A five-to-seven-minute walk downhill through the jungle links Shana By The Beach with Playa Biesanz, with opportunities to see monkeys and sloths. A pool, poolside bar, spa and restaurant bring leisure back to the hillside hotel. Ocean and jungle outlooks, kitchens and private-pool features vary by category; allow for the hill when choosing this beach-access setting.
Follow the jungle trail to Playa Biesanz
A path through the jungle is part of the pleasure of staying at Shana By The Beach. Walk downhill for five to seven minutes and Playa Biesanz comes into view, bringing the Pacific into a stay shaped by Manuel Antonio’s greenery. Monkeys and sloths are often seen along the trail or near the beach, though the forest sets its own schedule.
Pool afternoons and a comfortable return
The hillside hotel gives you a comfortable counterpoint to that outdoor time. A swim in the pool, a cocktail from the poolside bar and a meal at the restaurant can make an afternoon feel complete without another excursion. Local and international cuisine keep dining varied, and spa treatments add a quieter possibility between more active days. The gym gives you a place to keep a fitness routine during the stay, adding another option between beach and forest outings.
Find your room in the forest
The accommodation lets you decide how much of the holiday to bring into the room itself. A Superior Ocean View room emphasizes the coast, while several other categories face the jungle; some studios add kitchens and living rooms, and selected categories have private pools. Interior rooms provide a different arrangement. Look closely at the category you choose, particularly if a balcony, terrace, cooking space or ocean outlook is part of your idea of the stay. A balcony or terrace invites quieter moments outdoors, with jungle sounds and the coastal breeze bringing the setting closer.
Explore the coast, care for the setting
The hotel’s approach to the surrounding environment includes efforts to reduce its ecological footprint and help preserve the natural setting. That setting is also the reason to go out: Manuel Antonio National Park guides can help you look for monkeys, sloths and colorful birds, while canopy tours, ziplining, surfing and snorkeling offer different perspectives on Manuel Antonio. Couples, families and travelers with an active itinerary can alternate those outings with a walk to the beach and leisure time at the hotel. Coastal sunsets give the gentler part of that itinerary their own attraction.
Allow for the downhill trail to Playa Biesanz and the uphill return when considering how much walking suits your party. The jungle route is part of Shana’s appeal, with a different daily rhythm from a level, directly beachfront stay.
The beach trail and the pleasures of staying in
Playa Biesanz is reached by a five-to-seven-minute walk downhill through the jungle. Choose Shana when that forest-to-beach route appeals, while allowing for the hill and return walk rather than expecting level beachfront access.
Monkeys and sloths are often seen along the trail and near the beach. Wildlife adds interest to the walk, but sightings are not guaranteed parts of every visit.
A pool and poolside bar give a beach outing a relaxed counterpart back at the hotel. Spa treatments provide another way to slow down between more active days. A gym supports keeping a fitness routine during the stay.
The restaurant serves local and international cuisine, making it easy to keep an evening at the hotel. Private balconies or terraces in selected accommodation let the jungle setting continue into quieter time.
Rooms and suites differ in outlook and facilities: ocean-view choices, jungle-view accommodation, kitchen-equipped studios and selected private-pool categories offer meaningful alternatives. Confirm the chosen room’s features rather than assuming they are universal.
Manuel Antonio National Park is nearby, with guided tours and wildlife opportunities. Surfing, snorkeling and canopy adventures complement forest walks and coastal sunsets.
The boutique hillside atmosphere can suit couples, families or an active trip, with hotel downtime woven between outings. Environmental efforts focus on reducing the ecological footprint and helping preserve the surrounding setting.
Outdated and staff were not that responsive. While they did answer phone calls or texts quickly--problems weren't solved for a few hours (lock box). We also asked for a taxi at 5pm at 4:15p and they said no problem. 5pm came and went and no taxi. Finally showed up at 530 when we had reservations for el avion and missed the sunset. The breakfast was lacking and took 20 minutes to get. The hot tub was cold and crowded with kids. Ordered drinks during happy hour and never got them. Complained to bartender and he apologized and made us the drinks finally and for free. Okay hotel but not super great in any category.
Cara C.
We had horrible neighbors which made the first day/night difficult - that was really my only complaint. There needs to be more soundproofing between rooms. Otherwise we were happy here! Loved the quick access to Playa Biesanz, and my kids enjoyed the pool. Enjoyed having monkeys come to our balcony. The restaurant was good here too.
Kenneth W.
Very nice staff, Beutiful location. Hotel was not as well kept up as the other two, but the staff was very nice and accomodating
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Carolyn M.
I would recommend going to Shana first and then Arenal. The staff at Shana were fantastic, especially Keelyn and Hairo. ALL the restaurant staff were very helpful. The wildlife around the hotel was wonderful, esp the monkey visits!!!
