Scott & Christine’s Guidebook
Food scene
Restaurante El Nance is a family owned restaurant in Portalon. Alex, Marlene, and their son Andrew are incredible hosts. Their specialties are fresh fish, fried chicken and spaghetti with red or white sauce. The salads are fresh and beautifully presented. Side dishes are patacones (friend plantains) and papas fritas (french fries). The prices are EXTREMELY reasonable and you bring your own beer/wine/cocktails.
Calle Portalón
Calle PortalónRestaurante El Nance is a family owned restaurant in Portalon. Alex, Marlene, and their son Andrew are incredible hosts. Their specialties are fresh fish, fried chicken and spaghetti with red or white sauce. The salads are fresh and beautifully presented. Side dishes are patacones (friend plantains) and papas fritas (french fries). The prices are EXTREMELY reasonable and you bring your own beer/wine/cocktails.
This is the most popular local restaurant in the Portalon/Matapalo area. The serve typical Costa Rican food as well as a variety of specialty dishes (lobster), fresh fish and sushi. They have a full bar and their prices are reasonable.
34 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
La Langosta Feliz
This is the most popular local restaurant in the Portalon/Matapalo area. The serve typical Costa Rican food as well as a variety of specialty dishes (lobster), fresh fish and sushi. They have a full bar and their prices are reasonable.
Daniel and Darlena offer a dining experience unexpected in the small town of Matapalo. Daniel's culinary creations vary from day to day, but he always has fresh fish, BBQ'd meats, and pizza. His homemade french bread, chili, Lasagne, Goulasch and wiener schnitzel are unmatched. Full bar, great prices. Daniel speaks several languages. Don't go here if you are in a hurry, everything is made fresh to order.
El Express Del Pacifico -Restaurant
Daniel and Darlena offer a dining experience unexpected in the small town of Matapalo. Daniel's culinary creations vary from day to day, but he always has fresh fish, BBQ'd meats, and pizza. His homemade french bread, chili, Lasagne, Goulasch and wiener schnitzel are unmatched. Full bar, great prices. Daniel speaks several languages. Don't go here if you are in a hurry, everything is made fresh to order.
Great food, beer, coffee and a full bar in Dominical. The atmosphere is awesome. The prices are higher than typical Costa Rican restaurants.
79 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Fuego Brew Co.
Great food, beer, coffee and a full bar in Dominical. The atmosphere is awesome. The prices are higher than typical Costa Rican restaurants.
There are multitudes of restaurants in the Manuel Antonio area, but this is one of our favorites. The sunset and tropical bird views are spectacular, the food is great and the service is superb. Prices are very reasonable.
44 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
El Avion
There are multitudes of restaurants in the Manuel Antonio area, but this is one of our favorites. The sunset and tropical bird views are spectacular, the food is great and the service is superb. Prices are very reasonable.
This is a great lunch spot for eating fabulous food and monkey watching in Manuel Antonio.
29 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Manuel Antonio Falafel bar
This is a great lunch spot for eating fabulous food and monkey watching in Manuel Antonio.
Incredible pizza and great service! The menu also includes several appetizers and sandwich choices. Full bar, great prices. Get a table with rocking chairs, relaxing and fun atmosphere!
22 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
El Wagon
Incredible pizza and great service! The menu also includes several appetizers and sandwich choices. Full bar, great prices. Get a table with rocking chairs, relaxing and fun atmosphere!
One of our favorite restaurants! A plethora of chicken wing flavors. Ask for the garlic and Parmesan Storm Fries! Incredible ocean and bird viewing. Full bar. Prices are reasonable. Need cash!
64 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Bar Jolly Roger
One of our favorite restaurants! A plethora of chicken wing flavors. Ask for the garlic and Parmesan Storm Fries! Incredible ocean and bird viewing. Full bar. Prices are reasonable. Need cash!
Charming restaurant with incredible ocean/sunset views. Great menu and prices are reasonable. Full bar.
32 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
¿Por Que No?
Costanera SurCharming restaurant with incredible ocean/sunset views. Great menu and prices are reasonable. Full bar.
The best Italian food in the area and a spectacular sunset ocean view! Friendly and great atmosphere.
