The short story: 1. A Garden of Eden location with spectacular beach, rainforest, and exotic wildlife and fauna. 2. A five star resort with first class accommodations and an eco friendly focus. 3. A local staff with a passion for Costa Rica and a desire to make your visit comfortable and memorable.
The details. I had been to Manuel Antonio five years ago and was excited to return to this truly beautiful part of the world. The beaches here are so natural and unspoiled it's like you're the first to discover them. Arenas Del Mar captures the laid back, natural spirit and atmosphere of the area wonderfully, while their staff treats you like a long lost friend the process. It is literally hidden inside a tropical rain forest and only steps from the beach. While the resort is nothing but five star, it's the staff that sets it apart. They are mostly local to the area and excude the relaxed, friendly desire to please and serve that is common in Costa Rica. They take the time to remember you, your name, and even your food and drink preferences! They were also extremely helpful in setting up our off property activities including zip lines, rain forest tours, and private yoga classes. Our room had a spectacular view of the ocean and we slept to the sounds of the surf and awoke to local exotic song birds. While on the multi-acre property we saw multiple sloths, monkeys, iguanas, beautiful birds, and flora. The property is set up in private, six room buildings that give you a very personal feel. Our spacious room, luxurious bed, large balcony with furniture and mini-kitchen, and huge shower were terrific. If you can't relax here then you just can't relax! The property also has two great restaurants with delicious, fresh local flavors and two beautiful pools with awesome ocean views. Not to mention two separate beach areas with wait service, towels, board rentals, etc. They even have outdoor private baths and showers we were able to use the day we checked out so we could enjoy the beach before we left. We were lucky enough to be there while the resort had a guest chef from Philadelphia who prepared three nights of outstanding dinners with a local flare. A real and unexpected treat! While the week's weather, during the "green" season, wasn't always perfect, Arenas Del Mar nearly was. We only hope we can plan a return trip soon!!!

My husband and I just returned from this Costa Rican paradise. We were invited to share in a special guest Chef week. The Chef, Chip Roman, of Blackfish,Mica, and ELA, here in Philadelphia, is one of our favorites! From our very first communication with "Hans" we knew that we would be delighted.
Arriving at the Welcome Center set the stage for an amazing adventure. We were offered ice cold water and a quick ride up to the Lobby in a golf cart. There we were greeted warmly an offered a delicious tropical drink.The staff could not have been more accommodating, friendly, gracious,warm,and informative. From early coffee to late dinner and drinks...each guide, each driver, each staff member,all seem to not only be effective in his or her work, but each person we came to know seemed to enjoy interacting with the guests.
We were offered and enthusiastically accepted, a tour "behind the scene" of the official hotel. We were welcomed into the "home" of the staff. We learned how the Cayuga organization works. The incentives to the staff, their commitment to the preservation of the environment,their passion for living a sustainable lifestyle, their love of nature, their love and respect for each other.
Chip's meals were extraordinary! The three other Chef's on staff delighted in sharing special cooking demonstrations which truly enhanced our appreciation of local fruits,vegetables, fish, and seasonings.
Our suite was spectacular...views of the Pacific, amazing huge shower...lots of hot water! The terrace included a spacious hot tub...comfortable furniture...and an abundance of wildlife! The king size bed was great...exceptionally luxurious linens...wonderful sleeping!
I had a marvelous massage in the Spa!

When Arenas Del Mar says PURA VIDA, they mean it!

I stayed at Arenas del Mar for 3 nights with my girlfriend, we found it last minute on Jetsetter and i'm so glad we chose this property. We got a fabulous off season deal, and we felt spoiled rotten every single second of our stay. The room was fantastic, we used the balcony jacuzzi every night and it was so amazing sitting in our private little tub sipping wine and listening to the ocean and rain and jungle. The aesthetic of the room is nice, sort of like island italian, not totally my taste but i certainly had nothing to complain about. The bed was SO GOOD. Really high quality linens, and i slept so well. But, where this property really, truly shines is the staff and the amenities. I can not say enough good things about the incredible staff at this place. There are golf carts to take you anywhere you want to go, 24hs a day. And the guys who drive these carts are seriously wonderful They are always smiling, they all remember your name and where your room is, they have witty conversation and they are just lovely! I wish i could take them all home. The bartenders and servers are also awesome, same with the people at the front desk and the people at the Spa. The free breakfast is MASSIVE and delicious with tons of options. The spa services were GLORIOUS. We also had lunch at the beach cafe and dinner one night and all was perfection. I can not think of one thing that could have possible been better and i am really picky. I would go back here in a heartbeat, especially if i really needed a vacation where i am pampered and catered to every single second of the day, and isn't' that sort of the whole point of vacation? Every person working at this hotel should be given raises, huge massive raises. They are wonderful. Can't wait to come back.

Just returned from a week long stay at the Arenas Del Mar property in Quepos, Costa Rica. Went there with two other couples. Couldn't wait to share our wonderful experience with return and future travelers. Everything was wonderful at this beachfront/rainforest property. The location was like being on a Fantasy Island. The staff were amazing and fun. William Bernie, Ariel, et al., treated us like favorite family members. The food and specialty drinks were fantastic. Food presentation, quality and taste were excellent. Again the staff, who seem to be there 24-7 were so good natured and eager to help. The view of the Pacific and Manuel Antonio National Park from the lovely room made the decision to go out and do anything difficult. The bed and pillows were very comfortable. Our balcony with the semi circular hot tub is a delightful touch. The second pool and secluded restaurant at beach level were very much enjoyed. the beachfront chaises made vegging out an addiction. Whatever we wanted to do off-property was arranged by the front desk, and all the details were exact. The property is well maintained and kept very clean. Tucked back into the hill overlooking the Pacific we were treated to many sightings of monkeys (and serenaded by the uber-cool Howler Monkeys daily), as well as sloths, aguti, iguana, birds, etc., etc. Took advantage of the spa on site and was not disappointed. First rate treatments and affordable. There is a small shop behind registration that had local handicrafts. We compared prices when we visited the town of Quepos and the shop's prices were very competitive. The property is delightful and the staff are off-the-chart professional and accommodating. Off property we did some deep sea fishing (1 blue marlin, 3 sailfish, 3 Mahi-Mahi - thank you Captain Franklin and first mate, Jackson on the Big Eye 2), We did a rainforsest tour to a waterfall and swimming hole with Ersel (Arenas Del Mar ecologist), We went river rapids rafting and had a ball. Can't wait to return to Arenas Del Mar with more friends and family.