28 Best Hotels in Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica

Named for the blue river that flows nearby, this property on the volcano's northern slope is worth the trek to experience the resort's hot springs, mud baths, butterfly gardens, adventure tours, and spacious rustic cabins with terrace-hammocks. Most guests stay four nights to maximize a variety of activities like hiking, yoga, horseback riding, ziplining, and tubing down the majestic Río Azul. Room rates are for up to four people per cabin, each 750 square feet, with walk-in closets, queen beds, and a front porch. Guests have access to a sauna, gym, natural mud baths, and spa. The remote location, 114 km (71 miles) from the main entrance to Rincón de la Vieja National Park, means meals are limited to the hotel’s single restaurant, so you may want to bring non-perishable groceries.

The theme of this secluded, ultracomfortable hotel with a shimmering infinity pool and thin, curving beach is harmony with nature, but it's the friendly staff and outstanding service that keep this property ahead of the pack. Its owners have gone to great lengths to protect the surrounding environment, as the abundant wildlife on its 25 acres of protected forest attests. Spacious one- and two-bedroom suites, with high ceilings, stylish contemporary furniture, and private terraces with idyllic sea views, are great for couples and families (kids under 12 stay free). For extra privacy, choose an upper suite, which has two terraces, rather than a ground-floor one. If you like serenity and want to spend a little less on lodging, opt for a standard room in one of the duplexes scattered through the hilly garden, but expect minimal amenities. Each room is decorated in earth tones, with elegant wicker furniture, a wooden door with a hand-carved local bird or animal, and a veranda with a garden or ocean view (some of the best ocean views are from Suites 19, 21, and 22). The open-air rotunda restaurant serves good seafood dishes, and there's happy hour Friday and Saturday from 5 to 7. The hotel's recycling, energy and water conservation, and community-service programs are exemplary, earning it four leaves in the national sustainability program.

You may never want to leave this tranquil oasis of luxury villas hidden behind scrolled white-and-orange walls, where the architecture is Mexican but the style is all Italian. Ocher-washed villas with hammocks and dining tables on their front porches circle an exuberant garden and pool with a cool waterfall. A pool bar, spa, and sauna make it easy to drink, rest, detox, and repeat. Rooms have state-of-the-art kitchens, and you can dine alfresco at a long wooden table on your own tiled terrazza. All the comforts of a luxury home (king-size bed, cable TV, Wi-Fi) are here, just across the street from the beach. A Mediterranean restaurant (closed Tues.) serves meals beneath a Spanish-tile roof by the pool. There is also a five-bedroom, five-bath house for rent next door with its own garden and pool, plus two other large houses to rent in Sámara Rocks, a private complex 1½ km (1 mile) east of Sámara.

Snagging the best spot on the beach, Bahía del Sol has a gorgeous beachfront pool and comfortable rooms built around a garden of tropical shrubs and towering trees. Spacious rooms with contemporary furnishings and fabrics open onto a portico with chairs, hammocks, and views of the garden, which has botanical labels to help you identify plants. Deluxe suites also have a back patio with a Jacuzzi hemmed by greenery; the King Sun suite is the only one with a bay view. Spacious one- and two-bedroom suites also have large kitchens and comfortable living rooms, great for families. At the restaurant, smartly uniformed waiters serve jumbo shrimp, lobster, fresh fish, and various meat dishes prepared in an eclectic mix of culinary styles. Seating is under a massive thatch roof or at several shaded tables on the immaculate lawn overlooking the ocean. There's also a full spa, free yoga, and theme nights with live music on the beach. The service and commitment to the environment match the unbeatable surroundings, earning the hotel five leaves in the national sustainability program. Staff are also active in the local community, promoting recycling and beach clean-ups, and teaching English to local children.

The spacious villas and bungalows on this 570-acre ranch are lovely, and the room rate includes access to their hot springs, mud baths, and a Costa Rican breakfast. The villas, overlooking lawns shaded by tropical trees on the volcano's windy west slope, have high wooden ceilings, large porches, and plenty of amenities. Elegant deluxe bungalows have king-size canopy beds, and the suites have Jacuzzi tubs. Though 60 minutes from the park entrance, the property holds most of the same natural attractions, including three waterfalls and patches of forest with monkeys, parrots, deer, and other wildlife. Along with volcanic mud baths and hot springs, the spa has a wooden sauna heated by steam from a fumarole (there's a slight sulfur odor near the mineral baths). Sunset views from the large pool are usually spectacular. Activities include hiking, horseback riding, ATV trips, a canopy tour, and a trip to the park in a Land Rover followed by a hike. The rooms are separated from the restaurant and spa by steep climbs, but the staff can transport you in a golf cart. It's worth staying at least three days to experience the activities and natural attractions, but be sure to factor in the cost of meals (roughly $20 per entrée) since there are no other dining options nearby.

