You’re driving up the winding, jungle-draped road in Manuel Antonio, dodging the occasional squirrel monkey crossing the asphalt, when you see it. It isn't a towering glass mega-resort. It’s a series of terracotta roofs peeking out from a literal forest. This is Si Como No Costa Rica, a place that basically invented the concept of "sustainable luxury" before it became a marketing buzzword that everyone uses to justify charging $800 a night.
Honestly, the name says it all. "Sí, ¿cómo no?" translates roughly to "Yes, why not?" or "Of course!" It’s a very Tico sentiment. It captures that specific brand of Costa Rican optimism. But after thirty-some years in business, you have to wonder if a classic property can actually keep up with the sleek, minimalist villas popping up all over the Pacific coast.
The short answer? It does. But not for the reasons you think.
The Architecture of Not Breaking Things
Most hotels in Manuel Antonio are built on the land. Si Como No Costa Rica was built with it. Back in the late 80s and early 90s, the founder, Jim Damalas, had this radical—at the time—idea to build a resort without cutting down the primary forest trees.
If a giant Guanacaste tree was in the way of a balcony? You build the balcony around the tree.
Because of this, the layout is a bit of a maze. You'll get your cardio in. It’s steep. There are stairs everywhere. If you have mobility issues, this might not be your spot, though they do have a shuttle that zips around the property. But the payoff is that you aren't just looking at the jungle from a distance. You are physically inside the canopy. I’ve sat on a terrace there and had a toucan land close enough that I could see the serrated edges on its beak. That doesn't happen at the big Marriott-style blocks down the road.
The rooms themselves avoid that sterile, "could be anywhere" vibe. They use a lot of local wood, hand-painted tiles, and windows that actually open to let the humid, salty air in. It feels like a high-end jungle outpost. It’s barefoot elegance, not "don't touch the velvet" luxury.
Why the Greentique Philosophy Isn't Just Talk
We’ve all seen "eco-friendly" hotels that just mean they don't wash your towels every day. Si Como No Costa Rica is the flagship of Greentique Hotels, and they take the science of it pretty seriously. They were one of the first to get the highest rating from the CST (Certification for Sustainable Tourism) in Costa Rica.
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They use solar power for hot water. They have their own gray-water treatment plant. But the real flex is the Finca Naturales Wildlife Refuge right across the street.
Most tourists just blast through Manuel Antonio National Park. Don't get me wrong, the park is stunning, but it’s also crowded. Like, "conga line of selfie sticks" crowded. By staying at Si Como No, you get direct access to their private refuge. It’s about 30 acres of secondary forest restoration. They have a butterfly atrium that is actually educational—not just a photo op—and the night tours there are legitimately spooky and cool. You’ll see red-eyed tree frogs that look like they were painted by a neon-obsessed toddler.
The Reality of the "No TV" Policy
Here is something that catches people off guard: most rooms don't have televisions.
In 2026, where we are all permanently tethered to a screen, this is either a blessing or a dealbreaker. The hotel’s logic is that you should be watching the "Nature Channel" outside your window. When the sun goes down in Costa Rica—which happens early, around 5:30 or 6:00 PM year-round—the jungle gets loud. The cicadas start their rhythmic buzzing, and the nocturnal birds take over.
If you absolutely need to see the game or let your kids watch a movie, they have a private theater on-site. It’s this cozy, tiered room that shows classic films and live sports. It’s a weirdly charming throwback to a time before we all had Netflix in our pockets. It turns watching a movie into a social event with other guests, which is something we've kind of lost.
Eating at the Edge of the World
You have two main choices for food on-property: Rico Tico Jungle Deli and the Claro Que Sí Seafood Grill.
Rico Tico is the casual spot. Get the ceviche. It’s fresh, citrusy, and exactly what you want when it’s 90 degrees out with 80% humidity. The banana bread is also strangely legendary.
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Claro Que Sí is the more "adult" dinner spot. It sits on a ledge overlooking the Pacific. When the sun starts to dip, the sky turns these bruised shades of purple and orange, and the ocean reflects it back. It’s spectacular. The prices are what you’d expect for a resort area—expensive for Costa Rica, but reasonable compared to New York or London.
