I have never visited a more gay friendly destination. I love Manuel Antonio, but the gay visitor should be aware of some major changes over the past few years. I have just returned from a two week visit. The gay beach "Playita" is sadly no more. A hotel built on this beach and is now open. All beaches in Costa Rica are public, however going across the rocks to share a beach with family's seems to not be worth it. Some locals still cross over the rocks, plant a rainbow flag and tempt arrest by going nude. There are many great places on other beaches with a lot of shade and gays are very welcome any place. Just keep some clothes on.

The demise of "Playita" has effected gay travel in the area. Several gay hotels have sold and are no longer gay. "La Plantacion" (a part of the Big Rubby's chain" has sold and is now a straight hotel called "The Falls". Hotel Villa Roca is still going strong and was even full last weekend. The hotel has great views and is clothing optional by the pool. www.villaroca.com Hotel Casa Blanca www.hotelcasablanca.com is also still catering to the lesbigay family.

The gay bar "Tu Tu" has become more of a disco. There is still a gay presence, but the music is so loud that it is very difficult to talk and meet other people at the bar. There is no place to get away from the loud music. Hotel "Vill Roca" has opened a bar by it's pool to make up for this lack of a place to meet and talk. It is not open to the public (clothing optional pool), but if you drop by the front desk and ask about joining some of the gay tour groups they will most likely invite you to the bar where you can meet others to form a group for a tour. The bar is open from 4pm to 8 pm.

The "Latin Lounge" offers a great dinner table for gays on Thursday evenings which is a great way to meet locals and other gay visitors. Ask Jim or Erric for details. The food is very good and it is a good value.

I do not want to discourage any gay visitor from going to Manuel Antonio, but you should be aware that it is different from a few years ago. It would be hard to find any hotel or restaurant that is not very gay friendly. The local people in this area do not seem to notice sexual orientation as an issue.