34 Best Hotels in Tortuguero and the Caribbean Coast, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

New ownership and a post-pandemic overhaul have transformed the lodge’s thatch palm premises into colorful colonial-style buildings with bright white interiors, modern air-conditioned rooms, and a focus on personalized service and exclusivity. Tortuga sets itself apart with its smaller size, and markets itself to a higher-budget clientele, although during the off-season, rates are competitive. The lodge delivers a high-end experience by Tortuguero standards—offering an extensive wine menu, private family villas, a floating spa, and serene canal views from the refreshing waters of an unchlorinated, natural finish pool. The restaurant is à la carte rather than buffet style, and the menu has received an update as well, featuring elevated ingredients and creative preparations that are a departure from the heartier fare found around town, in addition to a menu of plant-based, vegetarian options. Tortuga's packages include meals, tours, and land/boat transfers with an option to upgrade to an air transfer via the hotel’s private charter flight (for an extra cost). The villa, with a king-size bed and an extra smaller bed, has ample room for a family. Tortuguero National Park is 10 minutes south by boat. Tortuga is the closest lodge to the area's tiny airstrip, although with only a couple of flights in an out daily, noise is not an issue.

Hidden in a beachfront jungle within the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, Almonds & Corals features scattered bungalows raised on stilts and linked by boardwalks lighted by kerosene lamps. From the outside, it looks quite rustic, but each safari-style unit is protected by a peaked roof and enclosed in screens. On the inside are solid wood floors, a tiled bathroom, mosquito-netted bed, comfortable furniture, curtains, electric lamps, hot water, and a hammock. A three-meal restaurant is tucked into the greenery halfway down to the property's exquisite, secluded beach. The locale provides that close-to-nature experience with all the comforts, including Wi-Fi. Your wake-up call is delivered via howler monkeys and chatty parrots. If asking for directions, note that local people know the place by its Spanish name, Almendros y Corales.

It may seem like a contradiction, but Pachira manages to create a feeling of rainforest immersion while also being one of the larger lodges in Tortuguero, as the expansive grounds, modern facilities, and range of tour options are designed to accommodate large groups with access to two restaurants, a spacious outdoor canal-side patio, a turtle-shaped pool, and the most buffets in town. Each almond-wood cabina in the lush, well-manicured gardens contains four guest rooms with high ceilings, king-size beds, and bamboo furniture. Renovated rooms are #89–94. The stunning pool is shaped like a giant sea turtle: the head is a whirlpool tub, the left foot is a wading pool, and the right foot is equipped for swimmers with disabilities. The all-inclusive package includes transport from San José, all meals, three guided tours, and access to 1½ km of private trails through the jungle surrounding the hotel. Spa treatments, a rarity up here, are extra. 

This tropical-industrial-inspired hotel offers guests (adults-only) a beachfront location as well as light-filled spacious rooms with private terraces, air conditioning, and comfortable, stylish furnishings. The facilities are modern, clean, and contemporary, while the property's well-maintained landscape allows for close observation of wildlife that often wander by from the nearby reserve. Although there's no pool, the beach is safe for swimming and the beach club has a bar and lounge chairs in the sand. Service is attentive and friendly, and the restaurant serves all three meals, including the free breakfast. Lunch can be served on the beach if desired, and dinner is a set menu with an option of dining on the beach under twinkle lights. Guests also have access to Exôtico Beach Hotel where they can use the pool and receive discounts at the bar and restaurant. Take note that there's no sign on the road for the hotel; this is by design to reinforce the exclusivity of the property. Punta Uva is only a short walk and Arrecife can be reached in 15 minutes.

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

This expertly constructed bamboo-and-wood hotel exudes the comfort and familiarity of a home away from home with fresh and functional accommodations, a free laundry service, high-speed internet, and a shared outdoor covered kitchen with an adjacent dining area and poolside lounge under a shaded rancho. Each room has its own terrace, modern amenities like a mini-fridge, air-conditioning, and a private bathroom. The black slate shower is cool and calming, a welcome respite from the hot and humid surroundings. The Spanish owners are friendly and accommodating, cooking up rice dishes and paellas made with fresh Caribbean seafood on request—something they do not only for guests but also for people in town who are craving this Spanish delicacy. The hotel is a little ways away from the town—in a car the distance can be traveled in minutes, riding a bike is also doable, but walking will occupy some time.