Beautiful views abound at this truly Costa Rican ecolodge, with rustic hacienda-style rooms and plenty of cultural activities. Be sure to visit the hot springs, which are among the best in the area and seem to go on forever, and take advantage of the mountain waterslide, along with the rest of the adventure tours.

Frequented mainly by surfers, this is a good option for anyone seeking easy beach access, relative solitude, and comfortable, if not fancy, lodging. The hotel's spacious glass-and-stone bungalows are scattered across a leafy property behind Playa Avellanas, which guests reach via an elevated boardwalk through a protected mangrove estuary. Each cabin has a queen bed and a single bed, high wooden ceiling, and covered terrace with a hammock. Eight cabins now have air-conditioning, and although four do not, their high ceilings, shady location, ceiling fans, and good cross-ventilation keep the rooms cool at night. Solar panels provide hot water. Monkeys, iguanas, and other critters mill about the extensive, forested grounds. The restaurant, under the shade of a giant guanacaste tree, serves a selection of Costa Rican and Continental cuisine at reasonable prices ($$) for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There's also a playground and game room with a Ping-Pong table and other games.

This "boho chic" boutique hotel is charming, close to the beach, and a good value. The simple, modern rooms have built-in platform beds while the suites have freestanding king-size beds, all with comfortable mattresses, high ceilings, large windows, air conditioning, reliable Wi-Fi, and a minifridge. There is an inviting terrace for guests to relax upstairs and an L-shaped pool and enticing restaurant downstairs. The staff is friendly and welcoming.

One of the best values in the Rincón area for hair-raising adventure and nature tours, this hotel also gets top billing for its comfortable rooms, excellent restaurant, and friendly service. The 3,706-acre working ranch is famous for its horses—more than 100 of them. Rugged ranch hands swagger around, giving the place a real cowboy flavor. Guachipelín is also famous for its wildlife and the nature trails that wind throughout this vast, partially forested property; they lead to several scenic waterfalls, hot springs, and mud baths. Older rooms are comfortable and homey, with screened windows to let in cool mountain air. Try to get a room between Nos. 32 and 39, all of which have volcano views from their front terrace. The newer rooms (Nos. 32 and up) are larger and very elegantly furnished, arranged around a garden with towering trees and a gaggle of geese. All rooms have air-conditioning, but you rarely need it here. Avoid Rooms 24 to 31, right beside the corral, unless you enjoy the aroma of horses. Rooms 10 to 23 are closest to the pool. Hearty buffet and à la carte meals feature authentic touches, such as hand-rolled breakfast tortillas made on the spot, and beef and dairy products fresh from the hacienda's own herd. The pleasant open-air restaurant has valley views by day, and a marimba band plays softly at dinner. The hotel's spa offers an array of treatments, from mud wraps to massages.

Comfortable and convenient, especially if you're catching an early-morning flight or you need a break from driving before heading south to the beach, this five-story contemporary Hilton has all the mod cons, including Wi-Fi, HDTVs, microwaves, and refrigerators. Best of all are the beds with pressure-adjustable mattresses. There is also a large swimming pool, gym, laundry facilities, and a free business center. Their main restaurant serves an eclectic menu of watermelon gazpacho, tuna tartare with cassava chips, bourbon pork ribs, chicken in mango sauce, and typical casados to remind you that you're in Costa Rica. With all the international flights in and out of Liberia, the hotel can quickly fill its 169 rooms in high season, which means you're likely to hear English and conversations about golf near the bar. The hotel has embraced energy conservation and earned three leaves on the national sustainability scale. There are eight accessible rooms available.

