A Gay Resort for Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio has welcomed LGBTQ+ travellers for decades. This November it gets a resort built for them. Royal Grand Resorts opens with 30 adults-only rooms “built for men who love men” on Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast. Reservations are open now.

The pitch is upscale without ultra-luxury pricing. “You should be thinking about who you want to meet, not whether you can be yourself,” said Wayne Taylor, the company’s chief operating officer.

The property

• Rooms: five categories, from the 290 sq ft Royal Queen Room to the 527 sq ft Royal Grand Suite. All have private balconies, their own air conditioning, robes and a coffee maker.
• Pool deck: a clothing-optional pool with swim-up bar, hot tub and a lounge with its own bar.
• Rooftop: a second hot tub and bar for sunset drinks. A steam room, sauna and third hot tub sit away from the main deck.
• Food and nightlife: Mango Tango Restaurant and Lounge, 14 tables and a 10-seat live-edge bar, serving seafood, steaks and international dishes. Thursday to Saturday from 11 p.m., the tables clear and a DJ plays until 2 a.m.
• Included: breakfast daily, and set-up in the gay section of Playa Espadilla, a three-minute walk away, with chairs, towels, drinks and picnic lunches.

Getting there

Manuel Antonio National Park is less than a mile away. From San José it is a 30-minute flight to Quepos and a short transfer. Staff book rainforest hikes, zip-lining, rafting, snorkelling, riding, waterfall ATV tours and sunset cruises. Founded by Stanley Kania, the resort is a member of the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association.

For advisors

• Who to pitch: gay male couples and friend groups who want Costa Rica’s nature with a social, adults-only base.
• What to book: the San José–Quepos hop rather than the drive, plus one guided park morning before the crowds.
• What to watch: opening reviews in November and December, and rates once the season settles.

Sources

• Royal Grand Resorts via Newswire.ca, 7 Oct 2026