53 Best Hotels in Costa Rica

This is one of the closest properties to the volcano, with rooms boasting hydromassage Jacuzzis, sitting areas, jaw-dropping views, Juliet balconies, and nearly 700 square feet of space. High ceilings, almost too much space, and queen beds that face walls of glass are what set this property apart from competitors; but at night when the curtains are drawn, rooms can be rather dark and stuffy (electricity operates by key card). The beautifully manicured grounds make up for this minor pitfall, with streams, gardens, and thermal springs that cascade from the swimming pool down to the spa. Guests receive complimentary admission to the Titokú Hot Springs, located 6 km (4 miles) south of the hotel and 5 km (3 miles) north of La Fortuna.

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.

When Canadian owner Colin Brownlee bought a grazing pasture on the beach, little did he know that many years later, it would become one of the most popular boutique hotels on the Caribbean, complete with its own supermarket, tour company, beauty salon, and villas. Hardwood furnishings are abundant at this gay-friendly (but by no means exclusive) hotel at the secluded far end of Playa Negra. Even though all beaches in Costa Rica are public, here you'll feel like it's your own private strand of sand. Rooms on the second floor of the main building are breezy and comfortable with minimal furnishings. The larger garden bath suites, with open-air bathtubs set in a private garden, are a bit more of a splurge. Across the street are four two-story luxury accommodations with full kitchens and private plunge pools. The owners offer frequent online-only packages. 

With three pools, a spa, and luxurious rooms, there's more to this resort than just yoga. Sitting on eight acres replete with gentle streams, waterfalls, and ambrosial gardens, the rooms don't disappoint, with special details like private outdoor showers and Balinese stone sinks. Room rates include a healthy and generous breakfast buffet, one yoga class per day, a complimentary shuttle around town, and use of the gym. The rooms range from jungle rooms to deluxe two-bedroom villas with private pool and outdoor kitchen. Although the property is not beachfront, they offer a surf club with lessons and board rental for an additional fee.

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.

At the second entrance to Jacó on the beach's southern end, one of the town's better lodgings includes green-and-cream rooms with private teak balconies and spacious one- and two-bedroom condos. Apartments are clustered in two-story buildings amid massive trees and verdant lawns and have abundant windows, modern kitchens, and pleasant furnishings. The nicest are those nearest the sea (Nos. 14 to 16). Surfboards are available ($35/day), and a horseshoe-shaped bar in the lobby is a welcoming feature, particularly to tired travelers. Las Sandalias restaurant serves some of the area's finest food. 

Location, views, and the all-inclusive price make this the best family deal in Drake Bay, with kid-friendly grounds, lots of flat, open space for romping, plus a refreshing saltwater swimming pool and rocky tidal pools to explore. The neat wooden cabins, which have modern tile bathrooms and hot showers, are lined up camp-style, spread out over landscaped grounds with mature trees, an ornamental fish pond, and fruit trees that attract birds and monkeys. Each building has three attractive rooms that come with firm queen-size beds, supported by wooden bedposts carved in animal shapes. Every room has air-conditioning and screened windows letting in cool ocean breezes. All but one of the cabins are easily accessible on foot or by wheelchair. The "honeymoon" cottage is perched on a ridge overlooking the ocean. Meals are satisfying and delicious, featuring poultry, eggs, and pork from the owners' nearby mountain farm, fresh fish and seafood, creative salads and pastas, and homemade breads and cakes. The bar serves free snacks at sunset, and there is always coffee, tea, and snacks available in the dining room. Laundry service is included—a real plus in this humid climate. Kayaks are at your disposal for exploring the river. Most guests come to see the rainforest, but you can also opt for scuba diving, sportfishing, and dolphin- and whale-watching tours. There are several packages, with the most basic including meals, laundry, tours, and transportation from Drake.

