130 Best Hotels in Costa Rica

This ultracool, holistic retreat gets top marks for both comfort and sustainability, thanks to American owners who are surfers that believe comfort, quiet, and thinking ecologically are more appealing than partying. The Cocos rooms surround a huge garden with a gorgeous sundeck and chlorine-free pool—an oasis of shaded tranquility. Enclosed back decks with hammocks, outdoor showers, and a cushioned chaise lounge expand what are otherwise standard-size rooms. The larger duplex bungalows, closer to the beach, feature spacious bathrooms and offer even more privacy with large decks enclosed with teak walls. Every room and one-bedroom bungalow is luxuriously outfitted, with soothing sage-and-cream walls, king-size beds dressed in white linen, and natural and polished-wood trim and furniture. The best surf breaks are just 180 meters away, down a shaded path. The property works with local farmers to supply the majority of produce, and a free sustainability tour is available for guests. The chic bar adds to the sophisticated ambience, along with a popular adjacent lounge, on a terrace facing the garden. The contemporary restaurant focuses on seafood, along with vegetarian and raw-food options—think kale, quinoa, and heirloom vegetables. For the health-conscious traveler there's also a tranquil "healing center" complete with spa, yoga classes, and a juice bar. 

Famous for miles of bird-watching trails and expert guides, this lodge has comfortable, spacious rooms with two double beds and modern bathrooms, some with bathtubs, set in colorful, bird-attracting gardens. The main lodge has a huge firepit, a spacious bar, and a gift shop with lots of useful bird-watching items, including rain ponchos. A hearty breakfast is included in the rate. Breakfast and lunch can be served on a large sunny terrace frequented by hummingbirds. Homegrown trout is the restaurant's specialty. Don Efrain Chacón first bushwhacked his way through these mountains in the 1950s, and the property is still run by his children and grandchildren.

If you want to avoid the twisting drive down the San Gerardo road, take a bus to Km 80 on the Pan-American Highway and arrange a lift to the hotel ($25 for up to 5 people).

These cozy, comfortable, and simple rooms allow you to sleep as close as anyone should to a volcano—it's the only hotel inside Arenal Volcano National Park and less than two miles away. Stellar views and outdoor activities are what the place is all about. The facility was founded by Smithsonian researchers and is fairly rustic, though after a hike on the 11 km (7 miles) of well-maintained trails, you can take a dip in the infinity pool and Jacuzzi, which face tall pines on one side and the volcano on the other. With more than 400 species of birds and 870 acres of private rainforest, this property is a dream for bird-watchers and those who seek peace and quiet. Other activities include complimentary guided hikes to the waterfall, horseback riding, or relaxing at the spa. Five of the rooms are wheelchair-accessible, as are a couple of miles of the property's trails. The dining room, which serves tasty and hearty food, has great views of the volcano and lake. A separate building contains a few spartan budget rooms.

Grab a hammock and sway away your cares at this beachfront property that is spotless, modern, comfortable, and one of the best deals in Cahuita. Beyond the gated entrance is an authentic Italian restaurant where homemade pizza and pasta are served. Five beachfront rooms have two queen beds, air conditioning, smart TVs, purified water, and patios with ocean views. A small pool keeps life cool, as do hammocks swinging from towering trees. The Italian owners, Elisa and Giuseppe, go above and beyond to make sure every guest has an unforgettable stay. The hotel offers complimentary equipment for snorkeling in the reef next to the hotel.

This property embodies the vacation resort vibe, whether it’s lounging poolside or posting up at the wet bar, and the stylish, well-maintained rooms run the gamut from standard wooden cabinas to superior bungalows, all offering air conditioning and private furnished outdoor spaces that overlook tropical gardens where monkeys howl from the treetops and agoutis scurry among the vegetation. Cariblue's finely crafted all-wooden bungalows are spaciously arrayed on the edge of the jungle, across the road from the splendid white-sand beaches of Punta Cocles. Cabinas are linked to the main ranch-style building by paths that meander across a gently sloping lawn shaded by enormous trees. Expansive verandas and beautiful tile mosaics in the bathrooms add an air of refinement; hammocks add relaxation. The recently renovated on-site La Jungla Restaurant serves a buffet-style breakfast and Mediterranean-Caribbean fusion cuisine for lunch and dinner, and on the weekends, hosts live calypso or reggae performances.

