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Manuel Antonio Beaches - I am thinking of going with take-out for a couple nights in October. I did not care much for the beach in Jaco. Are they similar? Is it worth the expense or would the Arenal area be a better choice? I was thinking about staying at the La Mansion…..

Manuel Antonio is definitely more romantic and better beach than Jaco. More expensive also...and further to get to unless you just hop the plane over to Quepos. There are a number of hotels mentioned in posts on this board related to "manuel Antonio". Just do a "search" from the button above.

I agree Manuel Antonio's beaches far exceed Jaco only better beaches I have seen in CR are far Southern Caribean from Cauhita and Puerto Viejo on south to Manzanillo. The park at Manuel Antonio is very nice as well with lots of wildlife.rbc100

The beaches are quite nice at Manuel Antonio. Some of the most beautiful beaches are found inside the actual park and will take a little bit of a hike to get there. It is worth it to go on a tour through the park IMO. Our guide had a good eye for finding the monkeys, sloths, lizards, bats, etc. that live in the trees there. They have a telescope that you can put your digital camera up to and the pictures turn out quite good. The tour was $20 a person and then you have to pay a $6 fee to enter the park. If you don't want to go into the park, there is a public beach right before it and there are also little bars and restaurants in the area.

Ashford Jack writes:



Ashford is right on the mark here. Beach #3 (inside the park) is the nicest of the 3 beaches in the Manuel Antonio area.) Lots of wildlife viewing opportunities and lots of eye candy as well.

The walk from the ranger station is flat and less than 1/2 mile so you should have no difficulty at all. Bring a lot of high powered sunscreen or you'll end up as toast. The beach is clean and no riptides.

DO BRING in your own water and food as the concession stand on this beach is a hit or miss proposition. In addition, you can ford the little stream at low tide with no touble (ankle deep) but at high tide you can get a pongo boat to take you across for about 100 colones. (waist deep).

Manuel Antonio accommodations need not be expensive. Depending on when you are going you may not even need reservations. Be sure and hit El Avion the restaurant in a retired Air Force C-130 (the sister of the one that was shot down by the Sandanistas)

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69 isn't just a number, it's a way of life

One more thing too- bring mosquito repellent. My legs got munched badly- probably had at least 30 bites.

I am close to booking a couple days at the hotel La Mansion in Manuel Antonio. I plan to BYO with me for a couple nights of relaxation. Is this a good hotel for $125 per night? What is the average cost of the cab fare from SJ..or is the trip to long be car? Thanks!

I flew to Quepos (20 minute flight RT for $108) and then it was a $5 shuttle ride (about 20 minutes) to Manuel Antonio. SJO to Manuel Antonio is a fairly long drive (3 hours maybe?). Buses go there or there are shuttle services that will take you there for around $25 (each way). I didn't stay in a hotel there, so I can't comment on that topic.