Shana By The Beach
Manuel Antonio
From
$409
Per Night
Double Occupancy
Overall
88%
437 Guest
Ratings
Good to Know
Shana by the Beach is a 4-star boutique hotel nestled in the hillside resort area of Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, offering a harmonious blend of natural beauty, comfort, and convenience. Guests can choose from diverse accommodations, many featuring private balconies or terraces, and enjoy amenities like a serene swimming pool, spa, gym, and an on-site restaurant. Situated moments from the Pacific Ocean and near Manuel Antonio National Park, the hotel provides easy access to pristine beaches and abundant wildlife. It's an ideal retreat for those seeking relaxation or adventure in a stunning eco-friendly setting.
Welcome to Shana by the Beach Hotel, your enchanting retreat nestled in the hillside resort area of the awe-inspiring Manuel Antonio area in Costa Rica. Situated just moments away from the pristine Pacific Ocean, our boutique-style hotel is a sanctuary for travelers seeking the perfect fusion of natural beauty, comfort, and convenience.
At Shana by the Beach, we offer an array of accommodation options designed to cater to every traveler's preference. From spacious suites to cozy rooms, each one is meticulously crafted to provide the utmost in comfort and relaxation. Revel in the soothing sounds of the jungle and the gentle ocean breeze from your private balcony or terrace.
Our hotel boasts an ideal location near the Manuel Antonio National Park, where lush rainforests seamlessly meet pristine beaches. This park is a haven for incredible biodiversity, making it a paradise for nature enthusiasts. Embark on guided tours to explore this remarkable ecosystem, where you can spot exotic wildlife such as playful monkeys, graceful sloths, and a dazzling array of colorful birds.
For those in search of relaxation, our serene swimming pool offers a tranquil oasis to bask in the sun while sipping on refreshing cocktails from our poolside bar. Indulge in a rejuvenating spa treatment, or maintain your fitness routine in our well-equipped gym. Our on-site restaurant serves up a delectable fusion of local and international cuisine, promising a culinary journey that tantalizes your taste buds.
Adventurous souls will find endless activities to engage in, from heart-pounding canopy tours and thrilling zip-lining adventures to aquatic escapades like surfing and snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters of the Pacific. For a more leisurely experience, simply take a peaceful stroll along the unspoiled beaches or savor the mesmerizing sunsets gracing our picturesque coastline.
A five to seven minute walk down a hill and through the jungle leads you to beautiful Playa Biesanz. Playful monkeys and sluggish sloths can often be seen on this nature trail and even hanging around the beach!
At Shana by the Beach Hotel, we are deeply committed to sustainability and eco-friendliness. We take great pride in our efforts to minimize our ecological footprint and actively contribute to the preservation of this stunning natural environment.
Whether you're in pursuit of a romantic escapade, a family vacation, or an adventure-packed journey, Shana by the Beach Hotel offers the perfect backdrop to create enduring memories. Immerse yourself in the captivating beauty of Manuel Antonio, where the lush rainforest meets the endless sea, and allow us to provide you with an unforgettable Costa Rican experience.
Rooms:
77
Check-In:
15:00
Check-Out:
12:00
Hotel Styles
- Midrange
- Luxury
- Boutique
- Romantic
- Hilltop
- Pet Friendly
Hotel Amenities
- Breakfast
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Room Service
- Pool
- Spa
- Gardens
- Handicap
- Parking
- WiFi
- WiFi Free
- Air Conditioning
- Cable TV
Room Amenities
Family Suite
- AC
- Balcony
- Cable TV
- Coffee Service
- Hair Dryer
- Internet Free
- Iron
- Jungle View
- Mini-Fridge
- Phone
- Safe Deposit Box
- Sitting Area
Not Provided
- Sitting Area
Standard Interior Room
- AC
- Cable TV
- Coffee Service
- Hair Dryer
- Internet
- Iron
- Mini-Fridge
- Phone
- Safe Deposit Box
- Sitting Area
Standard Room
- AC
- Balcony
- Cable TV
- Coffee Service
- Hair Dryer
- Internet
- Iron
- Jungle View
- Mini-Fridge
- Phone
- Safe Deposit Box
- Sitting Area
Superior Ocean View
- AC
- Balcony
- Cable TV
- Coffee Service
- Hair Dryer
- Internet Free
- Iron
- Jungle View
- Mini-Fridge
- Ocean View
- Phone
- Safe Deposit Box
- Sitting Area
Junior Suite
- AC
- Balcony
- Cable TV
- Coffee Service
- Hair Dryer
- Hot Tub
- Internet Free
- Iron
- Jungle View
- Mini-Fridge
- Phone
- Radio
- Safe Deposit Box
- Sitting Area
Studio Jungle View
- AC
- Balcony
- Cable TV
- Coffee Service
- Hair Dryer
- Internet Free
- Iron
- Jungle View
- Kitchen
- Living Room
- Mini-Fridge
- Phone
- Safe Deposit Box
- Sitting Area
Royal Jungle View
- AC
- Balcony
- Cable TV
- Coffee Service