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Gusto Italian Restaurant
The best Italian food in the area and a spectacular sunset ocean view! Friendly and great atmosphere.
Sightseeing
The beach is beautiful and is rarely crowded. This is located about 2 kilometers, 5 minutes South of Matapalo (4 from Portalon). This is a great place to hang your hammock, search for that special piece of driftwood, and boogie board!
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Playa Linda
Playa LindaThe beach is beautiful and is rarely crowded. This is located about 2 kilometers, 5 minutes South of Matapalo (4 from Portalon). This is a great place to hang your hammock, search for that special piece of driftwood, and boogie board!
Playa Matapalo is one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. It is so picturesque that you may see yoga classes right on the beach! Daily visits from monkeys and sloths are routine. Never bring valuables with you to the beach. Never leave anything of value in your car as it invites broken windows.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Playa Matapalo
Playa Matapalo is one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. It is so picturesque that you may see yoga classes right on the beach! Daily visits from monkeys and sloths are routine. Never bring valuables with you to the beach. Never leave anything of value in your car as it invites broken windows.
This is one of the best horseback riding tours! Claudia's horses are healthy, well maintained and well trained. She'll take you on a 2-3 hour tour through mangroves, across a river and onto the beach, sometimes spotting monkeys and sloths. She has an extensive herb garden and loves to take guests on tours and educate young people on the area's flora and fauna. Very reasonable prices. Great for single, couples or families.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Playa Matapalo
This is one of the best horseback riding tours! Claudia's horses are healthy, well maintained and well trained. She'll take you on a 2-3 hour tour through mangroves, across a river and onto the beach, sometimes spotting monkeys and sloths. She has an extensive herb garden and loves to take guests on tours and educate young people on the area's flora and fauna. Very reasonable prices. Great for single, couples or families.
This is a great place for upscale dining and shopping. The fishing and snorkeling tours are great!
117 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Marina Pez Vela
This is a great place for upscale dining and shopping. The fishing and snorkeling tours are great!
Nauyaca is definitely the most popular waterfall to visit in our area of Costa Rica. But there are many others that you don't want to miss. You can take guided tours or ask us for directions to self tour waterfalls in Uvita, Dominicalito, and even just a few minutes away above Portalon!
31 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Nauyaca Waterfall Nature Park
Nauyaca is definitely the most popular waterfall to visit in our area of Costa Rica. But there are many others that you don't want to miss. You can take guided tours or ask us for directions to self tour waterfalls in Uvita, Dominicalito, and even just a few minutes away above Portalon!
We searched for safety first when booking a zipline tour for our children and grandchildren. TiTi was highly rated for safety and customer service (and they did not disappoint)! They were with us every step of the way, took lots of pictures, fed us a great lunch with a photo presentation of our tour and even went out of their way to point out flora and fauna during our multi-zip adventure! This costs quite a bit more than the road side tours that are advertised in Manuel Antonio, but it is well worth the experience and the safety piece of mind!
Titi Canopy Tour - Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Ruta Nacional Primaria 34We searched for safety first when booking a zipline tour for our children and grandchildren. TiTi was highly rated for safety and customer service (and they did not disappoint)! They were with us every step of the way, took lots of pictures, fed us a great lunch with a photo presentation of our tour and even went out of their way to point out flora and fauna during our multi-zip adventure! This costs quite a bit more than the road side tours that are advertised in Manuel Antonio, but it is well worth the experience and the safety piece of mind!
Incredibly beautiful white and black sand beaches, side by side. Plenty of wildlife (especially monkeys) viewing with or without a guide.
557 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio
Incredibly beautiful white and black sand beaches, side by side. Plenty of wildlife (especially monkeys) viewing with or without a guide.
The village of Portalon is quaint and picturesque with it's multicolored homes, tiny yards with an abundance of flowering trees and bushes, chickens, ducks, turkeys, dogs and cats roaming freely throughout. You may see the Portalon residents walking to and from the little markets and the bus stop, children in their clean and pressed school uniforms, teens playing soccer on the field, ladies organizing mass production of tamales at the community center, and children being christened in the little Catholic church. It is a step back in time, to a simpler age. The residents of this community have little, but work hard for it, are proud of what they have, and share with one another. A 'must experience' like no other!
