The hotel is average at most. After staying in some beautiful lodges around Costa Rica, Mono Azul was a bit of a disappointment. Rooms are very simple, almost bare, bungalow - type, staff could be described as not interested - you get the feeling that if they do anything for you it is to get a tip, not to genuinely help you. We did not really eat in the hotel so don't know what the food was like - we did not really want to stay in the hotel much of the time.

The whole area around Manual Antopnio strikes me as a bit commercial and many places are trying to get advantage of tourists, which is unlike the rest of Costa 'Rica, so perhaps that way not much more should have been expected out of the hotel, but out of all of the hotels we stayed in this is the only one we did not really enjoy staying in.

It is fine to stay in for a night or two if you're not too picky, it's not a bad place, but it was just a bit of a let down after staying in many nicer places. And I don't think it is cheap either.

Stay there if you can't find any better deal around the area, I would imagine it gets booked up out there pretty quickly.

Gosia

Mono Azul has large clean rooms, a pool, a library, and the best internet service we experienced in Costa Rica. The restaurant is also adequate, and its close to an art gallery, and other good restaruants. Its also next to a bus stop and is a 25 cent ride away from Manuel Antonio. It is a 20 minute walk away from Quepos.

I previously stayed at Mono Azul in 2005. At this time it was great for one reason: No one bothers you. I choose Mono Azul over the other pricy hotels.
This time we thought we visit again since we like the service or the lack of for the matter (Don't take it the wrong way....we just like to stay in places where we don't get bother)
This time we stayed at a villa across the street and the first greeters every morning was the whistling sound of the squirrel monkeys along with several species of birds....I must point out too that since this is on the main road you won't get away from the automobile's noise too.
The accommodations are comfortable, very simple, very basic...in other words...everything you need and everything you don't.
To get to the beach and the National park it takes a 7-10 minutes ride on car, or must wait for the bus which passes by every 30 minutes. The Hotel concierge will give you the bus schedules.
The hotel can also facilitate tours, and adventure trips.
The one thing I should express disappointment on is the food price.The one thing I should express disappointment on is the food price and taste. A modest breakfast for two will cost you $16.00.....way to high....I recommend taking a short trip to the main town(Quepos), check the magazines for restaurants around or take food to cook with.
The Pizza place next to Mono Azul was good and we highly recommend EL Gato Negro(across from El Avion), the food there was excellent and the attention was superb.
The beach was crowded with artisans and souvenir's tables along the sidewalks. The water temperature was perfect, the surf equally rated.
The park presents several trails; along each you will see a bundle of wildlife species that are native to the area. These animals are also used to people, therefore you can admire them, take their pictures before they move along. The several trails will be a combination of soft walks to triathlon stile hills and cliffs. If you go to the park, make sure to be in good physical fit.
Beware of the Titis (white face monkeys) for they are a pack of intelligent creatures, they will take any small objects if left unattended, especially if they got food in it. Help yourself and the environment and don't take any food with you (as some people, especially the uncult locals which lack environmental education)...just water.
Overall, the hotel was good, the park and the beach was worth the trip back.

After reading all the reviews before the trip, I expected Mono Azul to be wonderful... I was wrong. I had booked the tower room for three nights. It had two bathrooms, three beds and a full kitchen. Sounds wonderful until you get there. There is a gate that separates the tower from the rest of the villas, but was never given a key for it. There was a porch light that didn't work making it difficult at night to unlock the door. The first bed is located right in front of the main door, which is slightly akward. The first bathroom was also located in the first bedroom which would mean you would have to barge in on whoever was staying in there. The first bathroom was horrible. It smelled like mold and mildew and I would have to say if it was for the second bathroom I would have asked to be moved. The second bed did not completely have it's own privacy. It was located outside the first bedroom and inbetween the hallway to the stairs leading up to the kitchen and family room (there is no door separating it from anything). Upstairs there was the living room (with cable tv), kitchen and second bathroom. The second bathroom was more modern, but I do have to warn about the water heating system in the shower (It is electical). There is also a sleeping loft located above the kitchen with another bed in it. There is a nice deck located right next to the kitchen that gave a nice view of the hillside and the hotel. I would also have to warn about the wildlife that was in the room. If you are at all skiddish about reptiles than be warned. There are huge gaps between the windows and the physical walls. We had several geckos that roomed with us that made loud chirping sounds throughout the night. For the cost of this room, I would suggest staying somewhere else.