Hi! any advice on hotels in manuel antonio? Im s single female traveling alone there for 5 days...so was just wondering where I could stay that would be a little touristy(to meet other travelers) and inexpensive and safe. ALSO:Whats the best way to get there from the san jose airport?

Couple of questions first? When are you going...rates can be vary greatly depending on the time of year, and what is your definition of "inexpensive"?

Getting to MA from the airport, the easiest way would be to fly via Sansa, but that all depends on what time you plane lands in San Jose, as the Sansa flights stop around noon or so. Hiring a driver can be dome for about $100 or so...it'll take 3-4 hours.

If you go to Mar y Sombra to party, make sure you leave by midnight. Gets rough after that.

Flying Nature Air is usually cheaper than getting a driver.

Sandy

I'd take Interbus. It should cost you $29 one way. The only trick is I don't think it leaves directly from the airport... you might have to catch a cab to the Hampton Inn (just about right across the street from the airport) and get Interbus from there.

If you want your 3 criteria meet - to meet other travellers, cheap and safe go to the Vista Serena. It's a hostel but also has cabins, which can be shared to keep costs down. Not for everyone though. Also, reservations recommended, as it is one of the bargin places in MA. Sonja and her son Conrad will make you feel like one of the family.
And if keeping costs down is important, take the bus from San Jose. It departs from Coca-Cola station. Best to buy tickets in advance at the station.
It's good to hear Mar y Sombre is still there.
Sometimes, even if you have buckets of money, travelling this way can be good for the soul.

Thank you so much for your answers! In terms of being "inexpensive" Im not talking SO cheap-like I would spend 40 a night. I think Id like to have air conditioning. Im going Jun 19th.
First of all Ive heard the bus could be 8-9 hours?? Is that true?ALSO-I keep hearing that manuel antonio could be dangerous at night?!! Maybe I should go somewhere else for 5 days??

Manuel Antonio is no more dangerous at night than any other location with beaches and bars/nightlife. You need to use a lot of common sense and keep you wits about you no matter where you decide to go. It's when travelers (hate to say it, but especially young women traveling alone) get a little careless and throw caution to the wind that trouble shows up.

All of the Pacific beach locations in Costa Rica are quite touristy these days, are it's just a fact that there are always going to be low lifes who lurk around waiting for someone to make themselves an easy target. Do be careful wherever you go!

The bus is about 4 hours(unless there is a huge traffic snarl)And Manuel Antonio is a good choice to visit as a single female travelling alone.
It's really difficult(if not impossible) to find places in Manuel Antonio at $40/nite. You would have to find a hotel in Quepos in that price range. I've stayed at the Hotel Malinche - just don't get a room in the front(to much noise) But once again, if meeting other people is important, Vista Serena can't be beat.

I take the bus from SJ to MA all the time. The "directo" takes about 3.5 hours. It costs just abit more than $4.00 You would either have to take a cab to the Coca Cola station or if you are travelling light the local bus and walk a few blocks. It stops very close to the airport As for hotels in the $40 range - if you are going now or in the green season in general you will be surprised. I was there about 2 weeks ago and the Mono Azul had a sign saying rooms from $30.00. There are many others too that drop their prices after high season.
And as for safety - listen to Shillmac...

have a great trip.
raquel

a us tourist was gang raped on the beach last month at night, so DON'T walk on the beach at night!!

manuel antonio is lovely, but you'll almostt certainly have to stay in quepos for that budget which is a port workers town so maybe better for you to go to Tamarindo:

http://costa.rica.typepad.com/manuel...ome/index.html

http://costa.rica.typepad.com/tamarindo/home/index.html