- Hair Dryer
- Internet Free
- Jungle View
- Mini-Fridge
- Partial Jungle View
- Phone
- Safe Deposit Box
- Sofa Bed
- Tub
- Walk-In Closet
Studio Suite Ocean View
- AC
- Balcony
- Cable TV
- Coffee Service
- Hair Dryer
- Internet Free
- Iron
- Jungle View
- Kitchen
- Living Room
- Mini-Fridge
- Ocean View
- Phone
- Safe Deposit Box
- Sitting Area
Royal Ocean View
- AC
- Balcony
- Cable TV
- Coffee Service
- Hair Dryer
- Hot Tub
- Ocean View
- Safe Deposit Box
- Sitting Area
- Sofa Bed
Jungle Room with Private Pool
- AC
- Cable TV
- Internet
- Jungle View
- Mini-Fridge
- Terrace
Royal Jungle with Private Pool
- AC
- Cable TV
- Internet
- Kitchen
- Mini-Fridge
- Partial Jungle View
- Plunge Pool
- Safe Deposit Box
- Terrace
Two Bedroom Suite with Private Pool
- AC
- Cable TV
- Internet
- Kitchen
- Mini-Fridge
- Partial Jungle View
- Safe Deposit Box
Location
Lattitude: N 9° 24' 1.5" (9.400416)
Longitude: W 84° 9' 52.82" (-84.164673)
Recent Reviews
Overall
88%
Cleanliness
91%
Expectations
86%
Staff
91%
Comfort
89%
Value
87%
6/18/2026
This staff was awesome! Very attentive and treated us so well. We got the best service from the restaurant manager. Our bartenders were a step above as well.
6/8/2026
Loved that we were visited by monkeys and iguanas daily! Beautiful however the walk to the beach was something! Very hilly
5/12/2026
Excellent hotel
4/5/2026
We liked Shana by the Beach but it didn't compare to Arenal Springs for service, breakfast, or the small details. Staff wasn't rude but simply not as friendly as Arenal Springs. Breakfast was fine but less selection and not the same level of customer service. Our room was large and clean but there were no hooks for towels anywhere in the bathroom. There was also not a fitness center like at Arenal Springs and the pool was smaller.
3/24/2026
Restaurant was like a canteen. Staff were slow
2/27/2026
Our standard room was clean, comfortable and quiet but the hill between the restaurant and the room was a bit of a challenge. The hotel does provide a golf cart service if you call them in advance where they will shuttle you from one to the other. The food at the restaurant was very good and the selection was ample for our 4 night stay.
2/27/2026
Walking down to the beach was a little more challenging than expected.
2/18/2026
Had a fab view but room tired, old plumbing, but outside areas beautiful and the beach fsb. Food excellent.
2/17/2026
Loved the hotel. The trail down to the beach was very nice with nice wildlife. Breakfast was delicious and entertaining as the monkeys were constantly trying to steal food from people's plates even though the waitstaff tried to keep them out. Our room was very comfortable, and they even decorated one of our beds for our 35th anniversary.
2/13/2026
great hotel, lovely staff,
2/11/2026
We would have liked a room with a view, but we really enjoyed walking down to the private beach and the food in the restaruant was excellent
1/31/2026
We again appreciated the birthday treats and really appreciated the king bed. The room was very large but very bare. There were no "nice" amenities like robes or slippers. It felt very basic. Our room was on the bottom floor at the far end of a building with no view. The beach was.a beautiful beach, but a public one down a fairly steep path. The breakfast was adequate, but the weakest of all the hotels. The staff was generally helpful. We appreciated the opportunity to get rides from our room up the hill, even though we didn't need to take advantage of that. Jerry had a wonderful massage and appreciated the discount. The pizza for dinner was really good. The pool was fine - nothing special. Oveerall, it was more a 3 or 3.5 star resort. The best aspect was the opportunity to see monkey - we enjoyed that.
1/30/2026
We liked the beach and the hotel. Only downside, because of location hard to walk anywhere. Overall we liked!
1/28/2026
Wow. Beautiful views. Great pools. Nice staff. Rooms were very small.
1/14/2026
We loved the beach. The hotel def is not a luxury hotel. It’s a good solid hotel in a good location.
12/2/2025
Really enjoyed this hotel
8/13/2025
We had the best room in the resort. Room 333 monkeys slough tucans and more monkeys plus beautiful view of the ocean don’t let the steep hill bother you it’s easy down to pools and resturant they are waiting in golf carts to take you back up
7/13/2025
Nice hotel. The Monkeys were the best part
5/9/2025
Very cool to be out on the balcony watching and listening to monkeys and birds at 5am! I didn't need to be up that early, but loved seeing the jungle come alive for a new day (or go to sleep after an active night). We also enjoyed the easy access to Biesanz Beach.
4/28/2025
It was utterly amazing! The staff, the monkeys, the sunsets ! Breathtaking ! Kudos to Michael , Alex, Xavier, Alessandro, Irina, Jalel, Jairo, Jimmy, the security guards , concerns he and sweet housekeeper !!