The best bargain in town, this long-established family hotel offers two-bedroom garden villas surrounding a central pool, as well as a two-story annex with 16 spacious rooms. The annex sits in a quiet corner of the large, lush garden; its no-frills rooms have two double beds, small refrigerators, cable TV, and air-conditioning. Two ground-floor rooms are wheelchair accessible. If you're willing to cook for yourself, the pleasantly furnished villas can accommodate up to six. Be prepared for the sound of kids playing in the pool and garden. The walk to the beach is about five minutes, and there are nearby restaurants and a supermarket. The entire property is gated, including an enclosed parking lot, adding an element of security.

At the eastern edge of the estuary in the Palm Beach Estates gated community, this pleasant hotel (the name means "Happy Happy") has its own landing for ferrying guests and restaurant patrons the 1 km (½ mile) to and from Tamarindo. The hotel forms a 45-degree angle to the curvy pool bordered by a garden. Decorated with native art and pottery, rooms have king-size beds and high ceilings, and open onto a portico with wicker rocking chairs. They don't offer a lot of privacy, but the rooms, painted in brilliant colors, have orthopedic mattresses, cable TVs, coffeemakers, mini-refrigerators, and other upscale amenities. Included in the rate is a made-to-order breakfast ranging from French toast and banana pancakes to eggs Benedict and custom omelets. They can arrange a two-hour boat tour of the estuary, or rentals of nearby houses. The menu at the alfresco Great Waltini's Restaurant & Bar reads like that of a U.S.-style eatery: seafood enchiladas, peel-and-eat shrimp, pork chop, filet mignon, and New York strip steak. They have good fresh seafood specials. Save room for the homemade tres leches dessert or the Philly-style cheesecake. The bar is very popular, especially during U.S. football broadcasts.

Spread across a hill a few blocks from the beach, this hotel has refreshed rooms and villas with ocean, pool, and garden views. True to its name, rooms with a/c are scattered around a lush garden populated with bright-red ginger flowers and faux-stone indigenous sculptures. Teak paneling and furniture, stained-glass pictorial panels, and terraces with hammocks give this hotel style as well as comfort. If you don't mind the climb, ask for an upper room and you'll get a better view. There's no formal breakfast, but coffee, tea, fruit, and cookies are laid out in the reception area each morning. There's also Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.

This laid-back hotel is right on the beach, and, though nothing fancy, it has comfortable rooms and is an excellent option if you're watching your expenses. The palm-shaded, open-air bar and restaurant is often hopping with local expats and visitors exchanging fishing, boating, and real estate stories. Rooms have tropical decor with terra-cotta tiles, bamboo furniture, and large windows. Those on the second floor are nicer, with high, sloping wooden ceilings. Only two rooms (Nos. 211 and 212) have ocean views, but you're likely to spend plenty of your time in one of the many chairs and hammocks overlooking the beach—some are a shell's toss from the surf at high tide. The hotel runs daily snorkeling and sunset cruises on its own handsome 38-foot sailboat. In the restaurant, jumbo shrimp and always-fresh mahimahi are fixtures. Come on Wednesday or Saturday for beach barbecues. Drinks are two-for-one every day during happy hour, 4 to 6 pm.

This eco-conscious hotel in the heart of town has two small swimming pools surrounded by greenery and brilliant bougainvillea, which gives the property a Mediterranean look. The terraces of the back rooms overlook a curvaceous blue pool surrounded by tropical plants; newer rooms with terraces look out onto the other turquoise pool in a grassy space with lounge chairs. The quietest rooms are Nos. 15 to 19, because they don't get any road noise. The rooms have light bamboo furniture, Guatemalan wall hangings, and hand-painted bathroom tiles. The hotel's Italian restaurant is one of the best in town. The main drawback here is noise from the restaurant and the street, which is why roadside rooms should be avoided; ask for a room overlooking the second pool. A small breakfast is included in the room rate and hungrier guests can order more from a menu.

With a prime location on the beach, this place is perfect for surfers, nature lovers, and sun worshippers with a range of budgets. The name, which means "the turtles," is no accident; this hotel was designed with turtles in mind. Owner-conservationist Louis Wilson made sure that room and restaurant lights don't shine on the beach, because light disorients the turtles. Rooms are spacious, with good beds, stone floors, terraces, balconies, and colorful tile bathrooms. Las Tortugas accommodates all budgets, with options ranging from spacious suites to economical dorm-style rooms in an annex at the back of the grounds, which we don't recommend unless you want to rough it. They also offer an array of apartments up the hill, some with kitchenettes, that rent by the night, week, or month. All of this adds up to the best value in Playa Grande, and one of the best deals on the Pacific coast. The main surf break is just to the south of the hotel, and turtle tours start at the ranger station next door. Rip currents are a danger on the beach here, which is why many guests prefer the pool shaped like a leatherback turtle (the turtle's head is the kiddie pool). A palm-lined entrance and lush gardens slung with hammocks round out the grounds' appeal. The restaurant serves a good selection of fresh seafood and grilled meat dishes; a beach snack bar has Caribbean-style food and tacos.