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.

The hotel's eco-built bungalows, set within wildlife-friendly, indigenous plant gardens, feature private terraces and king-size beds. The 5 bungalows are set far enough apart so each is private; 2 have open-air ceilings while the other 3 have a/c. The tone of the hotel is friendly and easygoing, something the long-time resident owners have created through their dedication to connecting with guests, the local culture, and the natural environment; the owners are a great source for information about the town, the culture, and the surrounding wildlife. Breakfast (included), lunch, and dinner, made with ingredients harvested from the on-site garden, are served in the open-air restaurant. Happy hour is celebrated with the property's signature coco loco drink; the full bar also serves classic cocktails and smoothies. The property has a small yoga shala, where guests can take classes in Afro-Caribbean dance, Muy Thai, yoga, and self-defense, all taught by members of the local community. There's also a saltwater pool and an on-site spa offering massages.

This family-run hotel and retreat center hidden within dense forest on a picturesque bend in the Sarapiquí River focuses on conservation and sustainability in all aspects of their operations, from renewable energy sources to the use of biodegradable products. Rooms are comfortable, clean, and include ample outdoor areas, both private and shared, where guests can recline in a lounge chair or swing in a hammock while monkeys climb through the trees above. Across the river, the hotel has built a new lodge with spacious, air-conditioned rooms and sunset views. The hotel reception offers extensive information regarding tours in the area and will help with making arrangements.

Furnished with a world-class collection of internationally acquired European antiques, the colonial-style villas and "glamping" safari tents look out over the cloud-topped rainforest or across hilly pastures, the furniture and art evoking a bygone era of extravagant import to the tropics. Outfitted with outdoor showers, nine glamping tents are stationed atop jungle-edged platforms which provide plenty of terrace space to accommodate walnut dining tables and viewpoint-oriented hammocks. Each tent is named after an artist or personality who embodies the romanticized persona of a storied world traveler, their personal histories are interwoven into the tent’s decor and design. The hotel offers the same amenities—room service, laundry, daily cleaning, and Wi-Fi—that you would find in a boutique hotel. It also emphasizes high-quality, delicious breakfasts, serving homemade bread, cakes, and marmalade and changing daily. Wellness offerings include yoga classes on a deck in the middle of the jungle, massages, holistic therapies, meditation, and guided walks where the abundant wildlife is on display. There is a recommended 2--3 night minimum in the tents to get the full experience but it is not required.

Situated next to the Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, a forest of tall trees towers around these modern, cozy accommodations that exhibit photo-friendly tableaux of plush, textured furnishings; outside the rooms, semiprivate, palm frond-concealed terraces gaze upon a fashionable pool, where guests spread out atop shaded daybeds, relaxing to chill beats and the calls of birds. Fourteen air-conditioned and sumptuously furnished—woven rugs, wicker lanterns, and copious pillows—rooms range from standard and deluxe to suites or a two-bedroom villa. The restaurant is immaculate, serving a menu of carefully prepared, generously portioned Costa Rican cuisine under massive straw light fixtures intermingled with luscious ferns in an open-air rancho. The bar pours fine wines or inventive, tropical cocktails that can be enjoyed poolside or with dinner. The service is attentive and professional, and can help with planning tours or activities.

The tiled-roof, terra-cotta dwellings and immaculate gardens of this once-abandoned colonial farm have been restored to reflect its Spanish architectural origins, while the hotel’s interiors, art, and overall character incorporate pre-Colombian indigenous history and the modern-day local Tico community. Alongside this exquisite historic hotel are two newly opened glamping tents, fully equipped in function and style, and hidden within the tropical rainforest for a private experience, and a standalone stone cottage whose Moorish-style exterior looks more at home in Morocco than the jungles of Costa Rica. The hotel grounds also include a pool with lounge chairs and a private rancho for dining. The hotel works hard to convey a distinct identity by incorporating the cultures that have played a role in the region's history and daily tours are thoughtful and thorough. The cacao tour shares the chocolate-making process while also telling the story of the indigenous people. Birdwatching tours, which take place on the two miles of trails surrounding the property, are conducted with an experienced nature guide who is skilled in locating many of the 400 species of birds found in Sarapiquí. The service is very personalized—it is not uncommon to interact with the owner and become friendly with the hospitable staff. The restaurant is a focus, serving a menu of decedent Caribbean specialties, and a dinner here is not to be missed.

