bigstais

Hello all!
let me thank everyone in advance for your input, as I am trying to help plan my little sister's "Dreams Come True Trip" for having successfully completed her cancer treatment! For her "dream" she wants to take a family trip to Costa Rica to see the rainforests and animals, etc. I have only been to Costa twice and stayed in Manuel Antonio once at the Costa Verde (which I loved!). Unfortunately, they are booked for this June and we are having to look elsewhere. We need a hotel to accomodate 8 of us (in separate rooms of course!), all adults except for my sister who is a mature 12. The Dreams Come True coordiator is recommending Casitas Eclipse for its "views" but from other postings and my vague memory, I don't think that there is much of one.

Could you please recommend a hotel that would be around $175 or less a night that would offer my first-time to CR family a nice experience? We are going to also check Mango Moon and Villas Nicholas, but any other suggestions would be great. I appreciate it and will try to re-pay everyone with a trip report when we get back!

shillmac

For sure a celebration is due! You might check out Si Como No--it is a lovely hotel in Manuel Antonio. I believe that a personal phone call to the management would guarantee you rooms with a view and a good price. There is a very nice gift shop on the property and a butterfly garden across the street. I hope your family has a wonderful time!

bigstais

Shillmac - Thank you very much for you reply! These user reviews are the most helpful when planning a trip. Did you think that the Si Como No was too touristy at all? I only drove past it when I was there and saw all of the bright colors and gift shops outside, but I have read a lot of good things about it, especially for kids.

Do you know of the Casitas Eclipse at all as far as the views? I think that CR is picking up in popularity, even since a year ago when I was there since all of the MA hotels seem to be booking rather quickly for the pequena verana!
Thanks,Anastasia

shillmac

Absolutely it's picking up--at a rather speedy rate! I can't give you any info regarding Calitas Eclipse. I think you'll like Si Como No, however. It didn't seem too touristy to us!

allison04

What a great thing--hope it's a wonderful trip!

I am a fan of Si Como No (going back for the 2nd time pretty soon!) and I don't think it's too touristy. My husband and I went there on our honeymoon and didn't think it was overrun with kids, either (as some people seem to fear). Just the view from the open-air lobby is breathtaking!

ewesthoff

I stayed at Si Como No in July of 2003 and loved it. It was a little pricey for CR, but worth it. The view is awesome and the pool was great as well. Have a great trip and ask whomever is driving you to MA to stop at the Tercoles Bridge to see the crocodiles, adds to the excitement.

ConnecticutJohn

Are you at all interested in staying in the Arenal area? If so, my family (7 of us) just returned and had stayed in a private villa that can sleep ten, at the Arenal Observatory Lodge with the most amazing view of the volcano and Lake Arenal. If interested, I'll give you full details. We only stayed there three nights but I wish it had been ten!