Most people who search for an adults only resort in Costa Rica end up comparing two things at once: the adults-only part and the all-inclusive part. They are separate choices. Miamar is adults-only (guests must be 18 or older) and it is not all-inclusive. This page explains what that means in practice, and who each kind of trip suits.
An adults only resort in Costa Rica, with 14 suites
Miamar Quiet Lux Beach Resort sits directly on the sand of Playa Espadilla in Manuel Antonio. It has 14 suites, and that number shapes most of what follows: a stay that is personal and quiet by design, with room around you at the pool, on the terrace and on the sand.
The adults-only rule is simple. Everyone staying is 18 or older, so the terraces, the pool and the beach stay quiet. People read. Couples talk at a normal volume. Mornings begin slowly, with the macaws and monkeys that pass by the terraces.
If you are weighing the best adults only resorts in Costa Rica, the useful question is less "which is best" than "which kind of week do I want." Adults only Costa Rica stays range from large, fully inclusive properties to small ones like this. They answer different needs, and the differences below are worth reading before you book.
What an all-inclusive gives you
All-inclusive travel is a good answer to a real question: how do I stop thinking about money and logistics for a week? You pay once. Meals and drinks are covered, there is usually a schedule of things to do, and the budget is settled before you land. If you search for "adults only all inclusive Costa Rica," that is the trip you are picturing, and it is a sound one. For travelers who want the whole week handled, it works well.
It is simply a different trip from the one Miamar offers.
What a boutique adults-only stay gives instead
At Miamar, the structure is looser, and the choices are yours.
Breakfast is included, the rest is up to you
Every stay includes a complimentary a la carte breakfast at Yemaya Restaurant, served from 7:00 to 10:30 AM. It is ordered from a menu, not taken from a buffet. After that the day is open. Yemaya serves light coastal dishes by day, including ceviches, and refined dinners at night: seafood, seasonal produce, with Mediterranean and Latin influences. Lunch runs from 12:00 to 5:00 PM and dinner from 6:00 to 10:00 PM, and room service follows the same hours.
Some evenings you will want to stay on the property. Oshun Bar, on the oceanfront, makes tropical cocktails by hand, and Obatalá Terrace & Bar is the open-air place to watch the sunset. Drinks are also served at the pool and on the beach. (There is no swim-up bar at Miamar.)
Dinner somewhere else, if you like
Because dinner is not bundled, nothing keeps you at the resort. You can walk or drive into Manuel Antonio, or go down to Quepos, and eat where the day takes you. Some travelers like to plan one night out per stay. Others eat at Yemaya every evening. Neither choice costs you anything you already paid for, which is the practical difference.
A concierge who is awake when you need one
The concierge desk runs 24 hours. It arranges guided tours of Manuel Antonio National Park, sunset cruises, private charters, snorkeling, waterfall visits and sportfishing from Marina Pez Vela. Miamar also runs a complimentary shuttle to the park entrance, and the concierge can set the schedule and help with entry tickets. A private airport transfer from Quepos La Managua (XQP) or San José (SJO) can be booked through the same desk.
A larger resort next door
Miamar's sister resort, Parador Nature Resort & Spa, is a short complimentary shuttle away. Miamar guests can use its trails, pools, gym, restaurants and bars, and book treatments at Pacífica Spa. So a small property does not mean a small stay. You can spend a morning on your own terrace and the afternoon at Parador's pools, then return to the quiet. Parking at Parador is complimentary too, if you have a car. If you want a massage without leaving your suite, the concierge can arrange it in-suite.
Which suits you
A short, honest guide.
An all-inclusive probably suits you if you want one price for the whole trip, you prefer not to decide where to eat, or you like having food, drink and activities arranged in one place.
Miamar probably suits you if you want a quiet, adult setting on the beach, you like choosing each evening's dinner, and you would rather spend a week in a small place where the staff know you. It also fits celebrations: honeymoons, anniversaries, vow renewals. If that is the occasion, our Manuel Antonio honeymoon guide goes into more detail.
Plenty of travelers have done both, one year each. The trips do not compete.
Where the suites are
The suites come in three kinds. Lux Water Channel Suites are on the ground floor, with a private terrace and direct access to a curved shared plunge pool. Lux Balcony Suites are on the second floor, with a private terrace and a higher view of the ocean. The Lux Suite (Jungle / Partial Ocean View) has two rooms and sleeps up to four. All have king beds, luxury linens, eco-friendly amenities and high-speed Wi-Fi. For more on the beach itself, see our page on the hotel on Playa Espadilla.
Frequently asked questions
Is Miamar all-inclusive?
No. Complimentary a la carte breakfast at Yemaya is included with every stay. Lunch, dinner and drinks are paid as you go, at Yemaya, at Oshun Bar, or at restaurants of your choice in Manuel Antonio and Quepos.
What is the minimum age?
Guests must be 18 or older. Miamar is adults-only.
Can I use Parador's restaurants, pools and spa?
Yes. Parador is Miamar's sister resort, and guests can use its trails, pools, gym, spa, restaurants and bars. A complimentary shuttle runs between the two properties.
Is breakfast included?
Yes, a la carte, at Yemaya Restaurant from 7:00 to 10:30 AM.
If you would like to see dates, you can check availability and rates here. You can also read more about the resort on the Miamar home page.
Fourteen suites on Playa Espadilla
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