Pros

  • Freestanding bungalows with private balconies for watching monkeys in the jungle
  • The Bistro serves free breakfast by the pool, along with lunch and dinner
  • Freeform outdoor pool with jungle views (monkeys visit regularly)
  • The Billfish Sports Bar & Grill hosts nightly events
  • Free and ample parking
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout
  • Natural garden and jungle grounds
  • Assistance with booking tours and excursions
  • Kids under three stay free
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Cons

  • Deluxe Rooms have tube TVs and dated decor
  • Long walk to Manuel Antonio National Park
  • Lots of steps and hills (common in Manuel Antonio)
  • Complaints of lax housekeeping
  • Casino is closed (a pro for some)
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Bottom Line

Byblos Resort & Casino is a mid-range pick drawing both families and couples. Rooms range from seven cute freestanding Bungalows tucked into the jungle grounds to 10 slightly dated Deluxe Rooms that overlook the parking lot and street, with the ocean in the distance. Whiteface monkeys are often seen, and howler monkeys are heard, by the outdoor pool. There's an adjacent family-friendly restaurant that serves a free breakfast and offers poolside service. Closer to the hotel entrance is the now closed casino and a lively sports bar that hosts karaoke nights and broadcasts U.S. sports on flat-screen TVs. Expect a five-minute drive to Manuel Antonio National Park. 

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Amenities

  • Casino
  • Internet
  • Pool

Oyster Hotel Review

Byblos Resort & Casino

Scene

Open-air reception desk and monkeys

Byblos Resort & Casino is an interesting hybrid; it has a family-friendly scene by day and becomes party central after dark. After entering the parking lot, guests access the reception desk in a small open-air lobby set with simple furniture and tour information. There's a small waterfall and a wooden staircase leads up to the Billfish Sports Bar & Grill, set on a patio with aging billiard tables, flat-screen TVs, and a full bar. Oversize Jenga blocks are a fun pastime for revelers. The indoor casino used to be adjacent to the bar, but gaming machines have been cleared out and the space looks mostly abandoned. Deluxe Rooms are built above the bar, while the Bungalows are in the quieter back of the property, tucked into the jungle. The outdoor swimming pool and Bistro restaurant are located down a flight of stairs, also in a quiet jungle setting. Most of the guests spend the day exploring the area, but the bar and restaurant come alive at night. Animal sightings are an everyday occurrence, especially from the pool. 

See More Scene

Location

On the cliffside of Highway 618

Like the vast majority of hotels in Manuel Antonio, Byblos Resort is located on a hillside directly off of Highway 618. The winding road in front of the hotel can be busy with cars and busses, but there are lots of pedestrians walking carefully on the paved shoulder. Expect a 40-minute walk to Manuel Antonio National Park, and the public beaches just in front of the park's entrance will take around 30 minutes to reach by foot. Driving, or catching the bus at the nearby bus stop, are more convenient options -- the park is about five minutes away by car. Falls Garden Cafe is a five-minute walk from the hotel. Directly across the street is a large hill covered in thick greenery, that leads down to the Pacific Ocean -- though the water is definitely not accessible from the road. Free parking is easily available in the hotel's private lot. 

See More Location

Rooms

Bungalows, Deluxe, or Premium Deluxe -- with distant ocean or jungle views

The most affordable room category is Deluxe, located on the highest point of the property, which means distant ocean views and lots of steps to climb. An upgrade to Premium Deluxe will buy you a furnished balcony and much better ocean views. Both categories are close to the parking lot and can get noise from the sports bar below. Decor is dated, with tile floors and simple wood furniture. Some of the mini-refrigerators show signs of rust. Bathrooms include showers and large sinks. The Bungalows are a better, but more expensive, option. These are placed in the back of the property, near the wild jungle, and offer more living space, newer wooden furniture, and private balconies to watch whiteface monkeys and look for toucans in the trees. All rooms come standard with free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and safes. 

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Features

Bistro restaurant, sports bar, outdoor pool, and free Wi-Fi

Bistro restaurant, located next to the outdoor pool, provides a free continental breakfast every morning, along with lunches and dinners that include everything from pizza to Costan Rican favorites. Billfish Sports Bar & Grill provides drink specials and hosts events like ladies night and karaoke, there are also aging pool tables and games. Wi-Fi and parking are both free. Staff is on-hand to arrange tours, excursions, and sell tickets to Manuel Antonio National Park. 

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Byblos Resort & Casino

Scene

Open-air reception desk and monkeys

Byblos Resort & Casino is an interesting hybrid; it has a family-friendly scene by day and becomes party central after dark. After entering the parking lot, guests access the reception desk in a small open-air lobby set with simple furniture and tour information. There's a small waterfall and a wooden staircase leads up to the Billfish Sports Bar & Grill, set on a patio with aging billiard tables, flat-screen TVs, and a full bar. Oversize Jenga blocks are a fun pastime for revelers. The indoor casino used to be adjacent to the bar, but gaming machines have been cleared out and the space looks mostly abandoned. Deluxe Rooms are built above the bar, while the Bungalows are in the quieter back of the property, tucked into the jungle. The outdoor swimming pool and Bistro restaurant are located down a flight of stairs, also in a quiet jungle setting. Most of the guests spend the day exploring the area, but the bar and restaurant come alive at night. Animal sightings are an everyday occurrence, especially from the pool. 

See More Scene

Location

On the cliffside of Highway 618

Like the vast majority of hotels in Manuel Antonio, Byblos Resort is located on a hillside directly off of Highway 618. The winding road in front of the hotel can be busy with cars and busses, but there are lots of pedestrians walking carefully on the paved shoulder. Expect a 40-minute walk to Manuel Antonio National Park, and the public beaches just in front of the park's entrance will take around 30 minutes to reach by foot. Driving, or catching the bus at the nearby bus stop, are more convenient options -- the park is about five minutes away by car. Falls Garden Cafe is a five-minute walk from the hotel. Directly across the street is a large hill covered in thick greenery, that leads down to the Pacific Ocean -- though the water is definitely not accessible from the road. Free parking is easily available in the hotel's private lot. 

See More Location

Rooms

Bungalows, Deluxe, or Premium Deluxe -- with distant ocean or jungle views

The most affordable room category is Deluxe, located on the highest point of the property, which means distant ocean views and lots of steps to climb. An upgrade to Premium Deluxe will buy you a furnished balcony and much better ocean views. Both categories are close to the parking lot and can get noise from the sports bar below. Decor is dated, with tile floors and simple wood furniture. Some of the mini-refrigerators show signs of rust. Bathrooms include showers and large sinks. The Bungalows are a better, but more expensive, option. These are placed in the back of the property, near the wild jungle, and offer more living space, newer wooden furniture, and private balconies to watch whiteface monkeys and look for toucans in the trees. All rooms come standard with free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and safes. 

See More Rooms

Features

Bistro restaurant, sports bar, outdoor pool, and free Wi-Fi

Bistro restaurant, located next to the outdoor pool, provides a free continental breakfast every morning, along with lunches and dinners that include everything from pizza to Costan Rican favorites. Billfish Sports Bar & Grill provides drink specials and hosts events like ladies night and karaoke, there are also aging pool tables and games. Wi-Fi and parking are both free. Staff is on-hand to arrange tours, excursions, and sell tickets to Manuel Antonio National Park. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Beach

  • Cable

  • Casino

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Free Breakfast

  • Gameroom / Arcade

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Pool

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Supervised Kids Activities

  • Swim-Up Bar

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.