Manta Raya Hotel

My husband and I had high expectations of Manta Raya after reading the amazing reviews and we were not disappointed. Every detail was taken care of so we could celebrate our anniversary with no worries, starting with a pre-arranged pick-up from the Huatulco airport. We were delighted with the tranquil, intimate setting and warm welcome. The room was spotless, spacious and thoughtfully designed, with special emphasis on the balcony overlooking the ocean - furnished with a hammock and super comfy chairs. The soaps smelled so good, the bed super comfy, the AC and fan quiet and hot water in under 30 seconds. Everything worked as it should, plus the service was so|accommodating and the food was delicious with healthy options. We loved everything about Manta Raya and can’t wait to go back! Thank you for a flawless Mexican vacay!

Everyone at Manta Raya was wonderful. It is a very relaxing place. We loved being there, all we did was swim, read, and eat. The menu has lots of delicious options. Highly recommend if you want to be in a secluded location. Also they have water filters so no plastic which is a very nice amenity. Thanks for having us.

We spent a week at Manta Raya during the low season and loved it. The beach is gorgeous and mostly empty. The small boutique hotel of 7 rooms is as friendly and accommodating as we could have imagined. The staff, Fernanda and Santi, were fabulous! If you want to stare at the ocean, jump in the swimming pool, read books, take walks and feel far away from the world, this is a great vacation spot.

I spent 3 nights at Manta Raya Hotel on Salchi Beach in August (low season), and it was a unique escape for anyone seeking privacy, tranquility, and spectacular ocean views.||Location & Access||Manta Raya is extremely remote, located in a very secluded neighborhood. To reach it, you must drive or take a taxi along a 2 km bumpy, pothole-filled dirt road. Confirm road conditions with your driver in advance, as some may not be fully aware of the rough terrain.||For those who enjoy walking or exploring, steep dirt roads lead to Cuatunalco, which has a large wild beach and casual restaurants, or to Casa Mauna, a vegan restaurant just a few minutes away. Salchi is considered very safe.||Parking: Guests can park along the side of the dirt road; there is no formal parking lot.||Check-in Process||Check-in is informal and different from traditional hotels. The owner, Reto (Swiss), greeted me personally. A staff member carried my suitcase up the spiral staircase, and I was given a sheet of paper with hotel rules and what to expect.||The top floor king room:||I was upgraded to a top-floor room (4th floor by Canadian standards, 3rd floor in Mexico) via a spiral staircase, with stunning views of the beach and ocean. The staircase can be tiring, but staff are happy to help with heavy luggage.||The room is minimalist and spacious, ideal for a solo traveler or couple:||Large, firm king bed||One indoor armchair and a small low side table||Two outdoor armchairs and a modern hammock and lovely plants on the balcony||Air conditioning positioned above the bed||Blackout curtains only on the patio doors; other windows (beside the bed and in the bathroom) cannot be shaded||Shower stall with a view over the beach||No coffee maker, fridge, or other in-room amenities in the King room ||No TV or entertainment system||Towels and sheets were generally in good condition, though towels could use a boiling hot wash with bleach to remove musty smell. Clean drinking water is provided, and there is a hot and cold filtered water machine on the second floor. Insects were minimal, though a large red ant fell out of a towel on the first day.||Breakfast & Dining||Breakfast is included and features a fresh Continental spread: watermelon, pineapple, cantaloupe, papaya, small yellow bananas with yellow flesh, fresh bread, and homemade tropical fruit jams with butter, coffee, and agua fresca. The hotel makes its jams on site and even sent me home with two small jars of tropical jam as a gift. Breakfast starts later in the morning at 8:30, but staff were happy to prepare coffee soon after the kitchen opened at 7:30.||The on-site restaurant is above average and better than anything nearby, though quality can be hit or miss. Prices are moderate to high: appetizers average 200 pesos, and main courses over 300 pesos. Nice selection of beer and cocktails.||Dinner is optional. You must notify the hotel staff by early evening if you plan to eat, so they can prepare ingredients and set up the kitchen. Dinner service begins at 7:00 p.m., after dark. Mosquitoes are abundant during dinner, so bring repellent.||Facilities & Beach||Pool: Large, kidney-shaped, warm, and thoroughly cleaned every morning.||Beach: White sand, clear water, Seychelles-like rocks, usually empty. The hotel provides palapas (thatched umbrellas) and blue canvas lounge chairs reserved for guests or day pass.||Swimming: Waves are rough in August; safest near rocks on the west side. I personally did not fully swim. I used the pool.||Beach comfort: A large air mattress with fresh linens and pillow is set up daily on a gentle swing—my favorite spot to relax.||Wi-Fi||Restaurant: 39 Mbps||Top-floor bedroom: 11–13 Mbps||Air mattress on the beach: 25 Mbps||Speeds are sufficient for video calls, emails, and browsing, though the 3rd floor bedroom is slower than the beach or restaurant.||Noise & Safety||The property is very quiet. Ocean waves are faintly audible, but earplugs are completely unnecessary. Initially, I felt uneasy staying alone overnight, but the next morning staff assured me that there is always a staff member sleeping on-site, so even if the hotel seems empty, you are not alone.||Staff & Owner||Staff are friendly when you encounter them but not particularly attentive. The owner, Reto, greeted guests personally at check-in but focused on explaining the restaurant and selling dinner rather than providing ongoing attention. Solo travelers will mostly have privacy, though it would have been nice to be invited to join other guests/staff who were eating together at mealtimes.||Pets||Dogs and cats live on the property, belonging to the owner or staff, so animal lovers will enjoy their adorable presence.||Check-out & Payment||Check-out was informal. I paid the balance of my stay, restaurant charges, and tips in cash only at the very end before leaving. Because it was low season, I was allowed a late check-out at 1:00 p.m.||Booking & Payment||Booking directly with the hotel is the best way to save money—it is cheaper than third-party sites. A deposit via cash, bank transfer or PayPal is required, and the balance is paid in cash or bank transfer upon departure. No credit cards are accepted.||Practical Notes for Travelers||Transport: Rough dirt road; taxis may be unaware.||Solo vs. couples: One indoor chair; extra balcony seating compensates.||Weather: Low-season rain possible; AC above bed.||Privacy & tranquility: Very private, peaceful, and quiet. Empty virgin beach.||Insects: Minimal during the day; many mosquitoes after dark.||Pool: Warm, kidney-shaped, cleaned every morning.||Wi-Fi: Fastest in restaurant, slower in bedroom, decent on beach.||Accessibility: No elevator; spiral staircase to top floor; staff help with luggage.||Nearby attractions: Wild beaches in Cuatunalco with beach restaurants; Casa Mauna vegan restaurant.||Dinner: Must be requested by early evening; begins at 7:00 p.m.; open to the public; bring mosquito spray.||Beach shade: No natural shade; hotel palapas provided.||Ocean swimming: Waves can be rough; safer near rocks on west side.||Overnight safety: Staff always on-site; no security guard, but I felt reassured after confirmation.||Overall Impression||Manta Raya is perfect for travelers seeking solitude, breathtaking ocean views, and a tranquil beach escape. Solo travelers or couples who value natural beauty and peace over indoor luxury will love it. Expect bumpy roads, minimal indoor furnishings, moderate restaurant prices, and a remote location—but the payoff is a magical, mostly private beach, stunning views, and quiet surroundings. I will definitely return again and again! Thank you to the whole staff team.

