We are going to Costa Rica for our firt time. After San Jose, we just want to relax at a beach. Should we head to Manuel Antonie or Tamarindo? How is the Parador Hotel in Manuel Antonio? How close to the beach? We don't want any hassles traveling to and from San Jose, so whats the best choice.

Thanks for all your help.

None of the nicer properties in the Manual Antonio area are right on the beach. I haven't stayed at El Parador, but people like it. Doesn't have any sort of tropical ambiance though. I personally wouldn't travel to a tropical environment and stay in a place that feels like a medieval fortress. I haven't been to Tamarindo (hopefully next trip), but I do know there are great hotels right on the beach. Easiest way to travel is probably to fly.

Capitan Suizo is right on the beach in Tamarindo. It has been highly recommended to me.

I've been to both MA and Tamarindo, although my Tamarindo visit was only a day/night as part of a tour group. Although brief, I loved my time in Tamarindo -- stayed at the El Diria, which is also located right on the beach. I really enjoyed being able to take an early morning walk on the beach; and if your plans are to spend the majority of your time hanging out on the beach (or even poolside), Tamarindo is lovely.

ON THE OTHER HAND, Manuel Antonio has both the beach and rain forest. I also had a good time there, but none of the nicer properties are on the beach; all of the better hotels (whether it be Parador or Makaranda by the Sea or Si Como No or La Mariposa) are located further up overlooking the water --- it either hike down (guestimating 1/2 mile) or drive.

Whether you choose Tamarindo or MA, flying is the fastest and easiest way to travel to/from San Jose. You have two choices of airlines; either Sansa (www.flysansa.com) or NatureAir (can't remember their website, probably natureair.com?).

The El Parador hotel was very nice. We enjoyed several days there. It is "over" the beach. You have a great view of the Pacific from just about anywhere at the hotel but to get your feet in the sand, you have about a 1/2 mile walk.
Manuel Antonio was delightful. We enjoyed our stay in the area. We drove in from Arenal and out to San Jose. The country is beautiful and found the road trip really nice!

We havent been to Tamarindo (soon, I hope) so I cant comment on that area.
Your gonna love it!
Have FUN!!

We, too will be driving from Arenal (lake arenal) to MA. Can you remember how long it took to drive?

Pegsimba,

Last year we drove from Arenal (Tabacon) to area around Jaco (Villa Caletas) --- left around 10:00 am and arrived about 3:00 pm. Trip included a lunch stop. A day later we continued onward to MA and that was barely an hour's drive. Soooooo, I'd allow 6 hrs (including a lunch break) or so from Arenal to Manuel Antonio. Best to leave early as you want to arrive before it gets dark --- sunset is around 6-ish, 6:30 pm in CR.

We left Arenal fairly early - by 7:30am, I think. We arrived in MA shortly after noon. We didnt stop on the way except to take a few photos. Five hours of driving should do it! The landscapes were beautiful along the way. We did encounter a lot of road construction south of Jaco.

Again - have a great time!

Both are great destinations. Tamarindo is more dry during the "green" months and far flatter (more beachfront properties) while Manuel Antonio enjoys an incredible rainforest, a top National Park and stunning views thanks to it's hilly terrain. I prefer Manuel Antonio..but visit both often. Another advantage of Tamarindo is more proximity to other Guanacaste beaches and Arenal Volcano (but not much closer).

Casey