I need some help. In the fall, my parents and I are going to Costa Rica for a convention in San Jose. Prior to the convention, I want to go Manual Antonio.

The problem is my parents are senior citizens (73 years old) and I've been concerned about how hilly the MA area is.

My father is quite mobile but my mother, while not close to wheelchair bound, does get tired easily and wouldn't want to walk all that far.

I am looking to stay at any of the following properties: Hotel Si Como, Makanda, Mango Moon, Tulamar Bungalows, or Villas Nicolas. Or if you personally can recommend any other hotel.

If you have been there, could you please let me know which of the above would be the LEAST difficult to navigate. I expect if I give my mother a gorgeous ocean view with a great pool, she will be satified.

I'll be hailing lots of taxis to move between hotel and beach and meals.

Any insights would be helpful.

Thanks.

Deb

Probably Si Como No , everything is right there , restaurants etc. When you book ask for a room relatively close to the pool/ restaurant area . Hotel Parador could be an idea ....???? ( columns and all !! )

Except for the area around the pool, there are many, many steps at Si Como No. Just to go to the breakfast restaurant (the Cantina), there are probably 50 stairs.

one2 - if you request bldg B at Costa Verde, you should only have 2 sets of stairs to your room, down about 10 then up about 10. This would put you in a studio plus on the 3rd floor with wonderful views. The restaurant, Anaconda, has no stairs, nor does La Cantina across the street. You'd only have to go down about 10 or so to the pool from your room as well. Hope that helps some.

I just got back from MA. I stayed at La Mariposa and I was unhappy with that place. (Especially compared with the WONDERFUL places I stayed in La Fortuna and Monteverde)

Definitely not Makanda - that's all steps, I was just through the area doing site inspections of hotels and I can't think of any that didn't involve a whole bunch of steps although I didn't go into Tulemar...

Right down at the end of the road is a new small property that wouldn't involve steps but I can't find the brochure I had on it...

If you just want some nice beach/pool time and not so much for tramping through the national park - there's a nice small hotel in Jaco (closer to San Jose by 1-1/2 to 2 hours too) called Canciones del Mar. One bedroom suites with kitchen. Very nice secluded property away from the main town a bit with nice pool and right on the beach.
Friendly staff and only two steps up to the first level - ask for ground level rooms... Jaco is a typical beach town and gets panned by lots of folks but for a couple of days may be an okay choice.

Cheers,
Andrew

Andrew is it La Posada? It was under construction last time I was there. Probably not much of a view and maybe (?) noisy, but shouldn't be any steps.

http://www.laposadajungle.com/

A few of the rooms at Villas Nicolas would involve only a couple of steps .... , they are close to reception , and close to the pool . Too bad you stayed at La Mariposa Dariow , it gets a lot of bad reviews , was quite the place in its prime , one of the first places in Manuel Antonio for tourists , built in the '70's . But I have not heard it spoken of in good terms in a long time , view still amazing .....

Hello. We just stayed at Tulemar Bungelows for four nights. The bungalow that we stayed in was gorgous and near the resturaunt ( a couple of steps in the rest. but none to the bungelow). The property is on a slope but they have a shuttle van that you call to drive you around ( the driver is exceptionally nice as is all the staff). Tulemar has its own beach with chairs, towels, beach and snack bar, so your all set once you are there. I would highly recommend it to anyone though it is on a very steep hill.

Natalie and Faithie,

Thanks for your feedback. I was despairing that I would have to reconsider. I really wanted to stay in the MA area since it looks so beautiful. Glad to hear that both Nicolas and Tulemar may be doable. Especially about the shuttle - that could work...

Thanks again.
Deb

We jsut returned from a stay at Tulemar - it was great. It is very steep and hilly,but as others have mentioned, they will shuttle you everywhere on the property. We were in bungelow 121 and it was a very short walk to the pool and restaurant.