250 Best Hotels in Costa Rica

You cannot get more centrally located than this grande dame of San José lodgings, the first choice among travelers who want to be where the action is. A formal dining room and grand piano on the top floor evoke the hotel's 1930s heyday (there's piano music 12:30–2:30 and 6–8 pm daily). Rooms are large, bright, and amazingly modern. (They do not reflect the building's almost century-old history.) But for a hotel that, quite frankly, was showing its age, the renovation is a winner.

Spread across a breezy hill with expansive views above the treetops of the surrounding forest and the sea, the Guacamaya is a real find, with affordable, spacious cabinas surrounding a generous-sized pool, lawn, and tropical plants. The large restaurant shaded by a conical thatched roof serves excellent continental cuisine, including such Swiss specialties as rösti (hash browns with bacon and cheese) and Zürcher Geschnetzeltes (beef medallions and mushrooms in a creamy sauce), various pastas, fresh seafood dishes, and a good salad selection. Meals come with deliciously dense homemade bread. The spacious bungalows with plenty of windows and small terraces are a real deal and the most charming of rooms. Screened windows let in the cooling evening breezes, so you probably won't need the quiet air-conditioners in each room. Well-equipped studios in a two-story building have kitchenettes, big bathrooms, and covered porches; those on the second floor are more spacious and have better views. The modern villa, with a full kitchen and a large covered veranda, is perfect for rental by families. There's also a kids' pool and a playground, as well as tennis and volleyball courts. The place fills up fast with Swiss tour groups, so book early.

Nestled among 13½ acres of rolling hills nearly 3 km (2 miles) from town, luxury tree houses have wraparound decks, driftwood headboards, tree-stump nightstands, waterfall showers, and skylight ceilings, ultimately fading the line between nature and decor. Each unit is unique in design, but all are built of wood, stone, and glass and have minibars, lounge areas, and private entrances. The spacious two-bedroom Rivendell tree house looks more like a two-story chalet cupped in the branches. Eden has an indoor Jacuzzi, and Neverland—built over a koi pond—has floor-to-ceiling windows with views over the hills to the Gulf of Nicoya. Breakfast and tea are served in a lovely solarium in the main house, which also has two standard guest rooms. The rules here are simple: no shoes in the house, no working during your stay, and dessert is served before dinner promptly at 5 (the coconut flan is to die for). The property's views are among Monteverde’s best, and there are plenty of quiet spots for reflection and a network of hiking trails.

This U.S. chain manages to provide all the modern amenities of its well-known brand while incorporating local touches. The lobby sits on the 13th floor of a west-side office building. (The doorman at the entrance will show you the way up.) The sleek modern lobby with polished floors, dark woods, chrome, and modern Costa Rican art, gives way to homey rooms with subdued colors, plush mattresses, and mini-refrigerators. The floor-to-ceiling windows in each room afford great views to the mountains south or north of the city. You can relax in a pool here, too, a rarity among city hotels.

In a country of low-slung buildings, this 31-story skyscraper hotel—it’s Costa Rica’s tallest building—stands out as a veritable Manhattan on La Sabana park. Don’t confuse this place with the similarly named Hilton Garden Inn San José La Sabana—also nice—just two blocks away. From the minute the elevator whisks you up to the 18th-floor lobby, you see this hotel has upped the gleam quotient quite a bit. There isn’t much in the way of local flavor here, but the starkly modern tan-and-white décor sparkles. Ceiling-to-floor windows offer stupendous views, north and south toward the mountains, with south rooms looking directly down into the National Stadium below. (Who needs to buy a soccer ticket?)

