful—perfect for a tropical getaway. We booked our airport transfers and a few excursions with Gabriel from Nomad Tours Costa Rica. He was super helpful through WhatsApp and gave us great recommendations. We did Diamante Adventure park, a waterfall hike with a tasty local lunch, a river tour where we saw monkeys and crocodiles, and my husband and son had a blast on an ATV ride. All tours were private. Gabriel was very organized and kept us informed at every step. I highly recommend Nomad Tours for anyone visiting the area.

I did the paddleboard and they were very helpful and bringing me out to the water and helping me back out. I recommend doing the water activities earlier in the day before noon. We did the jet skis early around 9:30 AM and Justin and Jose were very very helpful and getting us situated and helping us with our things so that we were safe. It was a great experience. I highly recommend.

We had a wonderful time - and the staff was very attentive and friendly. In particular, we absolutely loved the excursions we took with the Azul Ocean Adventures team (Beach Exploration and Fishing Charter). The boat crew was spectacular - Justin and Esteban were the very best! At the hotel, the staff was awesome, though they seemed a little overwhelmed/understaffed at times.

Our experience with Issys Tours Costa Rica and our stay at El Mangroove was absolutely unforgettable. The Palo Verde Tour was a highlight — the boat ride along the Tempisque River was amazing, we saw crocodiles, monkeys, iguanas, and beautiful birds, all while learning so much from our friendly, knowledgeable guide. Back at El Mangroove, everything was just perfect — the food was fresh and delicious, the staff was incredibly welcoming, and the atmosphere was pure paradise. The live shows in the evenings were a beautiful surprise, full of music and good energy that made us feel right at home. If you’re looking for the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and authentic Costa Rican hospitality, this is it!

Expected much better. The room configuration was ridiculous. There were 2 doors to get to the bedroom, each needing a key. The inner door always locked and the key didn't always work. The shower was in a small area where you store your clothes. Thus, they got damp. The food service was incredibly slow and all were outside. (Nice if you like to eat with the bugs.)