We are a family of 5 (3 teenage boys) and we are trying to decide where to stay in Manuel Antonio. (We are staying at the Peace Lodge and the Springs Resort during the first part of our trip). So far we are debating between Buena Vista Villas or Arenas del Mar. Any thoughts on these two or other recommendations?
Also, we are going to drive back to San Jose to stay overnight before our flight the next day. Thoughts on hotels for this?

La Posada has a full size suite that might be perfect. Next to the park entrance, fantastic service, great reviews. We really loved it.

Buena Vista Villas would be my pick; it gets rave reviews and shares a private beach with Tulemar Bungalows. If we went back to MA, that's where I would stay.

Based on your other picks, I think you would really like Xandari for your last night's stay; we loved it - great villa, nice open air restaurant, beautiful views, waterfalls and hiking on the property. We stayed there this trip because we always stay at the Peace Lodge, but it was closed due to the earthquake. We would definitely go back. They provide one free transport to or from the airport.

www.xandari.com

It sounds like you prefer pretty lux accommodations so in that case I agree with vgirl you might take a look at Tulemar (maybe the entire Villa Mot-Mot) or Buena Vista Villas.

I stayed at Arenas del Mar and January and thought it was great. It was the nicest place we stayed in Costa Rica. The rooms were spread out and covered by a nice canopy of trees. We saw howler and white-faced monkeys as well as sloths right on the property. There is a quiet beach with lounge chairs and a restaurant (great sunset view), and easy access to the main beach. It is a long walk, but we walked all the way to the park entrance. There are two pools, but we spent our time on the beach when not touring.

Service was good and the people quite lovely. They make a good effort toward sustainability, recycling, etc.

Like others, we stayed at Xandari to be near the airport. I thought it was nice, but shows its age. As everywhere in Costa Rica, the people were lovely. We had their driver take us to the Zoo Ave as well and the airport, and he was great. I think his name was Jose, but I have a bad memory for names.

Have a nice trip.

Wow, we didn't think Xandari showed its age at all, but maybe it depends upon which room you get. Our villa was brand new, very modern, and in perfect condition. I did see where they were putting several new villas in, so I think they are constantly growing. Also had just finished a brand new pool when we were there.

www.tulemar.com Villa Mot Mot best for me.

www.mybeaconescazu.com nice close to SJO

lots more to do than www.xandari.com

I have heard that Arenas del Mar is gorgeous. I have read that one of the two beaches is a nude beach. How much of an impact does this have on the type of clientele at the hotel. We want to stay there with our two teenage daughters.

I believe one of the nearby beaches used to be a nude beach, particularly a gay nude beach, but since it's illegal Arenas del Mar security has been enforcing (requiring) clothing.

So is it still primarily a gay beach or can anyone go there...with clothing on. Is it a good place for families and is the hotel a comfortable place for families? Thanks.

I believe your family would love Buena Vista / Tulemar. Their private beach offers great body surfing, kayaking, etc (free for guests).

We stayed at Arenas del Mar, and it was nice, but you feel like you're in a nice condo in Florida, not Costa Rica. Our daughter's family stayed at Buena Vista Villas with her family, and she said it was beautiful, and the kids loved it.

We stayed at Mango Moon, a nice B & B with great facility. Worth it to check it out. It has like 7 rooms or so, beautiful sunset view, and a pool. There's a lobby to hang out and play games, congregate, relax, whatever. We would stay there again if we went back.

LSU, we stayed at Mango Moon too. Do they still have the no flushing of toilet paper rule? That took some getting used to for me.

LOL I don't think so, I'm pretty sure we flushed our toilet paper there! But I want to say they were getting ready to put a jacuzzi hot tub in next to the pool, so that might be there now!

My husband thought it was hilarious; I had never heard of that before but I've since seen it in other places in CR. I even went to the front desk and asked and they said to put it in the trash can. They had a sign in the bathrooms that said please do not put paper in the toilet. I thought they must mean Kleenex or paper towels, but noooo....