4/12/2025
Again great staff
3/22/2025
Shana is in an Excellent location, with an excellent staff, world class scenery, amazing wildlife, and delicious food. We loved being by the water, but we were surprised that the town was not as easy to navigate. The steep roads and lack of a center of town made it difficult for us to walk around and enjoy everything. It was nice that the taxis gave us their cards for a return ride, but because everything was spread out, it took a little longer for them to get there. The beach near Shana is not easy to get to, although, extremely scenic the entire way down. Once there, they sell chairs and umbrellas. It is important to know it is a rocky beach and the water is a bit calmer there. The views were spectacular. The humidity made it difficult to walk back up to the hotel, but if you take your time, it is doable. One of our favorite parts was the staff offering golf cart rides up and down the hills. No matter how short the ride, they were always offering to swing by and pick you up. It was extremely helpful!
3/12/2025
This wonderful place exceeded our expectations! From the moment we drove up to the hotel on a cliff I knew it was going to be a great experience...huge SHOUT OUT of gratefulness to the wonderful staff that made sure our stay was amazing! We will always remember the monkeys that came to say hello every midmorning on the balcony!!! They are SO cute!!
2/17/2025
The rooms were pretty dilapidated. Broken towel holders etc, and the food options were quite plain. The morning buffet was also no where near the same quality as Arenal, but the wild life was great!
2/5/2025
We were very pleased by Shana. It was very nice, food was great, staff was great. We had not made plans for our first day there but we went to the event planner and were able to organize a tour for that evening. A night tour of a local reserve.
1/28/2025
Loved to pool, surrounded by nature and the view!!
1/25/2025
Great Hotel and Value! Loved it!
1/21/2025
After changing one of our rooms, the experience was so wonderful.
1/19/2025
the beach was a little too far from the resort
1/15/2025
Bottle of wine presented in our room was much appreciated. Meal service was very good and pool bar amenities were good. The only negative was the steep walk to and from our room to the amenities and the location was awkward to walk from to explore the local community. Required taxis to go anywhere otherwise dangerous to walk the narrow, steep roads.
1/15/2025
The hotel shows little signs of aging. Disappointed that they did not provide even one bottle of complimentary drinking water - something we received everywhere else. Staff were quite accommodating in other respects.
1/13/2025
Again, no kids menu but staff were very accommodating and attentive.
8/3/2023
Refinements in quality are needed at this hotel. Staff weren’t attentive, service was rather limited for things like room ice (none), face tissue (none), odd hours for the pool bar, odd hours for food and towel service around the pool. Monkeys were great entertainment. Beds comfortable. Huge bathroom. Surprised to not see any colorful macaws, parrots or toucans. Howler monkey sounds were ominous but cool.
7/27/2023
Really no problems, it just wasn’t our type of hotel. Very crowded! Small pools, food ok
7/27/2023
This was the hotel (and tour) I was most looking forward to. I know people live this hotel but we didn’t. Nothing they were doing wrong, I think after the two relaxing hotels we had stayed in, it felt chaotic and loud. Plus claustrophobic being as it was stacked upon itself. We were put in the basement of one of the buildings. Objectively they did everything right, good service (except for the bar), clean, etc. just not my cup of tea. The monkeys were fun.
7/21/2023
Definitely tico time. Had to go ask for menus and waiters multiple times after being seated in restaurant and pool. Had to check on our food multiple times after 30 min of none delivered to the table. Breakfast time was good though.
7/17/2023
The hotel itself is ok, but we booked a standard room which in itself was fine, but because it had connecting doors to other rooms on both sides of the room you can hear every single conversation, tv etc. The first night there was loud music until 11, but fortunately they left the next morning. Highly recommend spending a bit more and upgrading.
The hotel is down a steep road from the main road, so you either eat at the hotel or you pay $10 to get a taxi up the road. The hotel food is expensive, ok but limited. Service is very slow.
The big advantage of the hotel is access to the beach, which is a little walk down a gravel path. Ok if you have some level of fitness. There are sun loungers you can rent, we didn’t. And there are kayaks and paddle boards, we got a kayak for an hour for $25, not cheap but good to get out. The sea was fine for swimming but not really a snorkeling spot.
7/9/2023
Good location and staff. Would recommend. Would love to have "Tea" Keurig's in the room. Room only had coffee
7/3/2023
The hotel beds are very uncomfortable and hard. It is not easy to get to local restaurants from this locations. The walk to the beach is arduous. The hotel restaurant was expensive and the food was mediocre. The breakfast did not have a lot of options, especially for dietary issues.
6/24/2023
It was super cool to be in a hotel where monkeys coexisted outside, great service! The pool and beach were exactly what we needed.
6/3/2023
The staff was fantastic!
5/30/2023
Beautiful hotel, great staff. Restaurant service at dinner was not good….very slow due to insuffient staff. Breakfast buffet was good.
5/24/2023
Excellent would definitely stay here again. No complaints and exceeded expectations
5/2/2023
Mobility was a daily issue but Kevin and Japro (Sp?) were outstanding in getting me where I wanted to go.The
food was delicious.
