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

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.

This beachfront hotel has everything: a spectacular beach with a major surf break; a trendy restaurant with ocean views; a round, palm-fringed pool; bungalows and rooms sprinkled throughout a mature garden; twice-daily yoga sessions on the beach; and a full-service spa. And it's smack in the heart of the liveliest section of Santa Teresa, with restaurants and bars within easy walking distance if you ever tire of the fusion food at the romantic, beachfront Shambala. At the entrance you leave the dusty noise of the main road behind and enter a quiet, dark tropical forest. The shaded garden path eventually leads you into brilliant sunlight and a panoramic beach view. When the surf’s up, you’ll see dozens of surfers riding the waves. Lodging runs the gamut of comfort and price—from superior beachfront bungalows to houses equipped with kitchens for families or groups to garden-view cabins and cheaper rooms in a triplex, close to the entrance parking area. All have Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, ceiling fans, terraces or porches, private baths, security boxes, and coffeemakers with complimentary coffee.

An oasis with luxurious rooms, this adults-only boutique hotel just off the main street feels a million miles away from the busy 9-to-5. With an enthusiastic staff, a poolside restaurant, and a beachside garden across the street, it really may be your personal paradise.

With rooms wrapping a lush garden setting—and within walking distance to one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful beaches—you get the best of both worlds at this four-star boutique hotel overlooking Playa Carrillo. Setting the scene are stone fountains and a small shop near reception, followed by garden pathways that lead to two pools, a jacuzzi, spa, and two restaurants. A 1-mile trail leads down to a crescent cove, or you can hop on the free shuttle to the beach. Sun beds, showers, restrooms, food service, and other beach amenities are available exclusively for hotel guests. This family-friendly property boasts a children’s pool, entertainment area, playground, foosball, ping pong, and other games. Among the six categories of rooms are some with kitchenettes and others with private Jacuzzis.

On the hillside above Playa Carrillo, this modern hotel has three categories of rooms, some as large as 807 square feet; despite the name, there are no bungalows nor is the property beachfront. Yet, what it lacks in branding, it makes up for in size and comfort. Even the most basic rooms have two queen beds, hammocks, and balconies with ocean views. Take it up a notch with a spacious suite equipped with a Jacuzzi on the terrace. If you want to spend less time in your room, there’s always the infinity pool, yoga studio, spa, and the beach just a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Two bars and a restaurant shake up strong drinks and serve Costa Rican-fusion cuisine, but both service and prices could use a little ironing out. If you happen to be in Monte Verde, it's worth visiting Nammbú's sister property, El Establo Hotel.

Bordered by the Ostional-Nosara Wildlife Refuge, a private path through native jungle gets you to the beach at this welcoming hotel, which has a surf school and organic restaurant on-site. Mindful of every detail, from the beautiful mosaics done by local artists that adorn the exterior to the kitchenettes in rooms and free laundry service, the Olas Verdes and its staff make you feel right at home. At this small Costa Rican hotel, you can chose from poolside rooms, beach apartments, or luxury suites that can sleep up to four guests. Regardless of the category, rooms are spacious with day beds, coffee makers, mini-refrigerators, and refillable canteens. 

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.

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.

If quiet and cool is what you are seeking, these comfortable, tastefully decorated rooms above the popular restaurant of the same name are air-conditioned and soundproofed—and they are a bargain. Since 1989, Sano Banano has been the go-to community spot in Montezuma, ever since they offered movie night long before Internet came to town. Modern bathrooms, gorgeous jungle murals on the walls, colorful bedspreads on firm beds, and breakfast in the restaurant are included. The only drawback is that most of the rooms have no windows, and some of those that do don't open. The central location and affordable rates make this the perfect hotel for travelers that want to spend time exploring. For some views and fresh air, you can walk 10 minutes along the beach to sister hotel Ylang Ylang Beach Resort, and use the beach resort’s pool and lounge on their hammocks.

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.