Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa
The freshest B&B in the region is exquisitely run by a sweet Belgian-Tico couple. It hits every note with pitch-perfect elegance. Sharp, modern cabins all…
Must-see hotels in Central America
El Petén
As in Wonderland, that is. Fruit of the budding imaginations of a Franco-Belgian pair, this slightly remote spread looks not at the lake but at a swath of…
Panama City
Details speak to the thoughtfulness of this cool inn, a restored three-story colonial run by American expats whose service and travel advice excels. Ample…
Western El Salvador
Located on the rugged oceanfront of Barra de Santiago, near the Guatemalan border, these six luxury apartment–style rooms with king-sized beds open onto a…
El Salvador
Without a doubt this boutique hotel, set in a restored 200-year-old home, is one of the best places to stay in El Salvador. High-end Salvadoran art,…
Northern Belize
Tucked away on the bay south of town, Almond Tree is a gorgeous little 10-room resort and Corozal's most luxurious central offering. Most of the stylish…
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio & Around
Part of the Selina empire of dozens of hostels across Central America, this place is already a legend. Check in at the VW campervan desk then find your…
Ambergris Caye
At the quiet northern end of San Pedro town, Caye Casa stands out for its simplicity, sophistication and utter loveliness. The sweet colonial-style…
La Fortuna
What makes this gem of a guesthouse so special? It’s the paradisiacal setting, 2km from town. The luscious tiled pool and Jacuzzi are surrounded with…
To Corcovado via Puerto Jiménez
Tucked in amid a good surfing beach and lush jungle, the six beautifully handcrafted, thatch-roofed bamboo bungalows are open-air, allowing for all the…
Panajachel
A coffee plantation for much of the 20th century, this estate was remade as Pana's loveliest hotel in the 1970s. Located on the lakeshore 1.5km northwest…
Western Highlands
This cheerfully run guesthouse uphill from the main plaza has a selection of cozy rooms with hardwood floors, traditional textile bedspreads, good hot…
Cahuita
Owned by a delightful Quebecoise couple, this meticulously maintained place offers four charming rooms in a Caribbean-style plantation house, complemented…
Caribbean Coast
West of Guápiles, in a secret volcanic-mountain-range location, a 45-minute 4WD trip and a three-hour hike lead to this fabulous 410-hectare rainforest…
The Río San Juan & Islas Solentiname
Easily the best deal on Mancarrón, these three charming solar-powered wooden houses overlooking the bay have breezy hammock-strung balconies, spacious…
Central Pacific Coast
Each individually designed villa at this remarkable resort encompasses intriguing bright and colorful design elements, including wooden-lattice ceilings,…
Ambergris Caye
Vying for the title of 'swankiest resort,' Matachica is extravagant, exotic and eclectic. This place is serious about the idea of tropical luxury, so down…
Veraguas Province
In a 35-hectare preserve, this very private lodge showcases fine modern design with drop-dead Pacific views and plenty of attitude. The proud owner from…
To Corcovado via Puerto Jiménez
For total immersion in rural life, stay at this rustic farmhouse in the midst of 25 hectares of rainforest. There's no electricity, so you'll be up with…
Ojochal
Even the most jaded of guests will give an involuntary gasp of surprise when faced with the tremendous view from the infinity pool at this bluff-top hotel…
Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge
Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa
Nestled into a 65-hectare private reserve, Nicuesa is a wonderful retreat and ecolodge. The dreamy accommodations come with canopied beds, indigenous…
Central Valley & Highlands
Hands down Turrialba's best value sleep, this sweet, centrally located place is a traveler's dream. Spotless dorms and doubles with comfy mattresses and…
Western El Salvador
Carlos and his team at Casa Verde display the kind of resourceful, conscientious hospitality that makes this country such a joy. From the roof terrace,…
Lívingston
A lovely spot right on the water with (on a good day) views of Honduras from the upper floor, the Casa Nostra is a place that feels like home. Owner…
Placencia
The Maya Beach has 10 delightful, individually furnished and decorated rooms facing the beach. The smallest is cozy but most are spacious and thoughtfully…
Veraguas Province
Brimming with style, this lovely inn offers a peaceful and inspired beach retreat. Off a wraparound veranda, there's five elegant, ample rooms with ocean…
Panama City
Evoking old-time tropical grandeur, the refurbished Trade Hotel reinvests Plaza Herrera with a prosperous feel. With recycled floors from the canal…
Tortuguero Village
Tortuguero's longest-established lodging, Miss Junie’s is set on spacious palm-shaded grounds strewn with hammocks and wooden armchairs. Spotless wood…
Boquete
This sleekly designed hotel and spa provides a very chic retreat. British-owned, it has eight rooms with cool space-saving designs, set amid verdant…
Comarca de Guna Yala
This clutch of pleasant cabins over huge grounds is one of the best deals around, with prices cut to US$25/45 for stays longer than one night (plus US$30…
La Fortuna
Bordering the Bosque Eterno de Los Niños, this special place started as a spice farm then blossomed into an ecolodge. It’s a pretty impressive amalgam of…
Caye Caulker
The six apartments at Caye Reef have been designed with the utmost attention to detail – from the original artwork hanging on the walls to the swinging…
Boquete
Once upon a time, a Dutchman built this castle to pay homage to his beloved. Now it's a surreal fun center with an indoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi, on…
San Juan La Laguna
Immediately southwest of town, this European-managed ecoresort blends harmoniously with its surroundings. Traditional wood and stone accommodations with…
Península de Nicoya
This glamorous hilltop boutique is an adults-only dream stay, with just 21 posh villas (and private saltwater plunge pools) overlooking some of the…
Uvita
Twelve smart mountaintop cabins constructed almost entirely of glass and overlooking the mountains and sea. The transparent and sumptuous digs allow…
Montezuma
In the heart of the jungle but two minutes from town, this homey hostel and B&B is an inviting retreat. Crowded dorm rooms are super-clean with sturdy…
Central Valley & Highlands
This peaceful retreat sitting on a verdant hillside high above Alajuela has four spacious bungalows with enchanting furnishings, floral motifs, modern…
El Petén
This ecologically sound option blends into the jungle, close enough to Biotopo Cerro Cahuí to hear monkeys howl the evening in. Ten thoughtfully furnished…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
A 'chill house' is an apt descriptor for this eight-room boutique eco-chic hotel, set in the jungle. Super-stylish suites have breezy indoor-outdoor…
