48 Best Hotels in Costa Rica

Set on stunning, palm-fringed Playa Quizales and backed by 15 acres of exuberant gardens and a 9-hole executive golf course, this comfortable, contemporary resort has a wide range of luxurious lodging options that appeal to families and couples of every age, including honeymooners. Every room faces the ocean with a mile of sandy beach for sunset walks. A large rock reef just offshore provides some protection for swimmers, but if you don't want to brave the waves there are three exquisitely designed swimming pools, one with a waterfall. Just a short hike away, there's an impressive natural waterfall, during rainy season, that drops right into the sea. Hammocks are strung between coconut trees and plenty of comfortable lounges dot the beachfront. Almost every room—from tropical villas high on a ridge to spacious standard rooms in a three-story building a stone’s throw from the beach—has endless ocean views and terraces to catch ocean breezes. Romantic, wooden tiki huts have in-room whirlpool tubs; and six deluxe beachfront rooms are set apart for privacy. There are also chic villas with two to five bedrooms, all with ample private terraces overlooking the sand. Breakfast and dinner, a mix of sophisticated Costa Rican and continental cuisines, using organic vegetables grown in the hotel's own garden, are served at the elegant main restaurant; lunch is at the attractive open-air poolside restaurant. On-site activities include rides along the beach on horses from the hotel’s own stables ($45), golf ($23 greens fee), and tennis on two courts. There's a beachfront yoga deck, and a spa and hair salon provide serious pampering opportunities. The hotel has earned three leaves for its sustainability efforts.

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.

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.

A garden paradise that lives up to its name, this combination organic farm and sophisticated ecolodge is an otherworldly experience, meant to be slowly and thoughtfully absorbed with time. Beautifully designed, thatched-roof tiki cabins have private bathrooms and outdoor showers in cane-and-bamboo enclosures. There's a gorgeous, contemporary house with a spectacular ocean view for families or couples. Adventurous, budget-minded travelers can play castaways in seven airy, comfortable platform tents with garden showers and communal restrooms. Meals (included in the rate) are truly exotic, using organic produce from the garden and local fish and meat, prepared with spicy Asian accents and served in a stunning restaurant overlooking the sea. There are fresh juices and coffee and tea available all day. Two daily yoga classes are held on a serene yoga deck, and a masseuse is on call. One of the best activities is a tour of the garden. Carate Beach is steps away, and La Leona entrance to Corcovado National Park is a 40-minute walk along the beach.

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.

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?)

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. 

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.

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

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

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.

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

Stylish luxury prevails here: king-size beds, outdoor whirlpool tubs, and luxurious fabrics grace the rooms, and many have balconies overlooking the volcano. Lounges and sitting rooms are spacious and dramatic, with soaring ceilings and walls of windows that bring the outdoors inside. Breakfasts feature homemade breads, jams, nutty granola, and fresh milk straight from the lodge's dairy herd. The main outdoor activities are birding in the surrounding gardens or hiking around the 300-acre property.

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.

Perched 1,200 feet above the sea on a promontory south of Punta Leona, the elegant rooms sequestered in the jungle have jaw-dropping views of the surrounding foliage and sea below. Spectacular sunsets should be enjoyed from the Amphitheater Bar. Freestanding suites and villas are gorgeous, and much better than rooms in the main building; if a villa's beyond your budget, try for a deluxe room with a shared pool. Victorian, French colonial, and Hellenistic motifs feature throughout, with Ionic columns, varied artwork, and cookie-cutter trims. The regular pool is rather small, but the Zephyr Palace complex — with its 10 themed rooms — has an impressive infinity pool with amazing views. Few suites in the world are as lavish as the Imperial suite at the Zephyr Palace, with its private gym, sauna, walk-in closet, and big-screen TV that ascends from the foot of the bed. The closest beach, Playa Caletas, is attractive but small and rocky; it's reached via a 15-minute shuttle ride or a 1½-hour hiking trail. You'll be rewarded with a beach bar, shaded palapas, lounge beds, and showers. Though great for romance or relaxation, there's little to offer kids or active travelers.

