250 Best Hotels in Costa Rica

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.

Papito's raised cabins extend back into the property's wooded grounds and are furnished with whimsical, bright, tropical-blue-and-zebra-stripe prints. Breakfast, with an extra cost of $8, is served at the table on your own porch, which also has a hammock or swing chair. Pamper yourself at the small on-site spa. You'll get a small discount on the room rate if you pay in cash, and you can find a lot of online-only specials, too.

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.

Part of a national wildlife refuge, this is the most comfortable and affordable base for bird-watching, crocodile spotting, and nature appreciation on this side of the Río Tempisque. The 1,000-acre property is also a cattle ranch and salt producer, with nearby salt flats and a freshwater lagoon that attract wading birds (and crocodiles that snack on them). You can tour the ranch on horseback ($35) or take a boat tour through the Abangares mangroves ($35, minimum six people) or alongside Palo Verde National Park, with a birding guide ($50, minimum six people). The wood cabins are modest but comfortable, with verandas and big screened windows that let the light and breeze in. Because most of them are duplexes, they don't afford a lot of privacy, so ask for a freestanding one. The rancho restaurant serves buffet-style Italian and Costa Rican meals, including beef raised on the ranch.

White silk curtains, black onyx flooring, and classical music welcome you to the reception area of this boutique hotel, where rooms have ocean views, white tile floors, balconies, and a mixed bag of styles. Beyond the reception area, a staircase leads to a long corridor of deluxe rooms. If possible, opt for one of the impressive suites with Jacuzzi tubs. A bridge crosses from the main building, over a small pool to the Sky Lounge with a 360-degree view of the rain forest and ocean. There's also a restaurant specializing in bistro cuisine. The owner is the former CEO of the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., so don’t be surprised to see a few VIPs lounging by the pool.

Nicely decorated cottages are scattered around 25 acres on Arenal's northeast shore at the point where the volcano begins to disappear from sight, but the lake views (and the sunsets) remain as spectacular as ever. Split-level cottages are extremely cozy, with sunken living rooms and dining areas separated from two bedrooms on the top level. Bathrooms feature fine details such as Italian tiles and ceilings made from almond wood. Every cottage has two rooms, Wi-Fi, satellite TV, a safe, and king-size beds. A three-bedroom villa is available for extended stays. An infinity pool and enormous Jacuzzi overlook emerald valleys where sheep and cows graze by day. The on-site bistro specializes in European cuisine. As befits such a secluded place, bird-watching opportunities abound.

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.

The private, air-conditioned villas at this modern, adults-only getaway boast thoughtfully designed and impeccably clean interiors and vegetation-encased terraces that create an atmosphere of tranquility and exclusivity best suited to spending relaxed moments with your travel companions. The hotel is new—only two years old—and the owners hail from Argentina, decorating the rooms with the art and furnishings they have collected from their travels. The spotless pool is tranquil, with plenty of room for guests to spread out. An exceptional breakfast is included but there is no restaurant; there are kitchens in the two cottages. Playa Negra beach is only a short walk from the property.

Several bright, airy, homey cottages and suites scatter around a garden property here and make a great base for exploring the area or staying that first or last night in Costa Rica. It’s a mix of suites and a large apartment—attached to the main building—and two cottages here. All are decorated in bright tropical pastels, and while most of the units are blissfully peaceful, the El Nido does get noise from the nearby busy road. The attentive owners are on-site to tend to your needs. Grecia lies the same distance from the international airport as you would be if you were staying in San José. It’s just in the opposite direction.

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.

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.

This 18-acre private reserve contains 16 cozy cabins with fully equipped kitchens in which you can prepare meals with produce from the hotel’s hydroponic vegetable garden. Accommodating from two to six people, cabins vary in size and amenities—best are the superior cabins with fireplaces, wraparound patios, satellite TVs, outdoor grills, and stained-glass windows. Family cabins have three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and living rooms. This eco-friendly property operates on solar power and has a water-treatment system, a recycling center, and a workshop where fallen trees are repurposed for furniture and building materials. The playground and hiking trails frequented by monkeys make this a popular spot for families.

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.

Despite the relative isolation, travelers flock to this rainforest resort largely because each hillside room has a huge picture window and a door opening to an individual balcony with volcano views. Although there is a steep climb to many rooms, they are decorated with locally made art and bamboo-frame beds, and suites have vaulted ceilings, garden showers, and private whirlpools. A few cottages are tucked away on the grounds and make ideal getaways for families, while the spa and two heated pools ensure a relaxing stay. The location, a short drive above Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges, makes this a good bet if you have your own vehicle, but otherwise factor in a $35 taxi ride to La Fortuna and most area attractions.

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.

