Our family recently stayed at the Parador Resort and Spa in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. In this post, we’ll give an overview of what the property is like and share our experience.
*Note: This is an unbiased review based on our personal experience. We paid for our stay and received no compensation. We share our honest opinions to help you plan your trip.
Overview
Set on a hillside point with beautiful ocean views, Parador Resort and Spa offers a good balance of comfort and nature in a private setting.
With 119 rooms spread throughout the large property, the Parador is one of the biggest resorts in Manuel Antonio. On our visit in March (high season), the hotel was fairly full but didn’t feel too crowded.
The hotel has an old world feel with antiques and artwork that show a bit about the country’s history and culture. You’ll find old wooden oxcarts, wooden carvings, paintings, and local metal work that add charm to the dining and common areas.
The main area near Reception is where you’ll find most of the amenities. This is where several restaurants, pools, a spa, and entertainment options like a game room are located.
What makes the Parador special is its expansive 130-acre property with lush rainforest and many mature trees. Right from the pool, we were able to spot squirrel monkeys, sloths, iguanas, toucans, and scarlet macaw parrots.
Parador is one of the most popular hotels in Manuel Antonio.
Location of Parador Resort & Spa
The property sits at the end of a quiet road about 10 minutes from the main area of Manuel Antonio. Although it is set on its own, the resort itself has just about everything you need if you’re just looking for a relaxing resort stay.
Tip: Having a rental car would still be nice to have at the Parador so that you can easily get to restaurants in town (there are many great options) and attractions. If you decide to rent a car, be sure to check out our discount to save 10% through one of the most reputable rental companies in Costa Rica.
Parador Resort is about a 7-minute drive to Manuel Antonio National Park and 10 minutes from downtown Quepos, the nearest small city.
It’s about 2.5 hours from Costa Rica’s largest international airport in San Jose and 4.5-5 hours from the airport in Liberia.
Customer Service
The staff at Parador Resort were helpful and friendly throughout our stay.
At check-in, the front desk team was efficient and informative, giving us a clear overview of the resort’s amenities. We also used their WhatsApp chat option to ask about restaurant hours.
In the restaurants, servers were very nice and helpful in accommodating our dietary requests.
Even the ground workers made the effort to help us spot a sloth hiding in a tree.
We appreciated the nice gesture of having a cupcake and balloon in the room since we were there to celebrate Jenn’s birthday.
Room Options and Pricing
The Parador has a range of room options from basic Garden rooms all the way to Suites with grand ocean views.
- Garden Rooms: Entry-level option with terrace and forest views. We stayed in a Garden Plus room. It was basic (slightly old-fashioned) but clean and comfortable with a nice terrace overlooking the rainforest.
- Tropical Rooms: Located on second or third floors with partial ocean or jungle views depending on the room. More spacious than Garden Rooms.
- Premium Rooms: Situated in the main building with ocean views and private balconies.
- Vista Suites: Adults-only (18+) luxury option at the highest point on property with panoramic ocean views and upgraded amenities. The suites are a good option if you’re traveling as a couple or on your honeymoon.
The Parador is one of the more expensive hotels in Manuel Antonio. Prices range from $300-900/night in the high season (December-April) and $250-600/night in low season (May-November). Peak pricing applies during Christmas/New Year’s and Easter Week.
The nightly rate includes breakfast. Other meals are extra.
Parador doesn’t charge a daily resort fee.
Check current rates and availability at Parador Resort.
Beach Access
The hotel doesn’t have direct beach access, but beautiful Playa Biesanz is close by. Playa Biesanz is in a secluded calm cove that is perfect for swimming.
You can walk to this beach (about 15 minutes total) or have the staff take you in a golf cart to the trail entrance. From the road, it’s about a 10-minute walk through the forest to get to the beach. Playa Biesanz doesn’t have any amenities so be sure to bring everything you’ll need for the day.
The resort also offers a free shuttle service to the main beach in town, Playa Espadilla, on a regular schedule. The shuttle takes about 10 minutes to reach the beach, and the last return shuttle is around 5:30 p.m.