This upscale, five-star boutique hotel has carefully curated an unparalleled property with a Caribbean vibe splashed with design, art, and comfort. It's a tropical hideaway with direct beach access and a variety of accommodations including luxury bungalows, themed suites, and a two-story Caribbean house. This masterpiece is the brainchild of mother-daughter duo, Elizabeth (an artist from San Jose) and Elena Steinvorth who fell in love with Puerto Viejo in 1992 and never looked back. From paintings and murals to furniture and mosaics, nearly every splash of color and décor is a work of art by the talented owners. They share their creativity in the form of style and cuisine including the two restaurants, DaLime Beach Club and Papaya. Additional perks include complimentary snorkeling gear, bike rental, and yoga sessions. All rooms are furnished with a/c.

Inspired by the owners' years in Austria, two spacious chalets built into a hillside command expansive views of the Gulf of Nicoya and the hilly peninsula, and contain elegant, airy, and downright regal rooms—all with balconies, minibars, polished woods, and plush white duvets. Decor is clean and tailored, and service is impeccable, lending a sense of old-world charm reminiscent of a mountaineer's version of the Ritz. Rooms in the Main Building, where you'll find the lobby and restaurant, are on the small side but are more affordable; those in the Chalet Building are larger and have outdoor showers or Jacuzzi tubs. Splurge on one of the spacious suites with panoramic sunset views, spa-like bathrooms, and expansive private terraces featuring soaking tubs and swinging daybeds.  On the ground floor of the Chalet Building you'll find a boutique, juice bar, and yoga studio. Food served in their restaurant Celajes is prepared with ingredients from the greenhouse. A trail from the main building leads to a microbrewery, Jacuzzi, and natural spring for swimming on warmer days. For a fee, you can opt for such pampering perks as picnic lunches, spa treatments, breakfast in bed, and private in-room dinners.

This beachfront hotel on the southern end of Playa Hermosa features luxurious rooms and suites on a beautiful, spacious property shaded by century-old vine-draped trees. The most popular activity here is lounging on the beach, but floating in the blue-tile pool surrounded by lush landscaping is a close second. You can also rent kayaks for paddling in the sea. Flashes of sunlit ocean, just a few barefoot steps away, periodically penetrate the cool greenery, and now and then an iguana, bird, or monkey rustles the foliage above. Garden-view suites in two-story buildings are mostly wood and glass, with sitting rooms and balconies or terraces. Ocean-view deluxe suites are the most sought after, with Jacuzzis, plasma TVs, and sofa beds. Teak and marble feature prominently in the upscale decor, and all the rooms have refrigerators. A huge penthouse suite above the restaurant is over-the-top luxurious. The vast, open-air Niromi Restaurant is practically on the beach, with an ambitious, modern menu (from $20) that focuses on fresh fish and seafood, and beef tenderloin raised on the owner's ranch. There's also a breezy upstairs bar lounge.

The European owners of this small east-side lodging have instilled a standard for attentive service in their staff and the result is a devoted return clientele, mostly from Europe. The pleasant public areas contain lots of greenery and a swimming pool. Good-size rooms are bright and airy. Some of the front-facing rooms get a bit of street noise, but overall this is a quiet neighborhood. The highly acclaimed Jürgen's restaurant next door is under the same ownership. When asking for directions, remember that jade is pronounced HAH-day in Spanish.

Nature, tranquility, luxury, and an unbeatably beautiful beach setting make this environmentally conscious boutique hotel the most elegant choice in town. Nestled in a tiny forest between Playa Tamarindo and Playa Langosta, the hotel offers a variety of room types. Balcony rooms surround a large, curvaceous pool shaded by native trees and greenery. If there's ever been a place to splurge, it's on Room 75, with stunning hardwood floors, a private balcony, and a linen-draped canopy bed that looks onto the sea. Enclosed by walls of glass, the airy bungalows have Jacuzzi tubs, outdoor showers, and sunken lounge areas. Second-floor rooms in the main building have high, angled ceilings and lots of screens, offering an ocean breeze as an alternative to air-conditioning (which the rooms do have). Lower rooms are smaller and a little darker, with terraces edging the lush garden, which is visited by iguanas, raccoons, howler monkeys, and birds. A beautifully decorated and romantically illuminated terrace restaurant, overlooking the pool and beach, serves upscale, contemporary cuisine and hosts beach barbecues (December 21–May) with live marimba music every Wednesday and Friday night.

