The short answer: Manuel Antonio is not a classic all-inclusive destination. The big all-inclusive resorts of Costa Rica are mostly up north in Guanacaste. Here the stays are smaller boutique hotels in the rainforest, and a few hotels sell meal plans or packages. If you want the ease of a resort without giving up the restaurants, beaches and tours of Manuel Antonio, a boutique hotel with breakfast included, its own restaurants, a spa and a concierge is the best of both worlds. That is exactly what ECOTICA Boutique Hotel & Spa offers.
Updated October 2026.
Why Manuel Antonio does things differently
Manuel Antonio is a small, green strip of hillside between the town of Quepos and the national park. There is no room here for giant resorts, and that is the charm: the forest reaches the buildings, monkeys cross the gardens, and a short drive takes you to a dozen restaurants with ocean views. Most travelers find that eating out is part of the fun.
| All-inclusive resort | Boutique hotel in Manuel Antonio | |
|---|---|---|
| Meals | Every meal and drink in the price | Breakfast included; restaurants on site and nearby, you choose |
| Where you are | Often a large gated property | In the rainforest, minutes from the park and beaches |
| Wildlife | Depends on the location | Monkeys, sloths and birds on the grounds |
| Tours | Sold separately in most cases | Booked for you by the concierge |
| Feeling | Big, busy, everything in one place | Small, personal, quiet |
The all-inclusive feeling at ECOTICA
ECOTICA has 17 suites and bungalows inside a 10-acre private rainforest reserve. You can spend a whole day here without getting in a car:
- Breakfast included every morning from 6 a.m. at La POZA.
- La POZA, the poolside restaurant and bar, open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., with happy hour from 3 to 6.
- YOLO Social, open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. for lunch and dinner, with live music every night and the big games on screen.
- Room service for quiet evenings in.
- The Jungle Spa, open every day 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with in-room massage too.
- A pool where toucans and monkeys often join you, a gym open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and a yoga deck in the rainforest.
- A concierge who books the park, catamarans, zip lines and the private airport shuttle.
Vegetarian and vegan options are on both menus, and La POZA and YOLO Social are open to everyone, so you can mix in a night at one of the famous restaurants of Manuel Antonio whenever you like.
A day at ECOTICA, start to finish
- 6:00 Howler monkeys wake the forest. Coffee and breakfast at La POZA.
- 7:30 A guided morning in the national park, booked by the concierge.
- 12:30 Back for a swim and lunch by the pool.
- 15:00 A couples massage at the Jungle Spa, then happy hour.
- 19:00 Dinner and live music at YOLO Social.
See the hotel
Questions travelers ask
Are there any all-inclusive resorts in Manuel Antonio?
Very few. Some hotels offer meal plans or packages, but the area is known for boutique hotels. If an all-inclusive plan is a must, Guanacaste in the north has more choice; if you want wildlife, the national park and great restaurants, Manuel Antonio is worth the switch.
Is ECOTICA all-inclusive?
No. Breakfast is included, and lunch, dinner and drinks are paid as you go at La POZA, YOLO Social or room service. Many guests like the freedom to try other restaurants too.
Is a boutique hotel more expensive than all-inclusive?
Not necessarily. You pay only for what you eat and drink, and booking direct gives you our best rate.
Want the easy, everything-close stay? Book direct and tell us your plans: +506 2777 0411, WhatsApp +506 8709 9083 or [email protected].