4/20/2023
Room was great, most staff were great, restaurant service was very slow to non existent, very long up and down climb to get to the beach, very very steep roads / paths between buildings on the property. We used the golf cart service frequently. Overall a decent place though.
4/1/2023
loved seeing all the animals/birds around the grounds!
3/29/2023
We had a good experience at this hotel but if I went again I would only stay for two nights. It is on a very windy road and you cannot walk to other restaurants safely so you have to eat at the hotel for all meals unless you get a cab into Quepos (about 10$). The trail down to the private beach, however, makes it worth the visit. We discovered several days in that you can get hamburgers and drinks at this beach which makes it possible to stay down there all day. Snorkeling isn't real possible here due to the murkiness of the water but the temp is perfect and you can rent paddleboards and kayaks here. The hotel itself was gorgeous and the restaurant was very good. At times it took hours for a meal to take place because the staff is very relaxed about waiting on tables and would often disappear for long amounts of time. In general though, this is appropriate for the setting, which overlooks the ocean. You can get in the pool and watch monkeys scamper over the hotel balconies every night at dusk. Really fun. The bar staff is hard working and often seem overwhelmed.
3/26/2023
The facility is on an incredible incline, so everything we did was up or down the awful slope. The walk to the beach was also a sharp incline and much harder and farther to walk than indicated in the reviews. The facility is not close to any thing else - no market or other restaurant within walking distance. The restaurant food was mediocre and expensive with fair service.
3/7/2023
The Shana is an absolute gem of a hotel. The views are spectacular. You have easy access to the beautiful Biesanz Beach that is rarely too crowded and, if you're lucky, you'll catch a sloth hanging out in a tree while you're wading in the ocean. Really tasty food in the restaurant and no shortage of options (I recommend the breaded fish burger - yum!). Having an adults-only pool was also nice if you were looking for a space to chill quietly over a breathtaking view. What really makes this hotel is the staff. They are so wonderful, warm and genuine people and a ton of fun. We will go back!
3/7/2023
Rooms were beautiful.
3/7/2023
We loved the Shana! The staff are the best - thanks to our friends Elieth, Javier, Javier, Lilian, Jose, Sebastian, and Andrea. The manager, Hayette, was so kind and attentive, and made our stay very special. The food was great, really great. The service and staff are fantastic. The pool areas were very nice and clean. We always had a nice place to sit. From the pool area and the room we could see all the animals - we saw capuchins, toucans, sloths, all sorts of birds. We would definitely come back. This was really great.
3/3/2023
Accommodating staff; nice room and patio; nice pool again with very accommodating staff.
3/1/2023
Good in restaurant was expensive and happy hour drinks misleading
2/12/2023
Beautiful hotel. Our room was great. Did not have a plug in in the bathroom to use the hair when we got there but while we were out a day later they put one in.
1/15/2023
We had a terrific stay here. It was a rocky start because the room was not ready on time and our wait was 40 minutes in the hot sun so kids were miserable not being able to swim...they kept saying 10 minutes more so we didn't change into bathing suits because we wanted to get to our rooms and unpack. Be upfront about how long the wait will be so we can decide what to do for ourselves. Our stay after that was still terrific and staff were polite, helpful and approachable. We thought it was a great location.
1/6/2023
Unfortunately our room was in a noisy spot. The grounds of the hotel was nice but this wasn't our favorite hotel. Staff and service was amazing. We enjoyed being able to walk ot the beaches.
1/4/2023
Excellent resort with amazing service, even though understaffed. Restaurant was excellent!
1/3/2023
The Shana was wonderful. The only thing we would have liked was to be able to walk to town, but the safety of the roads did not allow that. So we had to eat all of our meals at the hotel, and that got a bit expensive.
12/30/2022
Staff was nice
Brandon was great
Other guests in rooms next to us were very loud
Power went out leaving us in the dark
12/25/2022
Even our first room had problems, it was an amazing stay!
First room was lacking a lot of care... As soon as the information was brought to the staff, everyone worked towards making up to us. We got 2 room changes (first room needed some repairs and they changed us the next morning!), great service and so many good attention...!
Staff is friendly and they all tried to bound with our son (who only speaks french). Lots of help for everything we could ever need.
Food in their restaurant is amazing and servings are HUGE!!
Room confort was really good and we slept well all the time!
Beach is great (before high tide!) and the access is good (but might be a little difficult for some people).
Easy to access the big Espadilla playa from taxi service.
And... Amazing MONKEYS SHOWS all day!!
We saw more animals and monkeys at this hotel than we did at Manuel Antonio!!!!!
12/21/2022
This was the first place we encountered unfriendly staff working at the restaurant. Food was good but expensive. Having beach nearby was a plus, along with wildlife.
12/16/2022
The location is fantastic, with its access to the private beach. The only comment I have about it is that the food is mediocre.
12/6/2022
A lot of hills and beach was a long hike. Food at the restaurant was excellent.
12/5/2022
Very nice hotel, the front desk staff was exceptionally helpful and friendly.
11/22/2022
The Shana is in a stunning location and the staff were friendly and engaged.
