My son and I stayed here for two nights in early June. We arrived after a long five hour drive, the last couple of hours in the rain, from Arenal. We parked our car and ran inside to check in. Beatriz, the front desk clerk couldn’t find our reservation and asked for our confirmation. My son ran back to the car in the rain and got the information that simply stated that the reservation was confirmed by a person named Chip via email. Evidently, it never got booked by Chip. After showing Beatriz the paper, she had no problem getting us a room. Since it was low season and it appeared that they there were plenty of rooms available, why did she have to hassle us to go back out in the pouring rain to get the confirmation? It wasn’t a great way to make guests feel particularly welcome.

The room itself had all the basics, clean towels, hot water, television, and even had an air conditioner. The air conditioner came in handy after a couple of humid days hiking in Manual Antonio Park. The room had high wooden ceilings that gave it the feel of staying in a cabin. The television offered many English language choices including a local station from Denver of all places. We were able to watch the NBA finals one night in our room. That same night, my son noticed that we had an unexpected visitor in the room, a lizard was crawling up one of the walls. I don’t know if this is customary in Costa Rica but it did add a tad bit more excitement to our trip.

The pools were nice and the gardens were well kept. Also, we took advantage of the inexpensive laundry service, just $10 for whatever we could fill in a large plastic bag. The location was very good just outside Quepos on the road to Manual Antonio.

At the bottom of the hill (towards Quepos), perhaps 500 meters away, we found a gym to work out at. The cost was $5 for a day pass. The equipment there wasn’t in great shape and cramped but the staff was very friendly and welcoming.

We ate dinner and breakfast in the restaurant. It was not particularly memorable except for the prices. They are higher than you would expect for a hotel of this quality level. Perhaps it was the students at the next table playing cards that made the restaurant feel more like a low budget hostel game room than a serious eating establishment.

Overall, it wasn’t a great experience especially compared to other hotels we stayed at with comparable rates during our trip but was adequate for our needs.

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.