Almonds and Corals is a Costa Rica Caribbean hotel located in the heart of the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. This Costa hotel is a delightful relaxing place full of the magic touch of Nature; a unique idea for jungle beach accommodations.
Staying at Almonds and Corals hotel offers you the opportunity to get a feeling of the jungle while having luxury accommodations in the middle of the wild rainforest.
The hotel consists of 24 bungalows that lie under giant trees in a forest so dense that the sunrays hardly touch the ground. Each bungalow is placed over a platform lifted up on stilts, with orchids hanging from the branches.
Almonds and Corals is a Costa Rica Caribbean hotel located in the heart of the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. This Costa hotel is a delightful relaxing place full of the magic touch of Nature; a unique idea for jungle beach accommodations.
Staying at Almonds and Corals hotel offers you the opportunity to get a feeling of the jungle while having luxury accommodations in the middle of the wild rainforest. The hotel consists of 24 bungalows that lie under giant trees in a forest so dense that the sunrays hardly touch the ground. Each bungalow is placed over a platform lifted up on stilts, with orchids hanging from the branches.
Just like in a fairy tale, as you walk through the enchanted forest, by passages on stilts, suddenly you find yourself in front of the magnificent Caribbean sea with your feet on golden sand, coconuts and the bay of Manzanillo where you can almost hear the rhythm of the Calypso music.
Address: Almonds and Corals hotel is located 25 kilometers south from Cahuita National Park, southern part of the Limon Province at the Caribbean Coast, in the heart of the Gandoca – Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. Quick Facts
Costa Rica Caribbean Hotel
The postmodern era has brought a lot of conveniences to our lives, but it has also brought the not so convenient fast life, the noisy cities, and the traffic jams. If you are looking for a getaway, an escape from stress and the contaminating noise of the city for your vacations, Almonds and Corals Costa Rica hotel in Manzanillo Limon is the Caribbean paradise that you have been looking for.
This exquisite hotel combines the elements of the Caribbean evergreen rainforest, a golden sand beach with a turquoise calm sea. The special design of these Costa Rica accommodations let the sounds of the rainforest in and offers the best comfort, beautiful and simple natural architecture, delicious cuisine in a unique restaurant, guided natural trail walks, massages, and a variety of exciting tours designed to heighten your contact with the rainforest and the sea. This is the perfect hotel if you are looking for a getaway for yourself, for your family vacations, or for an unforgettable honeymoon.
The first impression when you get to this Costa Rica hotel is that each section of Almonds and Corals emerges in between a dense and very alive green rainforest. As the rainforest embraces the entire hotel you can just stand anywhere and admire the wildlife. You will be surprised of how easily you will be able to spot the smallest hummingbirds
The Accommodation
COSTA RICA ACCOMMODATION
These Costa Rica accommodation were created from a visionary project that Marco Odio and Aurora Gamez envisioned many years ago when they first arrived to Manzanillo Gandoca Wildlife Refuge. They wanted to have specially designed accommodation that could mingle in sustainable harmony with the wilderness of the tropical Caribbean rainforest, while letting the traveler experience the fortune of staying in a bungalow in the middle of this paradise.
Initially, the bungalows where built as a luxurious tent inside a screened wooden structure elevated on stilts. Over the years more upscale bungalows have been built, always keeping the eco-friendly building concept and the openness of the tent like bungalows.
The perfect design on all the bungalows let you experience the Caribbean rainforest at its fullest, letting in the sounds of the crickets, cigars, frogs, howler monkeys, and when it rains the tapping of the rain over the leaves, creating a soothing lullaby at night and a magical natural alarm clock in the mornings.
The 25 bungalows, ranging from standard accommodation to suites, have been located in strategic places that were built in between the spaces left by colossal trees from this Caribbean rainforest. Each bungalow is surrounded by the dense naturally wild garden that the Caribbean rainforest has masterfully created.
All bungalows have a private bathroom with a hot water shower. Most of the upscale rooms include a Jacuzzi. Electrical appliances have been minimized to annoy the surrounding rainforest as less as possible. Each bungalow has a mini-bar, a desirable amount of light fixtures and side lamps, a hair dryer and one or two floor fans to keep the rooms cool when necessary.
Waste no more time searching on other Costa Rica accommodation in the Caribbean, because this is the place you have been dreaming of at a convenient price.
Standard Rooms
The Standard Room was built to bring luxury into the camping experience. These bungalows consist of an open wooden structure with screened windows. It has an area of 25 square meters and is lifted on stilts. Inside of the bungalow, one queen and one twin bed of precious wood lay inside a tent providing the most comfortable and luxurious tent-style room you can have.
