53 Best Hotels in Costa Rica

This bed-and-breakfast, the best of the in-town lodgings, is a real find, with complimentary use of kayaks, rain boots, kitchen facilities, Wi-Fi, and a full breakfast in a canal-side dining area. Simple but immaculate rooms have tile floors and varnished-wood finishing with vaulted ceilings and skylights in the bathrooms. Request room #14 or #15, both renovated in 2021. Ample breakfasts are served on the covered back patio facing the lodging's own private canal dock. The terrace is also a relaxing place for a coffee break on a rainy afternoon.

Cahuita doesn't get more serene than these lodgings spread out in a garden with an extensive bromeliad collection. Choose between comfortable rooms, suites, apartments, or bungalows, all decorated with art from around the globe; some rooms have a double-vaulted ceiling with strategically placed screens that keep the place wonderfully ventilated. All rooms have a/c other than the suite and apartment — both of which are spacious and cool. Amenities include queen-size beds, hot water, Wi-Fi, and secure parking. Breakfast comes complete with homemade breads and cakes. The restaurant serves Mediterranean and Caribbean cuisine and is open to the public. Two pools round out the offerings. The beach is across the road.

Unparalleled bird-watching within a 160-acre private nature reserve with more than 450 recorded species, plus first-class food and comfortable lodging are the reasons nature lovers from all over the world stay here. During high season, two resident bird guides are on hand to help you find sought-after hummingbirds, such as the snowcap and black-crested coquette, and more. Even if you are not a birder, the trails are excellent for hiking, and there's horseback riding up into the surrounding mountains. The two-story lodge is upscale modern, with rustic touches, as are the comfortable, separate cabins. Gourmet-quality meals (included) are served family-style in the indoor and outdoor dining rooms, both of which have beautiful views of the Turrialba Valley and volcano. Birding guides cost extra.

Swiss expats Guido and Agi spent their first years in Costa Rica living off the land without running water or electricity, but today their little paradise is a full-fledged farm with cows, horses, chickens, and rustic cabins for overnight guests. Handcrafted by the owners, cozy cabins are extremely tidy, with high beamed ceilings and patios overlooking the Sapoa River, where you can spend a lazy day in a hammock. Screened windows keep the bugs away, and ceramic-tile floors keep temperatures cool. Each room has a safe, a mini-refrigerator, and air-conditioning. Wildlife is abundant here so expect to see monkeys, birds, sloths, bats, and the occasional crocodile. Agi is an exceptional cook, whipping up Swiss-tico fusion favorites with homemade breads and organic produce from the farm. They have their own moringa plantation, a medicinal plant known to prevent some 300 diseases. There is a small library providing a book exchange and board games, making those rainy days a bit more inviting. Sunny days are perfect for rowing down the river, hiking the well-marked network of trails, or horseback riding on the 160-acre property. The owners can also arrange private tours across the border to Nicaragua.

Lush gardens and manicured lawns surround this gorgeous, hacienda-style luxury hotel overlooking a scenic lake. From the royal palms that line the driveway to the patterned tile floors and art nouveau flourishes above the windows and doors, Casa Turire is an exercise in attention to detail. High-ceilinged guest rooms have hardwood floors, elegantly upholstered furniture, sumptuous drapes and bedcovers on the queen or king beds, and bright tiled bathrooms with tubs. Balconies look onto the lake or the beautifully landscaped pool area. The soaring plant-filled atrium is a civilized spot in which to relax after a day's adventure, or you can curl up in a leather chair in the library or try out the pool table in the sitting room with an adjoining full-service bar. The restaurant offers exquisite faux finishes and trompe l'oeil murals and serves sophisticated dinners that are surprisingly reasonably priced. The extensive breakfast buffet is excellent, too. If you hanker after even more luxury, the suites are exceptional, with Jacuzzi tubs, hydro showers, flat-screen TVs, and private terraces. The two-story master suite has a wraparound balcony. New, groomed trails around the lake offer pleasant shaded walks and bird-watching opportunities, and kayaks are available for paddling on the lake.

Set amid fields of green coffee, this exclusive, hilltop B&B hideaway has a much-deserved reputation as one of the country's sumptuous splurges. The Gaudí-esque main building has a soaring two-story atrium and white-stucco arches, set among tropical flowers and shaded by massive fig trees. Rooms are filled with interesting artistic flourishes, as well as such luxuries as Jacuzzi bathtubs and 100% bamboo sheets. The spacious two-story suite, popular with honeymooners, is out of a fairy tale: a spiral staircase with a carved-serpent handrail leads up to a romantic, window-lined tower bedroom. The sumptuous, secluded Cielo suite has its own entrance through the gardens. The owners work hard to make the hotel as eco-friendly as possible. Prix-fixe gourmet dinners are available at the chic restaurant El Tigre Vestido, but lunch on the terrace—with its spectacular view of San José down in the valley and the Escazú mountains beyond—is a better value. After a day of touring, unwind in a full-service spa. Finca Rosa Blanca offers occasional Web-only promotions.

