Arenas del Mar
The soothing sound of the Pacific and fine, warm sand underfoot make arriving at Arenas Del Mar remarkably carefree. Nestled on a wooded slope, the resort merges into a private nature reserve of around 4.5 hectares on the central Pacific coast, offering views of the sea and the nearby national park from almost everywhere. As the only luxury resort in Manuel Antonio with direct beach access, you reside at two beaches and in the midst of the rainforest. The rich wildlife of Costa Rica reveals itself freely in the thick canopies: Playful monkeys climb through the branches while toucans and macaws fill the air with life. The sprawling grounds find a good balance between quiet corners overlooking the waves for couples and short paths to the pool and sand for families. A place where everyday life fades away and nature sets the rhythm.
Details
Country
Costa Rica
City
Manuel Antonio
Price
from €330 per night/person
Best travel time
December - April
Rooms
The 37 rooms and suites are distributed across the wooded slope, each unit with views of the Pacific or the rainforest. The studios range from 44 to 49 square meters, the suites with separate bedrooms from 90 to 98 square meters, and the Playitas Suite offers two bedrooms for up to eight guests on approximately 120 square meters. The character is determined by the orientation: Ocean-view units overlook the Pacific and the national park, while the Ocean-Breeze categories combine sea and rainforest views, and the Rainforest rooms lie amidst the greenery near the infinity pool. Amenities include king-size beds and rain showers, along with organic toiletries and a “Tico" minibar stocked with local snacks. All suites also have a private hot tub on the covered balcony, which measures up to 49 square meters in the Ocean View Premium Suites.
Culinary
Dining takes place in two very different locations. In the Mirador Oceanview Restaurant, you sit in a covered open-air dining room high above the coast, with a view of the national park; in the mornings, there is an à la carte breakfast, in the evenings regionally inspired dishes, as well as organic wines and live music on selected nights. Directly on the sand, the Playitas Restaurant & Bar serves lighter fare, from beach BBQs to cocktails brought to your lounge chair. The fish comes from the dock-to-dish program, through which local fishermen provide daily catches, and Arenas Del Mar was the first luxury resort outside the USA to participate. Spices and rice come from local farms, sauces and spice pastes are made in-house, and gluten-free and vegan dishes are a regular part of the menu rather than an additional option.
Activities
For those wanting to move, nature is right at the door. You can walk along Espadilla Beach to Manuel Antonio National Park during the day without needing a taxi. You are guided by the house's own naturalists who design each tour themselves and accompany small groups. After dark, a nighttime rainforest hike is worthwhile, where red-eyed leaf frogs and eyelash vipers appear in the beam of light. If you seek more speed, there is canopy ziplining and white-water rafting, as well as kayaking tours through the mangroves, surf lessons, or whale watching during the season. On the property itself, two pools await, an infinity pool above the Mirador and one near the beach, while the Las Brisas Wellness Center offers spa treatments as well as free yoga and fitness classes several times a week.
Location
Arenas del Mar is located directly in Manuel Antonio, in the province of Puntarenas on the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Due to its location right on the beaches of Playitas and Espadilla, guests can comfortably stroll along the shore to the town of Manuel Antonio and the famous national park during the day. The international airport San José is the nearest main airport and can be reached by a scenic drive of about 2.5 to 3 hours.
Contact person
Senior Travel Designer