One thing to note: the monkeys know the dinner schedule. White-faced capuchins are clever, fast, and remarkably bold. If you leave a cracker unattended on your table to take a photo of the sunset, that cracker is gone. The staff does their best to discourage them, but the monkeys clearly think they own the place. Which, to be fair, they do.
Navigating the Manuel Antonio "Vibe"
Staying at Si Como No Costa Rica puts you in the heart of the Manuel Antonio corridor. This isn't the place for someone seeking a deserted, Robinson Crusoe experience. For that, you’d head south to the Osa Peninsula.
Manuel Antonio is busy. It’s popular for a reason—the beaches are white sand and the wildlife density is higher here than almost anywhere else in the country.
The hotel provides a shuttle down to the beach, which is a lifesaver because parking at the national park is a nightmare. Pro tip: Don't listen to the guys on the side of the road in official-looking vests waving you into "official" parking lots miles from the entrance. They’re just locals making a buck. Take the hotel shuttle or a red taxi.
Small Details That Matter
- The Adult Pool: It has a swim-up bar and a view of the ocean. It’s quiet.
- The Family Pool: It has a slide. It’s loud. The fact that they are physically separated by a good distance is a stroke of genius.
- The Water: It’s filtered and safe to drink from the tap. This is a huge deal that people overlook until they're buying $7 plastic water bottles every three hours.
Misconceptions and the "Old Hotel" Trap
Sometimes you’ll read reviews saying the hotel feels "dated."
Let’s unpack that. If "modern" to you means white marble floors, glass walls, and minimalist furniture, then yes, Si Como No will feel old. It’s heavy on wood, stone, and tropical colors. It’s "Jungle Chic."
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But there’s a difference between "dated" and "well-worn." The maintenance here is constant because the jungle tries to eat buildings. The humidity is a relentless beast. They do a solid job of keeping the mold at bay and the finishes fresh. It feels like a classic estate, not a crumbling relic.
Also, some people expect the hotel to be on the beach. It’s not. It’s on the ridge. This is actually better because you get the breeze and the view. If you stay at sea level in Manuel Antonio, you lose the view and gain about five degrees of stifling heat.
Actionable Advice for Your Stay
If you're booking a trip, keep these specific logistics in mind to actually enjoy the experience rather than fighting the environment.
1. Pick the Right Room Category
If you can swing it, get a Deluxe Ocean View room. The entry-level rooms are fine, but the ones higher up the hill have views that make the whole trip worth it. You want to be able to see the "Whale's Tail" rock formation in the distance while you drink your morning coffee.
2. The 7:00 AM Rule
The wildlife is most active at dawn. If you sleep in until 10:00 AM, you’ve missed the best show. The howler monkeys will likely act as your alarm clock anyway. Their roar sounds like a literal dinosaur, which is terrifying the first time you hear it, but you get used to it.
3. Respect the National Park Limits
As of 2026, Manuel Antonio National Park still uses a strict reservation system. You cannot just show up and buy a ticket. You need to book your entry time weeks in advance via the official SINAC website. If you don't, you'll be stuck at the hotel pool. Which is nice, but you came here for the park.
4. The "Secret" Night Walk
Do the night tour at Finca Naturales. Most people skip it because they're tired from the beach, but seeing a glass frog or a pit viper (from a safe distance) is a completely different vibe than seeing a sloth during the day. It’s where the "Green" part of the resort really shines.
5. Gear Up
Bring a pair of binoculars. The hotel has some, but having your own means you don't have to share when a pair of Scarlet Macaws flies over during breakfast. Also, bring high-quality bug spray—the kind with Picaridin if you don't want to melt your synthetic clothes with DEET.
Si Como No Costa Rica occupies a specific niche. It’s for the traveler who wants to feel the pulse of the rainforest without sacrificing a high-thread-count sheet or a well-mixed margarita. It’s a place that respects the fact that we are guests in the monkeys' backyard, not the other way around. By focusing on preservation over pure expansion, it has managed to remain relevant in a tourism market that is increasingly crowded and artificial. It’s authentic, it’s a little bit wild, and it’s exactly what Costa Rica is supposed to feel like.