Tucked into the hillside with jaw-dropping panoramic views of the beach and the forest, this luxury hotel with a modern Balinese feel offers private and secluded villas for couples who want to unwind and take it easy. At the right time of day, the infinity pool just outside the restaurant turns the exact right color and blends seamlessly with the ocean.

High style at high altitude, this avant-garde lodge clinging to the side of a mountain has unbeatable valley views, great bird-watching, luxury accommodations, a sophisticated restaurant, and the top ecological sustainability rating. All rooms are uniquely designed to reflect the environment, including #14 built around a tree. All casitas and suites have living rooms with huge picture windows, private terraces, a/c, Jacuzzi tubs, minibars, ethanol-fueled fireplaces, as well as fluffy duvets for cold nights. The staff go out of their way to make sure all of your needs are met, offering everything from baby cribs to packed lunches. 

Framing a blue-tiled pool are freestanding cottages with thoughtful and creative touches like luxurious bedding atop artsy bed frames (made from repurposed pallets), colorful throws, polished cement floors, and lofts with twin beds. The oceanfront suite opens onto a private terrace with unobstructed views of the beach. There’s a two-bedroom, two-bath villa with a full kitchen that sleeps five, and an economical room with no view but plenty of character. There are surf lessons and beach toys for kids, and massages and margaritas for mom and dad. Yoga sessions take place at 9 am daily ($15). Horseback riding and other tours can be arranged on-site. Costa Rican specialties are cooked on an open flame and served in a palapa restaurant. Void of TVs and phones, this is the place to unplug, although there is a high-speed Wi-Fi connection.

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

Built on stilts over the Sarapiquí River on the edge of a 2-square-km (1-square-mile) private tropical rainforest reserve, the lodge caters primarily to those seeking natural-history tours. Activities include guided walks, boat trips, canoeing, rafting, and mountain biking. The wood-paneled lodge rooms have shared verandas strung with hammocks. Half a mile from the main hotel are seven bungalows that provide more space than the standard lodge rooms—with air-conditioning to boot. There is also a large two-bedroom house ideal for a family. Two trails can be explored on self-guided tours, or you can join the morning birdwatching tour for $30. Reserve a few weeks ahead, especially in high season; the place is very popular with tour groups.

Let your toes sink into the sandy sendero (trail) that takes you from one of the world’s most consistent waves to this chic boutique hotel nestled in a nature preserve. Unlike traditional lobby greetings, you’ll meander past a quiver of surfboards and rainfall showers to an open-air restaurant where Nosara’s elite gather for après-surf cuisine. Designed for those who mix business and pleasure, the hotel also runs Outpost, a nearby co-working space where hotel guests have access to a cafe, rooftop, and library. Both wellness and comfort are top priorities, evident in the state-of-the-art fitness studio, courtyard pool, surf school, and hospitality station (with everything from sunscreen to snacks). Despite the endless lure outside your door, it’s hard to leave the nature-inspired rooms fashioned in muted palettes and earthy tones, with outdoor showers, jungle lounges, blackout curtains, buttery linens, Bluetooth speakers, and mini-bars stocked with local treats. Founded by two besties who dreamed big during Covid, the hotel encompasses the heart of Nosara by not only giving back to the community, but by giving back to nature through sustainability practices that are helping this surf town grow in the right direction.

You might miss one of the Central Valley’s snazziest hotels amid all the development that Santa Ana has to offer, but inside is that proverbial oasis, which doubles as one of the country’s largest private art collections. Modern and contemporary Costa Rican art adorn the hotel’s public areas, including its elegant Katöwa restaurant and third-floor bar with adjoining rooftop pool. The starkly modern rooms gleam with lots of white and tan furnishings. All that and the attentive staff come at very reasonable rates.

This boutique hotel built from recycled materials is inspired by the owners’ travels to Southeast Asia and has nine contemporary rooms overlooking a pool-centered courtyard. Gourmet breakfasts are served on a breezy upstairs patio bordered by papaya trees frequented by monkeys. Spacious rooms have concrete floors, organic bath products, flat-screen TVs, walk-in closets, and foam-insulated walls for noise and temperature control. Tinted-glass doors keep outsiders from looking in, allowing for ultimate privacy even if the curtains aren’t drawn. There are complimentary beach cruisers and longboards for a day on the coast (a 10-minute walk), or guests can lounge by the UV-filtered pool, completely protected within the confines of the gated property. It’s definitely worth splurging on the 800-square-foot suite with a private patio, Nespresso machine, massage treatment, bottle of champagne, enormous bathroom, and California king bed made from guanacaste trees.