Each Standard Bungalow has a small practical bathroom with a hot water shower.
Other Facilities:
Mini-bar, telephone, laundry service, two side tables, two electric table lamps, one hammock, clothes rack, full body size mirror, one floor fan, one hair dryer, and biodegradable shampoo and conditioner.
Junior Suite
The Junior Suite has an area of 25 square meters. It has one queen bed and one single bed with a rustic style wood canopy covered with beautiful mosquito netting rapes.
Each Junior Suite has a small practical bathroom with a hot water shower.
Other Facilities: Mini-bar, telephone, laundry service, two side tables, two electric table lamps, one full body size mirror, clothes rack, one wine bucket, one hammock, one hair dryer, and biodegradable shampoo and conditioner.
Suite with Jacuzzi
The Suite with Jacuzzi has an area of 25 square meters. It has two double beds, each with a rustic style wood canopy covered with beautiful mosquito netting drapes.
Each Suite has a medium size bathroom with a hot water shower and a Jacuzzi.
Other Facilities: Mini-bar, telephone, laundry service, two side tables, two electric table lamps, a full body size mirror, a floor fan, a clothes rack, a wine bucket, one hammock, hair dryer, and biodegradable shampoo and conditioner.
The Master Suite
The Master Suite has an area of 50 square meters. It has two double beds with a rustic style wood canopy covered with beautiful mosquito netting drapes.
The Master Suite has a medium size bathroom with a hot water shower and a Jacuzzi.
Other Facilities: Mini-bar, telephone, laundry service, three side tables, two electric lamps, a full body size mirror, two floor fans, clothes hanger, one wine bucket, one hammock, one hair dryer, and biodegradable shampoo and conditioner.
*Double beds are 1.52 meters wide. Twin beds are 1.20 meters wide.
FACILITIES:
Restaurant
This beautiful rustic restaurant stands in between the bungalows and the trail that leads to the beach. It has been design to let the elements of the rainforest be as close to you as possible. Alive trees have been made part of the decoration with their green canopy flowing over the roof and their trunks inside of the restaurant. The restaurant at this Costa Rica lodge has been left without walls to keep it fresh and to maintain a constant contact with the surrounding rainforest of Manzanillo Limon.
The food is delicately prepared by two stupendous chefs. The menu options for lunch and dinner offer international dishes with a local flavour. Breakfast is served as a continental buffet.
Bar
The bar at this Costa Rica lodge offers a delightful sample of the Caribbean style bars fused with the natural sounds of the rainforest. The amiable and professional bartenders will serve you any drink you request elaborated to perfection or a cold beer from the ones available. You will find this bar inside of the restaurant area, it also has a pool table and a lounge area to gather at any time of the day.
Jacuzzi
Right in the middle of the rainforest there is a big bungalow with a message table and a jacuzzi available to all guests. Perfect to enjoy a drink while listening to the sounds of nature.
Meeting Room
The hotel offers a big meeting room available for conferences or casual gatherings.
Reception
If you need anything or have any questions you can call the reception from your room. You can also stop by the reception in person, our staff will gladly assist you with anything you might need.
Souvenir Shop
Inside the reception there is a souvenir shop where you will find local handcrafts in wood and clay, handmade jewelry, indigenous arrows, masks, wood chimes, t-shirts with Costa Rican motives, among many other nice and original souvenirs that you can take home to decorate your house or as presents for your friends.
Beach
The beach in front of the hotel has a beach hut with wooden chairs and hammocks. Additional chairs and little huts can be added when there are activities planned at the beach.
RATES 2007 - 2008:
**All reservation will include breakfast, dinner. **The following prices are per room, per night and in US$ dollars **Rates plus government taxes
From December 16th, 2007 to December 15th, 2008
Junior Suite Single $160.00 Double $200.00 Triple $252.38
Suite with Jacuzzi Single $200.00 Double $250.00 Triple $302.38
Master Suite Single $280.00 Double $350.00 Triple $443.12
Price per lunch: USD$22.14 incl. taxes (Dec 16th 2007 to Dec 15th. 2008) ** Aditional pax in Suite: $65.45 ** Aditional pax in Master Suite: $93.12
NET PRICES FOR CHILDREN Under 5 years no charge.(not recommended) From 6 to 11 years: $25.00 per child sharing a room with 2 adults. Over 12 years pay as an adult.
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PACKAGES:
PACKAGE OF 1 NIGHT / 2 DAYS:
The package consists of:
• Round trip transportation from San José to the lodge. • 1 breakfast, 1 snack at noon, 1 dinner. • The guided walking tour to Natura Park. • The Crazy Monkey Canopy tour.