Their motto, "still more monkeys than people" is not an understatement, as you're likely to see howler and white-faced monkeys on the forest trails surrounding these varied accommodations (including four converted from airplanes). The property feels stuck in the 1980s but has plenty of lodging types to choose from. All units have kitchenettes, room-front parking, and ocean or garden views. The 20 adults-only studios in Costa Verde II are spacious, with large balconies; those in the other buildings are smaller, but all have standard amenities like flat-screen TVs and air-conditioning. Fully equipped apartments are great for families, and the cheaper "efficiencies" near the road are sightly dated but seem to get the most "monkey business," with troops swinging by your patio or jumping on the rooftops. The hotel has four themed restaurants in Manuel Antonio; El Wagon and El Avion are your best options. If you want to skip the hike to the beach, there are three swimming pools where you can cool off closer to "home." Book a room away from the road if you're a light sleeper.

In the gated community of Hacienda Pinilla, this luxury resort is centered around a 25,000-square-foot infinity pool that merges with a short stretch of beach in the west, making every sunset a major event. Quiet elegance is the theme at this hacienda-style hotel, with charming traditional touches such as painted oxcarts piled high with towels around the pool and macramé-fringed hammocks draped off the lobby. Rooms are all super-luxurious, with oversize bathtubs, sumptuous sage-and-cream linens, and private terraces with ceiling fans and removable screens. There's free daily yoga, complimentary sunset cocktails,  a 24-hour fitness center; the 18-hole, 72-par Hacienda Pinilla golf course; and an exquisite full-service spa with 19 massage huts. There's also a kids' club for families. The on-site restaurants, including a handsome, ranch-style Costa Rican steak house and a more intimate Asian restaurant, are gorgeous, but the prices are sky-high and the food quality inconsistent. Although the beach in front of the hotel is small and rocky, you can take a short walk over to Playa Avellanas. There's a daily shuttle van to Tamarindo's shops and restaurants ($25), and if you have your own car, you can drive the short distance to Playa Negra and Playa Avellanas for less pricey meals.

Along with one of the best sunset views along the coast, this comfortable ecolodge on a high cliff bordering Ballena Marine National Park has spacious, airy cabins and a forest trail to a pristine beach. Wood-and-stone cabins, spaced out along a garden path that descends from the open-air main lodge, have huge bathrooms with spacious showers. Trails wend through dense primary forest down to the wide sweep of almost-deserted Playa Arco and to a private, natural swimming pond. Electric car owners can charge up for the night at the hotel's electric charging stations. Breakfasts are hearty, served in the hotel's contemporary restaurant Aracari, which is also open to nonguests. Along with contemplating nature, you can nurture your inner self at the huge, otherworldly yoga platform or pamper your outer self with a massage. For more space with a view, request a suite or deluxe room.

This cluster of bungalows, nestled on the edge of the national park and also just a short walk from the beach, is as close as you'll get to sleeping in the park. The palm-thatched terraces face the small pool and lush greenery of the rainforest, which is regularly animated by troops of squirrel monkeys and other animals. The main building holds three spacious apartments and a fully equipped casita on the second floor with two bedrooms and two baths. Complimentary breakfast and thin-crust pizza are served in a small restaurant. If space is available, last-minute discounts are generally offered for spontaneous travelers.

These three bedroom Balinese-inspired luxury condo suites boast 2,500 square feet of living space with industrial kitchens, slate floors, granite counters, rich hardwoods, and rattan furnishings. Interior design is tailored yet cozy, with microsuede couches, white duvets, bowl sinks, and floral paintings illuminated with recessed lighting. Three balconies and 2½ bathrooms mean there’s plenty of space for the whole family. Accessed by private elevator, each suite includes Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and ocean views from the living room and dining area. They all sleep six, but those on higher levels cost increasingly more for the view. The pool, restaurant, gym, game room, hiking trails, exclusive beach, and room service make it difficult to leave the comfort of the grounds. In 2022, the property added 10 homes and 2 villas for rent. If you fall in love with the place, you can purchase one of the elegant condos.

Sprawling across 159 acres, this mammoth multimillion-dollar resort is surrounded by 1,100 acres of rainforest with colonial-style buildings and gorgeous views of Herradura Bay. You'll find modern amenities combined with traditional Central American decorative motifs, such as barrel-tile roofing and hand-painted tiles. Rooms here have marble baths, wooden furniture, and tiny balconies. Be sure to get one with an ocean view, or you'll be contemplating condos. An enormous pool with islands and swim-up bars, a Ted Robinson golf course, five restaurants, and various diversions (tennis, pool activities, driving range, etc.) are designed to keep you on-site and entertained. The Sibö Rainforest Spa is one of the best in Central America.

