14 Best Hotels in Central Valley, Costa Rica

Unparalleled bird-watching within a 160-acre private nature reserve with more than 450 recorded species, plus first-class food and comfortable lodging are the reasons nature lovers from all over the world stay here. During high season, two resident bird guides are on hand to help you find sought-after hummingbirds, such as the snowcap and black-crested coquette, and more. Even if you are not a birder, the trails are excellent for hiking, and there's horseback riding up into the surrounding mountains. The two-story lodge is upscale modern, with rustic touches, as are the comfortable, separate cabins. Gourmet-quality meals (included) are served family-style in the indoor and outdoor dining rooms, both of which have beautiful views of the Turrialba Valley and volcano. Birding guides cost extra.

Lush gardens and manicured lawns surround this gorgeous, hacienda-style luxury hotel overlooking a scenic lake. From the royal palms that line the driveway to the patterned tile floors and art nouveau flourishes above the windows and doors, Casa Turire is an exercise in attention to detail. High-ceilinged guest rooms have hardwood floors, elegantly upholstered furniture, sumptuous drapes and bedcovers on the queen or king beds, and bright tiled bathrooms with tubs. Balconies look onto the lake or the beautifully landscaped pool area. The soaring plant-filled atrium is a civilized spot in which to relax after a day's adventure, or you can curl up in a leather chair in the library or try out the pool table in the sitting room with an adjoining full-service bar. The restaurant offers exquisite faux finishes and trompe l'oeil murals and serves sophisticated dinners that are surprisingly reasonably priced. The extensive breakfast buffet is excellent, too. If you hanker after even more luxury, the suites are exceptional, with Jacuzzi tubs, hydro showers, flat-screen TVs, and private terraces. The two-story master suite has a wraparound balcony. New, groomed trails around the lake offer pleasant shaded walks and bird-watching opportunities, and kayaks are available for paddling on the lake.

Set amid fields of green coffee, this exclusive, hilltop B&B hideaway has a much-deserved reputation as one of the country's sumptuous splurges. The Gaudí-esque main building has a soaring two-story atrium and white-stucco arches, set among tropical flowers and shaded by massive fig trees. Rooms are filled with interesting artistic flourishes, as well as such luxuries as Jacuzzi bathtubs and 100% bamboo sheets. The spacious two-story suite, popular with honeymooners, is out of a fairy tale: a spiral staircase with a carved-serpent handrail leads up to a romantic, window-lined tower bedroom. The sumptuous, secluded Cielo suite has its own entrance through the gardens. The owners work hard to make the hotel as eco-friendly as possible. Prix-fixe gourmet dinners are available at the chic restaurant El Tigre Vestido, but lunch on the terrace—with its spectacular view of San José down in the valley and the Escazú mountains beyond—is a better value. After a day of touring, unwind in a full-service spa. Finca Rosa Blanca offers occasional Web-only promotions.

For quiet, get-away-from-it-all seclusion, this eco-friendly lodging with six bungalows—rustic on the outside but sparkling and modern on the inside—can't be beat. The bungalows are scattered throughout the wooded property, and all contain hardwood floors, cheery furnishings, minibars, and local art accents. Two of the six units have indoor-outdoor hot showers; for two others, outdoor is the sole option, wonderfully refreshing in the heat of March and April, but a bit bracing during the cooler September–December months. Large windows in the restaurant offer superb views of the forest and a small lake. The restaurant makes use of products from the hotel's own orchard and gardens as well as meat and produce from area farmers.

Stylish luxury prevails here: king-size beds, outdoor whirlpool tubs, and luxurious fabrics grace the rooms, and many have balconies overlooking the volcano. Lounges and sitting rooms are spacious and dramatic, with soaring ceilings and walls of windows that bring the outdoors inside. Breakfasts feature homemade breads, jams, nutty granola, and fresh milk straight from the lodge's dairy herd. The main outdoor activities are birding in the surrounding gardens or hiking around the 300-acre property.

The full range of city services is at your doorstep here, but you're blissfully apart from them at this tranquil bed-and-breakfast at the quiet end of a short road. The name of the property means the "Aunts' House," which is appropriate for this yellow house with a front porch and picket fence. A few old photos of the ladies themselves complete the effect. The pastel-color rooms and furnishings feel slightly aged, but they make up for it in charm, and the large backyard and gardens give the illusion of being far from a major commercial street.