Junior Suite Single $330.00 Double $270.00 Additional Pax $222.38 Children $111.19
Suite with Jacuzzi Single $370.00 Double $295.00 Additional Pax $233.78 Children $116.89
Master Suite Single $450.00 Double $345.00 Additional Pax $263.12 Children $131.56
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PACKAGE OF 2 NIGHT / 3 DAYS:
The package consists of:
• Round trip transportation from San José to the lodge. • 2 breakfast, 2 snack at noon, 2 dinners. • The guided walking tour to Natura Park. • The Crazy Monkey Canopy tour.
Junior Suite Single $426.00 Double $330.00 Additional Pax $274.46 Children $137.23
Suite with Jacuzzi Single $490.00 Double $370.00 Additional Pax $304.24 Children $152.12
Master Suite Single $618.00 Double $450.00 Additional Pax $356.24 Children $178.12
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PACKAGE OF 3 NIGHT / 4 DAYS:
The package consists of:
• Round trip transportation from San José to the lodge. • 3 breakfast, 3 snack at noon, 3 dinners. • Use of bikes, for half a day. • Use of snorkeling equipment, of half a day. • Use of kayaks for half a day. • The guided walking tour, to Natura Park. • The Crazy Monkey Canopy tour.
Junior Suite Single $650.00 Double $470.00 Additional Pax $327.14 Children $163.57
Suite with Jacuzzi Single $770.00 Double $545.00 Additional Pax $372.14 Children $186.07
Master Suite Single $1010.00 Double $695.00 Additional Pax $449.36 Children $224.68
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About Us
Our primary goal is to offer you the opportunity to experience sleeping inside the jungle while listening to the sound of the ocean waves, to be awakened by the howling of the monkeys and the orchestra of the tropical birds.
Owners
Marco Odio and Aurora Gámez, two nature lovers, have been sharing their life and dreams together since 1988. They started building ALMONDS AND CORALS around 1993 and received the first clients by December of that same year, when they were having only 1 room.
Marco is a Doctor and a scientist. Aurora studied Architecture and loves to be constantly designing new features to enhance the hotel. Aurora designed the lodge and Marco gave it the content of Nature interpretation. They believe that the concept of lodging in Costa Rica should involve respecting and enjoying the rainforest. Their kids, Daniel, Karina, and Alberto will like to continue with their parents dream and run the business after them.
Aurora’s sister, Patricia and her husband Pieter are the new Managers for Almonds and Corals Hotel that are now fueling the hotel with new energy and caring feelings; taking care of our clients and giving them a friendly service.
Patricia and Pieter were living in Holland for the past 7 years that they have been married. They recently decided it was time to move to Costa Rica and live nearby the Caribbean Sea. They got together with Marco and Aurora and happily agreed to run the hotel.
The entire family appreciates and thanks you for your visit. We hope that the magic of Nature will remain with you forever!!
Manzanillo Limon Beach
To reach the beach you will just have to walk a few steps over a trail that goes between the tall trees and exuberant vegetation of the rainforest to be met by a beach of golden fine sand and dark turquoise waters. The beach at Manzanillo Limon is almost pristine and unspoiled; perfect to find the peace and quiet needed to relinquish all your stress and worries. The sounds of the rainforest behind you, combined with the soft roar of the waves splashing over the shore, are just glorifying.
The beautiful always changing watercolor painting of the sky, the light green ocean with its constant calmness, the soft golden sand, the fresh breeze, and the sounds of the rainforest that meet the beach gather together to overpower your senses.
You can sit on the golden sand of the Manzanillo beach, watching the sea and have almost all your senses being stroked by nature, sight, smell, touch, hearing, and savor a cocktail elaborated to perfection by the hotel’s wonderful bartenders.
The natural elements that the beach of Manzanillo Limon offers at Almonds and Corals lodge compiles all that is necessary to replenish you and make you forget all about the city life, making it just the place where you want to be.
How to get to Almonds and Corals?
Journey from San Jose to Manzanillo, Limon. Manzanillo is 12.5 km away from Puerto Viejo Limon. If you depart from San Jose you should arrive to the hotel in 4 hours. The view is very enjoyable and once you arrive to the hotel you will be fully convinced that the ride is absolutely worth it.
SHUTTLE BUS The hotel offers a shuttle bus service for an extra cost from almost any San Jose hotel to Almonds and Corals. Usually the pick ups are made around 7 to 8 AM. There is one quick stop at a restaurant in Guacimo around 10 AM. The next stop is at the hotel at around 12 MD.
PRIVATE TRANSFER We can also arrange private transfers to Almonds and Corals and pick you up from almost any hotel. Just make sure to let us know with anticipation so that we make the necessary arrangements.