11/2/2022
AMAZING!!! Beautiful rooms with all the amenities. Extremely polite and helpful staff members everywhere. Monkeys and sloths in the trees! The perfect Costa Rican hotel. (As long as you are capable of climbing a very steep hill from your room daily.) Although the restaurant seemed a little pricey, the portions were huge and everything was delicious. It was well worth the money. They also had live music nightly while we dined.
8/30/2022
The room was on the bottom floor and was a bit musty. The staff was very friendly and accomodating.
8/19/2022
This was such a beautiful location. It was so lovely to swim in the pool but be able to walk to the beach as well.
8/2/2022
Shades were broken when we got there and soaps were not in bathroom but they fixed these items when requested. I recommend they have more electric plugs in the rooms or USB ports for charging cell phones.
7/23/2022
If you are driving, be prepared for extremely narrow, windy and steep driving to this hotel! Luckily there are golf carts to take you up and down the hill within the property itself. The private beach is lovely - a small cove with small waves. While the hotel is not overly close to Manuel Antonio, our family of 5 walked back to the hotel from there with not too much issue. The pool was busy and we weren't sure what to think about the DJ dance pool party on Saturday afternoon (it was a holiday weekend)! We saw a sloth and many white faced monkeys from the comfortable patio.
7/14/2022
The staff was a bit slow especially when comparing them to the Arenal hotel. They were not as friendly especially at the restaurant and pool area. I'm not sure if there was a staff shortage which was impacting service.
6/4/2022
Shana was beautiful! Great pools to relax, outstanding views of the ocean and just a great place overall. Staff was super friendly and helpful. Walking distance to town if you don't mind a bit of a hilly walk.
5/28/2022
This was a beautiful place as well. Loved the pool and the beach being so close. The staff were so friendly you felt like friends. Wait times at the restaurant were always long but the food was so tasty!!!
5/21/2022
Great location. Ten minute drive from Manuel Antonio National Park, a path to a perfect beach Biesanz Beach (read about in travel book) that locals visit because it’s this beautiful, intimate, easy to swim, rent chairs/umbrella, loved this beach. Manuel Antonio doesn’t have a “downtown” or “center square”. It’s not a walking friendly area so location is less of an issue since many things will require a taxi to get to anyway. The hotel is simple and stylish and clean. The ocean view was the way to go. A gorgeous experience on our balcony. Would recommend stocking up on beverages along the way before getting to the higher priced touristy area of Manuel Antonio and even Quepos. The hotel beverage and food prices were high. Food is bland but they pulled off a great puttanesca sauce, pizza was pretty good, and chicken fingers. Breakfast is abundant but not great. A nice thing was happy hour that started at 3pm and offered a two for one deal on cocktails. The infinity pool is beautiful. The music is loud but ends at 9pm. Didn’t mind too much but was sometimes annoying because they start it early in the day. Not much time to enjoy listening to the birds and ocean waves.
4/19/2022
The Shana was a nice hotel, but it did not compare to the service and cleanliness of Arenal Springs. I think we had higher expectations for a hotel supposedly of this caliber.
4/14/2022
Beautiful hotel with friendly staff. It was a busy weekend and their pool/pool area were small so it was always very crowded and we never got to use the pool because there were so many people and all seating was always full. We wished there had been more dining options nearby (their restaurant was good but expensive and limited). Also wished there were spaces our large party (8) could congregate outside our rooms. Great little trail to the beach was a lot of fun, loved watching the monkeys play outside on our balconies!
4/5/2022
Bonito lugar pero El Servicio estuvo pesimo.
2/25/2022
The only reason I rated a 9 for expectations because our other stays really had everything. This one was a little more bare bones inside the room. Everything about the hotel was wonderful though and we appreciated the adult pool. The private beach was wonderful! We rented a double kayak from one of the vendors and saw tons of fish! After fishing on a charter we brought our filets back to the hotel and the restaurant and chef created an stunning display of our different kinds of fish. Really went above and beyond and I believe pictures of it will eventually be on their website.
2/24/2022
only 1 of our rooms had an ocean view for the same price.
12/29/2021
Our room had a musty odor. I was disappointed in the beach as it was a long walk and very crowded.
12/26/2021
Shana Hotel exceeded my expectations! The staff went above and beyond to provide a comfortable, safe, welcoming environment. I could go on about their friendliness and their contribution to the positive experience. I rated a 9/10 for cleanliness only because there were a few bugs on the ceiling when we arrived, however that's to be expected in the jungle! :)
12/26/2021
Due to traffic we arrived later than expected Sunday night. But the Shana staff still welcomed us and showed us around Sunday evening. We felt very comfortable.
12/25/2021
The cold hot tub, lack of bath mats, and squeaky roll-away were the main complaints. The highlight was the customer service mgr tracking down our lost credit card from the cab from the prior night.
12/20/2021
Room were clean, in good order. Beds were very comfortable, housekeeping excellent. Restaurant menu was very good. Their pizza was excellent. Staff were so friendly, courteous, efficient
12/20/2021
This hotel was definitely older, the room had a moldy smell, and it was hard not to compare it to the amazing Arenal Resort. The best part was being close to the beach and getting to see a monkey up close by the pool. Really nice views too.
