ABOUT THE LIVING LIFE IN COSTA RICA BLOG

I (Vicki Skinner - aka "THE Sarong Goddess") created this blog in 2007 to share DETAILED Finds•Lists•Info•Events•Experiences to help bring more EASE to people living in, visiting or thinking of moving to Costa Rica since DETAILS are NOT easy to find!
I’m NOT an expert (an "expert" 2 ME knows 101%-NOT me). I believe in sharin info•helping where I can! And with over 2,200 entries, so some things might be out of date, so if you find old info PLEASE help each other by getting the updated info & sharing it with me to revise. At least you have some basic info to get you started.
VOLUNTEER TO HELP:
Better yet - do you have extra time on your hands & looking for a volunteer project? Since this blog is a labor of love & RARELY does anyone share a donation (even though MANY have said how much it's helped them), I could REALLY use help updating info. Spanish speakers ESPECIALLY welcome since my VicLish can be somewhat limited at times!!

DONATE:
Has my blog helped in any way? Helped find something•brought more EASE? More exposure or business?
I welcome you to show YOUR appreciation for my efforts!
ANY size DONATION is APPRECIATED!
(see below other ways to show your appreciation)
The easiest way is with PAYPAL - Attn: LivingLifeInCostaRica@gmail.com
(you do NOT need to have a PayPal account to do this - just a credit or debit card)
ADD INFORMATION:
Do YOU have/know of a Business•Event•News•Place•Things 4 Sale•Rent to add? Email:
LivingLifeInCostaRica@gmail.com

OTHER WAYS TO SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION FOR THIS BLOG

• APPLE LAPTOP - Do you have a Laptop you're not using? Mine recently broke so I'm using a lender. Must be new enough to run current Skypes & have an SDCard slot.
• Amazon.com or GoDaddy.com Credit•Gift Certificate (attn: SarongGoddess@gmail.com)
• Something else to share?? A gift certificate or invite for your business? I'm open!! (at times I'll add other things here that I'm seeking)

Friday, November 16, 2007

GAY Costa Rica - MANUEL ANTONIO - Accommodations

GAY / HONESTLY-GAY-FRIENDLY &/OR GAY-OWNED HOTELS / PLACES TO STAY in
MANUEL ANTONIO - COSTA RICA

NOTES: Here's what I've pulled together so far on accommodations that are either Gay, Gay-Friendly or Gay-Owned with comments based on doing my own Site Inspections or feedback from other guests.
NOTE: I’ve found having an Owner that actually lives ON SITE CAN OFTEN DOES make a BIG DIFFERENCE in the quality of the place, details with clean and staff!!!!!

HOTEL DEL MAR
(http://www.HotelDelMar-CostaRica.com / 2-777-0543)
12 Ultra-Basic rooms with private baths, safe at office, park, small pet ok, no pool (for now). Lots of stairs in all but 3 rooms. 200 meters/2 block from the beach and Mar y Sombra Restaurant – though they’re further from the action. Continental Breakfast (fresh local fruits, coffee, tea, pastries+ 7-10am). Credit Cards (AmEx, MC, V, Diners, JCB). (I've NOT inspected)
SEASONS: Green/low: 5/1-11/30. Peak: 12/1-4/30. 3rd price is Holidays.
GO/SF - OWNER David lives on site.
2 D beds with Fan $45 / $65 / $90 (12/20-1/3)
2 D beds with A/C $55 / $75 / $100 (12/20-1/3)
K Bed, Private Balcony, A/C $60 / $85 / $110 (12/20-1/3) + 16.39% tax
Check-In: 1pm. Check-Out: Noon

CASA BLANCA
No longer around

VILLA ROCA
(http://www.VillaRoca.com / 2-777-1349 / 2-777-2335 / info@VillaRoca.com)
11 different kinds of rooms and 3 apartments. Rooms have private bathrooms, telephone, fridge, private terraces with a spectacular view overlook the rainforest and the Pacific Ocean, some are air-conditioned. Infinity swimming pool, big Jacuzzi. LOTS of stairs. Some have expressed that some staff can give off some attitude (hey, some people like that!). WAS near to the now former gay beach. Near Si Como No so you have their spa and art gallery nearby. I've inspected.
GO/GAY. Owners not in country.
RATES: 11/15-4/15 - $90-$165. 4/15-11/15-$49-$105 + 16.39% tax (Full Breakfast)

