20 Best Places to Stay in Costa Rica: Comprehensive Accommodation Guide

Costa Rica offers world-class hospitality tailored to its diverse environments, ranging from eco-luxury rainforest lodges and hot spring resorts to beachfront eco-cabins, volcano views, and boutique cloud forest retreats.

What to Expect From Costa Rica Hotels

Accommodations in Costa Rica emphasize sustainable luxury, environmental harmony, and warm personal hospitality. Luxury lodges feature open-air architecture, thermal mineral pools, farm-to-table dining, and private wildlife viewing decks.

20 Best Places to Stay in Costa Rica

1. Nayara Tented Camp

Style: Ultra-Luxury Rainforest Tented Lodge
Location: La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano
Best For: Rainforest Luxury & Hot Springs
About the Place: Raised luxury canvas tents featuring private plunge pools fed by natural volcanic hot springs, offering direct views of Arenal Volcano and sloth sanctuary trails.
Book & Explore: Places to Stay in Costa Rica

2. Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo

Style: 5-Star Luxury Ocean Resort
Location: Papagayo Peninsula, Guanacaste
Best For: World-Class Opulence & Beaches
About the Place: Situated on a narrow Isthmus with dual dual-coast beach access, featuring private pool villas, Arnold Palmer golf course, fine dining, and luxury spa pampering.
Book & Explore: Places to Stay in Costa Rica

3. Pacuare Lodge

Style: Remote Eco-Luxury Jungle Lodge
Location: Pacuare River, Cartago Province
Best For: River Adventure & Rainforest Isolation
About the Place: Arrive via whitewater raft to this eco-lodge nestled deep inside primary rainforest along the Pacuare River, featuring private canopy suites and riverfront dining.
Book & Explore: Places to Stay in Costa Rica

4. Lapa Rios Lodge

Style: Sustainable Primary Rainforest Lodge
Location: Puerto Jiménez, Osa Peninsula
Best For: Wildlife Enthusiasts & Conservation
About the Place: Set inside a 1,000-acre private rainforest reserve overlooking the ocean, Lapa Rios offers open-air wooden bungalows surrounded by monkeys, macaws, and pristine nature.
Book & Explore: Places to Stay in Costa Rica

5. Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa

Style: Thermal Hot Springs Resort
Location: La Fortuna, Arenal
Best For: Volcanic Hot Springs & Spa Relaxation
About the Place: World-famous for its natural thermal river flowing through lush rainforest gardens, offering luxury guest rooms, open-air spa treatments, and thermal pool access.
Book & Explore: Places to Stay in Costa Rica

6. Senda Monteverde Hotel

Style: Modern Mountain Eco-Boutique
Location: Monteverde Cloud Forest
Best For: Cloud Forest Comfort & Trail Access
About the Place: A cozy mountain eco-lodge featuring contemporary timber suites, private balconies facing cloud forest, farm-to-table dining, and direct nature trail access.
Book & Explore: Places to Stay in Costa Rica

7. Hotel Grano de Oro

Style: Victorian Heritage Boutique Hotel
Location: San José
Best For: City Culture & Fine Dining
About the Place: A beautifully converted 19th-century Victorian mansion in central San José, featuring interior tile courtyards, period artwork, and an acclaimed fine dining restaurant.
Book & Explore: Places to Stay in Costa Rica

8. Kura Design Villas

Style: Adults-Only Tropical Modern Luxury
Location: Uvita, South Pacific
Best For: Romantic Couples & Ocean Panoramas
About the Place: Perched high on a coastal ridge over Marino Ballena, this minimalist luxury retreat features glass villas, an infinity pool deck, and sweeping ocean views.
Book & Explore: Places to Stay in Costa Rica

9. El Silencio Lodge & Spa

Style: Cloud Forest Wellness Retreat
Location: Bajos del Toro, Alajuela
Best For: Wellness, Waterfalls & Quiet Solitude
About the Place: Nestled in a peaceful cloud forest valley surrounded by waterfalls, offering luxury wooden suites, private outdoor hot tubs, organic farm dining, and spa treatments.
Book & Explore: Places to Stay in Costa Rica