12/19/2021
Not an overly kid friendly hotel; most of the staff were great though!
12/7/2021
We had stayed at Charlotte on a previous trip and remembered the monkeys on the trees outside our balcony. Apparently they have done remodeling and additions and a lot of the trees were gone so we did not get the full monkey experience.
12/7/2021
The blue light in the room would’ve made it hard to sleep if we weren’t exhausted every night
12/7/2021
There was a bright blue light on the ceiling in the bedroom, not great for sleeping but I otherwise enjoyed the hotel and our first stop in Costa Rica!
12/6/2021
The Shana was awesome. I went to CR to see monkeys, and I was not disappointed. 6:30 am the first day, they climbed down to our balcony for a quick visit.............the fun never stopped. The hotel is exquisite and never disappointed. We met and made friends from New Jersey. The staff was top notch from beginning to end. Warner, Mario, Gregory, we love and miss you all....
12/5/2021
I had some issues upon checking into our room. The room did not appear to have been cleaned thoroughly. The remote was dirty, one of the beds was as hard as cement, and the table on the patio was severly uneven and rocking back and forth when used. I called PTW to ask about moving to a different hotel, but within 30 minutes of calling PTW, Andrey from the Shana came to my room and looked around and offered my husband and I an upgraded room while the maintenance staff thouroughly cleaned the original room. andrey went above and beyond to satisfy us and he succeeded! We had a great stay as the hotel sits on the montain overlooking the pacific ocean. There is a path from the hotel that leads right down to the water! You cannot really walk to the local shopping area, but it is a short drive. The hotel pools were beautiful and the food at the restaurant was very good. I would have rated the hotel a 10, but the older rooms do need upgrades.
12/2/2021
We did not like The Shana Hotel. Everything felt sub-standard. We were asked for tokens for towels for use at the pool. The towels themselves were of low quality. The dinner which we ordered room service was not up-to-the-mark. Tasted stale and there was a strange blue decor that was neither pretty nor appetizing. Then the breakfast was insufficient and the request for a second plate of fruit was met with a little disdain. I hope we were not reading too much into the staff expression. Instead of butter we were served margarine with bread. The food itself was of low quality and there was no breakfast buffet.
There were issues with toilet flush. This experience felt different compared to the other places we stayed at. We were glad to check out!
11/30/2021
The hotel had a lot of wonderful things about it. One thing that was really disappointing is there was not a hot Jacuzzi. There was a jacuzzi, but it was the same temperature as the pool. After a day at the beach, we were really craving a soak in a hot tub, but this property wasn't able to offer that and the pool was quite cold, which made the pool experience en not as enjoyable.
11/29/2021
The hotel was fine, not centrally located so that was a problem, the room was somewhat dirty
11/25/2021
Set us up in terrible room.
11/11/2021
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.
11/11/2021
The location of the hotel was great, as we're all of the animals that frequently visited the balcony and hotel grounds. The hotel did look a bit in need of maintenance, as several fixtures in the room were loose or not functioning. Breakfast at the facility was fresh, but a bit redundant with the options offered. The bell boys were very polite and helpful, however it did take quite a few attempts for front staff to actually request taxis, room service, etc as most requests we made arrived late.
8/8/2021
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.
7/30/2021
Very nice staff, Beutiful location. Hotel was not as well kept up as the other two, but the staff was very nice and accomodating
7/22/2021
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.
7/22/2021
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!!!
7/21/2021
Such an amazing resort! Great ocean view! Great private trail to the beach area! Saw monkeys, sloths, toucans! This place was awesome!
6/20/2021
"By the beach" term for this hotel is not true... This is definitely not by the beach and beach is accessible but not easily
3/10/2020
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.
3/9/2020
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 !
3/6/2020
Wonderful and so many monkeys!!!
2/4/2020
The best time in the best hotel. So nice staff and a lot of birds, monkeys and sloths ! Great !
2/4/2020
All was perfect, big professional hotel with family feeling
1/28/2020
Again another luxurious resort. Wow! I can’t say enough good things about the Shana and all the staff. We loved staying there
1/16/2020
Great hotel. Short walk to the beach, nice pool with good food available poolside!
1/3/2020
Excellent! Beautiful! Especially enjoyed the restaurant staff (Javier) & receptionists were extremely welcoming.
1/1/2020
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.
12/28/2019
Overall very good but the food was extremely overpriced as was just a bottle of water at $5
12/28/2019
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.
12/26/2019
Wish the Hotel had resting stops on way down or up from Beach as physically challenged need that
12/26/2019
Not my favorite hotel. I could tell they were not used to catering to solo travelers. I expected much more from this particular hotel.
12/24/2019
Fantastic experience in Shana. Exceeded expectations. Very friendly staff and very enthusiastic to help us and make us feel comfortable.
12/23/2019
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!
12/21/2019
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).
12/18/2019
The food wasn’t amazing but everything else was great.
11/27/2019
The restaurant seemed way too pricey but the food was really good.
