In no particular order, these are the sites and activities that are guaranteed to be one of the highlights of your getaway:

• Sailing: Set sail across the ocean on a pleasure cruise when you book a catamaran tour.

• Waterfalls: Visit Nauyaca Waterfalls and listen to the roar of nature and enjoy the refreshing mist across your fact.

• Horseback Riding: Go horseback riding to Mulguri when you choose from evenly tempered horses appropriate for every skill level.

• Hiking: Take part in the Rainmaker Hike, and discover how it got its name.

• National Parks: Treat yourself to a guided hike through Manuel Antonio National Park — you won’t regret it!

P.S. Booking a night tour through the national park is especially recommended by Anywhere’s Local Experts.

During your stay in Manuel Antonio, you’ll have amazing opportunities to see all kinds of beautiful and unique creatures — even if you’re exploring Costa Rica without a guide. There is a 99% chance of seeing sloths and monkeys in this area, and because Manuel Antonio is the perfect combination of rainforests and tropical beaches, you can also expect to see everything from reptiles and fish to coati mundis and racoons. Keep your eyes peeled for little squirrel monkeys and 184 species of birds.

You might think that Manuel Antonio is bound to be a top destination for finding Costa Rica hotels near beaches, but that’s not entirely true. Beachside accommodations do exist, but they tend to come at a premium. That’s because the nation made the conscious decision to protect most of the beaches by including them in Manuel Antonio National Park — that way, nature continues to flourish allowing the entire community to enjoy the beaches at their most beautiful. Instead, you’ll enjoy hotels built into the neighboring landscape, which still offer easy access to beaches.

By staying a bit farther from the coast, you still enjoy easy access to the beach, and you get to enjoy even more of the region’s scenery, as well as incredible ocean views. Admire lush tropical landscaping as you casually stroll the grounds of your hotel. Take pictures from breathtaking vantage points. Listen to your neighbors, chirping birds and chattering monkeys, greet you each morning as the golden sunlight spreads across the horizon.

If you can’t imagine taking a beach vacation where you aren’t steps from the shore, your Anywhere Local Expert can help you find the perfect hotel; choose a resort or an unpretentious accommodation where the children can relax in their surroundings…and so can you. Going with older or adult children, or booking a getaway with your friends? Go all out and upgrade to a private villa where you can enjoy the comforts of home combined with amenities found in high-end hotels — master bedrooms with spacious en-suite bathrooms, private swimming pools, spectacular views, gourmet kitchens…The best part? You get to choose the guests you’re staying with.

Anywhere Experts’ 3 Best Family Hotels in Manuel Antonio

Anywhere has a variety of incredible accommodations that we can recommend based upon your travel needs. These are the best hotels for family getaways in Manuel Antonio, according to our Local Experts.

1. Arenas del Mar Nature Resort: A sunny beachfront hotel steps from Manuel Antonio National Park.

2. Hotel Parador Resort and Spa: A lovely resort featuring an outdoor gym, mini-golf, tennis court, and croquet set to keep every busy between adventures.

3. Hotel San Bada: Enjoy breathtaking views of both the ocean and rainforest. Family fun gets aquatic when you take a dip in the swimming pool complete with slides, waterfalls, and wet bar.

Anywhere Experts’ 3 Best Luxury Hotels in Manuel Antonio

Just because you’re going on a big adventure doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your comfort. In fact, you can treat yourself to more than a little indulgence when you add one of these top rated Costa Rica luxury hotels to your itinerary.

1. Gaia Hotel and Reserve: This adults only haven boasts a decadent stone shower in your room. Make time to enjoy the Vichy rain shower, a nice dry sauna, or the replenishing moisture of a steam room.

2. Los Altos Beach Resort and Spa: Overlook a bay, and enjoy a freshwater infinity swimming pool that has a shallow end for children. Be sure to inquire about the raindrop therapy at the on-site spa.

3. Tulemar Beach Bungalows and Villas: Private bungalows or a private house with a Jacuzzi? Sounds like rest, rejuvenation, and romance are on your itinerary.

Anywhere Experts’ 5 Best Overall Hotels in Manuel Antonio

When you want to be sure that you’re booking an excellent hotel no matter what your reasons for getting away from it all, just choose from this list of top notch accommodations.

1. Arenas del Mar Nature Resort: A spa with exquisite views. An onsite gift shop featuring local treasures. Accommodations that are stunning and accessible… Yep, sounds like an all around great hotel!

2. Hotel Costa Verde: Three cliffside swimming pools and rooms with balconies ensure easy access to incredible ocean views from this blufftop hotel, as well as wildlife, who can frequently be seen making their way between the national park and the beach.

3. Hotel Parador Resort and Spa: Follow your game of croquet up with some aromatherapy — this resort and spa offers plenty of fun and relaxing activities on-site.

4. Hotel San Bada: Spend plenty of time on your private balcony, and if you feel up to venturing 90-minutes away, you can enjoy a private ranch that boasts primary forests and 4 waterfalls.

5. Shana Hotel and Residence: Only 28 rooms means you’ll have plenty of space to lounge by the hotel’s exquisite swimming pool and indulge in room service from a fantastic menu.

Currently, you cannot book a direct international flight to Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, so your best option is to fly into SJO in San José, Costa Rica. From there, you can either take a scenic 3 hour drive (much shorter than a 5 1/2 hour drive from LIR airport in Liberia). If you’d like to get there even faster, you can book a 30 minute domestic flight and start your vacation before you know it.

• Jaco beach is an excellent place to party and enjoy the nightlife, and it’s only 1 hour away.

• If you absolutely must enjoy an uncrowded beach at least once during your trip, head 1 hour south to the beaches of Dominical or Uvita.

• Go even farther off of nature’s beaten path when you head to Bahia Ballena where unique adventures are only an hour away.

• For an extra thrill, head to the Tarcoles River to see crocodiles live and up-close — from the safety of a bridge, of course.

Finally, you have a friend in travel you can count on! Bring the fun back into your vacation planning when you book your next getaway with an Anywhere Local Expert. We know Costa Rica inside and out and are there for you every step of the way when you plan your adventure. The best part? When you’re building your travel itinerary, you can also get the inside scoop on even more of Manuel Antonio’s best kept secrets and top recommendations for restaurants, shopping, lounges…

Late flight impact your arrival pick-up? Weather altered your tour? Issues with your hotel? If you book these things with an online portal, you’re out of luck and have to resolve these issues on your own. When you book your trip with Anywhere the only thing you have to worry about is having a great time, because you have ongoing support during your trip. Plan your vacation with Anywhere and enjoy the peace of mind that only comes from knowing you’re not alone. Discover Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica when you begin building your personalized travel itinerary right now.