www.CostaRicaTicas.com

So after my first trip in May I decided I wanted to see a little more of CR. Search the web and got a recommendation from one of my work associates. Decided on Manuel Antonio National Park area. Following advice I decided to take a lady with me. I went back and forth and back and forth about the lady I would take and have several opportunities. Chose Karen (the legend). Ended up being the perfect choice, read trip report.
Drove to Manuel Antonio in a car rented from Enterprise. Got max insurance and I think total including insurance and fuel (forgot to fill up) was $305. for 4 1/2 days. Pricey but what the heck was on vacation. Karen helped me more than I can describe with GPS. San Jose streets are totally confusing, not marked, no real feeder roads.
We arrived at the Falls just as the power came on after a 4 hour black out of central America. Reception was warm and friendly with a ice fruit bar greeting. Room seemed to be the one posted on the site. Very nice, clean and modern. The setting was like being in the middle of a tropical jungle. Everything was within steps of the room. Free breakfast, and very good. Unlimited fruit and pastry bar and three choice from menu (eggs, rice and beans, pancakes, potatoes and a few other choices. We enjoyed several other meals and was thoroughly impressed with all menu items, reasonably priced. Bar was next to restaurant and both were open air but temps were ok and we were both comfortable. Drinks reasonably priced with 2 for 1 happy hour from 3 to 6. Pool was close to room and we enjoyed it for a good portion of trip. Recap.....Reception-Great...Facilities...exceeded expectations.....food... again exceeded expectations....housekeeping and wait staff...incredible.
Other things we did-Manuel Antonio Nation Park. We skipped guide tour, Karen suggested this as it is 4 hours and a ton of walking. Walked hour long path to first beach and it was a killer, hot, hot, hot! Beach was incredible, chilly ocean! Saw monkey, sloth and other wildlife. (Most were at the hotel)
Ate at a place that had signs advertising flame cooked pizza a short distance from hotel. Very good! Also another that had incredible view of the ocean, short distance from hotel. Just ask staff at hotel and describe using my description. I've forgotten names. Rent a car, taxis hard to find. Hotel gets 5 stars from both Karen and myself.

dtex,
It's amazing how beautiful the beach areas are! I have been traveling up and down the beaches for over 20 years and have never been to the falls. I will have to try it out and see as it sounds incredible.
If you decide to go to another beach, Go north to Guanacaste Region and Samara Beach Laz Divaz hotel right on the beach. Very romantic and not many people around and a beautiful White Sand Beach. I had a house for 6 years in Playa Grande [Next door to Tamarrindo] beautiful and great waves for Surfing and Boogie Boarding!
It's an incredible ride traveling on the Beaches and I've taken 2 weeks at a time to do my exploring and have never been disappointed with the scenery. You must make sure you have the right Chica or it can be a nightmare. you have been with the right Chica, so I don't have to tell you anymore. Glad you had so much fun.
Pura Vida
Propman48

Propman48

So don't have to worry about undertow or anything dangerous?

The one beach that concerns me is Playa Hermosa, south of Jaco. It does not look like it, but the waves are very strong and will suck you under. If you are not a strong swimmer, I would not recommend venturing to far off shore at this particular beach. The beaches of the western coast are great. I feel that the beaches in the Tamarindo area are some of the most beautiful in the world.

Something to always be aware of. Pacific coast has a lot of places where even strong swimmers have drowned. The little cove in the Manual Antonio National Park is probably fine...but lots of tourists have drowned on the beach areas in Costa Rica...strong undertows and rip tides are common. Good surfing areas often have areas with undertows and riptides...what goes in must go out (water that is).