Stay near Manuel Antonio, without the crowds

A beach guests report having almost to themselves

Playa Matapalo is an endless, largely empty stretch of Pacific sand with plenty of natural shade. The hosts provide beach towels and chairs, so you can walk out empty-handed, and two restaurants and a small supermarket are within walking distance for groceries, casados, and a cold drink after the beach.

One honest note. The surf here is open Pacific: strong at times, spectacular at sunset. It is a beach for walking, playing on the sand, and supervised paddling rather than confident swimming, and conditions change day to day. Judge each swim on the day, and ask the hosts what conditions have been like that week.

Franziska, an Airbnb guest, put the distance simply: "Tent super close to the beach, you can hear the waves."

Four private stays, one pocket of jungle

The safari tents were shipped from South Africa and built from four layers of canvas, chosen for strength, shade, and comfort in a tropical setting. Each has two lockable bedrooms, a king bed, a queen and a high twin, a fully equipped kitchen, and two open-air hot-water showers under the canopy. Each sleeps five. Two tents have a deep plunge pool built into the deck; the Hideaway has no pool, and that is the point, it is the quietest of the three.

The No-Footprint House is the architectural signature: a teak-built home from the No Footprint House series by architecture studio A-01, recognised internationally, including a public-vote win at the Dezeen Awards and an International Architecture Award from the Chicago Athenaeum. It sleeps four across two bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, and has a private pool within a fully fenced garden, its own entrance, its own gate, and private parking.

Travelling with children? Children under 10 are not permitted in the two pool tents: the pool is deep and unfenced. Families with younger children should look at the No-Footprint House, with its fenced garden, or the Safari Tent Hideaway, which has no pool. None of the accommodations are fully childproof environments, so adults need to supervise children. Always confirm current house rules on Airbnb before booking.

Hosted personally, not by a front desk

You will be personally welcomed by Linda or Flory, our local host. There is no self check-in at BaliBala. Linda is an Airbnb Superhost with a background in solar energy, and across 37 Airbnb reviews the hosting averages 4.89 out of 5 (as of Aug 2026).

Ask ahead and breakfast can be arranged at your stay. For tours, surf lessons, horseback riding, kayaking, ziplining, transport, and restaurant tables, we are happy to connect guests with trusted local providers, so your stay helps support the community around Playa Matapalo.