Impeccable service and proximity to wildlife give this place an edge among the area’s handful of set-back-in-the-woods lodgings, and the Wi-Fi, private plunge pool, and barbecue that come with each house are unexpected touches in a setting such as this. The engaging British-Dutch couple who own the property took care to limit the impact of constructing four secluded hardwood guesthouses on this onetime cacao plantation. Two houses have one bedroom, the third has two bedrooms and accommodates up to four people; all have a full living room and kitchen. The fourth, Casa Heliconia, is a recently constructed glamping villa for up to 3 guests offering 360 degree views of the splendid rainforest garden. The units do not have air conditioning but have been designed for maximum cross-ventilation, the dense jungle surroundings keeping the rooms fresh and cool at night, the open windows an opportunity to enjoy the musical sounds of the jungle. There is a breakfast restaurant and yoga space. The owners are on-site if you need them, yet far enough away (as is the other house) that your closest neighbors are the agoutis, monkeys, and toucans that populate the property. The property has three large dogs who are friendly to welcomed guests but are meant to deter unwanted ones. Breakfast is available at an extra cost.

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.

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.

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.

Perched on the mountainside with breathtaking ocean views, Tierra Magnifica has all the attentiveness and personalization of a boutique hotel and all the amenities of a resort. A concierge welcomes you "home," while you refresh with a welcome drink and appetizer, and take in the vista. Rooms are comfortable and spacious, especially the six "Vista Premium" that are on the top level with vaulted ceilings, spacious balconies, and draped king beds. The charming hosts are friendly and eager to share their love of Costa Rica with you, and invite to you experience "pura vida" in their former house-turned-hotel. Enjoy yoga classes in the chalet with 360-degree views, or lounge by the infinity pool with one of the best views in Nosara. Drawing a hip and trendy crowd, the Huacas restaurant specializes in tropical-modern meets Costa-Asian cuisine with a Blue Zone menu created by chef Paulo Valerios. Included in the room rate are laundry service, yoga-and-cooking classes, access to the Iguana Surf Club, and a daily cooked-to-order breakfast. 

There's much to recommend at this hillside property, including the large picture windows and balconies overlooking Lake Arenal and the attentive service from the owners. Standard rooms have white tile floors and paintings by local artists. Higher up the hill, spacious bungalows with kitchens afford an even better view and are farther away from the road. With over 30 varieties of palm trees, this is a great place for bird-watching, and an on-site nature guide helps you delve into what you'll see here. A huge breakfast with homemade tortillas and breads is included.

This rain-forest B&B has old-fashioned charm with three chalet-style bedrooms looking out onto the mystic lake and volcano. The owners (and their resident Great Danes) have converted their hillside home into this lovely lodging that attracts seasoned travelers and nature enthusiasts. The cozy rooms have sloping ceilings, hand-carved furnishings, and tropical hardwoods. The two rosewood rooms downstairs have tile floors. Up a spiral staircase lies the L-shape, all-wood double loft with three beds and a back porch that overlooks the large garden. Running through the manicured grounds is a river and a network of hiking trails for exploring; rubber boots are provided. Birds abound: 100 species have been cataloged on the grounds. A favorite pastime is sitting in a rocking chair and watching the hummingbirds feed. The breakfasts are divine, with fresh-squeezed juice and macadamia-nut pancakes. The entire property is no-smoking.

Perched along a forested mountainside, these wooden cabins feel like tree houses; you'll hear howler monkeys and an array of birdsong from your bed. Steep steps lead to the rustic aeries built on stilts, with screens for walls on three sides, comfortable beds, and balconies hung with hammocks. Once you drag your luggage up the hill, you will be rewarded with great views from the upper cabins. Blankets buffer you against the sometimes cool, breezy nights. Blue Jay's three lower cabins are larger, but lack the arboreal charm of the rest. Four new, larger cabins come equipped with kitchens and air-conditioning. Breakfast is in the open-air restaurant, next to an attractive blue-tile pool. Head to the nearby beach and surf break or climb the mountain trail behind the cabins to look for birds.

This chic and charming breezy boutique hotel is a welcome hideaway from the dusty bustle of Tamarindo, but still walking distance to everything. There are eight clean and comfortable rooms with king beds surrounding a refreshing pool. A carefree aesthetic abounds, encouraging you to leave your worries behind. The French owners treat you to a different delicious breakfast every morning and will take care of anything else you may need while you're visiting. 

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.

Aché has wooden bungalows—three octagonal structures in this case—nestled amid wooded grounds that make the close-by town center seem far away. The buildings come with a rocking chair and porch hammock, and the largest bungalow sleeps four. The Swiss owner accepts euros, dollars, and colones.

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.

