A Costa Rican Honeymoon: Arenal & Manuel Antonio

Those of you familiar with Costa Rica may be saying how can you post about Arenal and Manuel Antonio in one post as they are not exactly close to each other... So this is where one of the "adventures" came about with our trip. We were not planning to go to Arenal. However when the bridge on the road to get us from Tamarindo to Manuel Antonio was out (this where we learned the phrase No Paseo!) the detour that we had to take took us up to Arenal. I am thrilled that we ended up spending time in Arenal even if most of it was by car! So while I don't have a lot of recommendations for these areas due the short time period spent here I will share what I learned...

Arenal is a gorgeous part of Costa Rica and we left Costa Rica saying that if we go back we want to spend the majority of that next trip in this area. I definitely recommend having a car here... and make that a 4WD! The driving can be a little intense as the roads are very twisty but you will see so much of the countryside and amazing vistas by driving. Things to do in Arenal: Arenal National Park, Lake Arenal, Monteverde Cloud Forest, and multiple hot springs. There are the activities that one might expect: fishing, biking, horseback riding, kayaking, ATV tours, hikes to waterfalls, etc.

{Image of Arenal volcano from author's personal collection}

If we go back here and spend some time in the area, we would stay at the Tabacon Grand Spa. I can't recommend this place as I didn't get to stay here but as we drove by I sighed and said "We should have stayed here!"

Manuel Antonio is a very popular vacation spot in Costa Rica. So if you are planning your honeymoon or a vacation to Costa Rica you have undoubtedly seen quite about about Manuel Antonio. Unfortunately, we didn't get to spend as much time here as we planned. However, the time that we did was wonderful. The area is gorgeous and has its own personality.

If you are driving and staying in Quepos... once you hit Quepos most of the hotels are up the hill, follow the signs towards Manuel Antonio.

We stayed at La Mansion Inn and loved this boutique hotel; it is gorgeous. We had an ocean view off the terrace that was amazing. The hotel bar is the Bat Cave which most guys will find entertaining. The Jacques Cousteau Restaurant was lovely.

{Image of Manuel Antonio sunrise from author's personal collection}

We went to the hotel Si Como No for breakfast before going to the butterfly garden. This hotel looked nice but I am not sure that I would stay here for a honeymoon. It is very kid friendly which is cool but the kid water slide at the pool seemed a bit more kid friendly than I would want for a honeymoon. The butterfly atrium was really cool and we had a lot of fun here.

There are so many beautiful hotels and things to do in Arenal and Manuel Antonio that it is easy to see why they are top spots in Costa Rica to visit.

Comments

[Amy]

We stayed at Tabacon for half of our Costa Rican Honeymoon and can attest that it is absolutely wonderful and perfect for honeymoons!!