COSTA VERDE
(http://www.CostaVerde.com / 2-777-0584 / 2-777-0187 / 1-866-854-7958 / reservations@CostaVerde.com)
BEAUTIFUL, nice views, jungly with monkey’s running around.
SEASONS: Peak - Jan. 2-April 30, '08. Green/Low - May 1-Nov. 17.
Efficiency - jungle and ocean views, kitchenette, 2 Q/Q beds, A/C, ceiling fans, post and beam hardwood construction. Max 4 people. $79/$104.
Studio - 520 sq feet, jungle and ocean views, kitchenette, 2 Q, cable TV, A/C and ceiling fans, larger than efficiencies. Max 4. or CV II - 750 sq feet, jungle and ocean vistas, kitchenette, 2 Qs, ceiling fans. Max 4. $115-$135.
Studio+ $125/$149 - 520 sq feet, panoramic ocean views, kitchenette, 2 Qs, cable TV, A/C and ceiling fans, larger than efficiencies. Max 4. Studio Plus CV II - 750 sq feet, panoramic ocean vistas, kitchenette, 2 Qs, ceiling fans. Max 4.
Penthouse - Panoramic ocean views, kitchen, 2 Ks, 4 ceiling fans, master bathroom . $150/$185
Casa Quinta - separates entrances, 2 1/2 bedrooms, 2 F baths, a big living room with cable TV, a huge terrace, dining area and an ocean view. 2 bedrooms, each with Q, as well as living room with an extra Q. 1 bedroom has an air-conditioner. A small, 1/2 bedroom has a T bed. $150/$185
Bungalow A-13 - bedrooms with separate entrances and balconies for each bedroom. The main room contains 2 Qs, kitchenette, F bath, AC, cable TV and WiFi. 2nd room - 2 Ts and F bath. 5 ceiling fans, one balcony has a small ocean view. $150/$185
Bungalow A-11 - large studio containing 3 Qs, a kitchenette and 2 F bathrooms (one is quite small). 4 ceiling fans cool the room. $115/$135 (all PLUS 16.39% tax)
Costa Verde features 3 different Restaurants!! Across the street you have La Cantina Bar/Restaurant featuring seafood, chicken, steaks and ribs on an open wood fire and LIVE MUSIC (Reggae with The Jungle Boys) nightly from 7-11pm!! El Avion is set in a 1954 model C-123 airplane and features informal dining and great for sunsets! Anaconda features jungle and ocean views and Tipico CR and international cuisine, fresh fruits and seafood.
GO/GF

CASITAS ECLIPSE, Restaurant and Spa
(http://www.CasitasEclipse.org / 2-777-0408 / eclipseh@racsa.co.cr)
Large (30 spacious detached casitas), mainstream stark (to me – sort of South Beachy) Mediterranean-style hotel/casitas perched on a hilltop a kilometer from the beach (GREAT views!). Each villa has hot water, fan, a/c, phone, cable tv, mini-fridge, safety box, balcony or terrace. I believe they have a few pools. They are home to THE Gay (though turning more mixed) Bar Tutu and Gato Negro Restaurant.
SO/GF
RATES: 12/16-4/15 and Easter – Standard $112 / Suite – D $155 / Suite – Triple $172. Casita (max 5) $275. April 16-Dec. 15 - $86 / $103 / $116 / $172 + 16.39% tax. GF.

SI COMO NO
(http://www.SiComoNo.com / 2- 777-0777 / information@ SiComoNo.com)
BEAUTIFUL! Large - Mainstream, Serenity Spa, Family and Adult Pools (Family Pool includes a whirlpool spa, cascading waterfall, a 30’ water slide and swim-up bar. Adult Pool 80,000 gal., swim-up pool), MultiMedia THX/DTS Theatre (for 46) with nightly movies/ documentaries. Restaurants - Rico Tico Bar ‘n Grill (their own version of Tico/Tex-Mex (lunch/dinner). Claro Que Si Seafood restaurant featuring authentic Caribbean dishes. LIVE Acoustic MUSIC by Tres Caciques. Includes a F Buffet Breakfast, Free entrance to the Butterfly Garden, 1 hour free internet gift certificate.
SEASONS: Green/Low – May 1-June 30 and September 1-November 14.
GO/GF
Standard - Jungle view, bath with shower, kitchen or wet bar, stocked mini-bar, K or Q size bed, A/C, ceiling fans, telephone and security box. Max 4 $165/$190.
Superior - Ocean and jungle view balconies, bath with shower, kitchen or wet bar, stocked mini-bar, K or Q size beds, A/C, ceiling fans, telephone and security box. Max 4. $195/$225
Deluxe Room - Panoramic ocean and jungle view balconies, high beam ceiling, bath with shower, kitchen or wet-bar, stocked mini-bar, K size beds, sitting room or extra bed, A/C, ceiling fans, telephone and security box. Max 4. $220/$240.
Deluxe Suite - Spacious D size room with large balcony, sitting area with sofa bed and large bathroom with F amenities overlook panoramic jungle coastline. Max 4. $260/$275.
Honeymoon Suite - Spacious D size room with deluxe amenities, sitting area, private Jacuzzi and large balcony with panoramic jungle and ocean view. $290/$310. (all plus 16.39% tax)