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Portalón
The village of Portalon is quaint and picturesque with it's multicolored homes, tiny yards with an abundance of flowering trees and bushes, chickens, ducks, turkeys, dogs and cats roaming freely throughout. You may see the Portalon residents walking to and from the little markets and the bus stop, children in their clean and pressed school uniforms, teens playing soccer on the field, ladies organizing mass production of tamales at the community center, and children being christened in the little Catholic church. It is a step back in time, to a simpler age. The residents of this community have little, but work hard for it, are proud of what they have, and share with one another. A 'must experience' like no other!
Dominical is a surfing mecca. The town is filled with surfer dudes, eclectic shops and restaurants. There are several surf schools for all skill levels.
Dominical Surf School
Sesame StreetDominical is a surfing mecca. The town is filled with surfer dudes, eclectic shops and restaurants. There are several surf schools for all skill levels.
Just above Hatillo is the Hatillo Hot Springs. With it's several heat level spring pools, waterfalls, river and incredible views, this is a hidden gem in the mountains above Hatillo. 4X4 is required to drive to these hot springs. This is a daylight activity. The price is very inexpensive and the couple who own it have a little restaurant at it's entrance.
Hatillo
Just above Hatillo is the Hatillo Hot Springs. With it's several heat level spring pools, waterfalls, river and incredible views, this is a hidden gem in the mountains above Hatillo. 4X4 is required to drive to these hot springs. This is a daylight activity. The price is very inexpensive and the couple who own it have a little restaurant at it's entrance.
This is well managed and maintained by experts in the field of reptiles. Its a great place for kids to explore and learn! Night tours can also be arranged.
29 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Reptilandia
This is well managed and maintained by experts in the field of reptiles. Its a great place for kids to explore and learn! Night tours can also be arranged.
Wil's Concierge, Chef and Tour Services. Highly rated and our top pick for waterfall, monkey mangrove, fishing, snorkeling and National Park tours. Wil also is a chef with a staff who will cook a variety of meals, breakfast, lunch, dinner, picnic (arrange any or all)! He will also be happy to arrange your airport transportation to relieve you of any stress for your special holiday.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Portalón
Wil's Concierge, Chef and Tour Services. Highly rated and our top pick for waterfall, monkey mangrove, fishing, snorkeling and National Park tours. Wil also is a chef with a staff who will cook a variety of meals, breakfast, lunch, dinner, picnic (arrange any or all)! He will also be happy to arrange your airport transportation to relieve you of any stress for your special holiday.
Whales Tail National Park is one of the most popular snorkeling spots in the area. Take sunscreen and be prepared for a beach walk for about 20 minutes to get to the snorkeling spot. Check your tide charts and go at low tide. There is a small fee to park and to enter.
70 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Uvita
Whales Tail National Park is one of the most popular snorkeling spots in the area. Take sunscreen and be prepared for a beach walk for about 20 minutes to get to the snorkeling spot. Check your tide charts and go at low tide. There is a small fee to park and to enter.
From a relaxing river cruise to an exhilarating white water rafting, Rafiki Safari has an experience for everyone. Their knowledgeable guides will enhance your tour for lasting memories.
Rafting Savegre
From a relaxing river cruise to an exhilarating white water rafting, Rafiki Safari has an experience for everyone. Their knowledgeable guides will enhance your tour for lasting memories.
Consejos para la ciudad
Qué debes empacar
Your favorite sunscreen (it's very expensive here)
It would be good to get waterproof sunscreen due to the high humidity.
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Bug Repellent
The best that we have found is Picaridin. It can be found on Amazon. It's expensive but a little goes a long way. It is odorless and non-greasy.
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What kind of shoes should I bring?
If you plan to hike, bring a pair of shoes with a good tread and some socks, otherwise comfortable sandals will do. You may want to bring a second pair of hiking shoes in case yours get super (red) muddy and have to be hosed off. Water socks if you have sensitive feet or are squeamish about walking through rivers.
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Your favorite sun hat and sun glasses
You may want to bring a spare of each of these