Hotel Costa Verde, Manuel Antonio

4.5 (34 reviews) · Comfort
Eclectic jungle hotel near Manuel Antonio National Park, offering quirky decor, cliffside pools, and ocean views

Overview

The vibe at this 70-room hotel, which has quirky features like an  airplane converted into a private suite, might be described as "Costa Rica kitsch." Hotel Costa Verde opened in 1988; the vast property has three pools, four restaurants, guest rooms, and suites spread across 20 acres (8 hectares) of hilly jungle with ocean views. There's a shuttle between rooms and restaurants to make getting around easier. The location outside of Manuel Antonio National Park is convenient for outdoor adventurers.

Pros
  • The hotel is on a cliffside between the national park and the beach, so you get exceptional ocean views.
  • The furniture is made at the on-site woodworking facility.
  • All rooms have balconies and kitchenettes.
  • There are five eateries overall, with two located directly on the property (the others are along the road near the hotel's entrance).
  • Enjoy three outdoor pools, one being adults-only with beautiful coastline and national park views. 
  • Guests frequently see toucans, monkeys, and sloths around the grounds.
Cons
  • The decor is a bit too eclectic for some.
  • Private functions can shut down some of the common areas of the hotel.
  • Extensive, hilly grounds can mean lots of walking.
  • Many rooms are dated and show wear and tear. 
  • Rooms near the reception area and the main road are noisy, as are in-room air-conditioning and refrigerators.
  • Service can be impersonal and inconsistent. 

Kimkim's Take

Brittany
Brittany McNamara kimkim staff
Based on kimkim staff visit, March 2022 (Learn more)

Authenticity

This is a truly unique property that feels a bit out of a movie. Rooms, cabanas, bungalows, and cottages stretch across 20 acres (80 hectares) of forests and jungles. Because the hotel sits on a bluff, the views are incredible, especially at the top of the property, where you’ll find an old helipad-turned-terrace. 

Location

You’ll be conveniently between the beach and the national park entrance. You’ll need to walk about 10 minutes via a rather steep path to access the beach. The property is also within walking distance of a few offsite restaurants and cafés.

Rooms & Bathrooms

There's a ton of variety in room type: standard rooms, bungalows, cabins, cottages, and even a room inside an old fuselage. All units have patios or balconies, kitchenettes, cable TV, air-conditioning, and WiFi. Much of the furnishings feature recycled materials, creating rustic vibes. The cockpit cottage sits high in the trees, accessible by a hanging bridge. Keep in mind that for some of the rooms, you'll need to book far in advance to secure them.

Sustainability

Many of the buildings on the property come from recycled materials, including a restaurant with old train cars and a cabin made from an airplane's fuselage. Most furnishings and decor are handmade in the on-site woodworking facility, and lighting fixtures feature recycled glass. Every year, the property sows 10,000 plants and trees across its grounds.

Wildlife

Hotel Costa Verde is outside of Manuel Antonio National Park, on a hill above the Pacific Ocean surrounded by jungle. Guests can expect to see monkeys, sloths, toucans, parrots, and macaws from the pool area and balconies off of rooms.

Amenities

The property has three outdoor pools. Two are family-friendly, whereas the other is adults-only and sits at the top of the grounds overlooking the coast and national park. The adults-only pool has an adjacent pool bar. Nearby is a sun deck and lounge set on an old helipad. Much of the hotel is reached via stairs, steep paths, and bridges, but there are a few rooms designed for travelers with limited mobility.

Family-Friendliness

With many accommodations designed for families, two kids' pools, an on-site zip-coaster, and the chance to eat or sleep in an airplane, Costa Verde is popular with families. Children don't stay for free; they're charged reduced rates based on their age groups. The best rooms for families are Family Studios or Bungalows. There are no extra cots or cribs or free stays for kids. Several dining venues have kids' menus. 

Other Highlights

Hotel Costa Verde has five restaurants on the expansive property, and a free shuttle transports travelers between restaurants and accommodations. Anaconda is open for breakfast and lunch on a large terrace with ocean and jungle views. El Baguette is a casual café serving coffee, pastries, and egg dishes. El Avión bar and restaurant is crafted around a Fairchild C-123 aircraft. Inside, the airplane's details, such as windows and seats, are part of the restaurant, while outside is a large patio with sweeping ocean views. El Wagon is a casual restaurant focused on pizza, hamburgers, sandwiches, and pasta dishes. La Cantina BBQ is a lively two-level restaurant and bar with live music and a dance floor by night. El Wagon and La Cantina BBQ, like El Avión, have full bars.

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Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 3.5-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +506 27770584
Hotel address icon Playas de Manuel Antonio, Km 5
Free parking
Free wifi

Traveler Reviews

34 total ratings, 30 with reviews
4.5
Feature ratings
Authenticity & Character
4.7
Location
4.7
Staff
4.5
Cleanliness & Comfort
4.5
Marcia
Marcia J.
Redmond, WA | Reviewed on Apr 22, 2024
A wonderful place for families. We were 7 and KimKim found us the perfect house (Casa Quinta) on the property. Multiple great pools. Monkeys everywhere, which we all loved. Read more

A wonderful place for families. We were 7 and KimKim found us the perfect house (Casa Quinta) on the property. Multiple great pools. Monkeys everywhere, which we all loved.

