Monkitail at Tulemar

Tulemar remains one of our absolutely positively favorite vacation destinations in the world. We visited for the first time in November 2018 and had been eager to return. We ended up reserving the same villa, which had been nicely updated, and were excited to be once again paired up with all-star concierge Jean Carlo. He took care of all our needs, booked trips, restaurants, etc. When something needed attention he addressed it immediately. We love the onsite beach and the shuttle service was fast and convenient -- even better than in 2018. The resort is gorgeous and our favorite thing is just to sit and watch the wildlife around us. Monkeys (white face, squirrel, and howlers abound!), sloths, more birds than you can count, etc. -- all right there. We hope to not have to wait 6 years for our next visit!

Tulemar is a 5 STAR experience and our concierge, Javier, is 5 STAR as well. There were 5 of us visiting and we stayed in the Casa Del Mar bungalow. Plenty of room and it was so nice! Monkeys would come on our balcony to greet us (and steal AirPods left on the chair) and a Sloth was in the tree within 15 feet of our balcony/deck. Beautiful birds, etc all over the place. We had a monkey decide they wanted to enjoy our hot tub one of the days. It was hilarious and they look at you like it’s no big deal. The view was beautiful. The 4 pools and beach are so nice and you’re right in town (Manuel Antonio). If you are looking for a beautiful place away, Tulemar is the spot! It is super nice, but not pretentious and weird. Pura Vida! Javier is absolutely fantastic. I recommend communicating with him (or your concierge) via text a few days before your trip. Let them know what you want and they’ll know who to set you up with and where to send you for dinners, etc. Javier had all our excursions, dinners and everything else set for us. He’s super responsive & is excellent at his job. Anything you want, he makes it happen! I’m not sure how they assign the concierge & Im sure there are other good one, but Javier is an absolute stud at what he does and a great guy! We did 3 excursions: waterfall/swim tour, jungle zip lining & coastline cruise/swimming/sunset dinner. All were amazing experiences and amazing people! There are others available. Suggestion: we had friends come here 2 years ago and they absolutely loved it. They said the worst part was the drive from San Jose airport to Manuel Antonio(Tulemar). Beautiful, but LONG, Windy dirt roads… it can take 3 hours or 6 hours. We decided to have a private charter fly us to Quepos. It’s a 20 minute flight and it’s awesome views and tons of fun. You land in this small airfield in Quepos and from there it’s a 15-20 minute drive to Tulemar. It’s worth the cost and Javier can get it set up for you. Our friends hated the drive so much, they flew back to San Jose to avoid the drive when it was time to leave. If you want to do the drive, I would at least fly back to San Jose. My kids are now spoiled, so we’ll be back. My mother in law came with us and already scheduled a trip back with her sisters. We loved this trip so much. Such nice people in Costa Rica and a family trip we will never forget! Thank you Tulemar and Thank you Javier!!! Can’t wait to visit again!

We have visited Costa Rica four times, Tulemar three years in a row. I rarely write reviews. But this place inspires me. This is, without a doubt, my favorite resort we’ve ever visited, in a favorite place—Manuel Antonio. The setting is pure magic, where lush jungle-covered mountains meet the Pacific Ocean. Tulemar’s private beach is a secluded paradise, nestled in a cove with breathtaking ocean views. The waters are calm enough for relaxation but have just the right amount of wave action to play in—perfect for families and adventure-seekers alike. Tulemar is alive. Every morning, the jungle wakes you with birdsong—bright-colored toucans, scarlet macaws, and flocks of parakeets chatter in the trees. Sloths move slowly in the branches above, sometimes just feet away. Capuchin and howler monkeys swing past, playful and loud, always watching, always moving. Squirrel monkeys, the smallest and fastest, dart from tree to tree. Everywhere you turn, something is watching you, wild and free. Exceptional Service at the Beach. A huge shoutout to David, the beach manager, who ensures every guest has a perfect experience from the moment they arrive until the sun sets. He anticipates every need—adjusting umbrellas, setting up chairs, and sharing insights about Costa Rica’s local culture. Sebastian, the beach waiter, is another standout. He hustles nonstop to bring food and drinks down from the resort, all while keeping a great sense of humor. Service like this is rare, and these two make the Tulemar beach experience unforgettable. Casa De Frutas – A Dream Stay This trip, we had the pleasure of staying in Casa De Frutas, and it was simply phenomenal. From the moment we arrived, the hospitality was next-level—greeted with cold towels, refreshing juice, and warm smiles as we were given a tour of this stunning home. The layout is perfection: an open-air main living space that seamlessly flows into the master suite, all designed with elegant Costa Rican style. Every detail, from the furniture to the accent pieces, reflects the beauty and charm of the region. One of my favorite touches? The breathtaking floral arrangements—exquisite native flowers, artfully placed throughout the home, elevating the entire ambiance. Downstairs, the two double-king suites are equally fantastic, opening onto a spacious patio with high-end outdoor furniture that maintains the same level of luxury as the interior. Impeccable House Staff The housekeeping and outdoor team—Yadira, Oscar, and Tony—are a dream. They worked tirelessly throughout our stay, always maintaining a level of cleanliness and organization that exceeded my (very high) standards. I’m the type of person who believes “everything has its place,” and they delivered flawlessly. Yadira even took the time to chop and prep our fresh fruit daily, always making sure it was perfectly stored and ready to enjoy. That level of attentiveness is rare and truly appreciated. The Ultimate Concierge – Freddy And then there’s Freddy,