Two wooden houses have been converted into one of the city's most charming inns, decorated throughout with old photos of the capital and paintings by local artists; head up to your room for the old coffee-plantation feel for which the hotel is known. Each room is different, and although you can't go wrong with any of them, those in the older, 20th-century house are the nicest, especially the Garden Suite, with hardwood floors, high ceilings, and a private garden. Public areas have a glitzy elegance. The sumptuous restaurant, run by a French-trained chef, wraps around a lovely indoor patio and bromeliad-filled gardens, and has become one of the capital's premier dining venues. The hotel's sundeck has a view of both the city and the far-off volcanoes. It all combines to make this our favorite lodging option in the city.

A peaceful retreat just five minutes outside bustling Jacó, this all-suites hotel is surrounded by lush rainforest and has tastefully decorated rooms with fully equipped kitchens and patios overlooking the pool, mountains, and gardens. Named after Costa Rica’s famous poisonous "blue jeans" frog, the solar-powered property has five rooms on a private second floor, and five rooms on the ground floor that open onto a two-tier swimming pool. Spacious rooms sleep five with two queen-size beds and one twin. An additional six suites are separate from the main building and cater to couples with private Jacuzzis. Although there’s no restaurant, the hotel serves a full Costa Rican breakfast and has an arrangement with local eateries for food delivery. Management can organize a variety of tours and activities, and to soothe your tired muscles, there’s an on-site spa offering massages, wraps, facials, and aromatherapy. Bikes, games, books, and a small store are a bonus for guests. 

Overlooking the ocean from a forested ridge, this secluded and sublime Marriott property is luxury incarnate, with villas, casitas, suites, and spacious rooms sprinkled around the bougainvillea-bedecked hillside. King-size beds have rough-hewn wooden bedposts, and bathrooms are tiled, with deep tubs and mosaic detailing. Casitas and suites have their own private plunge pools or outdoor whirlpools and private gardens with a hammock, one of the main attractions for the many honeymooners. A massive thatch palapa, supported by tree-trunk pillars, covers the main restaurant, which opens onto an adults-only infinity pool with an endless ocean view and a swim-up bar. Breakfasts are excellent, as are lunches down at the breezy Beach Club, with its own oceanfront swimming pool. The food at the flagship Alma Restaurant, though good, still doesn't reach the heights you would expect here. If you overdo it with the activities, stop by the tranquil garden spa for massage treatments using local herbs. The hotel encourages creativity through art classes, and the Punta Islita art village.

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.

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.

If a long stretch of deserted beach with macaws flying overhead in the kapok trees is your idea of heaven, check out this idyllic lodge with casitas and upscale club rooms set in a botanical garden. Casitas are elegantly furnished in bamboo, with thoughtful touches like Egyptian-cotton sheets and a raft of candles for romantic evenings. Pebble-lined showers have plenty of hot water and excellent water pressure. Eight modern but smallish rooms above the lodge's separate restaurant, are more affordable than the casitas, and have detailing such as travertine showers and outdoor porches. The gentle Golfo Dulce waters are perfect for swimming, sea-kayaking, and boogie boarding, and there's a 65-foot lap pool and Jacuzzi surrounded by gardens and forest. A tennis court, yoga studio, and ceramic studio round out the amenities. Their spa with excellent massages can help melt away the stress. Extravagant dinners, with exotic foods reflecting the owners' worldwide travels, are served at the Pearl of the Osa Restaurant on the property. Breakfasts may include mango scones and homemade granola chock-full of walnuts and cranberries. Macaws and toucans, and mammals aplenty—such as monkeys, sloths, tayras, frogs, and tapers—often wander through the 11-acre property.