If Driving to Almonds and Corals, Manzanillo Limon On A Rental Car
If you plan to take your rental car just make sure to bring a map of the Costa Rican roads with you. Usually any rental car comes with a map. It shouldn't be difficult to get to Manzanillo as there are signs all the way to let you know where to turn and how far your destination is. There are not many turns to make either; you pretty much drive over the same road all the way. It is strongly recommended that you try to leave San Jose before noon to get to the hotel when there is still sunlight.
The first step will be to get on the San Jose - Guapiles highway, also known as the Braulio Carrillo Highway. This highway offers an amazing natural panoramic scenery as it was constructed right in the middle of the National Park Braulio Carrillo. The road runs over the hillsides of tall mountains with thick walls of cloudy rainforest vegetation surrounding it. The highway passes through the Zurqui tunnel, which is 600 meters long. This tunnel goes right through the core of one of the mountains, making it an outstanding work of engineering. Along the highway you will find dirt pullouts where you can pull over to admire the view and take some pictures of the stunning mountains. After passing through the Zurqui highway you will pass through three main rural towns laid on the sides of the road, Guapiles, Guacimo, and Siquirres. Manzanillo is approximately 100 km from Guapiles.
Limon City is the next town after Siquirres. Once you arrive to Limon City you will need to make a right so that you don't go all the way to Puerto Limon. Be aware of the signs that say Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, and Manzanillo. You will know you are on the right way once you make that right and see a TEXACO gas station. This is a good place to fill your tank and buy some snacks.
Once you hit the coast the view gets very pleasant. You will have on your left side the port with huge cargo-ships and cruisers; and further down the road on your right side former banana plantations that have grown wild mingling with the local vegetation. Nowadays a lot of the land is used for this purpose, just not as much as in the beginning of the 20th century when most of Limon was covered with banana plantations. The road takes you inland and brings you back to the coast several times so that you can admire the tranquil Caribbean shore. Later you will pass through the Estrella River and the Estrella Valley. Following you will find the town of Penshurt. This is where the last gas station is at.
Cahuita will be the next town; this is where the Cahuita National Park is. Puerto Viejo will follow. Puerto Viejo is a very picturesque colorful coastal beach town full of quaint beachfront restaurant-bars and local craft stands. The flavor of the Caribbean is absolutely present in this town. Puerto Viejo is also known for its active night life and its calypso and reggae music. Over the same road, just about 15 minutes away from Puerto Viejo, 2 km before the Manzanillo town after the bridge between two hills you will find the Almonds and Corals sign on the left side of the road signaling the entrance of the hotel. Here you will make a left and keep on going until you see another sign and a big wooden gate on your left. The reception of Almonds and Corals lodge is the first building you will see. The Manzanillo area, where Almonds and Corals is located, is very much untouched; making it the perfect place for the seekers of the close encounter with nature and its tranquility.
Route: San Jose - Braulio Carrillo Highway - Guapiles - Guacimo - Siquirres - Limon City - Valle de la Estrella (Estrella Valley) - Penshurt- Cahuita - Puerto Viejo - Manzanillo.
Costa Rica Features 
Almonds and Corals
Staying at Almonds and Corals hotel offers you the opportunity to get a feeling of the jungle while having luxury accommodations in the middle of the wild rainforest.
The first impression when you get to this Costa Rica hotel is that each section of Almonds and Corals emerges in between a dense and very alive green rainforest. As the rainforest embraces the entire hotel you can just stand anywhere and admire the wildlife. You will be surprised of how easily you will be able to spot the smallest hummingbirds
Initially, the bungalows where built as a luxurious tent inside a screened wooden structure elevated on stilts. Over the years more upscale bungalows have been built, always keeping the eco-friendly building concept and the openness of the tent like bungalows.
Waste no more time searching on other Costa Rica accommodation in the Caribbean, because this is the place you have been dreaming of at a convenient price.
hammock, clothes rack, full body size mirror, one floor fan, one hair dryer, and biodegradable shampoo and conditioner.
Suite with Jacuzzi
Restaurant
The restaurant at this Costa Rica lodge has been left without walls to keep it fresh and to maintain a constant contact with the surrounding rainforest of Manzanillo Limon.
Bar
Jacuzzi
Reception
Souvenir Shop
Beach
If you plan to take your rental car just make sure to bring a map of the Costa Rican roads with you. Usually any rental car comes with a map. It shouldn't be difficult to get to Manzanillo as there are signs all the way to let you know where to turn and how far your destination is. There are not many turns to make either; you pretty much drive over the same road all the way. It is strongly recommended that you try to leave San Jose before noon to get to the hotel when there is still sunlight.