Comfortable rooms with sweeping views of forest and mountains, birding trails, and bountiful buffet breakfasts are the highlights at this delightful, small hilltop B&B. Rooms are furnished with attractive furniture made by local artisans and have satellite TV. Two bungalows have queen beds and modern bathrooms. Two superior cabins, one with a queen and two single beds and the other a large studio with kitchen and king-size bed, share the spectacular valley view with a spacious two-bedroom, fully equipped house. Start the morning early with a guided birding walk ($15) along trails through the garden, or farther afield near Wilson Botanical Garden. Then enjoy breakfast on the spacious deck framed by entwined tree branches, and keep your binoculars close at hand. Pepe, a professional bird guide, will help you identify visiting birds, as well as organize birding and hiking excursions (tours starting from $20 per person). Kathleen, a tour guide who speaks five languages, prepares elaborate three-course, gourmet fish and plant-based dinners ($22) for guests by reservation.

The full range of city services is at your doorstep here, but you're blissfully apart from them at this tranquil bed-and-breakfast at the quiet end of a short road. The name of the property means the "Aunts' House," which is appropriate for this yellow house with a front porch and picket fence. A few old photos of the ladies themselves complete the effect. The pastel-color rooms and furnishings feel slightly aged, but they make up for it in charm, and the large backyard and gardens give the illusion of being far from a major commercial street.

This funky little mountain ecolodge has fabulous views of the neighboring Tenorio and Miravalles volcanoes and is a great base for viewing nearby Rio Celeste. The open-air lobby is overflowing with plants and looks more like a greenhouse, the extensive gardens and 2 km (1¼ mile) private hike are perfect for wildlife viewing, and the rooms themselves are minimalist but bright, clean, and comfortable. Breakfast comes with the room but we recommend the pre-fixe dinner as well—inventive cuisine for just $25 a person. 

When they need to make a city run, many beach-living expats head straight for this quiet B&B on the outskirts of Escazú, and it's a good example to follow. Rooms make nice use of local hardwoods and traditional South American art, and the main building serves as a gathering place with a large sitting area, comfortable chairs, and a fireplace. The inn is surrounded by gardens, and at night you can see the lights of San José twinkling to the east, though just three of the rooms take advantage of the view. The inn is at the end of a narrow driveway with an unassuming gate, but a sign lets you know you've found the right place.

If fresh mountain air appeals to you, this upscale mountain retreat has comfortable rooms, a first-class restaurant, and spacious, glassed-in sitting areas to enjoy unbeatable volcano and valley views by day and blazing fireplaces by night. The large standard rooms are furnished with a tasteful mix of antiques and folk art, and upstairs rooms have private balconies. The new suites, in a separate two-story building, have kitchenettes and flat-screen satellite TV. Goats, chickens, and ducks on the property help supply the kitchen, which prepares a mix of creative, light tropical cuisine and heartier dishes, including duck stew and seared duck breasts. Cooking classes can be arranged with a local Costa Rican chef. Outside, there are sunny sitting areas in the garden and a path lined with orchids.

Set in the rainforest, these marvelous, secluded casitas have elegant furnishings, sizable bathrooms with private garden showers, and terraces that entice you to spend time in nature. There are hot tubs and a massive pool, a gracious dining area and bar, and beautiful grounds with lots of ponds where you may discover exotic rainforest frogs (and possibly the snakes who feed on them).

Facing the beach, this small, pleasant, well-tended hotel is one of Sámara's best values. The bright, tidy rooms have dark-wood furniture, white walls, and ceramic floors. Eleven of the rooms have air-conditioning and private bath; six lack air-conditioning and share baths, but they also share a common balcony with an ocean view, and sea breezes help to cool them. The premium room is No. 19, with a private balcony overlooking the beach, air-conditioning, and a small fridge. The hotel has a giant cold-water whirlpool shaded by a vine-enlaced tree in a small garden. There's a small, pleasant bar and breakfast area, and a huge mural featuring a quetzal. Limited private parking is available and the beach is just across the road.

Adjoining 1926 and 1933 houses fuse to create the cozy Barrio Amón experience at bargain prices. That said, the Dunn Inn is immensely popular, so reserve well in advance. Pinewood dominates in one section; brick in the other. Sun-filled rooms bear indigenous Bribri names. One room has a balcony, and a few do not have street-facing windows but look onto an interior courtyard. All have terra-cotta floors and little touches such as fresh flowers. The delightful, skylight-covered central patio serves as a bar and breakfast room.

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 front of this century-old former coffee-plantation house is along a busy street, but close the front door behind you and you'll find an oasis of quiet in the center of the city. On the fringe of Barrio Amón, the hotel has spacious rooms with wood or tile floors and lots of deep, varnished-wood furnishings. Some of the tiled bathrooms have skylights. A bright breakfast room adjoins an interior patio, and if you keep traveling back into the interior of the building, you'll find a small outdoor pool, a rarity in a hotel of this size in the capital. The especially friendly, helpful staff makes this a real find. You'll get a small discount if you pay in cash.