Hotel Manalá

What it's like

Hotel Manalá is a small, calm hotel in the north part of Santa Teresa, made up of 8 bungalows scattered through a lush garden of banana plants, heliconias and palms. The buildings are white with rounded walls, wooden porches and arched doors, which gives the place a Mediterranean feel. In the middle of it all is a large pool shaded by a big mango tree, with loungers along the edge.

The beach is about 100 m away, across the road, so you can walk down for a surf or a sunset in a couple of minutes. Recent guests tend to praise the staff, the gardens and the breakfast, and some mention that breakfast can be brought to your bungalow. A few say the rooms could use some updating, so set your expectations at comfortable rather than brand new.

There's a longer write-up of the hotel on Mal País Beach's Hotel Manalá page.

The bungalows

Each of the 8 bungalows stands on its own for privacy. Inside, you'll find queen beds, a seating area, air conditioning, a fan, a TV, a minibar, a laptop-sized safe and a roomy bathroom with a shower. Every unit has an outdoor porch looking onto the garden. One bungalow was built specifically for guests with disabilities, which is rare in this area, so mention it when you book if you need it.

Housekeeping comes daily, and the front desk is staffed from early morning until evening.

Services and things to do

The hotel can set up massages, yoga, surf lessons, surfboard and quad rentals, laundry and local tours, and it says it can handle special diets if you let the front desk know. Several languages are spoken. Santa Teresa's beach breaks are right on your doorstep; our surf guide covers the main spots. For dinner out, see our restaurants page.

Who it suits (and who it doesn't)

It's a good choice for couples and small families who want a quiet garden setting with a pool, close to the waves but away from the busiest stretch of town. If you're comparing places to stay near the surf, this list of Santa Teresa hotels for surfers is a handy cross-check. If you want a big resort, nightlife on site or a sleek modern design, there are better fits in our accommodation guide.

Getting there

From the Playa Carmen crossroads, turn right toward Santa Teresa and follow the main road about 2 km, past the soccer field. Keep going roughly 300 m past La Lora Amarilla, and you'll see the hotel's sign. Most visitors drive via the Puntarenas to Paquera ferry or fly into Tambor and take a taxi or shuttle. Our travel guide has the details.