Tucked into the mountainside, the main lodge with the restaurant and bar has a decidedly sophisticated feel, with spectacular views of the Pacific in the distance. Two-story suites are spacious, simple, and beautifully appointed. In addition to the main lodge, there are stand-alone bungalows, including a family suite with three bedrooms and two baths. The attentive staff is like that of a much pricier place, doting on you, knowing your likes, and helping with every last detail. Don't miss sunset happy hour with expertly crafted cocktails, or the restaurant with meals well suited to the epicure. Entrance to the Agouti Reserve with a 4 km (2½ miles) nature hike is included with your stay.

Stunning contemporary design, high-tech comforts, and a lofty location overlooking the Pacific combine to set a whole new standard of luxury at this adults-only property. Garden walkways lead to spacious villas, where architect and owner Martin Wells has pulled out all the stops: glass-walled showers for two, innovative stone double sinks, sliding teak doors leading to an exquisite walk-in closet, and glass flooring. Boxy white sofas and chairs and a floating king-size bed, piled high with pillows and a puffy duvet, invite relaxation. Creature comforts include exotic teas, a stocked mini-bar, and a Nespresso machine. Other requests, including room service and tours, are a tap away, accessible via personal iPads—even laundry service and beach transport are included. An exquisite saltwater infinity pool surrounded by an elegant terrace restaurant and chic bar and lounge establishes the sophisticated tone in the main lodge. Meanwhile, at the restaurant, from breakfast to dinner, every dish is delectable as well as beautifully plated. Returning from dinner, you'll find your villa romantically staged, with drapes drawn, candles flickering, and a red glow emanating from under the bed. The spa is an experience not to be missed.  You'll feel worlds away from civilization, but a brief shuttle trip can transport you to the "whale's tail" upon request.

The best view in town—a sweeping panorama of verdant hills, the aquamarine ocean, and offshore islands—is the claim to fame for this array of spacious rooms tucked between the jungle and gardens ablaze with colorful flowers. The four-story main building holds the lobby and restaurant, above which are three floors of ocean-view rooms reached by external spiraling stairways or an elevator. Other ocean-view rooms are in buildings clinging to the hillside. The sundeck and infinity pool are lovely, and you can cling to the edge and watch wildlife from the water. Transportation is provided to and from the beach, four times a day. From the ultimate in romance, request honeymoon suite #4 with a private Jacuzzi. Regardless of where you stay, every room has an ocean view other than the four economy rooms near the parking area.

Sweeping ocean views, impeccably appointed accommodations, and lots of tropical-foliage privacy make this lodge the area's most romantic option. Planted in an exquisite jungle garden on a ridge jutting into the Pacific, the elegant, spacious wooden ranchos (small houses), placed strategically for total privacy, have bedroom lofts, spiffy bathrooms, and large, breezy porches with wicker furniture. Interiors are enlivened with local artisan touches. All accommodations here have air-conditioning, purified water, and a balcony with a hammock to sway away your cares. Nos. 1 and 3, aptly called "sunset ranchos," have the best sea views. Four superior rooms in a shared building are spacious and luxurious, with king-size beds, jungle, garden, and ocean views. Room D has a wraparound deck overlooking an expanse of jungle, delighting bird-watchers. Service here is personal, enthusiastic, and polished. Take a dip in the small pool, or head down the hill to Playa Cocolito, a gem of a beach. Diving trips and certification courses, river kayaking, and nature tours with private guides are among the activities. The fan-cooled restaurant serves excellent tropical fare, and there's always afternoon tea and home-baked treats—the carrot cake is a standout. Sophisticated, four-course dinners—with vegetarian options—are served at a long communal table, giving guests a chance to meet and share experiences. Red or white wine (or beer) is poured at dinner. Wi-Fi is available in the main lodge and in cabin "A" closest to the Club House. There's a three-night minimum stay, a package that includes all meals and two tours. 