11/13/2019
The bartenders, especially Eric, were awesome. We were able to have a bunch of fun in the pool and the manager even took some videos of us doing flips in the water for her instagram. There is also wildlife everywhere. We saw sloths and tucans right from where we ate breakfast, just beware of the white face monkeys because they are quick!
11/13/2019
Food was a little pricier than I'd prefer but was very good. Free breakfast as well! Staff was super friendly, especially Eric the bartender!
11/13/2019
Friendly staff and beautiful hotel. A few small issues with the bathrooms including a tough time getting hot water but overall it was fantastic. Large rooms and comfortable beds made for a very relaxing stay.
8/5/2019
This one was our overall favorite, and should be a 10+. The dining and hotel staff were more than accommodating in every way.. Our only disappointment was that they didn't seem to share the country's concern for conservation of energy and offer a way for us to use linens a second or third day.
8/3/2019
Were we expecting more ocean views from the pool/restaurant area, but loved the resident sloths and monikers everywhere. The private beach was lovely. The cab rides to and from the top of the hill to town was ridiculously expensive -$10 each way.
7/27/2019
Beautiful hotel with great food, great staff, and loved the beach access! Only negative of the hotel is difficulty in getting to town, but we had no problem getting taxis once we figured out a system.
7/12/2019
This was a contrast to the other places in which we stayed. We were upgraded to a penthouse which was nice, but also felt unnecessarily extravagant. There were a lot more individually wrapped items -- toiletries but also cutlery, sauce sachets, etc. and no concessions to be being eco friendly. However, the beds were very comfortable, and the view was very good. We enjoyed seeing monkeys, sloths, butterflies and birds from one of the three balconies of our suite.
7/7/2019
The Shana Hotel gave us so many beautiful memories. The staff there was too wonderful and missing them already. Love them all. Love the waiters, maids, reception, and yes even the owner was truly amazing. We had the garden view which gave us Squirrel Monkeys, White faced Capuchin monkeys, Howler monkeys, sloths and so much more. Also the Hermit crabs and crabs on the beach and all the wonderful people all around. Love you all.
7/7/2019
Upgraded to presidential suite which was amazing
7/4/2019
Michelle at the front office was excellent always polite smiling and always helpful. She was excellent. Their best employee by far. She deserves to be recognized. We enjoyed the music at the restaurant as we ate our dinner on 7-4-19. After a long tiring trip from Arenal it definitely perked me up. They could add some more items for breakfast.
6/6/2019
Loved this resort and Ismael the owner went above and beyond for us!!
Great choice
5/31/2019
great staff, attentive. while room was special in it design and extras, it was below the restaurant and thus noisy early in morning and evenings. Restaurant was uneven in service and food quality; some had great food, others not so much.
5/13/2019
I think because it was overly touristy, it just did not have the same vibe as the other two areas. Not horrible, just not my thing.
5/4/2019
The hotel, it’s premises, and especially staff was just great! The only minor problem we had was the food offered in the hotel. We tried it a couple of times and found it a bit bland and overpriced, so we ended up taking a taxi and eating elsewhere most of the time. However, we understand that everyone has a different taste and the overall prices in Manuel Antonio are pretty high, so we would not hold it against the hotel.
4/15/2019
The bathroom was huge and nice but needed more hooks. The breakfast was delicious and the staff everywhere was wonderful.We loved the surrounding nature.
4/13/2019
We loved it! The staff was warm and wonderful, especially the wait staff and bar tender. . So many close ups with the monkeys and sloths, even a toucan and 3 scarlet macaws. Food was fantastic. So good that we ate there every night and we’re happy. We were sad to leave.
2/7/2019
The room was large and had a great view. The walk down to the small beach was pleasant, even though they were rebuilding part of it. There was a lot of wildlife around. Being able to use the observation deck in the sister hotel was great, and the dinner that we had in that restaurant was excellent.
The major problem was the industrial food, which was not even close to 4-star. We were not the only people who started bringing our own local bread from the grocery store. Pastries and muffins also were packaged and tasted like cardboard, and the waiter admitted that the OJ was canned. Very few things were fresh, and they seemed to run out of those by Sunday.
There was no information about the place -- could have used a warning that the cute monkeys could open the closed balcony doors unless they were securely latched from the inside. (Maid did not seem to latch them.)
The worst problem was that there was a strong sewage smell that drifted in around the pool on the last day. We tried to sit on our balcony instead, but it was much worse up high, and we were concerned that the room would smell as well. Complained at reception and was told they would look into it. We sat outside reception (which was set back and did not smell) but the smell was still there on the nice side of the pool a couple of hours later.
The room has good quiet appliances, and a ceiling fan, which was great. The floor was kind of dirty the first day or two -- made our feet black. This might be because the tile had grooves in it and was hard to clean.
Hard to get a cart to pick up our bags and take them to the van when we needed to leave. A tour bus was also allowed to block the driveway for quite a while.
2/7/2019
Room was great. Breakfast staff could be slow but menu was great. Pool staff was friendly but sometimes got busy / not very responsive. Office staff was ok - did what was asked but didn't seem very excited about it. They did make sure we knew about The Mansion, and that was great - we went there for dinner (which was ok, service was very poor) and to the pool one day (which was stunning). Loved the beach and went down there several times.