I had been to Salchi before, and from the very first moment when I visited Hotel Manta Raya, I decided that next time, I wanted to stay there longer. And that’s exactly what I did. From the very beginning, I noticed that the hotel staff was very friendly and helpful — they respond quickly to emails and inquiries. |I really enjoyed the food. I love their coconut shrimp and the way they prepare the tuna. The hotel had a family-like atmosphere, yet every guest had their own space. I also agree with the all other reviews - the location is fantastic! |I really like this hotel and will definitely return.

Manta Raya was an unexpected delight, and exactly what I needed. I felt so nourished and held in everything it offered — its comfort, the kindness and warmth of the staff, the beauty of the environment, and the legitimately delicious food that this hotel offered. It’s a peaceful place, and the beach is gorgeous. I am looking forward to returning to this special place, if not just to eat their utterly scrumptious fresh baked bread and guava jam.

Third time we've visited. If you seek a quiet and simplistic vacation, then this is your place. With equal parts Mexican food and hospitality mixed with Swiss management and efficiency, the outcome is a relaxing, simple vacation that most seek but rarely experience. One note: the spiral stairway to the rooms can be a little challenging. Select the ground floor room if you have mobility issues. Book it, experience it, enjoy it.

My husband and 22 year old daughter stayed four nights at the Manta Raya last month, and we did not want to leave. In our travels over the years, only rarely do we find a super special, true-five-star place, and the Manta Raya is one of these places. What makes it so wonderful? The warm and friendly staff and owner, the remote and beautiful location, the outstanding food, and the super comfy and inviting room with amazing views. (And, of course, the pets!) All these are why we hope to return soon.