Secluded and serene, this gorgeous tropical resort neighboring a reserve sits in an exuberant garden, nestled between the sea and a lush forest. The geodesic-dome bungalows are snug but charming, with bright Mexican textiles, colorful murals, and sunny terraces. Some have ocean views and cozy loft sleeping areas. Facing the beach, a three-story building has spacious two-story suites with balconies, and refreshed and brightened standard rooms below. Well-designed ocean-view cabinas with king-size or single beds and decks, offer a back-to-nature experience—but not all the way back, because they also have a/c, private bathrooms with hot-water showers. There's also a secluded tree-top canopy, complete with kitchenette, on a platform high up in the trees; it's perfect for honeymooners. Rates include breakfast and dinner for two. The grounds are covered with trees that hold iguanas, howler monkeys, tricolor squirrels, and an array of birds. Adding to the romance is a jungle-fringed pool with a waterfall. Daily yoga classes and spa services are offered, and a restaurant with tables under the stars serves some of the tastiest fusion dishes in Montezuma, along with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices. Much of the electricity used here is solar generated. There's a nature trail that climbs the ridge above the hotel, and once a week, owner Patricia Slump leads a tour (upon request) of the hotel garden, 34 years in the making. Weekly yoga and sound healing classes are offered in the new fitness center. 

Reminiscent of a ski lodge, this longtime favorite has extremely comfortable and stylish rooms with vaulted ceilings and great views. The bar is positioned around a huge but cozy lobby fireplace, and the outdoor heated pool is a perfect place to unwind after a day of tromping through the reserves. The exceptional El Jardín Restaurant, with its menu of Garden, Ocean, and Land options, uses locally grown vegetables and dairy from the Monteverde milk factory. Rooms are situated along a long corridor, which tends to carry hallway noise; Nos. 201 and 207 have the most privacy. Guests are advised to keep their balcony doors closed, because monkeys have been known to ransack suites.

Combining Costa Rica’s vibrant architecture with modern design, this tranquil property reminiscent of tropical-deco decor, offers spacious rooms and colorful beach bungalows with indoor-outdoor rainfall showers and private gardens. Tucked behind 8-foot walls, each room was designed with privacy and luxury in mind and includes a collection of books, huge flat-screen TVs, and a minibar. The two mosaic swimming pools are sparkling clean and surrounded by waterfalls and mini-palapas for shade. The open-air restaurant specializes in organic cuisine, serving such dishes as grilled fish, tuna tartare, fish tacos, pasta, and salads. Many ingredients (for the food and the natural spa products) are grown on-site.

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.

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. 

If you fancy toucan-spotting from your room or the deck of your bungalow, Chachagua will be right up your alley. Each room has a pair of double beds, an outdoor table, and nice showers enclosed in large, reflective windows where birds gather to watch their reflections while you bathe. Only deluxe bungalows have TV and plunge pools, but if you fancy a dip, there's a series of natural spring-fed pools leading to one of the two outdoor restaurants and bar. For complete isolation, request a room facing the rainforest. An open-air restaurant serves an organic menu. The lodge is 3 km (2 miles) up a rough track—4WD is a must in rainy season—on the road headed south from La Fortuna to La Tigra. Do not attempt arriving after dark or during heavy rains since the river crossing becomes impassable and roads are poorly marked.

High on a hillside with spectacular ocean views framed by giant traveler's palm trees, this Austrian-owned hotel is a good base for exploring the area. The elegant Mediterranean-style buildings, painted blue and white, have spacious rooms, and there's plenty of open space for kids to play in, plus fitness trails for grown-ups and a spa to relax in. There's also a 4,300-square-foot swimming pool that commands both mountain and sea views. The birding here is excellent. If you tire of the view (not likely), there are large flat-screen televisions on swivel bases. Breakfast buffets are hearty at the pleasant poolside restaurant, which also serves lunch and candlelit dinners, featuring excellent fish along with some tasty Austrian specialties, including Wiener schnitzel. Service is friendly and polished. There's always a breeze and a feast for the eyes from the restaurant terrace. For budget-minded guests, there are two "adventure cabins" at the edge of the jungle, with ceiling fans but no air-conditioning.