LA MANSION HOTEL and Jacques Cousteau Restaurant (they have REAL MAIN lobster all the time), The Cave Bar and VIP Room
(http://www.LaMansionInn.com / 2-777-3489 / 2-777-5011 / 1-800-360-2071 / reservations@lamansioninn.com)
ULTRA Luxury, VERY EXPENSIVE set high on a hill in a jungle setting (with such daily visitors as monkeys, sloths, anteaters, large iguanas, over 200 species of birds and pizotes!! 18 VERY elegantly appointed guestrooms www.LaMansionInn.com/roomrates.asp.htm
GO (owner lives ON premise)/GF
RATES:
Presidential Suite (has a Jacuzzi with 24-carat gold faucets, D-headed shower, bidet, dining and living room - $1250 / $1500 / $1600)
2 Penthouse Suites - (Penthouse #1 - $650 / $750 / $850
Penthouse #2 - $550 / $650 / $750 [for up to 4 people])
Romanoff Suite (no view - $550 / $650 / $750),
3 Junior Suites ($225 / $325 / $425), the Garden Suite ($200 / $300 / $400)
10 Deluxe Rooms ($150 / $250 / $350), Standard Deluxe with Ocean View ($125 / $187.50 / $287.50).
All suites/rooms have a/c, tv, telephone, outside sitting area, desk, hair dryer, iron, mini-bar, electronic safe. REALLY unique and Common areas include a patio with b’bque, Infinity Pool with Jacuzzi. A Continental Breakfast is included. Water is heated by Solar Energy!
Jacques Cousteau Restaurant has REAL Lobster and other FRESH seafood! Their Cave Bar is a REAL underground Bat Cave with an in-cave waterfall and bats hang from the ceiling while sipping their specialty cocktails (and check out their hunky waiters!!)!! Now this is a MUST SEE/DO!! MANY MANY famous people have been guests here!! OWNER: Harry holds court here!!


(have anything to add, more info/help - email Vicki at LivingLifeInCostaRica@gmail.com in Escazu)

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm planning a trip for myself and 5 friends. We are gay men from Boston and want to stay in a "gay hotel" or "gay friendly" hotel. The info you supplied on your blog is extremely helpful in helping me narrow down my choices of places to stay. That being said, which would you prefer to stay at "Hotel Villa Roca" or "Hotel Si Como No"? Which would be your choice and why?

Thanks,
John

A Gay Guide to Costa Rica said...

Unfortunately when you write comments it comes to me withOUT an email address to respond to you so please e- me directly at TheFountainsGuesthouseCR@gmail.com

Like with my other business doing Gay Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and Privately-Owned Condos and Villas, I do NOT "recommend" things - just share info as we ALL have such different taste, previous experiences and criteria as well as budgets so only you can determine ultimately what rocks ya'lls boat the MOST!

Si Como No is more upscale so you can't compare it to Villa Roca and the only real, more "upscale" gay property I've found in Manuel Antonio is La Plantation hands down.

Anyone else have RECENT (within the last year) experience at either of these properties or any other gay or HONESTLY gay-friendly properties in Manuel Antonio?? Please share them here (and email them directly to me also).

If you'd like assistance booking places around CR as well as leads on gay-friendly suppliers, etc., please let me know - I'd be happy to help you!

Anonymous said...

Of the three places mentioned- as a gay man I much prefer Villa Roca (which is next door to Si Como No, and across the road from La Plantacion) because it has a terrific view, is exclusively gay, the rooms are very nice, and I love the staff - the owners- two gay German men - do live in Costa Rica - they have an apartment on the grounds - are terrific guys .. it is a beautiful site, with an infinity pool.
Si Como No is huge - has several nice restaurants - has a lot of families staying there - and I have often found obnoxious (right wing?) Americans in the restaurants who get angry with the staff for not always speaking English! The management may be gay friendly, but the clientele does not seem to be
La Plantacion is over the top ... In a Spanish speaking country - their menu is in French and English only! ... Maybe a comfortable place for people who like gated communities and who want to avoid mingling with the "natives" - beyond being waited on by them
I would also highly recommend Hotel del Mar - very close to the beach - gay owned and a great friendly staff - also most affordable of al the gay inns.
Richard (Rjazwinski@aol.com)

Anonymous said...

I'm travelling to M. Antonio for the 4th time this January. I'm staying at Del Mar. It's totally low end, but I honestly don't need more than a decent room when I'm doing a beach vacation.

The owners are great and if you can get one of the rooms with the private verandahs, it's even better. The only problem is that they don't have any internet access which in 2008 is a bit bizarre.

For me the decision is about whether I wanted to stay at the foot of the hill (near the beach) or near the top of the hill (near the nightlife). I find taxis easier to find at night so that's why I choose to stay at the beach (and for sure, the price is right).

The other nice, gay friendly hotel is Villas Nicholas but I haven't stayed there in quite a few years now.

villastranquilas said...

Hello! I would like to mention our property. We are very new to the community but would like to extend an invitation for you to come visit us in Quepos. The property is very beautiful and would be perfect for individuals/couple looking for tranquility. That's why it's called Villas Tranquilas! I would recommend it to anyone: www.villastranquilas.com