El Mangroove, Autograph Collection - Guanacaste, Costa Rica
I’ve stayed at a lot of beautiful hotels. But every once in a while, a place stops you — not because of the thread count or the infinity pool, but because of the feeling it gives you the moment you arrive.
El Mangroove was that place for me.
Tucked into the mangroves along the Gulf of Papagayo, just 20 minutes from Liberia airport, this boutique resort on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast doesn’t try to be everything. It tries to be exactly what you need — and somehow, it always gets it right.
The Setting: Where the Jungle Meets the Sea
El Mangroove has a very natural and relaxed setting from the moment you arrive. The property sits on 17 acres of coastline, surrounded by mangroves, tropical gardens, and large Guanacaste trees.
What stands out is that the resort feels well integrated into the landscape. The walkways, open-air spaces, and buildings are designed to connect guests with the surrounding nature without feeling overly formal or staged.
The 40-meter pool leads toward the beach, with the Gulf of Papagayo just beyond it, creating a setting that feels calm, spacious, and easy to enjoy. It is a property that invites guests to slow down, spend time outdoors, and experience Guanacaste in a relaxed but refined way.
The Rooms: Suites Only
Every single room at El Mangroove is a suite. There’s no “basic” option here — the entry-level experience already comes with a private balcony, a hammock, spa-like bathrooms, and a pillow menu. Yes, a pillow menu.
If you really want to indulge, the Canopy Grand Suite gives you treetop views of the ocean through the jungle canopy — one of the most unique room perspectives I’ve ever woken up to. And if you’re coming with family or a group, the private villas (ranging from 2 to 4 bedrooms) are essentially a luxury home within the resort, with total privacy and space that feels impossibly generous.
The detail that stayed with me? Every suite has a signature scent — a subtle, custom fragrance that you start associating with that sense of deep rest. It’s the kind of thoughtful touch that makes you realize this hotel really thought about everything.
The Food: Don't Skip Dinner at Malú
El Mangroove has four dining concepts, and each one is genuinely good — not “resort good,” actually good.
Makoko handles breakfast and all-day dining with a farm-to-table philosophy and a breakfast buffet that will ruin you for hotel breakfasts everywhere else. Matiss, the poolside bar with a sand floor and a resident DJ, is where the afternoons blur into evenings beautifully. Izakaya delivers clean, fresh Japanese bites made with local Costa Rican ingredients.
But Malú is the one you’ll talk about. Inspired by five Mediterranean ports — Greece, Italy, Spain, France, Morocco — it’s an open-air dinner experience that somehow feels like it belongs in both the Italian coast and the Costa Rican jungle simultaneously. Go on a night with a clear sky. Order everything.
And before you leave ask about the Costa Rican coffee tasting. It’s one of those quiet, slow experiences that reminds you why you travel in the first place.
Here’s something most people don’t know: El Mangroove is the only hotel in Guanacaste with two private tour boats. That changes what’s possible for you as a guest.
Deep-sea fishing, surfing excursions, snorkeling trips, sunset sails, night paddleboarding — these aren’t arranged through a third party and hoped for the best. They’re run by the hotel, from the hotel’s dock, on the hotel’s schedule.
On land, you’re equally well positioned. A full-day excursion to Buena Vista Lodge a volcano-slope farm that supplies a big part of El Mangroove’s kitchen — takes you through ziplining, hanging bridges, hot springs, and a waterfall. The nearby Rincón de la Vieja Volcano and the iconic blue waters of Río Celeste are both accessible day trips.
You can do as much or as little as you want here. The hammock on your balcony is equally valid.
The Spa & Wellness: The Bearth Spa
The Bearth Spa is worth planning your trip around. Set in a natural landscape of mangroves with individual treatment bungalows and outdoor terraces, it offers treatments rooted in Costa Rica’s volcanic and botanical traditions — volcanic stone massage, aromatherapy body polish, botanical facials.
The Wyl Gym is open 24 hours and includes complimentary training sessions. There are yoga decks scattered through the property. And if you’re open to it, the sound bath experience is one of those things you don’t expect to love.
Who Is This For?
Honestly? More people than you’d think.
Couples come for the romance — the adults-only pool, the private dinners on the beach, the Mangle Presidential Suite. Families are equally at home, with a dedicated family pool zone, kids’ menus, and babysitting available. Wellness travelers come for the spa and the pace. Adventure seekers come for the boats.
And increasingly, people come simply because El Mangroove is part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection — meaning you can use your Bonvoy points and still get something that feels nothing like a chain hotel.
Why I Curate El Mangroove for ST Collection
I experienced El Mangroove firsthand so I could confidently recommend it to our clients. Its location, just minutes from Liberia International Airport and across from Peninsula Papagayo, makes it an excellent option for travelers looking to combine effortless luxury with authentic Costa Rican experiences.
What stood out most during my visit was its relaxed atmosphere, thoughtful design, and versatility. Whether traveling as a couple, with family, or as part of a wedding or incentive group, El Mangroove offers a stay that feels sophisticated without being overly formal.
This visit reinforced why El Mangroove is an important part of the ST Collection portfolio. It’s a property I confidently recommend for travelers seeking beachfront luxury, exceptional gastronomy, wellness, and easy access to some of Guanacaste’s most remarkable experiences.
If you’re planning a luxury journey to Costa Rica, I’d be delighted to help curate an itinerary that includes El Mangroove, along with personalized experiences, private transportation, and the destinations that best match your travel style.
My team of Luxury Travel Agents and I are ready to support you at every stage, ensuring each itinerary delivers the level of exclusivity, comfort, and authenticity your clients expect. Reach out to me directly, and let us design a seamless, tailor-made journey your clients will truly remember.
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