BillJ

After a 7 day Panama Canal crossing with Linblad Expiditions, we will be debarking in Herradura. A private car will pick us up there and take us to Arenas del Mar Beach Resort for 3 nights. After that, a car will take us back to San Jose, and we will fly home.

While at Arenas, we want to rest and relax on a beach, and do one or two guided walks in MA Park. We are not interested in night life. My purpose of this post is to see about dining nearby the resort. Taxi to and from would probably be used. Trip Advisor has mixed reviews on dinners, so I would like some options for dining in nearby MA.

We like fish dinners. (Also beef if anyone does it properly. Argentina was the best in that regard.) I have the Fodor's recommendations, but maybe someone can offer some suggestions. Thanks.

MichelleY

For fine dining, we loved Kapi Kapi.

http://www.restaurantekapikapi.com/

volcanogirl

We really only ate at casual spots, but we liked Ronnie's Place, Cage Agua Azul, Barba Roja, Salsipuedes, and Cafe Milagro. A lot of places have beautiful sunset views.

BillJ

OK, thanks. Kind of confirmed some other recommendations, such as Fodor's. Thanks a lot. I think I have some good alternatives here. Looking forward to lots of beach and relaxation.

Birdie

I agree that Kapi Kapi is very good and would add to the list Rafael's Terrazas, at your end of town.

steviegene

Another vote for Kapi Kapi. It was upscale, romantic and had very good food.

xyz99

And yet another one from me

BillJ

Looks like Kapi Kapi is a must do. thanks.

Patty

We enjoyed both Kapi Kapi and La Luna. Both are upscale.

volcanogirl

http://www.4tulemar.com/dining.html is a nice link to Tulemar's recommendations, many of the same ones mentioned here.

BillJ

Postscript: Reporting back. One dinner was at Kapi Kapi, and couldn't have been more pleased. Excellent meals presented beautifully. Fun restaurant. Also, we had lunch at El Avion, a real fun looking place. Terrific views, and would have been awesome at sundown.

volcanogirl

How was the food at El Avion? We've heard mixed reviews, but the plane aspect looks very cool. Does Kapi Kapi skew sort of Asian?

BillJ

volcanogirl; I am not the best judge of food at El Avion. We just had lunch, and a late lunch at that. But if I had to do the trip over again, I would have eaten a dinner there (in addition to one night at Kapi Kapi), if for no other reason than the views and what looks like a really neat bar. I am guessing the sunsets would be tremendous. It has all the looks of a very fun place.
Yes, Kapi kapi menu showed some Asian influence, but not overwhelmingly so. Our selection was decidedly American/French type, and presented beautifully. The chocolate desert was over the top. No views here, as it is along the main road, up on the hill away from the ocean.

mlgb

Did you try dinner at Arenas del Mar? They keep saying they have improved the menu, etc etc. Wondering if that is true?

volcanogirl

Thanks, Bill - yes, the sunsets in that area can be fantastic.

MFNYC

We had our favorite sinner at La Luna. We also enjoyed Rafael’s Terrazo’s and El Arado. For breakfast, Cafe Milagro is the best.

MFNYC

oops...*dinner not sinner

BillJ

MFNYC - LOL

migb - Yes, two dinners at Arenas del Mar. On Sat and Thursday, they serve a dinner down at the beach at the bottom of their hill. Usually they only serve lunch. It is very beautiful, with tables out under the trees in the sand. Candle lit, with tiki torches to show the way. Guy playing a guitar softly in the background, sound of the very calm surf. Very nice, and the food was excellent and presented beautifully.
The other night we ate dinner up at the regular restaurant up by their reception/bar/pool area. We thought it average. So if you are there on a Thurs or Sat, definitely recommend the dinner down on the beach.

Patty

La Luna also served tapas in the bar/lounge area for anyone looking for a light meal.