We're thrilled to be returning to CR for our anniversary - we were there in the rainy season four years ago. Booked our trip then through Costa Rica Experts in Chicago (http://www.costaricaexperts.com/index.htm) and did 2 days river rafting on the Pacuare (fabulous), 3 days in Osa (even more fabulous) and a couple at Tabacon in Arenal (too fabulous to mention).

Four years later, we have two small kids and only enough time for a short jaunt (5 nights). I think Manuel Antonio is a good blend of 'everything,' but I'm overwhelmed by the amount of hotels in this area.

The hotel we stayed at last time in Osa (Aguila de Osa: http://www.aguiladeosa.com/) had these great bungalows, no A/C, but fairly deluxe and a great view of the ocean and jungle plus a set of hammocks. We'd love this kind of setup again, especially with the hammocks.

Alternately, I'll take any solid recommendations of places in MA, or even places elsewhere that aren't a major hike from San Jose. (We've been to the Peace Garden, btw, also nice, but kind of too American).

Anyway, looking forward to all your Manuel Antonio faves.

Sounds like you have a pretty decent budget to play with based on the past places you've been, so with your 2 young children you might look into Buena Vista Villas or Tulemar Bungalows in MA. They'd be nice for you because there is a great private beach there and a couple of swimming pools. Also kitchenettes and of course hammocks on the balconies!

Another vote for BVV. We loved it there. We had a great view from our casa, and it looks like all the units have similar views. The private beach is excellent. We spent time on boogie boards and kayaked while others lounged in the sun. The grounds are very lovely as well, and there is a fair amount of resident wildlife including squirrel monkeys, sloths, and a wide variety of birds.

Thanks - we are not traveling with the kids this time: a real solo trip for grownups!

One follow up question... is having a private beach a real benefit? I've heard good things about the public beach shuttles - are they fast & easy enough to rely on? Who knows how much beach time you even get in the green season anyway...

Which begs another question... top MA things to do in the green season? (I know, I know, half day trips in the morning...)

We stayed at Mango Moon, kind of a boutique hotel/B&B - we didn't love our first room, but we got upgraded to the private king upper balcony suite which was very nice. Our room had a private balcony and a hammock, and a nice view of the water. Be sure to check the details of hotels that say they have a private beach; ours required a 20-minute hike down through the mud, and when we got there, the tide was high, so there was very little beach to speak off.

If I went back, I'd go with Buena Vista Villas. The beach inside the national park is really gorgeous. You might also check Villas Nicolas or Costa Verde; both are very popular.

As far as activities, tour the national park and see wildlife, go to the beach, horseback ride with Finca Valmy, and do the Damas mangrove tour. MA has lots of great restaurant choices, but our overall impression of MA was that it was very Americanized - most of the restaurants we went to turned out to be American-owned, and we heard very little Spanish being spoken - just mentioning it because of what you said in your post. Have fun!

We really liked Si Como No. Separate areas for adults and kids. Great views and staff. Great balcony - but reclining lounge chairs, no hammocks.

Hotel private shuttle to the beach/Nat Park - every hour and very reliable. The beaches inside the Park are beautiful.

Plenty of sun in mornings and early afternoon. Rained for a couple of hours in pm, usually after 2.

As noted also heard very good things about BVV.

Trips we did in Green Season - ziplining, parasailing, sailing, catamaran trip, mangrove swamp tour.

We also stayed at Mango Moon and probably wouldn't stay there again. We were on the bottom floor and the curtains that covered the patio door were see through so it was definitely lacking privacy. The beach was a joke and the new owner seemed a bit immature. The bartender was very nice and definitely the only reason to return.

Tulemar Bungalows, Villa Mot Mot, lower apartment, was perfect for us last month.

Our room had a small kitchenette with fridge and microwave (and a few dishes), a huge and comfy California King bed, TV with DVD's to choose from, nice bathroom with a BIG jacuzzi tub and shower. Lots of windows, storage, nice large patio with very decent oceanview and monkeys, squirrel and white faced, extremely close.

We were very impressed with the quality for the price--$128 per night, delicious breakfast included. No hammock, regrettably, on the lower apartment balcony. The upper suite has a hammock--and a higher price tag.

We thought the private beach was a huge bonus as it was close and generally had very few people. We were there at low tide as well as high tide. We didn't even make it to the park this time (had been numerous times before) as there didn't seem to be any need, so much wildlife right there at the hotel. And a really cool sloth sighting right over the pool, up close and personal!