Playa Espadilla is a gorgeous palm-tree-backed beach with a lot of amenities around. You can rent beach chairs and tents, plus there are restaurants nearby.
Pools
The pools were definitely a highlight of our stay at the Parador.
The large main pool is centrally located with a gradual depth that makes it good for families with kids of all ages. It has some fun water fountains and plenty of comfortable loungers around the perimeter.
This pool is in the full sun but there are some umbrellas for shade and a pool bar/restaurant with covered seating.
There’s a rancho with a swim-up bar. Both alcoholic cocktails and fruit smoothies for the kids are available.
A couple of smaller, quieter pools branch off from the main one.
For adults seeking a peaceful environment, the resort has two adults-only pools – one centrally located and another at the Vista Suites (the adults only section of the property).
If you’re traveling with young kids, there’s also a small shallow pool that is perfect with babies and toddlers. It’s under the trees in full shade.
Restaurants
The Parador has restaurants serving international cuisine, including steak and other meat dishes, seafood, pizza, sandwiches, burgers, salads, and pasta.
While we noticed some menu overlap between them, each restaurant had its own specialty – some emphasize fresh seafood, others quality meats. We really enjoyed the sushi restaurant.
The restaurants accommodate dietary restrictions with clearly marked gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and dairy free options, though choices become somewhat limited with multiple restrictions.
During our stay, one of us needed both vegetarian and lactose-free options, which was a little challenging. Fortunately, the staff was helpful, checking about allergies and restrictions in advance and working with the kitchen to create dishes that would work.
Something unique if you’re celebrating a special occasion like an anniversary or birthday is La Reina (the Queen) room. This is an elegantly decorated private dining space that you can rent.
Parador also has a coffee bar with espresso drinks and sweet treats near the main restaurant.
Room service is available from 6 am to 11 pm.
We found the restaurant prices to be quite high by Costa Rican standards (lunch $15-30, dinner $20-58), but the quality of the food was good.
If you’ll have a rental car, we’d recommend checking out some of the many other restaurants in town, most of which are less expensive (See our Manuel Antonio Restaurant Guide).
You can find full menus of the resort’s restaurants on Parador’s website.
Parador’s restaurants do not have a dress code.
Breakfast
A highlight of staying at the Parador is the included breakfast buffet.
They had quite a bit to choose from, including traditional gallo pinto (rice and beans), eggs prepared various ways, bacon or sausage, pancakes, assorted breads, cereals, and lots of options for fresh tropical fruit. There’s also a made-to-order omelette station.
Breakfast is served at the main restaurant. This space is open air and overlooks the ocean.
Breakfast hours run from 6 a.m to 10 a.m.
Hiking Trail
One of the unique features of the Parador is its on-site jungle trail, aptly named the Monkey Trail.
This well-maintained path takes you through the rainforest and leads to a few scenic viewpoints. The trail offers different loops depending on how much time you want to spend exploring.
During our stay, we opted for one of the shorter loops, which took about 15 minutes. While the forest scenery was the focus, we did get a beautiful ocean view at one point on the trail.
Spa
We didn’t have spa treatments during our visit but checked out the space and talked to the staff.
The services menu includes massages, facials, body wraps, and even mini services designed for kids.
The spa features a comfortable room for couples’ massage as well as a larger single-person room with jungle views.
For pricing, massages and facials range from around $60 for 25-minute sessions to $105-130 for longer 50-80 minute treatments. They also offer manicures and pedicures.
Yoga Platform
Behind the spa is a large yoga platform overlooking the serene rainforest. The resort provides yoga mats for guests to use.
Parador offers free yoga classes on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 9 a.m.
Gym
The resort’s medium-sized fitness center offers enough equipment for a good workout during your stay.
The air-conditioned space has two treadmills, one recumbent bike, two spin bikes, an elliptical machine, and free weights.
Pickleball Court
The Parador has a well-maintained outdoor pickleball court under the shade of the trees.
