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  4. Reviews of Hotel El Manglar y Cantarana

Reviews of Hotel El Manglar y Cantarana This rating is a reflection of how the property compares to the industry standard when it comes to price, facilities and services available. It's based on a self-evaluation by the property. Use this rating to help choose your stay!

Palm Beach Estates, 60011 Playa Grande, Costa Rica

#11 of 13 hotels in Playa Grande

Guests' Choice

Review Score

Based on 234 hotel reviews

8.3

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    8.4

  • Comfort

    8.5

  • Location

    9.0

  • Facilities

    8.2

  • Staff

    9.3

  • Value for money

    8.4

  • Free Wifi

    7.5

Verified guest reviews from real Bookers

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Showing 1 - 25

  • Reviewed: January 9, 2026

    8.0
    For the highest rating, better Wi-Fi is missing. Otherwise, everything is perfect.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Manglar Double Room
    • Stayed 10 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Sometimes Wi-Fi doesn't work. And the signal is too weak.

    Very nice location, staff.

    Stayed in January 2026

  • Reviewed: January 3, 2026

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Manglar Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    Perfect location next to the beach, nice outdoor kitchen with common space

    Stayed in December 2025

  • Reviewed: August 15, 2025

    9.0
    10/10! Awesome stay
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Manglar Two-bedroom Villa with Terrace
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    It could seem a bit crowded if all the whole of the hotel were booked. Even though there lots of vegetation in between to compensate.

    The beach is less than a 3 min walk! You can’t beat that!! The beach is amazing, lots of waves, also calm during low tide. The hotel has relaxing environment, clean and excellent service by the staff. The 5 person Villa was perfect, lots of space, equipped kitchen, AC, big bathroom, comfy beds. All in all, the Villa was exquisite. Would definitively return and stay at a villa.

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: August 8, 2025

    8.0
    I would absolutely stay here again for the price! So nice to not be in crazy busy tamarindo!
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Manglar Double Room 2 Queen Beds
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The standard rooms are very small . We are not picky, but for a family of four, we had nowhere to put our bags - we had to step over them while getting out of bed and going to the washroom.

    The property itself is beautiful! Amazing common spaces, with a fantastic shared kitchen and eating area. Tastefully landscaped and many different areas to sit. The beds are super comfortable and great pillows!!! The staff were so friendly and accommodating!

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: July 21, 2025

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Manglar Double Room 2 Queen Beds
    • Stayed 1 night

    Very nice

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: July 19, 2025

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Manglar Double Room
    • Stayed 6 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Can't think of a thing;)

    It's always an incredible pleasure to stay at Manglar and Cantarana (the sister hotel). My husband surfs, and the beach is literally steps away. Also, the hotels are walking distance to two great eateries, one at Cantarrana and also Cafe Mar Azul.There are yoga classes, surfboards and boogie boards, and even surf lessons (for a fee). Finally, the staff is incredibly sweet, and they remember your name and greet you as friends. Manglar can be a bit busier, as there are more rooms/people. Cantarrana is less busy. We love and have stayed at both place, @ 6 or 7 times in the last few years. I highly recommend!

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: May 16, 2025

    7.0
    Great
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Manglar Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The rooms are nicely decorated but a bit too basic. I think guests can benefit from a few more hangers and shelving on the walls, especially in the bathroom. We struggled drying our clothes for three people with very minimum hanging space. A bit disappointing that they don’t provide hair dryers. It’s very handy especially in the rainy season when your hair may not dry during the day because of dampness and lower temperatures.

    Good location very close to the beach. Very quiet and peaceful surroundings. Hotel reception staff are very friendly and welcoming. The pool area is nice and looked like there used to be a swim up bar or something like that but maybe due to shoulder season it was closed. The premises were kept clean and tidy. Short walk to a cafe, coffee shop, surf rentals and a small grocery shop. Heads up the grocery store carries only small amount of necessities like toothpaste, some beverages, hygiene products, small snacks. You won’t be able to find much there and hours vary.

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: May 11, 2025

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Manglar Two-bedroom Villa with Terrace
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Staff were amazing, room was spacious. Kitchen was great. 2bed villa had a nice space/terrace

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: March 27, 2025

    9.0
    A great find in Playa Grande
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Manglar Two-bedroom Villa with Terrace
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Lovely hotel and great staff. Was really comfortable and the grounds and access to the beach were fantastic.

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: March 12, 2025

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Manglar Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Quiet location, with private access to the Playa

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: March 8, 2025

    7.0
    It was good next to an amazing beach. The restaurant next door is very, very good.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Manglar One-bedroom Villa with Rooftop
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Staff were very friendly but followed everything by the books. Had a TV that did not work and had to wait for supervisor to decide what to do.

    Location, Location, Location.