2/6/2019
I like the balcony and the big windows to the trees and hearing the mo keys at night and at dawn.
2/2/2019
Did expensive, also a food truck hit my husband at hotel, while staff were kind the hotel did not offer any additional support
1/27/2019
This is a lovely hotel, but out of the way from the main area. Walking to and from the hotel was difficult due to the hotel's location. Taxis were expensive to go a short distance. The restaurant at the hotel was very expensive so we didn;t eat there. The Biesanz beach was lovely. Staff were very accommodating.
1/24/2019
Can't blame hotel but there was a broken septic line during most of our stay. The hotel did everything they could but 'shit happens'. It affected my ratings and experience but should not reflect on hotel which had great views. For future guest would not recommend this hotel if you are unable to climb the steep hills of the property
1/24/2019
Upon our arrival, there was a strong septic smell on the resort and in the room. We inquired at reception and was told that they were aware of the situation and had the septic tank pumped and that there was nothing else they could do. Keeping the patio doors closed kept the smell out of the room. Would have preferred to keep the doors open and the A/C off. The smell made it difficult to enjoy the patio, restaurant and pool. Since the smell not only continued but got worse, we emailed PTW, mostly so that they could warn upcoming guests. Within 30 minutes, reception called us and requested that we meet with the manager the next day. The manager told us that a broken pipe was finally located and was repaired.
1/15/2019
Beautiful setting and good location to take advantage of the beach. Great service with the golf carts!
1/14/2019
awesome accommodations, awesome staff, awesome breakfast, loved the private beach, loved Fabian the pool bartender and the entire restaurant staff.
1/4/2019
Dirty tile by pool. Smelled like moth balls. Terrible artwork. Staff very kind.
1/2/2019
we had a beautiful room; it was super spacious ; which i loved so i could thoroughly unpack all my stuff and feel at home; the restaurant was super expensive; the pizza and breakfast were excellent; and the staff really nice; loved the pool and the beach ; really liked the hotel;
12/25/2018
Shana is a delight. The wildlife is alive here and the staff is so kind. The beds were amazing! There's a private beach and really everything you would ever want
12/25/2018
The hotel and staff were wonderful. I especially want to single out three people: Vidal, Diego, and Linda. Vidal helped us with our bags and was really friendly and kind to my family. Whenever we ran into him, he asked about how we were doing and was genuinely lnterested. Diego was our dinner waiter most of the time. He was helpful, courteous and a generally wonderful person. I and the family really liked him. He made the dinners very enjoyable. Linda was a morning, breakfast person. She was also nice to my family and a very nice person.
12/23/2018
The first room was no bathtub. So ask a receiption desk to see if they can change room with bathtub. They fund a room with bathtub but it only 2days and we need change room for last day. I said okay. The new room was bigger and nice view. The third day we move the room with private pool and kitchen. It was 3 bedroom. The room is very nice but it looks like not using often. There was mosquito and we got mosquito bit. But it was okay. The building are located hillside and golf cart need anytime to move. However, service was great. There were lots of two king monckeies . We are lucky to see them. I saw blue morpho. Pizza was great. We are very much satisfied.
12/12/2018
We saw squirrel and capuchin monkeys right at hotel while having breakfast this was the most fun hotel michelle the hostess was super nice as well as the other staff it was more personal that other larger hotels
11/29/2018
Perfect. Expensive food and transports like taxi. Should improve and advise existing uber service.
11/27/2018
Staff was very nice. Internet did not work in our room. We asked to see if it could be improved but got no results. Room was not as clean as other places. Had to get refrigerator hocked up ourselves.
12/6/2017
This was another great hotel with a very friendly and helpful staff. The food was excellent and the views were amazing.
7/27/2017
Nice hotel on a very steep hill. Golf charts were always available to take you to your room. It's a short walk to a nice beach. Watch out for the monkeys that invade the patios - don't leave anything out for them to take.
7/2/2017
I would have like easier access to the beach. I didn't feel sate taking the path that we were shown. Therefore we weren't able to go watch the sunsets or get up early and go to the beach.
2/18/2017
Not having a car made it difficult to easily access other restaurants for meals. The breakfast at the Shana was mediocre. The lunch and dinner menu were good, but very expensive. The cocktails were weak. Otherwise the Shana was wonderful.
1/3/2015
Rebecca was absolutely wonderful. Other staff was great. We usually use the hotel to get recommendations of other restaurants, etc but for some reason the staff seemed extremely hesitant to recommend anything outside the hotel.
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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.
Related Costa Rica Travel Planning
- Explore Manuel AntonioRead the destination guide for Manuel Antonio.
- Explore Manuel AntonioRead the destination guide for Manuel Antonio.
- Find tours near Manuel AntonioBrowse activities and excursions available in this area.
- Compare hotels in Manuel AntonioSee hotel options filtered to this destination area.
- Plan around Costa Rica weatherCheck seasonal patterns before choosing travel dates and activities.