10. Harmony Hotel

Style: Sustainable Coastal Wellness Resort
Location: Playa Guiones, Nosara
Best For: Yoga, Surfing & Wellness
About the Place: Steps from the surf breaks of Playa Guiones, featuring eco-designed bungalows, an open-air yoga shala, juice bar, saltwater pool, and serene gardens.
Book & Explore: Places to Stay in Costa Rica

11. Aguas Claras

Style: Victorian-Caribbean Art Boutique Hotel
Location: Playa Chiquita, Puerto Viejo
Best For: Caribbean Style & Beach Relaxation
About the Place: A stylish boutique hotel featuring restored Gingerbread-style Caribbean bungalows, artistic décor, private plunge pools, and direct path access to white sand beaches.
Book & Explore: Places to Stay in Costa Rica

12. The Springs Resort & Spa

Style: Luxury Thermal Resort
Location: La Fortuna, Arenal
Best For: Families & Volcanic Vistas
About the Place: Spanning 165 acres with dramatic Arenal volcano views, featuring multiple natural hot spring pools, animal sanctuaries, river kayaking, and luxury suites.
Book & Explore: Places to Stay in Costa Rica

13. Arenal Observatory Lodge

Style: Historic Volcanic Observatory Lodge
Location: Arenal Volcano National Park
Best For: Unmatched Volcano Views & Hiking
About the Place: The only lodge located inside Arenal Volcano National Park, offering direct unobstructed crater views, miles of private hiking trails, and bird watching.
Book & Explore: Places to Stay in Costa Rica

14. Hotel Punta Islita

Style: Autograph Collection Hillside Resort
Location: Playa Islita, Nicoya Peninsula
Best For: Cultural Immersion & Coastal Views
About the Place: Tiered along a secluded coastal cove, featuring private plunge pool villas, local art workshops, canopy ziplines, and oceanfront dining.
Book & Explore: Places to Stay in Costa Rica

15. Tortuga Lodge & Gardens

Style: Riverfront Eco-Lodge
Location: Tortuguero River
Best For: Canal Excursions & Turtle Nesting
About the Place: Situated along Tortuguero's tranquil river canals, offering river-view rooms, private boat tours, lush tropical gardens, and eco-guided turtle walks.
Book & Explore: Places to Stay in Costa Rica

16. Makanda by the Sea

Style: Adults-Only Luxury Boutique Resort
Location: Manuel Antonio
Best For: Romantic Luxury & Wildlife
About the Place: Perched in rainforest canopy overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Makanda offers chic villas, private infinity pools, wildlife visits from monkeys, and fine dining.
Book & Explore: Places to Stay in Costa Rica

17. Copa De Arbol Beach & Rainforest Resort

Style: Secluded Eco-Lodge
Location: Drake Bay, Osa Peninsula
Best For: Off-Grid Rainforest & Beach Retreat
About the Place: Nestled between rainforest and beach, accessible only by boat, offering hand-crafted teak cabins, open-air dining, and direct access to Corcovado.
Book & Explore: Places to Stay in Costa Rica

18. Hotel Tropico Latino

Style: Oceanfront Surf & Yoga Resort
Location: Santa Teresa Beach
Best For: Beachfront Surfing & Yoga
About the Place: Set right on the sands of Santa Teresa, featuring beachfront wooden bungalows, open-air yoga decks, spa treatments, and stepping access to wave breaks.
Book & Explore: Places to Stay in Costa Rica

19. Trogon Lodge

Style: Highland Mountain Eco-Lodge
Location: San Gerardo de Dota
Best For: Quetzal Bird Watching & Mountain Peace
About the Place: Set amidst high mountain cloud forests along the Savegre River, featuring cozy timber cabins, trout fishing ponds, and quetzal tours.
Book & Explore: Places to Stay in Costa Rica

20. Chachagua Rainforest Hotel & Hacienda

Style: Authentic Eco-Hacienda
Location: Peñas Blancas, near Arenal
Best For: Rainforest Immersion & Organic Farming
About the Place: A 300-acre eco-reserve and working organic farm featuring rainforest bungalows, natural swimming ponds, night wildlife tours, and farm-to-table dining.
Book & Explore: Places to Stay in Costa Rica

Featured Image

Luxury Eco-Lodge in the Costa Rican Rainforest