The rhythmic sounds of the nearby ocean make these affordable octagonal wood bungalows spread across a shady, green mango grove the perfect place to practice yoga or just relax. Hammocks and traditional tico rocking chairs furnish the wraparound decks on each cozy cabin. Ceiling and floor fans, plus screened windows and a high conical roof, help keep them cool. Less attractive, though cheaper ($35–$75), are rooms in the two-story orange-and-blue building by the road. Here you’ll find verandas and rocking chairs facing the sea. Four of the second-floor rooms share baths, for less than half the price. The large, secluded, scenic pool with a waterfall overlooks the ocean. Memorable daily yoga classes ($14) are given in a huge, covered open-air pavilion. One-hour yoga classes are held on Friday at 6:30 (by donation).

Opened in 2022, this beachfront hotel gave Samara the boutique boost it needed with a courtyard setting offering a bit of intimacy, yet close enough to the Costa Rican action. After a day in the surf, the outdoor shower and small pool are a great way to wash away the salt, or you can lounge in the sand on the private day beds. In bustling Samara, the security and parking are a welcomed bonus, as is the large breakfast included in the reasonable room rate. Although basic, most rooms have a/c and Wi-Fi, and even a full kitchen when booking one of the two apartments.

Built around a tropical garden, this pretty collection of bungalows is clean and comfortable, making this laid-back spot a great option for families. There are orthopedic mattresses, air-conditioning, and ceiling fans, with screened windows if you prefer fresh air at night. Some rooms are rather dark, but the patios with hammocks and the lovely pool offer bright alternatives by day. This is one of the few hotels built around a tropical garden; guests are welcome to pick bananas poolside. Their popular bar Monkey La-La has a happy hour from 4 to 6, and live music on Monday and Saturday. 

Pastel-color, round cabinas are sprinkled across sunny lawns strewn with tropical plants at this gorgeous oceanfront place with a huge round pool. Each bungalow has curvy tile bathrooms plus built-in, molded-concrete sofas with soft cushions that can double as extra beds. There's no air-conditioning in three of the rooms, but conical thatch roofs keep the cabinas cool. The larger suite-bungalows do have air-conditioning, as well as a king-size bed and two singles, plus a refrigerators, coffeemaker, and a large wooden deck with hammocks. Ocean tidal pools, swimming holes, and rock reefs provide plenty of opportunities for lazy afternoon exploration. This is great for surfers, with a surf shop and good break right in front of the hotel. The round restaurant serves typical food with a few Continental dishes under a giant thatch roof. Hotel staff can arrange canopy and horseback tours. Surf packages are also available. During rainy season, it is highly recommended to have 4WD to reach this property.

Less than a five-minute saunter to the sea, this Spanish colonial adults-only hotel has clean, modern rooms that surround a pool. There's a beer garden and restaurant, yoga classes, and activities like movie night, so there are plenty of opportunities to make friends. The rooms are a bit bare-bones, but there is good Wi-Fi and air conditioning.

The most comfortable way to experience the birds and wildlife of the Tempisque wetlands is to roost at this eco-boutique hotel, a luxurious version of a traditional hacienda, set in a private reserve directly across from Palo Verde National Park. Rooms and suites in the handsome, modern ranch are startlingly modern, combining a stark, Mondrian palette of red, black, and cream with an interesting mix of contemporary furniture, antiques, local collectibles, and large-scale wildlife paintings. You can take a guided tour along earthen dikes through a spectacular wetland, teeming with raptors and aquatic birds, along with crocodiles, wild boar, and deer (included with the price of the room). Beds and linens are top drawer, and bathrooms are spacious and sleek, with vessel sinks and rainforest shower heads. All rooms have air-conditioning and huge picture windows with screens, and most have private decks. There's a large deck with a curvaceous pool featuring a mosaic of a jabirú, the red-necked stork that serious birders hope to see here. Staff are a little shy but very accommodating. Meals, included in the rate along with the wetlands tour, aim at sophistication but aren't quite there yet. The feast for your eyes is the main event here; be sure to bring binoculars and cameras.

