HONEST REVIEW: Karahe Beach Hotel
This post may contain affiliate links.
Visiting Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica can be overwhelming because of all the accommodation options. On my most recent visit, out of all the accommodations in Manuel Antonio to choose from, I chose to stay at Karahe Beach Hotel. This is my full, unbiased review. Hint- it’s a great place if you are visiting Costa Rica with kids!
About Karahe Beach Hotel
Karahe Beach Hotel bills itself as providing more than just a hotel room- and I would agree. That’s because the hotel is right on the beach- one of the few in the area where you can walk from the hotel and be on the sand at the beach in just minutes.
The hotel is also fairly romantic- especially the restaurant at sunset, making it a popular place for destination weddings or honeymooners.
It’s great for kids though too- the price is right, breakfast is included, and you don’t have to worry about parking a rental car near the beach, as you can park in the secure parking lot and just stay on the property the whole time. The outdoor swimming pool is lovely- you can see the beach from the pool. Here you’ll find attentive staff, clean facilities, and nice rooms. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s really great. Here’s everything you need to know.
Karahe Beach Hotel Location
Karahe Beach Hotel is located right on the main beach in Manuel Antonio. Karahe is one of the few hotels in Maneual Antonio with direct beach access. The hotel is between Quepos and Manuel Antonio National Park and is a 10-minute walk from the park entrance.
To arrive at Karahe Beach Hotel from San Jose, take highway 24 south to Quepos. Follow the signs for Manuel Antonio- you’ll turn left just before the marina.
Karahe is about 4 kilometers from Quepos, the office is on the lefthand side of the road. The three-story building that makes up part of the hotel, the parking lot, the pool, and the restaurant are on the other side of the road.
If you need a rental car in Costa Rica and want a 10-20% discount, you can use our special discount code.
Rooms At Karahe Beach Hotel
The best way to think of Karahe is sort of two different hotels that make up the same property. On one side of the road, you’ll find the Karahe office and a small parking lot. There are rooms here with no beach view, but you can hear the ocean.
There are two buildings with a few rooms each on this side of the road- these are the standard rooms, the villas, and the Sea Breeze rooms. You’ll hike up to these rooms between 70 and 140 steps, so they aren’t accessible for wheelchairs or strollers. The upper floors (Sea Breeze rooms) have an ocean view.
I stayed in a standard room, the closest one to the office. The room was very basic- two beds, a shower, and a mini fridge. There was air conditioning and a fan, but you could tell the room hadn’t been remodeled in a long time. The bed was super comfy, and while basic, I had no complaints about the room except the wifi was spotty. I had purchased a SIM card so could just use data, but if you are using your cell phone in Costa Rica and relying on wi fi, it would be frustrating.
We were next door to a Villa Deluxe, and it was clear the room had been remodeled in the last few years. There was a nice glass sliding door, the bed looked new, and the tile did too. This is just what I could see when the people next door left the curtains open and we walked by.
The rooms on the other side of the road are the Beach Front rooms. They are part of a three-story building with about 10 rooms per floor. These rooms are newer and cost a bit more. The big advantage here is that you don’t have to walk upstairs to get to them- they are next to the parking lot.
These rooms have a large green space in front of them and overlook the pool and restaurant. They are within easy walking distance of the beach. The third-floor rooms have a view of the beach. The first and second-floor rooms have hammocks on their porches, the third-floor rooms have a small terrace with two chairs.
Overall, the rooms at Karahe Beach Hotel are super clean- I was impressed with everything, especially for the price. One thing I really liked is that they provided beach towels in the room.
Eating At Karahe
The restaurant at Karahe is a major perk of staying at the hotel. It’s an open-air concept- we saw monkeys frolicking as we ate, and we could see the waves crash on the beach. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. At sunset, the hotel puts tables right on the beach and does a drink and food service right on the sand. The Costa Rican cocktails are divine.
A full traditional Costa Rican breakfast is included in the price of the room at Karahe. This includes eggs, gallo pinto, Costa Rican coffee, Costa Rican arepas (like pancakes), fresh fruit, and fruit juices. The breakfast was really good, but it wasn’t the best I’ve ever had. I liked it- the breakfast at Volcano Lodge and Springs in La Fortuna, or at Adventure Inn in San Jose are both a lot better- but they aren’t beachfront!
The prices of food are on the higher side for Costa Rican food- you’ll find an arroz con pollo for about $18. However, you are beachfront, which makes sense why the prices are a bit higher. Not astronomical though.
The Bottom Line
I highly highly recommend Karahe Beach Hotel. You absolutely cannot beat the price for the location. While some rooms are quite spartan, everything is in great working order, comfortable and clean. If you can stay here, I would.
BOOK IT: Karahe Beach Hotel
Join me over at my favorite place- Instagram.
FAQ
Is breakfast included at Karahe Beach Hotel?
Yes, breakfast is included in the price of the room.
Is there a pool at Karahe Beach Hotel?
Yes- there is an outdoor pool that overlooks the beach.
Is Karahe Beach Hotel kid-friendly?
Yes! If you are traveling with young children you will want to stay in the beachfront rooms as opposed to those on the opposite side of the road.
OTHER PURA VIDA MOMS POSTS YOU’LL LOVE:
MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
Christa Jimenez
Welcome! I’m Christa, a Spanish teacher married to a handsome Costa Rican and mother of two bilingual daughters. We’ve spent over 25 years living in and traveling to Costa Rica with our daughters, and this website is my love letter to all things Costa Rica- and to bilingual parenting too. You can read my full story here. Thanks for stopping by!