The world-famous Playa Pavones surf break is a 15-minute walk from La Ponderosa, the area's only beach resort and several cuts above the usual surfer hangout, with accommodations verging on luxurious. Fresh, bright rooms have high-end mattresses dressed in crisp white linens and gleaming tiled bathrooms, air-conditioning, small refrigerators, flat-screen TVs, and Wi-Fi. Two of the seven spacious suites also have screened-in porches overlooking the sea. A large, two-bedroom villa with kitchen is also available for about double the price of a standard suite. If you're not into surfing, there are magnificent gardens loaded with birds and plants. On-site massages can be arranged. A swimmable beach is within walking distance. For rainy days, there's a large game room with Ping-Pong, darts, and a book exchange. In addition to surfboard and bike rental, there's a tranquil swimming pool set in an enchanting garden with an ocean view. Breakfast is not included in the price, but optional meal plans cover two or three meals.

This intimate adults-only inn is the place to be for honeymooning couples to get away from it all, or for stressed-out high achievers in need of some serious relaxation therapy. Rooms, with queen- or king-size beds, are elegant and comfortable, opening out onto a large pool with expansive views to the faraway ocean. The Eros honeymoon suite has a private terrace and Roman tub. But the main draw here is the spa, built into the side of a mountain and staffed by a team of professional therapists, offering such treatments as volcanic mud wraps, honey-cucumber-lime facials, papaya body polishes, and relaxing massages. Day spa packages are available for nonguests with gourmet lunch included. Guests staying in suites can take a free shuttle into Tamarindo, a bumpy 14-km (8½-mile) ride away, to hang out on the beach and experience the local dining scene. Other perks include cooking classes, an outdoor gym, international calls, transportation to Tamarindo, and laundry service. Early-morning yoga classes and hikes around the steep 70-acre property keep you active.

Perched on a sublime mountaintop overlooking rainforest and ocean, this is the quintessential yoga retreat, though it's universally enjoyed for its remoteness and proximity to wildlife. Accommodations range from private bungalows with showers and decks to platform tents. Romantic, round bungalows in the garden, have thatched roofs, garden showers, and decks for relaxing in wood-and-leather rocking chairs, while three deluxe rooms near the main lodge have private baths and share a spacious deck. For real adventure, bed down in one of the lodge's comfortable (and cheaper, at $165 per person, double occupancy) platform tents, each with a private bathroom. The large decks are perfect for practicing yoga, scanning the horizon for hawks or scarlet macaws, or contemplating Pacific sunsets. There's an elegant spa and massage hut with ethereal views. The bird life here is unbeatable; a tour with an expert guide should not be missed, even if you have never given birding a thought before. Guided hikes to waterfalls and swimming holes are precipitous and thrilling, and lounging around the pebble-deck pool is pure nirvana. You can also visit nearby Corcovado National Park on a day tour. Healthful, delicious meals have an imaginative vegetarian focus, along with servings of fish, flavored with herbs from a hilltop organic garden. Complimentary savory bocas are served at cocktail time, creating a friendly atmosphere. The lodge's decks are made from recycled plastic, and the lodge's electricity is provided by a hydro project on the property, in line with the owner's commitment to sustainability, which has earned the lodge the highest five-leaf rating.

Scattered over expansive grounds are freestanding casitas, villas, and "tents," all tastefully decorated with dark-wood furnishings and equipped with luxurious touches like indoor-outdoor showers, four-post canopy beds, plasma TVs, and whirlpool tubs. Rooms fall into three categories (suites, casitas, and villas) but are similar in design with an eclectic mix of imported decor ranging from Italian crystal chandeliers to Balinese hand-carved furniture. The wood-plank floors and ceilings made from sugarcane reeds add a natural touch. The adults-only villas are at Naraya Springs, an exclusive section of the resort connected by way of a 230-foot jungle bridge. Double the rate of the casitas, villas have private plunge pools and complimentary extras like minibars, Wi-Fi, laundry service, and yoga. Although lacking volcano views, villas are extremely private and have their own reception area, spa, and pool. Only half of the casitas and suites have volcano views. The highest-end is the tented camp, large luxury "tents" have soaring ceilings, soaking tubs, breathtaking vistas of the volcano from the suites and private plunge pools, walk-in closets, your choice of breakfast served on the patio, and every amenity (daily laundry service is included). There are cascading termales, thermal pools heated by the natural springs, and the spa has open treatment rooms so you can hear the wildlife and rain during your massage. The resort's five restaurants offer tapas, international, Asian, Mediterranean cuisine, and even a wine bar, so you never have to leave the comforts of the grounds. Special packages are available for those who want meals included in the rate.