Authenticity & Character
Location
It is indeed built on the side of a hill. Plan on uphill hiking or plan on multiple taxi rides (totally worth the extra expense).
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The cleaning staff even washed our dishes!
Stayed in April 2024
Andrea
Andrea B.
Canada | Reviewed on Mar 07, 2024
More monkeys than people!!! Fantastic Read more

More monkeys than people!!! Fantastic

Authenticity & Character
Very unique. Just how we like it.
Location
In the jungle but moments from the beach.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in February 2024
K
Kevin S.
Canada | Reviewed on Feb 20, 2024
Great room, location, food and lots of monkeys that you can enjoy on your balcony. Highly recommended. Read more

Great room, location, food and lots of monkeys that you can enjoy on your balcony. Highly recommended.

Authenticity & Character
Airplanes in the jungle! Very cool.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Loved the room and large balcony.
Stayed in February 2024
B
brenda h.
Canada | Reviewed on Feb 18, 2024
Superb. Read more

Superb.

Authenticity & Character
Lots of options for food
Location
Self contained
Staff
Friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in February 2024
D
David H.
Crown Point, IN | Reviewed on Feb 17, 2024
unbelievable porch.great view of ocean had monkeys all around. very cool grounds. required lots of walking or use shuttle service good restaurants. would recommend staying here Read more

unbelievable porch.great view of ocean had monkeys all around. very cool grounds. required lots of walking or use shuttle service good restaurants. would recommend staying here

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in February 2024
Bela
Bela D.
Hungary | Reviewed on Jan 26, 2024
The location of the hotel is amazing but it really needs renewal and more friendly staff at the frontdesk. Read more

The location of the hotel is amazing but it really needs renewal and more friendly staff at the frontdesk.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Kindness
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in January 2024
Charlotte
Charlotte S.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Jan 11, 2024
Amazing hotel with a lot of character. Only complaint is that the bed was so hard. Read more

Amazing hotel with a lot of character. Only complaint is that the bed was so hard.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Lo
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The bed was very hard. Mattresses could use replacing or toppers.
Stayed in August 2023
S
Sonja T.
Rosemont, CA | Reviewed on Jan 05, 2024
We arrived after midnight and checking in was made quick and easy. Rooms are very spacious and were equipped with a microwave, hot plate and and (very loud) refrigerator, that we ended up unplugging during the night. Woke up to a gorgeous ocean view and lots of monkeys - their slogan is "more monkeys than people :-)
Breakfast with a view was great - service very friendly and attentive. Beach is in walking distance - maybe 7 minutes - but downhill - keep that in mind for the way back up.
Pool...
Read more

We arrived after midnight and checking in was made quick and easy. Rooms are very spacious and were equipped with a microwave, hot plate and and (very loud) refrigerator, that we ended up unplugging during the night. Woke up to a gorgeous ocean view and lots of monkeys - their slogan is "more monkeys than people :-)
Breakfast with a view was great - service very friendly and attentive. Beach is in walking distance - maybe 7 minutes - but downhill - keep that in mind for the way back up.
Pool was refreshing. Proximity to Manuel Antonio was great and Quepos was also not too far. Would stay there again.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in December 2023
Shay
Shay J.
Bellingham, WA | Reviewed on Dec 26, 2023
The hotel was an unusual and quirky place but overall a good experience. The grounds are impressive--you have multiple swimming pools, several airplanes, and oversized accommodations, which is excellent for a family of four. However, the hotel was a bit dated, and the room smelled musty. I imagine it is a tough climate to manage between the heat and moisture. The daily breakfast was great and it was so fun to see monkeys every morning. I can't believe all the monkeys at this hotel! Read more

The hotel was an unusual and quirky place but overall a good experience. The grounds are impressive--you have multiple swimming pools, several airplanes, and oversized accommodations, which is excellent for a family of four. However, the hotel was a bit dated, and the room smelled musty. I imagine it is a tough climate to manage between the heat and moisture.

The daily breakfast was great and it was so fun to see monkeys every morning. I can't believe all the monkeys at this hotel!

Authenticity & Character
This place was so unusual--it felt like being "lost in the jungle" between the abandoned airplanes, the wine-bottle lights, etc.
Location
Close to everything but still remote.
Staff
The front desk person on our arrival was a lot of fun. She made us feel welcome and had a quirky personality to match the hotel!
Cleanliness & Comfort
The hotel room was a bit musty and the beds could have been more comfortable. It's a tall order to manage the heat and humidity, so they did the best they could but it was definitely the least clean feeling of the hotels we stayed in.
Stayed in December 2023
R
Rosalee S.
Centerburg, OH | Reviewed on Dec 22, 2023
Wonderful hotel! Beautiful views! Read more

Wonderful hotel! Beautiful views!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Close to park.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in December 2023

Like what you see?

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Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 3.5-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +506 27770584
Hotel address icon Playas de Manuel Antonio, Km 5
Free parking
Free wifi