While visiting Manuel Antonio should we stay at the Parador Hotel or Tulemar Bungalows? Which property has the best beach access?

In Arenal, Lost Iguana or Tabacon Hot Springs Resort?

Is there another nice hotel near Peace Lodge... it seems to be a little out of my budget.

A lot of people have enjoyed Poas Volcano Lodge, just down the road from Peace Lodge. Nowhere near the same type of accomodation, but clean and well operated. Gets good reviews.

Also, not far down the road toward Alajuela is Siempre Verde. It is on a beautiful coffee plantation and serves one of the best breakfasts we've had anywhere in the country. Great gallo pinto! Very small place.

We booked El Parador for our next CR trip. Heard and read lots of great things about this place although the beach access isn't one of them. I understand it is pretty much a little cow trail through the mud. I'd be thrilled to hear it has been upgraded, but I'm guessing that isn't the case.

We are heading for Peace Lodge after we leave El Parador. Not sure quite what to expect but I have a feeling it will be a kick.

There are many fairly affordable places in Arenal, with easier access to town, but Lost Iguana seems to get the best reviews. Try to do the Cano Negro day trip if you can.

Well, I for one hope the "cow trail" to the beach close to Parador is NEVER upgraded! This "trail" is located on private land owned by the Biesanz family and he has been trying to restore/replant the land leading down to the little Biesanz Beach, his land surrounds the beach and it just happens that its the closest beach to Parador. A farmer lives in a little hut with his family and looks after things, along with a cow, horse, a few chickens and ducks. This is Costa Rica! Changing things around to make it a sterile, resorty, perfect envoirment for a fancy hotel closeby would be a shame. Parador caused an uproar when being built as it violated numerous envoirmental laws.

If you want beach access, Tulemar or adjacent Buena Vista Villas would be best. There is a lovely beach surrounded by the two properties, making it almost private. There are beach chairs and bar service. There is a shuttle service to the beach if you can't handle the climb. You can also have lunch there. Tulemar is much older for the most part.

You might also check out Arenas del Mar which is south of Parador with access to Manuel Antonio's large public beach or a smaller beach (which has its own special history). This is a new property and might serve your needs.

Tulemar/Buena Vista definitely has the best access to the rest of Manuel Antonio, though.

LOl, beach with "own special history?". I think I know "what" you mean & "which" beach!!! Over the rocks at the very end of the public beach....

The little road(by Nature's beachfront)will lead eventually to the fork in the road that goesdown to Biesanz or back up, passing Mariposa and Makanda.

When we were there last Dec we did this walk and saw a new development being built right there almost at beach level(Arenas?). The little road once barely more than a path is literally littered with new development.

Too funny! Just checked out the Arenas website and chuclked at their description of the "past history" of Playitas, lol. Exactly the beach I thought....

Well, I'M in the dark and can only imagine. . .faithie, I think an e-mail is in order if it can't be discussed further on this thread!

Well.....it's not a bad thing at all! I was just being "coy", lol!!!

It's been known as the gay/ nude beach, that's all.....

I should have made up something more scandalous!!!

Okay. . .that's what I was imagining. Although, just for the record, I didn't "imagine" it for very long! LOL

I do not recommend El Parador. We had a terrible stay there in 1998. The property is located on a very steep hill/cliff overlookng the ocean.
I felt like we were trespassing to get to the small beach and were exhausted climbing back up the road.
The decor is very dark, midevil-just not in keeping with how I view Costa Rica.
Though the hotel is very picturesque, the service was abysmal. We lost our towels to the maid and never did get anymore. The staff came in after the breakfast hours had passed and most tours were leaving before anyone arrived to even get coffee to go. Even checking in, we 'interuptted' the lone clerk's phone conversation.

I have no info on your other choice to offer, but enjoy your trip!

We (family of 4) stayed at the Buena Vista Villas - loved it. The pools are gorgeous and the beach as described by the previous poster - absolutely wonderful.

We also stayed at the Lost Iguana and had a great experience there. It is further from the center of things. The grounds are very nice and we enjoyed walking to the Hanging Bridges. Getting into town was not a priority for us at this location and we enjoyed the "away from it all" feeling we had.

Parador and tulemar are totally different hotels. have stayed in parador more often and it has certainly changed since 1998. it has improved service tremendously.

for a more private, personal stay, go to tulemar. and yes, you can say that it has its own private beach plus both the road access and the beach access is much better at Tulemar.