We are going to Costa Rica on our honeymoon in April. The travel agent(coast to caost adventures) recommended 3 places in Manuel Antonio -- Costa Verde, La Mariposa and California. From what I can tell from the web-site Mariposa looks the nicest. This is meant to be the more luxurious part of our honeymoon.
Any advice?

The travel agent also booked us at Grano de Oro(San Jose), Volacano Lodge (Arenal) and El Establo (Monteverde). Do these seem ok?

Thanks!

Congratulations!
My first thought in MA would be Si Como No...they are by far the most luxurious accomodations in the MA area, and a great location at the top of the hill. Did your travel agent even mention them? Si COmo No was sold out when we went, so we stayed next door at the Villas Nicolas. We ate dinner at La Mariposa one night and it looked like a nice place. Look into Si Como No online. Costa Verde isn't the nicest place, but the hotel backs up to Manuel Antonio Nat'l Park, so the monkeys are everywhere there - that's the main draw to that hotel.
In Arenal, we found the Arenal Observatory Lodge to be fabulous - terrific volcano views from Smithsonian rooms, volcano is literally in their back yard, gorgeous grounds, very popular place to stay.
Can't comment on the El Establo in MV, but the most popular place for lodging in MV on this board seems to be Fonda Vela (we loved it there), also El Sapo Dorado. All depends on how close you want to be to the attractions as well. I believe Fonda Vela to be the closest to the Cloud Forest Preserve. I would find a hotel with decent restaurant ratings, as you will likely take all your meals there, as it is horrible getting around on the roads in MV!
CR is not a glamorous place by far, most accomodations are pretty basic. The exception to this is the Peace Lodge at LoPaz Waterfall Gardens, this was the most amazing hotel we ever stayed in: www.peacelodge.com
Have a marvelous and safe journey!

I would have thought he'd mention El Pardor for MA. I've been to Mariposa and it's very nice -- I liked it a lot. Parador is more of a fancy hotel -- lots of pools, great spa, good food, big sprawling place w/ it's own beach. Depends on what you like.

Arenal Kioro is nice for a honeymoon too. The rooms are beautiful and you have your own jacuzzi w/ volcano view. For a simpler place, I like Arenal Lodge or Arenal Paraiso.

In Monteverde, I like Fonda Vela.
Sandy

For a honeymoon I would suggest Makanda by the Sea in Manuel Antonio - a bit off the main road but it's a not kid hotel and caters to honeymooners etc.
Very good restaurant. May want to rent a car for this area anyway as things are spread out along the road - other restaurants etc...

If Makanda or Si Como No aren't available my other favorite place in MA is Casitas Eclipse - nice rooms/villas with two pools, roof top terrace and good restaurant.

Cheers,
Andrew

For MA I would suggest . La Mansion Inn , Issimo Suites , Si Como No , and of course Makanda by the Sea .

I have stayed in La Mariposa and I did not like it. I would recommend an alternative.

I heard great things about Buena Vista Villas at Tulemar. I'm going to stay there this summer. Good Luck.

Tinky, I have stayed at El Establo (MV) and thought it was okay but actually some of the other recommendations sound more interesting, like Fonda Vela, although I have no personal experience with the others.
In the MA area, we stayed at the Tulemar Bungalows ( now known as Buena Vista) We liked the accomodations so much ( there were 4 of us in a 2 bedroom villa) that we are returning there again this April.

Have a wonderful honeymoon in CR!

We stayed at Si Como No a few weeks ago and just fell in love with it - it was just so beautiful and we loved the ecologically-friendly attitude of the hotel.

We stayed at the Grano de Oro in San Jose just as you will be. Very nice hotel, and the restaurant was downright amazing. Have the Grano de Oro pie - it may be the best dessert I've ever eaten...

Do not stay at Hotel California! We stayed there andwhile different you can hear everything from room to room including closing of doors. If it is during Spring Break forget it we had kids screaming and jumping in the pool till all hours and there is no desk person at night only an old security guard that is useless - if we go back to MA we would stay at Si Como No! Hotel Clifornia is noy a honeymoon place

My son and DIL went on the honeymoon they never got aftre the wedding itself, and stayed at Si Como No (I think in what the hotel called a "deluxe" room-it had view of jungle and, in the distance, the ocean) and loved it. They enjoyed the food there as well. Bkfast isincluded with room. There are two restaurnats--this was the more "casual" of the two.
When you stay in MA, try to book a tour with Finca Valmy --horseback riding on their ranch. My sweet DIL had never been on a horse, was terrified--but ended up having the time of her life!
Near the ariport, in case you want to check alternative to staying in SJ, check Xandari. They also loved that place.
Come to think of it, they loved their entire 9 days(not long enough) in the few parts of CR they were able to get to this trip. Lots of help from Fodorites, via me asking questions on this forum. It's a great source of info and encouragement.
Congratulations on your upcoming marriage!

I love Si Como No--been there on both trips to CR!

Grano de Oro is super , by the way , stayed there on my honeymoon ! Do you want intimate and romantic ?? I did not find SiComo No in that category ( it is a great place , but more for family's IMHO .... ) More romantic and " honeymoonish " would be Makanda , and even Mango Moon . Costa Verde 2 as well .

Congratulations. I would highly recommend Xandari for a honeymoon place if you do not want to be in San Jose proper. Definitely not Hotel California for a honeymoon.I think there is a new place in Arenal the Arenal Kioro that looks nice. We were in a Smithsonian room at the Observatory Lodge and it was very big and the grounds there are lovely. I don't think Costa Verde is very romantic but it is a fun place. We were in the penthouse suite once and it is huge with great views, but very plain.You can look at reviews on tripadvisor.com.

We loved Costa Verde 1 with our kids , we would go to Costa Verde 2( without the kids !! ) and sit by the adult only pool , and enjoy the incredible views and ambience . I personally found Costa Verde 2 romantic , but not Costa Verde 1 . Hotel Baballoos Inn , La Mansion Inn , La Posada Jungle , are also options .

We stayed at Volcano Lodge in Feb 06. It was nice and clean, beautifully landscaped, and had an excellent (but a bit pricey) restaurant.

However, it wasn't very 'quaint' and the walls were paper thin! I think I'd recommend taking a look at other people's reviews to try to find something better.

We LOVED Villas Nicolas in MA!!!! They aren't real big on services and have a small bar/restaurant with limited hours, but our room (suite) was awesome!!! Big balconies with hammocks. We had Room 1 'down'. Decent view, but Room 3 'up' looked like it was better situated.

We ran into a couple that loved the brand new Gaia hotel (sorry...not sure of the spelling). Got mixed reviews from people we met who were staying at Si Como No (right next to Villas Nicolas).

Have a great trip!!!!

Yet another new Hotel in MA ....? Yikes ! ( indeed they were doing lotsa building when we were there ) We will have to return quickly , as we love the area , but are truly saddened by all the building .Hopefully someone catches on that they are ruining their treasure . We love Villas Nicolas as well !!

We just got back and LOVED Tulemar. Very quiet and romantic. You have your own detached "bungalow," which was bigger than my house. It has its own beach down the hill. A shuttle is always at your call to take you to and from the beach, although I think it stops running at 6:00. (It gets dark at that time).

gumper