Goals: romantic and intimate, beautiful views, beach and pool lounging, access to MA nature activities and tours.

Villa Caletas
Villa Nicolas
Tulemar Bungalows - looked wonderful but am hesitant b/c none of the books or internet sites have evaluated it and the website doesn't have a picture of the overall grounds layout. Where exactly is it and is it as wonderful as the website portrays?
Makanda - we've kind of ruled out b/c only thing left is studio, heard there wasn't much of a beach, woudl have to change rooms halfway through our stay.
Si Como No - heard this was more of a family joint.
La Mariposa
Others???

Well, Caletas is about 50 miles N of MA, so I don't think that would fall under easy access to MA. Tulemar has been reviewed positively here at fodors a few times, a search should pull those up. Parador is another option.

You might try doing a search on this board of all the places you mentioned. Several posters have reviewed them at length. As for having a beach, none of the hotels are "on the beach"; they are all built up into the hills overlooking the beach. It makes for a very pretty view, but if you want to walk out your door and across a few meters of sand to get in the water, it won't happen here! Shuttles take you down to the beach, or you can walk down, shuttle back.

The only hotel on your list at which we have stayed is Si Como No. While it would be a good place for families, there isn't anything about it that makes it a "less enjoyable hotel" for couples. There is an adults only pool, and during our stay, we didn't have any interaction with families other than to see a couple of little ones in the restaurant a time or two. I don't think it would be a bother.

Makanda gets too many negative reviews for the price it costs to stay there!

Villas Nicolas gets excellent reviews almost 100% of the time.

We stayed at Si Como No during some of our honeymoon. Loved it- very well done.
One of our favorite places was the adults only pool not that the other pool was packed with screaming little horrors

Also take a peek at Mango Moon or Costa Verde 2 , remember , it is not about being on the beach here , you will bus it , taxi it , or hike it ! Makandas beach is only there at low tide and it is a GOOD hike down a slippery path . Even though we loved Makanda in the past , I would stay at Mango Moon for very intimate lodging . Costa Verde 2 for great pool area and un-beatable views , or Villas Nicolas for very pretty pool area , and great rooms with super balconies . Tulemar is a great spot but also a little expensive ? Choices , Choices !!!

Please do check out all postings on Villa Caletas. It was our favorite spot in CR. (Beach is not beautiful in the Caribbean or Hawaiian sense, but fine nonetheless-- lovely warm water.) It's abt 2 hrs (mabe less) from MA, but there are many things to do much closer, e.g. Rainmaker, aerial tram, boat tours on Tarcoles River, fisning, canopy tours I think, etc. Definitely romantic and intimate. Best food we had in CR. Let me know if you have other specific questions.

I vote for Si Como No or Parador!

And, if you want a couple of days absolutely alone, stop off at Villas Caletas on the way to Manuel Antonio....

hopabout

We stayed at Tulemar this past Novemeber for our honeymoon and it was FABULOUS. I cannot recommended it highly enough. It is located on the main road between Quepos & Manuel Antonio. It has a private beach which was WONDERFUL to be able to go to without having to leave the property. I did a review on it somewhat, as I got busy & never got around to finishing it. If you do a search for "airwayvz" it should come up. I posted a link to a few of the pictures I took of Tulemar in one of them.

I would be happy to answer any more questions you have about Tulemar. Email me at [email protected] or post a reply.

After re-reading your goals I'd say Tulemar is DEFINITELY the place for you. Rent the upper half of one of the Villas as they are more romantic and have more features than the standard Bungalows. We rented unit # 303 and it was located directly over a pool that was reserved for Villa guests only - as seen in my pictures if you lookm for that thread.

You won't be disappointed as Tulemar is one of the few places I have been that I had high expectations for that were actually exceeded.

Here's the link to a few of my tulemar pics:

http://share.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeFM3DJw0buBA

Once you get to the site, just click "View pictures" on the lower left.