I was in this place 6 months ago, but just joined the site. Things probably haven't changed there from the time I was there.
Overall, do not go ANYWHERE in CR if you are a budget traveler or care at all about bang for your buck. Only go if you simply have never been to Costa Rica and are curious. Costa Rican girls are the hottest in Central America (half of them are essentially Spanish blood) though. However, from my experience, South Beach is more affordable across the board.
The only advantage the place has going for it is that it is a tourist hotspot so I met Argentinians (although they are everywhere in Latin America) and the usual Euro travelers. Lots of Buenos Aires mujeres who are partiers and who are hot.
Negatives - there are many:
Nightlife: Due to laws everything in Manuel Antonio shuts down at midnight, which sucks. If you want to party, you have to head down to Quepos. Quepos also sucks because it has about 2 bars, which are shitty and close at about 3. I bailed on the place after a few days.
Weather: It is insanely hot. The beach is also of low quality.
The Roads: I am surprised I didn't die from the winding, narrow mountain roads that have no sidewalks. Dangerous as fuck especially if you are tipsy.
Getting There: Only way is through SJ. I flew domestically from SJ to Quepos airport - but realize that's an extra $75 each way. Bus takes about 2.5 hours. Overall a super long trip. From Miami to SJ is about 2.45 hours and then another 3-4 hours or an overnight stay depending on domestic bus/flight schedule.
Pros: The beach isn't that great but you can go on a boat with unlimited booze and some dinner for about $50 on the pacific ocean. The park is mildly interesting.
Also cool if you are just passing by and want to visit the park or something if you are backpacking down the pacific coastline of Costa Rica.
Overall, I'd rate the place a 5/10. It was a pain in the ass to get to and a waste of money. Other places I have been to were way better. I will post data sheets of those other places later.
Overall, do not go ANYWHERE in CR if you are a budget traveler or care at all about bang for your buck. Only go if you simply have never been to Costa Rica and are curious. Costa Rican girls are the hottest in Central America (half of them are essentially Spanish blood) though. However, from my experience, South Beach is more affordable across the board.
The only advantage the place has going for it is that it is a tourist hotspot so I met Argentinians (although they are everywhere in Latin America) and the usual Euro travelers. Lots of Buenos Aires mujeres who are partiers and who are hot.
Negatives - there are many:
Nightlife: Due to laws everything in Manuel Antonio shuts down at midnight, which sucks. If you want to party, you have to head down to Quepos. Quepos also sucks because it has about 2 bars, which are shitty and close at about 3. I bailed on the place after a few days.
Weather: It is insanely hot. The beach is also of low quality.
The Roads: I am surprised I didn't die from the winding, narrow mountain roads that have no sidewalks. Dangerous as fuck especially if you are tipsy.
Getting There: Only way is through SJ. I flew domestically from SJ to Quepos airport - but realize that's an extra $75 each way. Bus takes about 2.5 hours. Overall a super long trip. From Miami to SJ is about 2.45 hours and then another 3-4 hours or an overnight stay depending on domestic bus/flight schedule.
Pros: The beach isn't that great but you can go on a boat with unlimited booze and some dinner for about $50 on the pacific ocean. The park is mildly interesting.
Also cool if you are just passing by and want to visit the park or something if you are backpacking down the pacific coastline of Costa Rica.
Overall, I'd rate the place a 5/10. It was a pain in the ass to get to and a waste of money. Other places I have been to were way better. I will post data sheets of those other places later.