This low-rise hotel was the metro area's original luxury hotel, and it remains popular for its excellent service and close-to-airport location. Just off the busy General Cañas Highway, about halfway between San José and the international airport, the Cariari is surrounded by thick, tropical vegetation that buffers it from traffic noise. Spacious, carpeted guest rooms in back overlook the pool area. The relaxed poolside bar, with cane chairs and colorful tablecloths, and nearby casino, are popular spots. Overall, it feels slightly more low-key and less grandiose than the nearby Marriott.

With one of the most spectacular ocean views on the Costa Ballena, this modern "castle" is a luxury boutique hotel with nine ultrachic guest quarters with private terraces. Along with a million-dollar view of a shimmering infinity pool melding into the ocean from the lounge terrace, there are exquisite design touches everywhere in this modern, honey-colored castle. Three palatial suites have huge contemporary bathrooms, king-size poster beds, and a tasteful smattering of one-of-a-kind side tables, chairs, bibelots, and art. Smaller double rooms sport the same design touches, three with ocean views and one tucked away in the hotel garden. "Spa Suites" 8 and 9 have ocean views, Jacuzzi tubs, and more privacy than the other suites. The restaurant is breezy by day and romantic at night. Keep binoculars handy since the birding in and around the hotel is excellent. Early in the morning and at sunset, pairs of scarlet macaws perform a fly-past.

A longtime favorite for first- and last-night stays, this chain hotel lets you ease into and out of Costa Rica in familiar surroundings. You can't get any closer to the airport: it's just across the highway. (Crossing the busy highway on foot would be impossible, though.) All the U.S.-style amenities for which the chain is known are yours here, including its sumptuous hot breakfasts. Rooms are bright and airy, with the same furnishings you'd find at any outlet of a Hampton Inn back home.

With eight ultraspacious, deluxe rooms with two queen beds, and five beautiful bungalows boasting high, sloping cane ceilings, handsome contemporary furniture, and sleek marble bathrooms, there's something for everyone on this chic compound, half a block off one of Tamarindo's main drags. Stone pathways lead to each unit, fronted by a private porch, hammock, table, and chairs.  All accommodations include flat-screen TVs, hair dryers, coffeemakers, and mini-refrigerators. There's a small pool and two pleasant cabanas with natural slate floors that keep you cool on hot days, and the pool bar shakes up some serious martinis. Amiable owner Richard Resnick is usually around to fill you in on the local scene.

With an excellent restaurant, a lush garden, a pretty infinity pool, and exceptional service, this elegant hotel is a heavenly spot for those who like to indulge themselves. The original 16 rooms have elegant, dark-wood furniture, comfortable beds topped with plush linens, and subtle angelic touches. Other luxuries include coffeemakers, soaking tubs, and spectacular stained-glass windows. Six Jungle Rooms are smaller and darker, but cheaper and very comfortable, with pickled-wood walls, antiqued armoires, and balconies facing the forest or garden. The romantic, high-ceilinged terrace restaurant, aglow in shades of royal blue and gold, has a very sophisticated menu; the tender osso buco is cooked to perfection, and the menu is completely gluten-free. The breakfast is also excellent.

From the villas to the farm to the on-site hot springs, kids and adults alike are enthralled by this peaceful property. The lush and lovely well-kept grounds have volcano views and include an agua fria (cold water) pool for splashing around as well as multiple tranquil hot springs to relax. There is a spa, bar, and restaurant. The farm-fresh eggs (you can collect them yourself) make for a hearty and delicious breakfast.