Diane I.
The staff was friendly especially in the restaurant and pool area. We wished they had given us more info at checkin about logistics such as how to use the safe. Overall it was a wonderful stay and we were sad to leave.
Richard H.
Such an amazing resort! Great ocean view! Great private trail to the beach area! Saw monkeys, sloths, toucans! This place was awesome!
Guest review
"By the beach" term for this hotel is not true... This is definitely not by the beach and beach is accessible but not easily
Eileen K.
The highlight of our stay was every morning, around 7 am, monkeys would pass our room, and even come up on our patio. So exciting. The hotel was OK, the food good. But it was hard to get around, everything needed a taxi ride. The little beach was a nice walk through the woods, and led to a lovely cove to swim in. Very private. Beautiful water. We were supposed to stay four nights, but reduced it to three which was perfect.
Alina S.
Beautiful hotel, an amazing view and experiencing the monkeys. It was our first time in Costs Rica and we enjoyed the wild life - howler monkeys in the morning were unforgettable. We will be back for sure !
Gwen S.
Wonderful and so many monkeys!!!
Gilles M.
All was perfect, big professional hotel with family feeling
Isabelle M.
The best time in the best hotel. So nice staff and a lot of birds, monkeys and sloths ! Great !
Jacqueline R.
Again another luxurious resort. Wow! I can’t say enough good things about the Shana and all the staff. We loved staying there
Philip A.
Great hotel. Short walk to the beach, nice pool with good food available poolside!
Lettie D.
Excellent! Beautiful! Especially enjoyed the restaurant staff (Javier) & receptionists were extremely welcoming.
Emily A.
Although not convenient to get to shops/restaurants on foot, the hotel’s proximity to Biesanz Beach more than makes up for it and we loved our stay here. Every single person in staff was incredibly helpful and friendly, particularly Elmer. During our stay there was a sloth hanging out in a tree right next to the restaurant and pool deck and we LOVED getting to see him poke around. Biesanz is a great beach, small (in a nice way) with warm water and beautiful surroundings.
Jamie H.
Carla was so kind in the restaurant and Mike was a big help at the front desk. There was some confusion about New Years dinner and we were not told to set a dinning time at check in even though we asked this question directly. The ability to walk to the beach is worth its weight in gold! The pool happy hour was a great value. We loved all the monkeys and the sloths around the property.
Elliott R.
Overall very good but the food was extremely overpriced as was just a bottle of water at $5
Renee B.
Not my favorite hotel. I could tell they were not used to catering to solo travelers. I expected much more from this particular hotel.
Terence N.
Wish the Hotel had resting stops on way down or up from Beach as physically challenged need that
Raja R.
Fantastic experience in Shana. Exceeded expectations. Very friendly staff and very enthusiastic to help us and make us feel comfortable.
Sandra K.
The Shana Hotel was excellent! There were sloths in the trees near the pool area! Absolutely beautiful flowered grounds and a short pathway to the beach. Breakfast was ordered off the menu along with a buffet. Such a great place!
Anna P.
It was the best hotel we stayed in and I would highly recommend it. We particularly appreciated beach access, the balcony with sea view and the kitchen in the studio. There was some sewage issues in the suite next door and the hallway was dug up for two days, but it didn't bother us too much. The only problem with the room was the lack of closet or storage space for clothes (no wardrobe, or even chairs to place the clothing on).
Kirk S.
The food wasn’t amazing but everything else was great.
Umadevi S.
The restaurant seemed way too pricey but the food was really good.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Shana by the Beach located?
Shana by the Beach is located in the hillside resort area of Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, moments from the Pacific Ocean. It is near Manuel Antonio National Park, and Playa Biesanz is a five to seven minute walk down a hill through the jungle.
What amenities are available at Shana by the Beach?
The hotel offers a serene swimming pool with a poolside bar, a rejuvenating spa, a well-equipped gym, and an on-site restaurant. Guests can also enjoy various activities like canopy tours, zip-lining, surfing, and snorkeling.
What types of rooms are offered at Shana by the Beach?
Shana by the Beach provides an array of accommodation options, including spacious suites and cozy rooms. Specific room types include Family Suites, Jungle Rooms with Private Pools, Junior Suites, Royal Jungle View, Royal Jungle with Private Pool, Royal Ocean View, Standard Rooms, Studio Jungle View, Studio Suite Ocean View, Superior Ocean View, and Two Bedroom Suites with Private Pools.
Does Shana by the Beach have an on-site restaurant?
Yes, Shana by the Beach features an on-site restaurant that serves a delectable fusion of local and international cuisine, promising a culinary journey for guests.
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