Si Como No, Eco-Resort in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica – Review

Si Como No resort and wildlife refuge is a sustainable resort in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica.  Read on for my Si Como No review to find out why we fell big time for this Manuel Antonio eco resort.

View from Si Como No terrace

Si Como No resort and wildlife refuge was the main­ reason we stayed three extra nights in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. We had two nights booked at Si Como No and three more nights until we were due to fly home. The plan was to drive further down the coast and book in somewhere else. Fifteen minutes sat on our balcony was all it took to decide to spend the remainder of our trip in this authentic Costa Rican eco-resort. What does  ‘Si Como No‘ mean? It means ‘yes, why not’. So we did.

Where is Si Como No

Most of the hotels in Manuel Antonio, including Hotel Si Como No, sit on a green hillside overlooking panoramic jungle and Pacific Ocean views. Manual Antonio National Park, with its wildlife and white sand beaches, are close by (less than five minutes away on the free hotel shuttle bus). It’s the epitome of paradise. Think palm trees, azure waters, islands, lagoons, exotic birds and animals. There’s a clutch of quirky bars and cool restaurants a few minutes’ walk away and more still along the Manuel Antonio beach front. It’s unmistakably Costa Rica. You’ll find sunshine vibes, beaches, wildlife and more Pura Vida than you can shake a stick at.

Looking for somewhere to stay? Check latest rates and availability at Si Como No

Wildlife at Si Como No

It was the howler monkey that started it. We’d arrived at Si Como No, unpacked and were chilling on our balcony, with a beer, overlooking the steaming jungle and views of the sparkling ocean. After a few minutes I commented that I was surprised we hadn’t seen a monkey yet. Right on cue the howler monkey let rip. If you’ve ever heard one you’ll know what I mean. The howler monkey sounds like a large dog barking and the sound travels for miles. We located the culprit about 50-metres away and watched as it swung around the trees protesting. It had a lot to say. The howler monkeys became our daily Manuel Antonio morning wake up call.

Squirrel monkey in Costa Rica

Then, a movement nearby, a rustling in the vegetation, and a troop of acrobatic squirrel monkeys swung their way through the tree canopy. One stopped by our balcony briefly. We were so engrossed with our visitor that we nearly missed the toucan fly-past. By now we’d ‘got our eye in’ and we spotted a rainbow of scarlet macaws and a cleverly camouflaged iguana. It took 15-minutes to know that this is where we wanted to stay for the remainder of our time in Costa Rica. Si Como No and Manuel Antonio offered an immersive nature experience combined with sustainable hospitality, authenticity and genuine people.

We could have spent the whole of our stay sat on our balcony watching the wildlife but there’s a lot of cool things to do in Manuel Antonio and plenty to keep us busy at Si Como No including a butterfly atrium, nature trails and a small movie theatre.

Looking for somewhere to stay? Check latest rates and availability at Si Como No

Si Como No – The Rooms

Rooms at Si Como No are comfortable, spacious and decorated with a tropical vibe. All 58 rooms and suites offer air-conditioning, ceiling fans, mini-refrigerator, safe box, and phone. Rooms come in various sizes and layouts. Superior Rooms have balconies or terraces with partial ocean and jungle views. Our Deluxe Room had panoramic ocean and jungle views from the windows and private balcony. Deluxe Plus rooms are the largest rooms with a private balcony and sweeping ocean and rainforest views. There’s also a honeymoon suite with jacuzzi.

Our room at Si Como No, Manuel Antonio

Décor is traditional Costa Rican tropical and quite rustic with tiled flooring, wood and rattan furniture and colourful local wall art. Note, there’s no TV which is intentional – who needs a TV when there’s so much to see and do in Manuel Antonio and at the resort itself. There is free Wi-Fi although somewhat flaky. Our room had a seating area with sofa and coffee table with a small kitchenette with hob, sink and coffee maker with complementary coffee. The room was also equipped with a hairdryer, iron and telephone. Beds were made up with good quality, crisp white linen. The bathroom was spacious with walk-in shower, hand basin, toilet and organic toiletries.

Dining at Si Como No

Breakfast at the Rico Tico jungle grill is included in the rate and is very good. A wide choice of fresh fruit, breads, cakes, hot buffet and cooked breakfast menu including omelette, beans and rice, eggs and French toast is available. A la carte lunch and dinners are also served at Rico Tico served with stunning views across the jungle and ocean. The menu offers a range of traditional Costa Rican dishes and a choice of Western-style fare, so something to suit every taste.

Claro Que Si Seafood Grill

We ate at the resort’s Claro Que Si Seafood Grill on our last night which was excellent. Located next door to the hotel it’s an upmarket restaurant with a full a la carte menu and superb wine list. A range of pork, beef and chicken as well as seafood, salads and vegetarian options are offered in a setting overlooking the jungle. Dishes are beautifully presented and service is spot on. The staff at the hotel were absolutely lovely throughout our stay.

Looking for somewhere to stay? Check latest rates and availability at Si Como No

Facilities at Si Como No

Si Como No is set in a lush jungle landscape with tropical plants and trees. There are two swimming pools. The larger, Margotes adult-only pool, has a hot tub and swim-up bar, seating areas, sunbeds and a spacious deck overlooking jungle and ocean views.

Si Como No adult pool

The second pool is the Rico Tico family pool with a waterslide, swim-up bar, deck, sunbeds and more stunning sea and jungle views. There are various decks and terraces with views to the ocean all around the property.

Looking for somewhere to stay? Check latest rates and availability at Si Como No

More facilities

Cala Spa offers massages, facials, volcanic mud, wraps, and scrubs with the use of natural ingredients whenever possible. There are both single and couples treatment rooms.

Films are shown in the small movie theatre located at the resort. There’s a gift boutique and art gallery selling local art and handicrafts. On-site parking is also available which was great as we’d hired a car.

The Greentique Group

Si Como No, luxury eco resort and wildlife refuge, is the flagship property of the Greentique group which includes three other eco hotels. Co-owner, Jim Damalas, an American expat, is an early advocate of eco-tourism and a leader in sustainable hospitality in Costa Rica. He’s incredibly passionate about our planet and the wildlife within it. The Greentique group is focused on reducing its carbon footprint and practices sustainable and organic horticulture, waste and water management. They care very much about our planet.

Looking for somewhere to stay? Check latest rates and availability at Si Como No

The best time to go to Manuel Antonio

The dry season starts in December and lasts until the end of March. The rest of the year is rainy season although rainfall can also happen during the dry season. Temperatures are usually in the high twenties (Celsius) / around 80° F with most rainfall from May to November. We went in September and encountered a few heavy but short downpours but it was mostly hot and sunny. At this time of year it’s less busy and prices are lower so we were happy with our choice.

Si Como No is small, personal and friendly with high eco-friendly and sustainable values. I’d fully recommend it for those who love wildlife, a relaxed vibe and are looking for an authentic Costa Rican experience. It’s good for families, couples or small groups. We absolutely loved Si Como No and would return in a heartbeat.

If you’re planning a trip to Costa Rica, make sure to check out our other helpful guides

• Amazing things to do in Manuel Antonio
• 5 reasons why Costa Rica makes an unforgettable vacation or holiday
• Exploring the Monteverde Cloud Forest
• Volcano Walks, Waterfalls and Wildlife in La Fortuna

Many thanks to Si Como No who hosted us for 2 nights. The remaining 3 nights we funded ourselves. All thoughts, opinions and love of pura vida are entirely my own.