With a prime spot on the beach and a mammoth pool with a swim-up bar to lounge around, this Jimmy Buffet–themed hotel is eager to please. Plus, there are large family and honeymoon suites with kitchenettes. Beds, decor, and televisions were last updated in 2018.

This is the most stylish of the Tortuguero lodges, at least in the common areas, where the decor exudes an eclectic tropical aesthetic, incorporating rattan and bamboo with bold-patterned couches, ceramic accents, and lush hanging ferns. These design choices do not extend to the rooms, which are basic but solid, especially in the updated units, where the wood finish and ample airflow is comfortable in the evenings. Fourteen of the standard rooms have been updated, and the lodge is in the process of updating the remaining units, set to be completed before the end of 2024. The hotel grounds include a bar, restaurant, ranchos with hammocks, private tables tucked into foliage, and a stunning pool with an adjacent lounge area, presenting a range of spaces and seating to accommodate any mood, whether it’s to socialize, focus, or lounge poolside.

Packages include transportation from San José: when you arrive at the river town of Matina, you're whisked into a launch for a 2½-hour ride to the 15-acre site featuring comfortable (hot water!) solid wood cabinas with private terrace, hammock, and garden views. Meals are taken in the spacious restaurant and are included in the price, along with guided tours of the garden, a Tortuguero National Park canal tour, and a tour of the village. Daily garden tours introduce guests to the resident wildlife, including a flock of oropendulas that have built their elaborate nests in one of the trees. Trips to turtle-heavy beaches cost $40 extra. For a romantic evening, reserve a table on the floating restaurant on the lagoon. The lodge offers a lower cost B&B option that doesn’t include any of the extras. Mawamba is the only jungle lodge within walking distance (about 10 minutes) of town.

Meaning “Blue” in the native Chorotegan language, Nantipa is the epitome of the Blue Zone magic with both luxury and wellness manifesting health, happiness, and longevity. Since its opening in 2019, the string of beachfront-and-garden bungalows have lured those seeking rest and relaxation, along with all the creature comforts; smart TVs, hammocks, Wi-Fi, a/c, minibars, and plunge pools that open onto private terraces are just a few of the perks. Follow the white pebble-strewn pathways past the pool and yoga pavilion to Manzú, the beachfront restaurant specializing in traditional Tico recipes passed down from generations. You can take it up a notch with the two-story villa equipped with an infinity pool, personal chef, fitness instructor, babysitting service, three bedrooms, and kitchen and living space. For the ultimate in tranquility, book a treatment at the NUMU Wellness Center specializing in Blue Wellness experiences that will take you from nature to pampering via surfing, cuisine, massages, and beyond.

With some of the best service in Manuel Antonio and updated rooms, Shana by the Beach is a lovely option with jungle- or ocean-view balconies in every room. The pool area, with happy hour from 3 to 6, makes up for the fact that it's a 10-minute hike to Playa Biesanz. Everything—walls, furniture, paintwork—is blindingly white, in striking contrast to the lush greens of the hillside grounds, and the service is some of the best in Manuel Antonio. Bathrooms are spacious and modern with massage shower jets, and rooms have sleek touches like oversize tufted headboards, glass desks, and white flat-screen TVs. All have balconies with jungle or partial ocean views. The restaurant highlights Mediterranean dishes. Families or large groups can request the three attaching rooms. In low season, rates are often half price.

This sustainable resort sits atop one of the most idyllic hillsides in Manuel Antonio. Scattered through the rainforest in nine buildings, rooms are decorated in earth tones to complement the surrounding nature; spacious deluxe rooms have sea views and private balconies, smaller "superior" rooms have less impressive ocean views, and standard rooms face the jungle. Great lengths have been taken to be eco-friendly, and it's also quite family-friendly, with a separate kids' pool, complete with waterslide, and an in-house movie theater. There is often live music on weekends (except September and October) at Claro Que Sí restaurant (open 2–10 pm), which specializes in Caribbean-style seafood, and the Rico Tico grill, which serves lighter fare. A free shuttle makes scheduled trips to the beach, about 3 km (2 miles) away.