In 2020, a group of Spanish friends purchased this little paradise where beautiful gardens run down to the river; they added a pool, free tai chi classes, and a menu blending Spanish and Costa Rican dishes. Colorful tanagers and three types of toucan feast in the citrus trees on the grounds of this two-story lodge, where comfortable rooms with terra-cotta floors are nicely accented with decorative crafts. Prime activities are horseback jungle treks, boat trips up the Sarapiquí River, and bird-watching—more than 100 species have been spotted here.

Brightly painted stone or wood cabins, all with functional bamboo furnishings and air-conditioning, are scattered around the beachfront garden grounds at this place on the far north end of Playa Grande. The pool is large, clean, and shows off a seaside view, the surrounding patio stocked with lounge chairs and encircled by palms and blooming tropical plants. The grounds are abundant with wildlife like sloths, toucans, and frogs. All cabins have bright furnishings and art posters decorating the walls, and rooms #1 and #4 even come with whirlpool tubs. The owners' interest in Eastern religions is evidenced in the hotel's name (la diosa means "goddess") and there are little touches such as the rounding of corners and cachá-wood rails to "enhance feminine energy." A bridge connects the pool to the beach, and a private trail leads to shaded, sandy-bottomed natural pools that are open to the public but most easily accessed from the hotel’s property. The breakfast costs an additional $6 plus tax.

The hardwood rooms and bungalows at this serene lodge may not have air conditioning, but the vaulted, screened ceilings and fans keep the rooms cool in the evenings, the open windows letting in fresh air and the nocturnal sounds of the jungle. Colorful decor brightens the bedrooms, which are clustered together around the house where guests have access to a shared kitchen and dining area where the optional breakfast is served. Fresh fruit is hung around the terrace, attracting a medley of birds for up-close observation. Manicured gardens surround the rooms and bungalows, and the property has access to a trail leading directly onto Playa Grande. Two bungalows tucked away in the gardens offer more privacy, and the least expensive of them is not that much more than the price of the rooms, although the rate does not include breakfast. Perfect for a long-term stay, the bungalows have tiled floors, a dining area, and a fully equipped kitchen; the largest contains two bedrooms and sleeps four. The grounds have a strong, reliable fiberoptic internet connection for remote workers, and the hotel staff are a great resource for finding and booking tours with knowledgeable operators that offer fair rates.

Four octagonal wood bungalows are scattered around the secluded wooded property, with its wonderfully cool surroundings (no air-conditioning is needed). Half of each structure is given over to the room itself with screen door, large windows, ceiling fan, and bright bathrooms with basin sinks. A comfy porch with a hammock for relaxing takes up the other half. In the center of it all sits a pleasant thatch-roof lounge area, and the sounds of monkeys, toucans, and iguanas can be heard throughout the property.

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.

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.

This large-scale boutique hotel fronting Playa Cocles occupies 2½ acres of land, leaving enough space for two pools, sprawling gardens, and a beachfront club. The tropical aesthetic of these exteriors conceals what’s inside—blinding-white, minimalist rooms featuring surrealist art and ornate furnishings, accented by colorful pillows that are swapped out every day in an unexpected callback to the titular “chameleon.” The hotel’s wellness offerings include yoga and beach workout classes, Ayurveda and detox programs, mountain biking, a raw food menu, and a day spa. The hotel can also arrange a variety of activities and wildlife or adventure tours. All rooms are equipped with a/c.

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.

Considered as integral part of the town’s history, the restaurant at Miss Junie’s opened in 1940 when Tortuguero was an even tinier coastal village without electricity and limited contact to the outside world, but nowadays this hotel offers clean, basic rooms with a private bathroom and air-conditioning, a sizable pool with patio space overlooking the jungle, well-maintained gardens, and views overlooking both the sea and the canals. The restaurant is open to the public and serves traditional Caribbean specials like jerk chicken and rondón soup (coconut soup with fish). This is a good option for budget travelers or those who prefer to opt out of the all-inclusive packages at the lodges.

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.