Has anyone stayed here? How is it? I love the idea of the Makanda, Tulemar or Si Como No but these just are not in our budget. What would you recommend in Manuel Antonio for $80 or less/night? Thank you!

We have gotten quite a few recommendations for La Colina in MA. We are staying there in a couple of weeks - rate is $79/night w/ breakfast.<BR>Good luck &amp; have fun!

I enjoyed my stay at Villas Nicolas...right next door to Si Como No. Nice views, refreshing pool, walking distance to lots of things.<BR>Hotel California gets good reviews and depending on when you're going would also be in your price range. <BR>Sorry no one has gotten back to you about Karahe! I can't help with that either as I've not heard anything about it, good or bad!<BR>Good luck!

Try La Mariposa. Very nice place with a great view. Should be at or near your price range. Don't know about Karahe.

Hola dallaslynn,<BR>I have stayed at the Karahe as recently as last Feb. Yes, they have accomodations on the beach (only hotel to do so) and up the hills - office is on left as you come into the area. If you desire reservations on the beach side, make sure you tell them so. Manuel Antonio is a winding road up and around the hotel area so just keep on going past Hotel Calif., etc. The accomodations were fine and restaurant was overrun with cappuchin monkeys around 5 in the eve. We only breakfasted there so don't know what dinner is like. It was convenient to walk down to beach and they have beach chairs. Hope this is helpful as we had difficulty finding reservations on beach, too.<BR>Marilynn

If you are going after April 15, the rates for Hotel California drop more than a third, meaning it would be in your $80 price range, depending on the view.

You could look at Playa Espadilla. They have have cabinas with a fridge or family cabinas with a kitchen and are in your price range.<BR>The location is great. Quiet and built right into Manuel Antonio Park. On the beach.

Hi,<BR>Some other lower cost options in MA:<BR><BR>www.monoazul.com<BR>www.maqbeach.com/verdemar.html<BR>www.hotelplinio.com<BR><BR>HTH,

We stayed at Karahe for 3 nights two weeks ago, at their villas. Would have preferred their beach hotel but it was full. Picked Karahe because I thought we wouldn't go to the beach as often if we had to take a shuttle or taxi and I was right- Karahe is a GREAT location. Walked to the beach, park entrance, shops and some restaurants. After supper at Karahe (only average) we could go a few steps to the beach to see the stars. Took photos at sunrise too. That's the good news. The bad news is that the villas are old, and it's a climb- 40 steps to the lowest cabin, 115 to the highest. But what a view!

La Mariposa is not with your budget. The cheapest rooms are near 200 dollars a night and I was very unhappy with my stay there. I would not stay there again.

I stayed at Karahe in Feb with my husband &amp; 4 kids ages 18, 15, 11 &amp; 8 &amp; thought it was great. It's not a luxury resort type atmosphere &amp; the rooms are plain but how much time do you spend in them anyway. We were in the beachfront units &amp; it was wonderful to be able to walk right to the beach without having to hike down the hill &amp; cross the busy road. Early in the AM I was able to sit on my balcony &amp; watch the monkeys in the trees..it was incredible. The only negative I have to say is that the breakfast served is the same every day. Scrambled eggs, rice &amp; toast. We stayed for 5 nights &amp; my kids don't like eggs so they weren't too happy with toast. We did enjoy the other meals served at their restaurant &amp; the staff was great.

You (high season ) could be in a great efficiency room at Costa Verde for that price , in a sweet room at Didis B&amp;B for 1/2 that price , I believe also the basic room at Villas Nicolas , La Colina for 55.00 with breakfast , Mono Azul for 50.00 , check out maq beach.com ......