The BEST places to stay in M.A. on a budget

Check out the green season rates for places like La Posada, Costa Verde, and Villas Nicolas - you may find something. I don't think you're going to find much at the $60 rate, but you can get some pretty good deals.

Volcanogirl you are always such a huge help on these forums and it seems like you must be on this website 24/7 the way you always help me with all my newbie questions.

I looked at all those places and some of them actually got a few bad reviews on tripadvisor but mostly good ones that outweigh the bad. I just get scared when people say stuff like "overrated" because it's easy to make a place appear nice on the outside and charge extra $ etc.. But if you have stayed at these and are recommending them, then I will trust your judgement since you seem to be educated in this area. Costa Verde does look good and it was $127 when I called. I also was curious about Costa Verde II but was not able to find a website for that specifically.

BTW... is this the Costa Verde you are talking about?
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g309274-d300778-Reviews-Hotel_Costa_Verde-Manuel_Antonio_National_Park_Province_of_Puntarenas.html

Did you see the review about the pile of dead cockroaches? Just saying that this one looks a little better:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g309274-d528084-Reviews-Costa_Verde_II-Manuel_Antonio_National_Park_Province_of_Puntarenas.html
But when I called it didn't go through. I can't find their site which reminds me, am I missing something or does tripadvisor not have links to the hotels website(s)? And speaking of missing things...how do I subscribe to these darn threads? It's starting to get hard to keep up.

Check out their website at www.costaverde.com. There's Costa Verde I and Costa Verde II - descriptions are on their website I believe. Some have t.v.s and a.c., and some don't. I haven't stayed there personally, but several people on the board have recommended it and their prices seem pretty decent. We met people on one of our tours that enjoyed it there also.

www.cabinasespadilla.com best bet for that price

right at the park but you get what you pay for...

www.laposadajungle.com a bit more but worth it

CV is also good from $90-100

best bet if available La Posada the Monkey Room from $50...

but shop around ask for 25% Hospitality discount

I do almost always get it especially in green season

Thanks!
Also... some of these places want me to fax them my credit card info in order to hold a room. Is this safe? I have heard horror stories about places charging credit cards long after the trip etc..

What about Vela Bar? Haven't stayed there, but I think I would. It's just difficult to find many photos of the place (there are some on Flickr), but it seems cute and quaint -- with very jungly grounds. Definitely in your budget.

We've always faxed our credit card info. and haven't had any problems.

We like the Costa Verde and to clear up the naming confusion there are two Costa Verdes owned and operated by the same family.

One is a sprawling complex with several different accommodation options spread through areas A-E in a reserve on a hillside about a kilometer northwest of the Manuel Antonio National Park entrance.

The other Costa Verde is a small hotel/B&B/apartments on a hillside southwest of Escazu with incredible views over the city and the central valley.

Both are recommended.

We loved La Posada. It is definitely one of the highlights of our trip. Great location too. We stayed in the monkey room and La Casa. The bungalows are super cute too.

Very clean as well.

Didi's Charming Bed & Breakfast....

We stayed at Didi's in 2007 so things may have changed since then but we found it to be perfect for the price. You are right in saying that it's not next to the beach but it's very easy to get around. We had a very busy schedule while in Manuel Antonio so for us it was worth having extra money to kayak ect..A nice breakfast is also included in the cost. Enjoy

I agree - we found it very easy to get around in MA. Things are pretty close together, so we were able to walk to most places we wanted to go to or get a taxi. Our most expensive taxi fare was $5.

The bus passes in front of Did's every 15 min. & is dirt cheap.

Thank you all so much. I am reserved at Didi's. It got the best reviews overall and I don't mind being a little away from it all if it means I can save a little cash. Who knows, I may even splurge and upgrade hotels after a night or two. Although I'm not sure how it works that I have given them my credit card and reserved for 5 nights but if I leave after 2 will I be charged a fee for backing out early?

I think you will be happy with your choice. The owner really goes out of his way to make sure you are having a good time.

We stayed at La Colina, but i don't remember if it is in Quepos or M.A. We had a room for 4 & paid $90 per night including a delicious breakfast. The room was clean, the restaurant where we had breakfast was open air, very nice. I wouuld stay there again.

Just realized you already booked at Didi's; but you could keep La Colina in mind for future trips or if you want to upgrade for this trip.

La Colina is not far from didi's at all, on the opposite side of the road, but on the hill closer to Quepos.