Saw more wildlife here than anywhere else on our trip!!! White-faced monkeys and coatis all around the restaurant at breakfast (Fun to watch but people really shouldn't feed them the way they do...) A tree anteater was making its way across the canopy from tree to tree above our breakfast buffet. (Super Cute!!!) Lovely nesting pair of endangered scarlet macaws in the giant tree across from the butterfly house. (which was full of hundreds of the most beautiful blue morpho butterflies!) The beach is pretty and they warn you not to try to cross the rocks at high tide but they didn't warn me about the jellyfish!!! I got stung not three minutes after going in the water. (I guess thats why there was no one else swimming in spite of the hot day...fortunately they are only annoying, not leathal, and the sting went away in under an hour) Do pools instead!

The Punta Leona complex is ENORMOUS, like a big nature reserve. It's three miles of narrow twisting road from the main gate to the hotel. The resort consists not only of the hotel but condominiums and housing developments as well. The big plus is that it borders on Playa Blanca, one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica: calm blue waters, white sand, lots of natural vegetation to provide shade. However, to accomodate all the people staying there, there are only about twenty lounge chairs on the beach so come very early or bring your own beach chairs if you don't want to sit in the sand. The problem is that the beach is about a ten-minute drive down a windy cliffside road from the lovely Selvamar complex where we stayed. Fortunately we had a car because the shuttle only runs every 30 minutes but I would prefer staying at a resort closer to the beach. There is also another beach with loud music and activities and two free-form pools. The pools are narrow and shallow and filled with little kids so there's not much room to do more than stand. However, the tropical garden Selvamar complex has a beautiful little secluded woodland pool which is much quieter and more intimate. The breakfast buffet was excellent, but the dinner buffet ranged from fair to poor (only costing $20, I guess you get what you pay for). We got the room and breakfast plan and I was so glad we didn't get the all-inclusive which would have cost $160 more per day for two. Lunch at the snack bar was about $20 for two, dinner $40 for both, plus two glasses of wine at $5 each only added up to $70 a day, a far cry from $160. (ie, Only get the all-inclusive if you think you will consume more than $50 a day in drinks per person.) The setting and beach (with scarlet macaws and lots of coatis)were so beautiful, but I can only give it an average rating because of the distance from the beach and the food at the dinner buffet. Not a luxury resort, very family-oriented, more of a do-it-yourself place than somewhere you go for great service.

First and foremost, if you are staying at Punta Leona, do yourself a big favor and
EAT at "The Grill". The other restaurants here cannot hold a candle to the food and service you will get here. It took us until our third night to discover it and it turned out to be the jewel of the restaurants here. Yes, the reason you will want to come here are the 2 incredible beaches. Playa Blanca beach is jaw droppingly beautiful. The white sand beach and turqoise blue water are 5 star. There are 2 beautiful pools here, but it's the beach experience that sets it apart from any standard resort. Housekeeping does a great job of keeping the rooms clean...but you are coming here to get away from it all and relaxing, and laying on your towel on these beaches is what you will remember. That, and the great food and service experience at The Grill. Our waiter Andrey was professional and attentive as were all of the staff. The chef even checked on us to ensure we were happy. We were. Twice. Thanks again guys!

This property seems to be huge. No idea of the acreage involved but it's a long way from the gate to the reception desk. Loud music aound some of the pools coming from the bar but it doesn't quite make it to the beach or the rooms...thankfully. The food at breakfast is very good and lots of variety; our dinner was lacking as the steak was well seasoned but VERY chewy -- tough. The salad buffet was very well tended and the desserts were nice. Breakfasts were entertaining as the monkeys enjoy trying to steal your food but are usually unsuccessful. I was surprised the staff did not say anyting to kids who were trying to attract/tease the monkeys. Lots and lots of people on this property -- if you are looking for a quiet time don't look for it here. Neighbors are VERY close and you can hear conversations without trying.