Wifi
The Wifi in our room was very fast and had a strong signal. It also worked well in the pool areas and pretty much everywhere we tried it on the main hotel grounds.
Family-Friendly Activities
Mini Golf Course
Our kids really enjoyed the short mini golf course, which has around 9 holes.
Located under a canopy of trees near the main pool, it was a fun way to spend an hour or so.
Kids Play Room
For younger children, the Parador has the Pura Vida Playhouse.
This dedicated kids’ playroom for ages 2-6 has toys, rocking horses, and art tables. It would be a good spot if you need an activity for a couple of hours or if it’s raining.
Game Room
The game room was another popular spot with our family.
It has three TVs with PlayStation consoles and gaming chairs, a pool table, a foosball table, and a ping pong table.
Open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Souvenir Shop
The resort’s souvenir shop has a good selection of locally made items, including Costa Rican-themed T-shirts, artisanal chocolate, handmade bags, and intricate wood carvings.
The shop also stocks essentials like toothpaste, sunscreen, aloe vera gel, and basic medications in case you forget to pack something.
Designated Smoking Area
For guests who smoke, the Parador has a designated area above the main restaurant (a large open porch) where smoking is permitted.
Sustainability
Parador has earned the Certification of Sustainable Tourism in Costa Rica. This is given to tourism businesses that take specific actions to reduce environmental impacts while advancing social, cultural, and economic goals. Read more about the program with our post.
During our stay, we observed many eco-friendly practices. The hotel has a recycling program, uses energy-efficient lighting, wastebaskets without plastic bags, and has an elaborate composting station where they make their own natural fertilizers and pesticides for use in the gardens.
Nearby Attractions
The Parador’s location makes it convenient for exploring Manuel Antonio’s attractions:
- Manuel Antonio National Park: 7-minute drive
- Marina Pez Vela: 10-15-minute drive
- Rainmaker Conservation Project: 30-minute drive
- Nauyaca Waterfalls: 1.25-hour drive
- Damas Island Mangrove Tours: 25-minute drive
Value for Money
Parador Resort falls in the higher price range for Manuel Antonio accommodations. We found the value to be fairly reasonable for what’s offered. The extensive grounds, multiple pools, on-site activities, and included breakfast buffet help justify the cost.
What you’re really paying for here is the combination of comfort and nature in one package. The wildlife viewing opportunities right on the property were exceptional compared to some other resorts we’ve stayed at in Costa Rica. For families who want resort amenities but also an authentic rainforest experience, Parador delivers good value.
That said, some aspects of the resort show their age, and restaurant prices are high even by tourist standards. Budget-conscious travelers might find better value at smaller properties.
Best For
Parador Resort is best suited for:
- Families with children of various ages (the diverse amenities keep everyone entertained)
- Wildlife enthusiasts who want comfort without sacrificing nature immersion
- Travelers who prefer to have multiple dining options and activities without leaving the property
- Those wanting a quieter location away from the busier parts of Manuel Antonio
The resort is not ideal for budget travelers, those seeking a boutique hotel experience, or visitors who want to be within walking distance to the main beach and main area of town.
Pros and Cons of Parador Resort & Spa
Pros:
- Spectacular wildlife viewing throughout the property
- Multiple pools catering to different preferences (family, adults-only)
- Extensive grounds with jungle trails and ocean views
- Good variety of on-site activities and amenities
- Proximity to Playa Biesanz, a calmer swimming beach
- Elaborate breakfast buffet included in rate
Cons:
- Higher price point than many Manuel Antonio options
- Restaurant prices are expensive
- Not within walking distance of main town area
- Some areas of the property could use updating
- Need to rely on free shuttle or a taxi to access the main beach and national park if you don’t have a rental car
When to Visit
We visited Parador during the high season (March), when the weather was consistently sunny and hot. This is ideal for pool time and beach activities but also means higher rates and more people.