This hidden ecolodge with a kidney-shaped pool is made up of five bungalows themed after Africa, Persia, and Mexico. White-pebble pathways wind among the trees to the units that have concrete floors, stone-wall showers, air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, a coffeemaker, and a mini-refrigerator—though the good prices and tasty food at the palapa restaurant hardly make it worth stocking up on snacks. European cuisine is on the menu except on Tuesday, which is sushi night. Included in the rate is an impressive breakfast of fresh fruit, homemade yogurt, local honey, and your choice of tasty dishes like banana pancakes or eggs with rice and beans. Thick jungle terrain blocks the ocean view, but you can still hear the sound of the waves from the Persian rooms. Larger groups can opt for the apartment that sleeps up to six guests. The friendly owners speak German, Dutch, English, and Spanish.

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.

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.

It might come as a surprise to find such attractive and comfortable rooms, with nice appointments and high ceilings, in so remote a place, but the lack of pretense and laid-back atmosphere fit right into the surroundings on the east side of the reserve. The lodge has a variety of meal options; most guests opt for taking all meals here, since there are few other restaurants in town. Two- and three-day packages are available for anglers and nonanglers alike. Bird-watching and boat tours of the wetlands are the most popular activities. If you want to catch a glimpse of monkeys, request a far-end room facing the forest. A snazzy pool makes the perfect escape from the heat here.

If you’re looking for some “Guess where we stayed!” bragging rights following your return from Costa Rica, this lodging option 82 feet high in a tree provides them. There’s some choreography required to get to such a place. A 30-minute hike into the forest—you’ll be met and accompanied—takes you to the site of a níspero (medlar) tree. Strap on a secure harness, helmet, and cables and hoist yourself to a platform 70 feet above the ground. (The construction has nailed nothing to the tree.) With bed, chairs, shower, sink, and toilet, this is your surprisingly comfy wall-less “room.” Room service hoists up three meals a day. Carefully consider if you're up for the adventure; if you are, it can be great fun.

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.

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.

Though still within sight of the Puerto Viejo–Manzanillo road, this French-owned place delivers a get-away-from-it-all nature experience within the confines of the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge at a fraction of the cost of other Costa Rican eco-lodges. It's so cool and shady here that the ceiling fans were never installed, as no one ever needed them. Cozy wood cabins are simply furnished with two beds and mosquito netting and have colorful spreads and drapes. The houses here can be rented by the week or month too. Personal touches, such as breakfast brought to the porch of your cabin, are standard. The bungalows are joined by a kitchen and are ideal for renting by a group or family. The folks here frequently offer last-minute online-only packages. Rates include free use of bikes, subject to availability.

A paradise for resplendent quetzals, this rustic but comfortable lodge is amid cloud-enshrouded mountains and valleys with 16 km (10 miles) of hiking and birding trails through ancient oak forests dripping with moss and epiphytes. Cozy bungalows, each set in splendid isolation, have picture windows and modern bathrooms and some have hot tubs and king-size beds, dehumidifiers, and TVs. Nighttime temperatures drop into the 40s at this high altitude (about 8,700 feet) and you'll be happy for the electric heaters and hot-water showers. The main lodge has a large fireplace and an observation gallery abuzz with brilliant hummingbirds that aren't the least bit fazed by onlookers. Meals are simple but hearty, and an espresso machine guarantees excellent coffee. A bird-photography shelter is equipped with battery-charging stations and natural backdrops and feeders to attract photogenic birds ($10).

Seven pristine and comfortably furnished houses—three are one bedroom and four have two bedrooms—each named for a tropical fruit, are located within lush, manicured gardens immersed in the jungle outside of Cahuita. The peaceful and luxurious ocean-blue pool and surrounding patio are a phenomenal setting in which to spend an afternoon. The high-ceilinged rooms have wood or tile floors and all have furnished terraces and kitchens. A brand-new lounge space with hammocks is equipped with an honesty bar so guests can help themselves at any time of day or night. Guests are free to use the pétanque terrain and the outdoor grill, and every second Sunday the hotel hosts a community barbecue, welcoming guests and neighbors. A recently added breakfast area doubles as a place to socialize or work; breakfast is an extra $12. A morning yoga class can be arranged in the new peaceful shala for $10. The older bungalows are in the midst of an upgrade, and one of the newer bungalows has its own private plunge pool next to a comfortable wooden terrace. The hotel is farther from Cahuita center but the beach is only 15 minutes away by car.

These rooms overlooking the misty forests of La Paz Waterfall Gardens seem like something out of The Lord of the Rings, with their curved, clay-stucco walls, hardwood floors, stone fireplaces, four-poster beds made of varnished logs, and grottolike bathrooms with private waterfalls. As if the bathrooms, with two showers, a whirlpool tub, and private tropical garden weren't enough, you can soak in your second whirlpool tub on a porch with a cloud-forest view. Rates are admittedly high here, but being able to explore the Waterfall Gardens before they open and after they close is a perk, and admission is included. The cuisine here is a couple of notches below the accommodations.

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.