This chain lodging incorporates local flair—bright, fresh primary colors and a rotating selection of Costa Rican art throughout—while providing business amenities in a clean, modern hotel. The hotel pays close attention to environmental concerns: solar panels, light sensors, and an active recycling program reduce its carbon footprint. Rooms are spacious, with modern design elements, and have 42-inch TVs and rain showers rather than tubs. Take a dip in the pool here, too; that's a real rarity among San José lodgings.

Planted between the tranquil Golfo Dulce and tropical forest, this luxury ecolodge brilliantly fuses high design, luxe comfort, and gastronomic flights of fancy in two restaurants with an eco-consciousness dictated by its castaway location accessible only by boat. The original three-story lodge has five spacious suites with panoramic views, even from the chic, beautifully tiled bathrooms. A four-plex building nearby can accommodate family groups, and eight new rooms have private plunge pools and face a swimming pool. A charming cottage for two sits even closer to the shore, screened by tropical foliage. With a palm-fringed beach, a second large freshwater pool, a spa, and trails leading through forest to an organic garden, this is a true tropical paradise. Room rates include the round-trip boat transfer, kayaks and snorkeling in the bay, a two-hour guided tour, and yoga and meditation classes.

This gracious, Québécois-owned lodging set in lush, hibiscus-strewn gardens steps away from Playa Negra has become a Cahuita favorite. The bright, tile-floored standard rooms sparkle and contain refrigerators, coffeemakers, and huge bathrooms, but for not much more money, try to snag one of the three cottages, designated yellow, green, and blue, with lattice-fenced porches. Two of the cottages have two bedrooms and can sleep up to four people; all three have fully equipped kitchens. Monkeys and iguanas scamper around the grounds. Barbecues around the pool round out the social offerings.

Hands down, this is the best ecolodge on the gulf, combining comfortable, upscale accommodations and great food with an emphasis on adventure on both land and sea. Out the front door of the lodge are beach, bay, and mangroves, with kayaks, snorkeling, fishing, sailing, and swimming; through the back door is a forested mountain with hiking trails, a waterfall, plenty of wildlife, and a resident naturalist to interpret the trails and lead bird-watching walks. The Edible Garden tour is a hit with visitors, especially when it includes turning raw cacao beans into chocolate cake. The night walks are filled with nocturnal natural wonders; you will often see more creatures than during daylight tours. For contemplative types, there is a beachfront yoga deck and a resident yoga instructor who does double duty as a massage therapist. The palatial two-story main lodge is a tree house, crafted from 15 kinds of wood. Scattered around the mature garden are luxurious, hexagonal wooden cabins with folding, shuttered doors and windows, gleaming hardwood floors, handmade wood furniture, and private verandas. Each secluded cabin's private bathroom has an open-air shower with its own exotic minigarden. For guests more comfortable in rooms and showers with walls, there's a stucco guesthouse with four large, comfortable rooms, shaded by mango trees. The upper-story rooms have terraces that are great bird-watching perches. Breakfast and lunch are served at the large wooden table in the second-story dining room–cum–lounge, with an unbeatable treetop view. Dinner, featuring imaginative meals made with local ingredients, is served in one communal sitting, after the cocktail hour, which always includes a plate of tasty bocas (appetizers).

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.