Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
La Luna
INTERNATIONAL
Unpretentious, friendly and first rate, La Luna makes a lovely spot for a special-occasion
dinner, with a spectacular backdrop of jungle and ocean. An international menu offers
everything from pizza to lobster tails, with a Tico-style twist - such as grouper baked
en
papillote,
with plantain purée and coconut milk. Or enjoy the inexpensive tapas menu
from 4pm to 6pm.
Salsipuedes
BAR
With fantastic views at sunset, Salsipuedes ('leave if you can') is a great place for tapas and
beer - or for the more adventurous, cocktails made with
guaro
(a local firewater made
with sugarcane). Quesadillas,
ceviche,
and white bean and chicken stew are some of the
tasty tapas on offer.
Ronny's Place
BAR
The insane views at Ronny's Place, of two pristine bays and jungle on all sides, make it
worth a detour (just for a drink; don't bother eating here). While plenty of places along this
stretch of road boast similar views, the off-the-beaten-path location makes it feel like a
secret find. Look for the well-marked dirt road off the main drag.
El Avión
BAR
This unforgettable bar-restaurant was constructed from a 1954 Fairchild C-123. Allegedly,
the plane was purchased by the US government in the '80s for the Nicaraguan Contras, but
it never made it out of its hangar in San José because of the Iran-Contra scandal that em-
broiled Oliver North and his cohorts. (The plane is lovingly referred to as 'Ollie's Folly'.)
In 2000 the enterprising owners of El Avión purchased it for the surprisingly reasonable
sum of US$3000 and proceeded to cart it piece by piece to Manuel Antonio. It now sits on
the side of the main road, where it looks as if it had crash-landed into the side of the hill.