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: March 1, 2025

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Manglar Double Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Andrea and her team were very careful and always available with an awesome smile ;)

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: January 19, 2025

    9.0
    Very good place to stay close to the nature and own calm beach area. I would rather come here then to any other Tamarind
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Manglar Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    I cannot really complain. Maybe the rooms could be a bit bigger. All in all a very nice place to stay. Recommended.

    Very nice location. Much better than the dirty Tamarindo. It is a hidden gem, in a peninsula with nice and close nature. We have even seen monkeys on the way to the beach. Very nice pool and you have a lot of facitlities. The common area is nice for chill. Very good stay.

    Stayed in November 2024

  • Reviewed: December 9, 2024

    9.0
    Comfortable boutique experience with great staff for a great value.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Manglar Double Room
    • Stayed 3 nights

    The room we stayed in was a bit small. Wi-Fi was not great in the rooms so got in the way of streaming tv at night. The restaurants nearby are good, but there are limited options because the hotel is in a secluded national park.

    The grounds were pretty and well-landscaped. The staff was incredibly hospitable and helpful. Close proximity to a quiet beach. A very comfortable, boutique stay and a great value for the money. The drive in was manageable but lots of pot holes to avoid!

    Stayed in December 2024

  • Reviewed: October 31, 2024

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Manglar Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Bed was hard and I could feel the springs. But I prefer a very soft bed.

    Pool area was very nice, clean, relaxing, and quiet. Beautiful trees and gardens. Easy access to the beach. Staff was friendly.

    Stayed in October 2024

  • Reviewed: October 4, 2024

    8.0
    Idyllic and away from noisy town
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Manglar Two-bedroom Villa with Terrace
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    During low season (mid July) there wasn’t a lot of choice of restaurant and shops that were open without going to Tamarindo proper.

    Loved the quiet nature of the location. Away from the touristy hustle of Tamarindo, but accessible to the town by short walk/boat ride. Right on its own amazing beach! Staff were super friendly and welcoming and helped us happily when we had an issue with the toilet. Nice little pool area.

    Stayed in July 2024

  • Reviewed: September 12, 2024

    8.0
    Nice Hotel with private Beach Access
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Manglar Double Room
    • Stayed 7 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    It’s a beautiful Hotel and Location where you can really enjoy some quality time. The staff is always friendly and happy to help.

    Stayed in August 2024

  • Reviewed: August 12, 2024

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Manglar One-bedroom Villa with Terrace
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The villas need more maintenance, we visited 4 years ago and noticed they are exactly the same, same kitchen utensils, same couch pillows.

    The staff, they are always willing to help and clarify any doubt you might have

    Stayed in August 2024

  • Reviewed: August 5, 2024

    9.0
    It is worth for the money, go for it
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Manglar Double Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The street is in a pretty bad conditions

    Beach front

    Stayed in August 2024

  • Reviewed: May 23, 2024

    8.0
    Nice!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Manglar Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Big pool but not very clean. We had a lot of insects in our room... and a terrible shower... when we did complain at the reception, she would not let us use another room with a better shower but almost all the rooms where empty so that would have been Nice... shower near the pool was only cold water. But other than that we had a great stay!

    Nice area, Nice room, enough space. Clean. A place where you can cook, very complete. Near the beach. Georgia from the reception was kind!

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: April 29, 2024

    9.0
    Beautifully placed for a quiet visit, with an easy access to a gorgeous beach.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Manglar One-bedroom Villa with Terrace
    • Stayed 1 night

    A Bar at the pool would be a nice addition.

    Short access to the beach, which was nearly empty. Fantastic Sun sets.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: April 18, 2024

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Manglar One-bedroom Villa with Terrace
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The location from the hotel is good, close to the beach. We moved to Cantarana Hotel, the room there was comfortable and nice. Breakfast was good, staff was very friendly.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: April 12, 2024

    9.0
    It doesn't get better than Manglar.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Manglar One-bedroom Villa with Terrace
    • Stayed 11 nights

    The only upgrades I wish they would make would be comfier beds and a comfier living room area / cushioned outdoor furniture. I was missing a couch after two weeks. ;) Also, guests should be prepared to not flush toilet paper, as their sewage system is not robust.

    Hotel Manglar is the best!! This was our fourth stay here, and it never disappoints. Its proximity to the beach is unbeatable, and so is its staff. The grounds of the hotel is a total paradise.... just lush beauty, even in the heat of summer. Can't wait for many more stays at Manglar!!

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: April 2, 2024

    7.0
    Excellent location, nice property which deserves some upgrades in certain areas
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Manglar Double Room 2 Queen Beds
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Standard rooms need a little upgrade.

    Quite location adjacent to the beach off the touristy area. Common area/pool is lovely. All staff were super nice.

    Stayed in April 2024

Showing 1 - 25

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