A few places from the directory that consistently earn their reputation.
luxury hotel
$$$$
Manuel Antonio
Luxury resort and member of the Cayuga Collection, one of the few hotels in Manuel Antonio with direct beach access, set between two beaches with two pools. Around 40 rooms and suites, in-house naturalist guides, and two restaurants, the beachfront Playitas and the oceanview Mirador, which sources fish through a dock to dish program. Known for serious sustainability practices alongside five-star service.
sportfishing
$$$$
Quepos
Half day and full day fishing charters out of Quepos aboard the 32 foot Big Eye II, run by Captain Franklin Araya, who has roughly 20 years working these waters. Offshore targets include sailfish, marlin, yellowfin tuna, and mahi mahi, with inshore trips for roosterfish, snapper, and jacks.
transport
$$
Quepos
Quepos-based private transportation company running air-conditioned Toyota minibuses with professional local drivers. Covers transfers to and from SJO and LIR airports, plus intercity routes to Jaco, Dominical, Uvita, La Fortuna, Tamarindo, and Guanacaste. Available 24/7 with cash or PayPal payment.
villa
$$$$
Manuel Antonio
A 10-bedroom, 11-bathroom luxury villa spanning 12,000 square feet across four levels in Manuel Antonio, accommodating up to 26 guests. Amenities include a large infinity pool with beach-style entry, a 20-person solar-heated jacuzzi, 30-seat private cinema, game room, spa treatment rooms, gym, and a covered event tent for up to 70 people. A private chef prepares two meals daily, and the villa hosts destination weddings and corporate retreats. Nightly rates start at $1,592.
boat charter
$$$$
Quepos
Private-only yacht charter operating a 53-foot luxury cruiser from Marina Pez Vela with two bathrooms, air-conditioned cabin, fly deck, and two sound systems. Captain Everth Chavez has 7-plus years running the boat. Half-day coastal and sunset cruises, full-day charters, and multi-day trips to Cano Island and Corcovado are available with snorkeling, paddleboarding, and fishing add-ons.
cooking class
$$
Manuel Antonio
A three-hour small-group cooking experience with a Costa Rican family that teaches how to make a traditional casado, handmade tortillas from scratch, and cafe chorreado, along with a guided tour of a medicinal plant garden and a sugarcane mill visit. Pickup is at 9 am from hotels in Quepos and Manuel Antonio and the class accommodates a maximum of ten travelers. The session ends with a shared lunch of everything prepared.