The shoulder seasons (May-July or early-to-mid December) offer a good balance of decent weather and lower occupancy. You’ll find better rates, while still enjoying mostly sunny days with occasional afternoon or evening showers.
The peak rainy season (September-November) has the lowest rates but it’s much more likely to be rainy, which can limit outdoor activities. The upside is that the rainforest is at its most lush, wildlife is particularly active, and there are no crowds. For more information, check out our post, Weather in Costa Rica.
Transportation
Parador Resort is about 2.5 hours from San Jose International Airport (SJO) and 4.5-5 hours from Liberia International Airport (LIR).
The drive from either airport is along all paved roads. If you’re comfortable driving, we recommend renting a car. The resort offers free parking.
If you’re arriving without a car, we recommend arranging a shuttle from the airport. If you need help, we work with an excellent local transportation company that will take you door to door from the airport. From San Jose, the cost is around $200 + tax. Here is the link to our site with reviews and more information.
Once at the resort, you can’t really walk to get to restaurants and the main area of town because it’s quite far and hilly. However, taxis are available (around $10-15 each way) and the hotel has a shuttle service to the main beach and town that runs several times a day.
Conclusion
Our stay at Parador Resort was a nice blend of comfort, nature, and warm Costa Rican hospitality. While it’s pricier than many hotel options in Manuel Antonio, the combination of amenities, wildlife viewing, and beautiful natural setting made it worthwhile.
If you’re planning a visit to Manuel Antonio and are looking for an upscale resort experience with plenty of amenities for all ages, the Parador is a great option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Parador Resort good for families?
Yes, Parador Resort is great if you’re traveling to Manuel Antonio with kids! It offers a main family pool, toddler pool, mini-golf, a game room, and a playroom for younger children. The property’s jungle trail and abundant wildlife also provide natural entertainment for kids of all ages.
Does Parador Resort have beach access?
The resort doesn’t have direct beach access, but Playa Biesanz is a short walk or golf cart ride away. The hotel also offers shuttle service to the main Manuel Antonio beach (Playa Espadilla).
How far is Parador Resort from the airport?
Parador is about 2.5 hours from San Jose Airport and 4.5-5 hours from Liberia Airport.
Do I need a car to stay at Parador Resort?
Having a rental car is nice to have to get to other restaurants and gives you more flexibility with activities. But it’s not absolutely necessary. The resort is only about a 5-10 minute drive to restaurants/town and most local tours include transportation. Taxis are easy to arrange and the resort has a free shuttle to town and the beach as well.
How much does it cost to stay at Parador Resort?
Prices range from $300-900/night in high season (December-April) and $250-600/night in low season (May-November). Rates increase during holiday periods like Christmas and Easter. All rates include breakfast.
You can check current rates and availability at Parador Resort here.
Does the Parador have an elevator?
Yes, there are elevators in certain areas and much of the facility is handicap accessible.
Is there wildlife at Parador Resort?
Yes, the resort’s 130 acres of rainforest attract a lot wildlife. During our stay, we saw monkeys, sloths, toucans, scarlet macaws, and other tropical birds right on the property.
How far is Parador Resort from Manuel Antonio National Park?
Parador Resort is about a 7-minute drive from Manuel Antonio National Park.
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Our Review Policy
This review is based on our family’s personal experience at Parador Resort & Spa. We paid for our own accommodations and received no compensation or special treatment in exchange for this review. Our goal is to provide honest, unbiased information to help travelers make informed decisions about their Costa Rica accommodations.
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Have a question about Parador Resort and Spa or have you been? Leave a comment below.
Looking for more information about Manuel Antonio? Check out these posts:
Manuel Antonio Hotel Guide: Not sure if Parador is right for you? Check out our full hotel guide for Manuel Antonio with many other options.
Manuel Antonio Trip Planning: Our complete guide to Manuel Antonio, including information on how to get there.
Top Things to Do in Manuel Antonio: From catamaran tours and nature walks to thrilling whitewater rafting and waterfall rappelling, there’s something for everyone. Learn the options and book quickly and easily through our website.
