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Arenas del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort

Our rating

8/10

Price guide

Highlights

- Upmarket beach hotel
- Direct beach access
- Night time wildlife treks, waterfall hikes
- Water sports & yoga

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Overview

The Arenas del Mar Beach & Nature Resort is located within walking distance of the hugely popular Manuel Antonio National Park on Costa Rica’s central pacific coast and is, quite simply, the most luxurious offering in the area. What sets this high-end property apart from the many other hotels in the immediate area is that it’s set within its very own private nature reserve and provides direct access to the beach. Staff are friendly and attentive and there’s an extensive choice of activities plus some superb facilities including a clifftop pool from which to soak up the sunsets, a second swimming pool also in scenic surroundings, a spa, a gift shop and two restaurants offering rich, sumptuous meals made with locally sourced, organic ingredients. The resort not only boasts a unique and breath-taking ‘rainforest meets beach’ location, but also successfully combines ecotourism with adventure, comfort and relaxation.

There are 38 chic and elegant rooms and suites, all with a classy yet homely feel. Rooms have wonderful views of either the Pacific Ocean or the reserve’s lush rainforest; all ocean-view rooms come with their own private covered balcony. Amenities common to all rooms include a ‘Tico Bar’ stocked with local snacks and drinks, ceiling fans and air conditioning, tea and coffee making facilities, a flat-screen TV with cable channels and complimentary toiletries. There’s direct beach access from all seven accommodation buildings, a feature unique in the area to Arenas del Mar.

There’s a broad range of activities and experiences in the area, some focussed on animals and nature, others more about wellbeing, mindfulness and relaxation. Popular pursuits include learning about local wildlife during waterfall hikes, bird watching trails and night time animal spotting treks. There are also river rafting expeditions, snorkelling sessions, kayaking adventures through the mangroves, surfing lessons, yoga classes, beach exercises, tortilla-making classes and more. Some activities are somewhat physically challenging, while others are a lot more chilled out so there really is something for everyone.

The private nature reserve covers an area of 11 acres and has a number of trails running through it which provide the chance to spot some of the native wildlife such as sloths, exotic birds, iguanas and monkeys. For relaxing back at base between activities there are some great on-site facilities including the aforementioned spa and two superbly positioned swimming pools.

The hotel is family friendly and welcomes children of all ages. Many of the on-site facilities and activities are suitable for younger ones and can be enjoyed by everyone in the family. The hotel’s restaurants also offer special children’s menus.

Suggested Itineraries for Arenas del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort

What customers are saying after travelling with Tourdust

Average Rating

based on 540 reviews

(5.00/5)

  • We had such a good holiday. You did a fantastic job!

    The house in Marrakesh was ridiculous. We effectively had it to ourselves. The accommodation was borderline palatial.

    I actually think that the time we had in Marrakesh was sufficient. We could potentially have done a day by a pool but I think we’d done enough souk-ing by the end of Day Two.

    The hotel in the mountains was a shade more rustic than I was expecting, but all great fun. Stunning views. The guide / mule / cook team were excellent and our guide (Hassan) tailored the treks to our capabilities well. He was superb, and really made an effort with the kids. The second and third day of trekking were particularly good. Such an adventure for the kids.

    All the logistics worked seamlessly. Every aspect went like clockwork. Top marks. The advice on tipping was also much appreciated (I hate thinking that I’m getting mugged off or am potentially not giving enough…).

    From my seven-year-old son:

    I thought it was GREAT. The food was amazing and the culture was very interesting. My favourite bit was scrambling up rocks in the Atlas Mountains.

    In retrospect, I’d probably do the trip in reverse. Flopping on the roof terrace after the rigours of the mountains would have been even more satisfying.

    MissingHenry O reviewing Boutique Marrakech & Atlas Mountains on 05 June 2025

  • We just wanted to thank you for an absolutely amazing holiday. Everything went exactly to plan and we were blown away with the quality of the guides, transport and accommodation. The itinerary was perfect for our family with a great mix of guided and free days and the different destinations complemented each other well. We will definitely be using Tourdust again for our next trip! Particular highlights were the Ha Long Bay cruise, Hanoi, and the morning cycle tour in Siam Reap

    MissingJane P reviewing Complete Vietnam For Families on 14 May 2025

  • We had an extraordinary time. It was magical and we couldn't hav asked or hoped for more. Thank you both so much for all of your time and assistance.

    MissingEmma M reviewing Best of Botswana for Families on 18 November 2024

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