Tranquil, comfortable, and nicely priced, this small hotel and spa a short walk from the beach is consistently the best deal in Malpaís. Red-tile-roof bungalows here are simple yet tasteful, with high wooden ceilings, large bathrooms, lots of windows, front terraces, Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning. Some bungalows, arranged in a semicircle around the large amoeba-shape pool and gardens, have views of the sea and the jungle. Two smaller rooms are a bargain, or there's a kitchen-equipped studio that sleeps four. The reasonably priced Italian restaurant in front of the property is open for breakfast and dinner and serves more than two-dozen types of pizza (you can also design your own) plus tapas. There are also fresh fish dishes with a selection of sauces, and tasty pasta offerings such as farfalle with fish and shrimp curry sauce. There's a pleasant yoga deck and best of all, the hotel fronts a paved road, so there are no clouds of dust to contend with, and you can actually hear birds singing.

One of the few hotels right on the beach, this small inn has lofty, breezy bungalows with air-conditioned bedrooms perfect for folks who love the open air and looking down on the beach action. Guests climb up wood stairs to the separate "tree house" cabins, each set on tree-trunk pillars with hammocks slung between at ground level, plus a table and two beach chairs and a barbecue grill set out on small patches of grass. Each cabina has a kitchenette, ceiling fan, and unscreened wall-size window to let in as much sea air as possible. Mosquito nets over the beds protect from any unwanted visitors at night. Two ground-floor cabinas by the pool and Jacuzzi have air-conditioning. There's a bar by the pool and breakfast is served at nearby tables shaded by a thatched roof. There's safe parking for six cars.

Located 25 km (15½ miles) northeast of La Cruz, this remote eco-estate is made up of four hillside bungalows with stunning volcano views and a backdrop of Lake Nicaragua. Built on stilts, each wooden bungalow on this working organic farm has a private balcony where early risers are greeted by hummingbirds, toucans, and monkeys. Owners Adrien and Fahimeh make you feel like part of the family. Rattan furnishings decorate spacious rooms, complete with wooden showers, quality linens, and organic soaps. All bungalows have either two or three bedrooms and can accommodate between five and seven people. Guests are welcome to experience life on the farm during one of their workshops, ranging from milking cows to tilling fields. Despite the bumpy road, half the fun is getting here since the owners will gladly transport guests in a 4WD vehicle, on horseback, or in an oxcart from La Cruz free of charge. A variety of unique tours and activities are offered including archery, night hikes, a hike to waterfalls, and more. Considering the remote location and delicious food, it's a good idea to request the full-board option, with breakfast, lunch, a three-course dinner, and half-day activity with a nature guide for $99 per person per day.

Although most travelers visit this out-of-the-way spot for its famed French restaurant by the same name, Deevena is equally gaining renown for its hospitable staff and elegant rooms that surround a pool. Under exposed-beam ceilings, king-size beds rest on polished cement floors with L-shape lounges large enough for two extra beds on request. Double glass doors open onto front patios with Adirondack chairs overlooking a saltwater pool. Outdoor showers add a touch of luxury, as do the welcome cocktails, in-room massages (by reservation), and gourmet meals prepared by chef Patrick Jamon. Rates are reasonable, and service is outstanding at this family-run hotel named for the child the owners have sponsored for years. Rooms are void of TVs, so bring a book and prepare to unplug.

Although the handsome garden restaurant is the main attraction at this elegant hotel, the spacious rooms and well-equipped villas are quite comfortable, too, and the hotel is about a block from the beach. Rooms have beamed ceilings, terra-cotta floors, comfortable mattresses, and tropical color schemes. The smaller Standard rooms around the small pool are a good deal, and they open onto small terraces with chairs. The larger Superiors above the restaurant sleep more people, but if you need more room, you're better off springing for a one- or two-bedroom suite in the buildings across the street. They have kitchenettes, large balconies or terraces, and are steps from a larger pool. The restaurant has excellent food, including filet mignon with a brandy-and-peppercorn sauce, perfectly cooked mahimahi, and garlicky butterfly shrimp. Service is polished but the atmosphere is not stuffy, especially when there's live music in high season.