Two years ago I had the awesome opp to visit the stunning Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The excursion was booked via a Groupon and included horseback riding, zip lining, and hiking through a cloud forest in the sky. For my next trip back to the beautiful country (this time further south), I wanted go the full-blown relaxation route in the gorgeous region of Manuel Antonio.
How to get there: Flights to San Jose (not the California one!) run around $400 RT from BWI (via Atlanta) on Delta. The service on board was on point, and I got to squeeze in two Oscar-nominated films on the flight. We weren’t headed to our main destination until the next day, so we stayed at a nearby not-your-average airport hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites. Super accommodating, and a bag of Costa Rica’s iconic coffee was waiting to perk us up in the spacious room. The hotel was clean, comfortable and helped us regroup after a long flight. Take a dip in the pool first thing to catch some rays and work up an appetite for free breakfast in the lobby.
Manuel Antonio is about a two-hour drive from San Jose. On the way (we took an Uber) be sure to look out the window to take in the coastal town of Jacó, a top destination for hot nightlife and its access to national parks.
Here were some hospitality highlights!
Cafe Milagro: This staple coffee roaster, launched by expats Adrienne and Lance in 1994, only roasts the best beans Costa Rica has to offer. There’s two ways to experience the java brand: visiting its downtown Quepos coffee roaster and its all-day restaurant in Manuel Antonio called El Patio de Café Milagro, complete with colorful canopy lights, live music every night, and a legit seafood menu that sources underwater ingredients a few steps away. Mojitos and the “Costa Rita” tequila and passion fruit cocktail are good calls, as is Milagro’s own coffee-porter brew. I did some damage at its gift shop, and my bag of Joe I brought back home is almost empty (luckily they have online ordering capabilities). A super cute stuffed toy sloth is now living in captivity in my bed!
Kapi Kapi: This Pan-Asian perch surrounded by tropical trees is named after the traditional greeting of Costa Rica’s indigenous Maleku population. Wash down the macadamia-encrusted mahi-mahi or hefty helping of ceviche with South American wines. Don’t miss the sangria. Tour the property between dishes to appreciate its authentic artwork and tribal stone statues.
Wide Mouth Frog: Forget everything you’ve known about traditional hostels. This quaint getaway, recommended to us by a local, is tucked inside a secure gated area away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Quepos. There’s a range of rates, starting at $30 up to $67 for a private room and bathroom.
Manuel Antonio Estates: Feel like splurging a bit? These luxury furnished villas sit high in the sky, featuring infinity pools and all the amenities you need (be aware your cab driver will need ample gas to chug it up the hill). There’s also a newly installed wooden yoga platform at the very top, overlooking the town below.
Manuel Antonio National Park: The closest beach to our accommodations boasted the most beautiful vistas I’ve ever seen, complete with an overgrown jungle terrain, white-sand beaches and coral reefs. Jurassic Park vibes for sure (minus the T-Rex). Opt to rent a tented lounge chair setup to beat the heat. Peddlers will charge about $10 for two people all day. There’s a great smoothie and sandwich deli nearby, and waiters will take your order right on the sand. Go with a super fresh watermelon margarita!
Pro tip: Plenty of roving locals will be pushing knick knacks on you, and I went home with what might’ve been the best deal along the beach: two painted clay parrots for $5 (they were about twice as much in town). Peddlers also push lots of excursion options, like parasailing and jet skiing. We went with the latter, and a 30-minute splashy ride to a scenic rock formation and back costs around $60-$80. Shells collected along the beach are free of charge, of course, and I went home with plenty.
El Avión: Ever been to a beachside bar made out of cargo plane? Neither had I, until I met this offbeat watering hole that doubles as a history lesson. The cavernous bar is built around a fuselage that was formerly a C-123 Fairchild cargo plane built in 1954. Every night at sunset, the place is packed like clockwork. Hop in the queue for a cockpit pic, which is outfitted with illuminated Grey Goose bottles.