With its own adventure park, hot-springs complex, and activities for all ages, this resort caters to both hotel guests and the outside public with day passes to its massive grounds. Near-perfect volcano views from individual balconies, a 14,000-square-foot spa, and rustically elegant rooms all contribute to a sense of well-being at this luxurious and remote retreat. The sky is the limit in furnishings (and price) as you work your way up to the suites and villas—additional rooms, arched sky-lighted ceilings, and hot tubs are among the amenities. Even the standard rooms have surround-sound speaker systems and huge balconies facing the volcano. Below the property is Club Río, an outdoor adventure park with kayaking, horseback riding, rock climbing, rappelling, hiking, and a wildlife preserve for rescued animals. Visitors are transported up and down the hill by shuttle bus, and many of the hot-spring pools are surrounded by the kind of artificial rocks and boulders you see in amusement parks.

At one of Central America's most relaxing and romantic resorts, it's the hot springs and lovely spa, coupled with attractive rooms, that customarily draw happy guests inland from the ocean. Most rooms have a terrace, all with either volcano or garden views. Luxurious touches include nightly turndown service, bathrobes, a minibar, a movie library, and free access to the hotel's hot springs (day passes for nonguests cost $89). Updated rooms provide respite after a day's adventuring. As the most romantic and beautifully designed hot-spring facility in the area, the 20 pools tend to get crowded with outside visitors. For a break from the public, hotel guests have access to the Shangri-La Gardens, an exclusive adults-only hideaway. The hot springs and spa are actually 300 meters east of the hotel; you can either walk from your room or take the complimentary shuttle.

Centered on the scenic sweep of placid Bahía Tambor with its warm, shallow water, intimate Tambor Tropical offers "beds with a view" in spacious suites, along with sportfishing, a turtle hatchery, horseback riding, bird-watching, and just lolling in a hammock by the pretty, blue-tile pool. Attractive two-story houses, with up-and-down suites equipped with kitchens, are entirely built and furnished with varnished, tropical hardwoods: floors, ceilings, walls, and even toilet seats. Large front windows provide panoramas of the sea and surrounding gardens—slightly pricier second-floor rooms have the best views—and platform beds really do enable sunrise views. All rooms have air-conditioning. Carefully prepared meals are served poolside or in the thatch-covered dining room during the rainy months. Paddleboards and kayaks get you out onto the water, and bird-watchers can comb nearby trails with a guide, in search of about 250 species. The spacious reception area also serves as an art gallery for local artisans.

Incorporating Costa Rican culture at every turn, this convivial, unique member of the W chain leaves no detail overlooked, from the "forest" of guanacaste trees at the pool and restaurant, to the "pineapple" elevator tower. The circular parking area is shaped like a bull ring, a traditional Guanacasteco pastime. The bright and splashy decor, including at the three dining options, takes its cue from the oxcart, another customary Costa Rican emblem. There are two massive pools; one in the main dining area with a pool deck and one at the beach club, which leads to turquoise waters lapping onto a sugar sand beach, plus a more private pool in the cushy spa. The rooms are inviting, with sumptuous bedding, bars made of real surfboards, and colossal bathrooms; most units have ocean views. The immense suites will blow you away with private pools, one-and-a-half baths, foosball tables, and mini kegs of Heineken in the minibar. Parents will love the (free) kids' club—the only one in the W Hotel chain.

This vast all-inclusive property is set on 2,400 acres with nearly every vacation wish granted, from lagoon-style pools and a picture-perfect beach to eight restaurants and a championship golf course. In the labyrinthine guest village, the ocean tends to disappear and the only views are of lush gardens and other buildings exactly like yours. The split-level Spanish colonial–style villas have huge marble bathrooms and sophisticated sitting rooms equipped with plasma TVs. The Royal Beach rooms are even posher, closer to the beach, and have their own shared pool and a private concierge. There's a kids' club, babysitting service, and a section of suites dedicated to families. The resort also has the largest—and perhaps warmest—pool in Central America. Grown-ups can amuse themselves sailing, snorkeling, kayaking, playing tennis, or rejuvenating at the spa. Restaurants range from Asian fusion to Italian (dinner reservations required). If you're into the beach, try to get booked into Bungalow 1, 2, or 3.