When they need to make a city run, many beach-living expats head straight for this quiet B&B on the outskirts of Escazú, and it's a good example to follow. Rooms make nice use of local hardwoods and traditional South American art, and the main building serves as a gathering place with a large sitting area, comfortable chairs, and a fireplace. The inn is surrounded by gardens, and at night you can see the lights of San José twinkling to the east, though just three of the rooms take advantage of the view. The inn is at the end of a narrow driveway with an unassuming gate, but a sign lets you know you've found the right place.

If fresh mountain air appeals to you, this upscale mountain retreat has comfortable rooms, a first-class restaurant, and spacious, glassed-in sitting areas to enjoy unbeatable volcano and valley views by day and blazing fireplaces by night. The large standard rooms are furnished with a tasteful mix of antiques and folk art, and upstairs rooms have private balconies. The new suites, in a separate two-story building, have kitchenettes and flat-screen satellite TV. Goats, chickens, and ducks on the property help supply the kitchen, which prepares a mix of creative, light tropical cuisine and heartier dishes, including duck stew and seared duck breasts. Cooking classes can be arranged with a local Costa Rican chef. Outside, there are sunny sitting areas in the garden and a path lined with orchids.

This sophisticated lodging offers dark-wood queen or king rooms in units scattered around a coffee plantation. Junior suites are the best value; they’re more spacious than standard rooms and come with a kitchenette, but don't cost much more. The ample master suites are more expansive still and come with a fireplace. Although affiliated with the restaurant of the same name, the hotel is secluded from the weekend dining crowds.

Run by a young German couple who have built a warm rapport with the community, the little lodge blends in with Orosi's pretty, old-town architecture: whitewashed walls are trimmed in blue, ceilings are high, and natural wood is used throughout. Some furnishings, such as the clay lamps in the rooms, were made by local artisans. Common areas are colorful, with paintings and sculpture by local artists. Double beds have two twin-size comforters and bamboo headboards. Second-floor rooms have views of the Orosi Valley and Irazú Volcano. A bright, spacious chalet can sleep up to five. The hip coffee shop serves home-baked cookies and cakes and brews a great cup of coffee, and Latin music usually plays from a 1960s jukebox in the lobby. The hotel is right next door to the town's main thermal swimming pool.

Perched on a hill in Escazú's Bello Horizonte neighborhood, with a great view of the city, this B&B strikes the right balance between a small inn and a tasteful private residence. The quiet, homey place draws low-key, mature travelers. The best view is from the sundeck, just off a spacious living room with a couch, a fireplace, and lots of modern art. The apartments and the two "deluxe" rooms have comparable views. Smaller "standard" rooms overlook the surrounding gardens, and aren't nearly as nice. All units have air-conditioning, though you'll likely not need it up here. The staff are extremely helpful. It's a bit hard to find, so you may want to take a taxi or call for directions.

Extremely well-informed, helpful owners and proximity to the airport (15 minutes) make this a good place to begin and end a trip, and thanks to its location on a ridge north of town, several of its rooms have views of Poás Volcano. All of them offer tranquility and abundant birdsong. The two rooms in the main house have the best views, but casitas (little houses) scattered around the large garden offer more privacy. These bright and cheery bungalows have small terraces with chairs where guests, typically well traveled, lounge. Continental breakfasts and delicious dinners (by reservation) are served on a covered terrace behind the house. Ask about their books-for-schools program.

Dramatically positioned on a hill overlooking the valley east of Turrialba, this Costa Rican–owned rustic wood lodge is a good budget option. An open-sided restaurant occupies the ground floor, above which are large rooms with multiple beds, suitable for groups. Ask for one on the west side—they have balconies with dazzling views of Turrialba and, if there are no clouds, Volcán Irazú in the distance. High-ceilinged cabins in the garden have more privacy, with sliding-glass screen doors that open onto forest or garden. There's also a fascinating orchid garden with hundreds of plants hanging from every available tree limb. The restaurant serves a small selection of authentic Costa Rican and international dishes and is famous for its homemade macadamia fudge. There is a pretty trail through the property to a waterfall.

The friendly Villa San Ignacio, with its classy Spanish-style architecture, proves that affordable does not have to equal generic. Deluxe rooms have terra-cotta tile floors and Guatemalan fabrics; those on the garden side are quieter, and worth the extra $20. A sumptuous breakfast buffet is served on the patio. The restaurant's eclectic selection ranges from straightforward Costa Rican cuisine to fun presentations like ceviche served in a half coconut, which have to be seen (and tasted) to be fully appreciated.  San Ignacio offers frequent web-only discounts.