Parador Nature Resort

What it's like

We first wrote about this resort in 2015 as Hotel Parador Resort and Spa. It now goes by Parador Nature Resort, and in October 2026 its official site was current, with recent blog posts and World Travel Awards for 2025 and 2026. It holds CST Elite status in Costa Rica's Certification for Sustainable Tourism.

The resort sits on Punta Quepos, a forested headland, with 12 acres of rainforest next to Manuel Antonio National Park. Many rooms and suites look out over the Pacific. You'll also find it under its older name on Costa Rica Journeys, in its Hotel Parador Resort and Spa review, and on ACAM Costa Rica's Hotel Parador page.

Rooms and facilities

There's a wide range of rooms, from garden rooms to large suites. The resort lists six suite types and five room types, including family suites and casitas for up to six people.

Facilities are what set Parador apart from smaller hotels in the area:

• Five pools. Two central pools welcome families and include a swim-up bar. Two adults-only pools are quieter, and a fifth is reserved for guests in the suites annex. There's also a kiddie pool for under-4s.
• Pacífica Spa and a gym.
• Several restaurants, from poolside pizza to sushi, private dining and tasting menus.
• Nature activities, including night hikes and wildlife tours.

Parador isn't on the beach. Its sister property, Miamar, has beachfront suites on Playa Espadilla, and a shuttle runs between the two.

Where it fits in a trip

Manuel Antonio is usually a 2- or 3-night stop on the central Pacific coast, often after Monteverde or Arenal, or as a short beach stay near the end of a trip. The national park is the big reason to come, and it's closed on certain days, so build your plan around it. Our Manuel Antonio guide explains timing and tickets.

Parador works well for travelers who want to settle in for a few days and not drive much. If you want to walk to Manuel Antonio village's restaurants every evening, a hotel on the main road may suit you better.

Who it suits (and who it doesn't)

It suits families, couples, honeymooners and wedding groups looking for a full-service resort with plenty to do on site. The adults-only pools help couples find quiet.

It's less suited to budget travelers or anyone wanting a small, simple eco lodge.

Getting there

Manuel Antonio is just south of Quepos on the central Pacific coast. Most travelers drive or take a shuttle from San José, or fly with a domestic airline to Quepos's small airport. The resort has a how-to-get-here page and can arrange transfers. See our guide to getting around Costa Rica for shuttles and flights.