Come Fly with Me in Manuel Antonio

El Avion's striking feature is a giant plane in the middle of the restaurant. Patrons can go inside the plane, where there's a bar, and can also sit in the cockpit and pretend to drive.

The other prominent feature is the incredible view of the ocean, where you can watch stunning sunsets. This never got old. Also, capuchin and squirrel monkeys would often come to the restaurant and hang on the roof or balcony, sometimes stealing a piece of fruit from a plate. In terms of ambiance, it can't be beat.

Food is a slightly different matter. I was never the biggest fan of Costa Rican food, which was often bland and over priced, especially in a very touristy area like Manuel Antonio. I had dinner at El Avion multiple times and only ever got the tuna mango salad, one of the few entrees you could get for about $10. It was quite good, the fish was fresh although it did not come with many tuna pieces, but it was filling.

More often I would just stop by for a drink to watch the sunset, and I would always get the monkey business cocktail, which is a combo that includes baileys, coconut cream, and bananas. One of my favorite drinks ever, and so refreshing after the really hot Costa Rican days.

Where El Avion's food really shines though is the breakfasts, which are large and actually not very expensive, especially compared to the Selina. You can get sausage, eggs, fruit, gallo pinto, and coffee for about $6.5 USD—not bad for Costa Rica.

Overall El Avion is worth it for the views and the breakfast, but if you're looking for a budget dinner, this might not be the place for you as most dinners are $16+ USD. It's worth stopping by though if you're in Manuel Antonio!