This Spectacular Hotel Blends Beachfront Serenity and Rainforest Charm to Perfection!

Costa Rica really owes me nothing! It was lush, peaceful, and serene! And as much as I’d love to say that it left me at a loss for words, I actually have a lot of words! That’s a good thing (I think), not a bad thing! Let’s talk about this gorgeous hotel we stayed at in Manuel Antonio: Arenas Del Mar! First of all — this is hotel is both ON THE BEACH, and in the MIDDLE OF A RAINFOREST! I mean — how cool is that? That unique feature alone is worth a thousand words. Every night, Linda and I went to bed to the sound of nature in the rainforest – rain, animal “whispers,” and leaves blowing in the wind. It was perfection – and made for the perfect night’s rest. Then, first thing in the morning, I could walk down a few steps and make it to the beach, listen to the ocean, and take in the sound of the tides. What a remarkable hotel.

First, things, first! Let’s talk about the our accommodations. We stayed in an ocean premium suite during our stay, and what a beautiful accommodation for our anniversary. This is probably one of the most spacious suites I’ve ever stayed in. It featured 2 bathrooms, both equipped with showers and vanities. (Note that the bathroom in the bedroom features a massive rain shower and two vanity areas). The suite has a kitchenette, a dining table, resting area/lounge bed, a king sized bedroom, an enormous balcony – featuring multiple resting furniture, and an incredible hot tub. The suite is ocean-facing, and the outdoor area is the perfect location to read a book and listen to the sound of the waves. If you’re celebrating something special, I highly recommend this accommodation. It truly made for a special stay.

Second, let’s talk about the wildlife on property, because this is probably one of the most unique aspects of staying here. Look — within LITERALLY 5 MINUTES OF ARRIVING – we saw our first sloth on property. And no, I’m not exaggerating at all. This little guy was hanging out on one of the trees directly above the pool where we were drinking our welcome smoothies. You honestly can’t make it up. Throughout our stay, we probably saw 4 sloths on property. We saw macaws, a bunch of different iguanas and lizards, crabs and other sea life, caterpillars, and other interesting bird life. It was quite unique.

Third, the excursions. Ordinarily, on a trip to a unique country like Costa Rica, I tend to Jam Pack the schedule to try and do as much as possible. However, because it was rainy season, and our anniversary trip, I ignored my instincts and kept things a little more chill. Having said that, we did two incredible excursions that I would recommend to everyone: (1) hiking to Nauyaca Falls – for most locals, this is the best waterfall on the island (or so we were told). From the hotel, it’s about a 2 hour drive to where the hike starts, and once there, it’s about a 30mins hike to the top of the waterfall. The view at the top is absolutely breathtaking. You can then hike to various other viewpoints and levels of the waterfall, including the lowest level where you can swim. The current is strong, but the water is incredibly refreshing. (2) take a surfing lesson in Costa Rica. Now, I’m still very much a beginner surfer, and most of my prior surfing has taken place in Hawaii. What I learned on this trip to Costa Rica is that Hawaii waves are calm. The Costa Rican swells were impressive, and a little torturous for a beginner like me. But, you know what, that made it that much more fun. The staff were incredible and their tips were rock solid. I’ve worked with many instructors, and these guys made the whole process that much easier. Linda and I wiped out more times than we stood, but we left with our hearts full and filled with joy.

Finally, I want to be upfront that when we visited Arenas Del Mar, part of the hotel was being renovated so we didn’t get to experience one of the pools and one of the restaurants. Given what we did experience, I can only imagine how amazing these other locations will be. I cannot wait to return and experience the full hotel.