Manala bungalows are awesome. Spacious both inside and the space between each bungalow is generous. The bungalows are private and quiet, there is a huge shower and super comfortable bed. We have stayed at Manala twice in 15 months, this trip 3 friends joined us as well and loved it so much they stayed extra time. Manala is virtually opposite a track to the beach where the best surf break is. The two guys at reception are especially helpful if you want to organise bookings and trips - the guide for my horseride was brilliant. The continental breakfast is perfect, the resturant has good pizzas and fruit smoothies.

Manala was simply amazing and absolutely lives up to the reviews.

Without repeating everything that has already been said, we must reiterate how great the rooms are and how efficient and friendly everyone is. Laura and her team, especially Ronaldo, are super and nothing is too much trouble. From organising surf lessons, advising on restaurants and helping show us the area, they are extremely nice.

Rooms: The Bungalows are large and extremely clean (no bugs!). The wifi is fairly reliable. The bungalows go up in number with No.1 being closest to the reception and road and 8 at the top of the path.

Location: Hardly any hotels in Santa Teresa are beach side. Once you come to terms with the fact you are always going to be 100m walk from the beach, Manala is the obvious choice! The long dusty road through Santa Teresa can be a pain to walk along but for longer journeys to restaurants and going down into Playa Carmen Ronaldo will happily call a 4x4 taxi which is worth the extra $.

Surf: Ronaldo organised a great private lesson with an Argentian called Juan who was very experienced and can take you to secluded spots in his car if you feel like escaping the "crowds" on the busier beaches. Some amazing memories!

Restaurant: Fun and pretty simple. has a great stone oven for baking pizzas and some salads if you don't fancy pizza and pasta. Pool table is a bonus and a very chilled atmosphere. At breakfast, the staff are really sweet and friendly. Unfortunately cooked breakfast is a little extra but worth it if you have a long day of surf ahead of you!

Thank you to Laura and everyone at Manala for making this the best bit of our trip, no question!

I stayed here for 7 days in Feb. and this was my first time in this area of CR. The grounds of the hotel were very well maintained, the rooms clean and spacious, the pool very inviting and the restaurant very convenient. I found the restaurant staff to be quite friendly and engaging. The "Manala" breakfast was simple and tasty with fresh fruit, toast (that looked like little cookies, yummy) coffee and juice....just right (they also had a full breakfast menu). This was also a great place to have dinner as well. The 2 guys at reception, Fabian and Ronald, were just great young men, both spoke english very well but had a hard time with my very limited Spanish, which created some good laughs LOL. I rented a Quad (on site) for 5 days and these guys gave me great ideas and directions of where I could go exploring on this fun machine. I highly recommend renting one...they are a blast and you get to go to and see places you wouldn't otherwise. Would I return to the Santa Teresa area and stay at the Manala Hotel....absolutely!!! The beach is very close and beautiful, as was 2 others, Playa Carmen and Playa Hermosa all great for surfing and brilliant sunsets. To the Management and the "great" staff of Manala, thank you for the wonderful hospitality, you WILL see me again...PURA VIDA!!!

We lucked out finding Manala Hotel available during high season and it was perfect - the bungalow was big, clean, the premises well kept, the pool area was nice - (although I wish there umbrellas for shade) the sun is really strong here. The rate was totally reasonable at $140/night.

Overall, the staff made our stay very comfortanle and enjoyable - Fabian and Ronald were so nice and pleasant, they were able to assist with booking tours, massages, flight check-in, car service, etc. - big bonus El Pulpo restaurant is on the property - they have a good variety and delicious cocktails, really good pizza and chicken Milanese (yummy) - the service was good too. The location of the hotel is ideal, access to Playa Santa Terese is very easy walk across the road, and short walk to supermarkets.

I totally recommend this hotel.
Mae, from NYC