Must-see hotels in Central Valley & Highlands

  • Finca Rosa Blanca

    Central Valley & Highlands

    Set amid a stunning hillside organic coffee plantation 6km northwest of Barva, this honeymoon-ready, Gaudí-esque confection of suites and villas is…

  • Rancho Naturalista

    Central Valley & Highlands

    About 1.3km south of Tuis and 900m above sea level, this small lodge on 50 hectares of land is a must-stay for birdwatchers. More than 450 species have…

  • Peace Lodge

    Central Valley & Highlands

    Feel like you've stepped into a fairy tale at this over-the-top lodge, with its exquisite villas boasting majestic valley views, fireplaces, private decks…

  • Montaña Linda

    Central Valley & Highlands

    A short walk southwest of Orosi's bus stop, this welcoming, chilled-out budget option has three tidy dorms and private rooms with twins, doubles or a…

  • Casa de Lis Hostel

    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…

  • Tacacori Ecolodge

    Central Valley & Highlands

    This peaceful retreat sitting on a verdant hillside high above Alajuela has four spacious bungalows with enchanting furnishings, floral motifs, modern…

  • Hotel Los Volcanes

    Central Valley & Highlands

    Tranquil and centrally located, this welcoming place in a refurbished 1920s mansion has 15 rooms, from vintage units with period-style furniture and clean…

  • Hotel Cortez Azul

    Central Valley & Highlands

    Great-value, friendly guesthouse. Clean, well-finished, light and airy doubles, some with beds made out of wooden pallets, some with shared bathrooms…

  • Casa Amanecer

    Central Valley & Highlands

    A 10-minute drive northeast of San Ramón, this sleekly designed, secluded B&B, owned by welcoming host Helen, offers five contemporary rooms with polished…

  • Hotel Quelitales

    Central Valley & Highlands

    Secluded and quiet, this-off-the-beaten-path collection of 10 clean, contemporary-chic bungalows features spacious rooms with wooden floors, ultra-comfy…

  • Wagelia Espino Blanco Lodge

    Central Valley & Highlands

    High above Turrialba, this 10-bungalow ecolodge sits on 30 hectares of forest land. The quaint and well-constructed cabins have hot water and rechargeable…

  • Lands in Love

    Central Valley & Highlands

    Midway between San Ramón and La Fortuna, this well-signposted lodge is run by animal lovers (they care for hundreds of them here). The 33 eclectic rooms…

  • Casa Turire

    Central Valley & Highlands

    This elegant three-story plantation inn with manicured lawns and an inner courtyard has 16 well-appointed rooms with high ceilings, wood floors and…

  • Toucan Rescue Ranch

    Central Valley & Highlands

    The local animal-rescue center also provides the best lodgings in town, with two adorable and well-constructed guesthouses just a short walk from the…

  • Poás Volcano Lodge

    Central Valley & Highlands

    For sophisticated, contemporary class in an idyllic rural setting, stay at this high-altitude property. Suites combine rusticity and elegance; the best…

  • Xandari Resort Hotel & Spa

    Central Valley & Highlands

    With spectacular bird's-eye views of the Central Valley, this romantic spot is set on a 40-acre plantation with 24 spacious villas (sleeping two to six…

  • Bosque de Paz

    Central Valley & Highlands

    A birdwatcher's paradise, this 10-sq-km reserve straddles an important wilderness corridor between Parque Nacional Volcán Poás and Parque Nacional Juan…

  • Casa Antigua Hotel

    Central Valley & Highlands

    Set in tropical gardens and replete with intricate woodwork, hand-painted floor tiles and quirky art, this 12-room guesthouse lures travelers with its…

  • Rancho Río Perlas

    Central Valley & Highlands

    With trout-filled lakes, a system of thermal waters (including a hot-spring swimming pool) and 2km of hiking trails, this picturesque mountain resort is a…

  • Albergue Pozo Verde

    Central Valley & Highlands

    A kilometer before the Parque Nacional Juan Castro Blanco entrance, this charming accommodation includes spotless rustic cabins, some with fireplaces and…

  • Mangífera Hostel

    Central Valley & Highlands

    This cozy hostel, with wooden floors and a friendly ambiance, feels instantly welcoming. Located on the northern side of Parque Central, it has eight…

  • Hotel Bougainvillea

    Central Valley & Highlands

    Set on four beautiful hectares about 6km outside town, this top hotel is surrounded by an expansive, well-manicured garden dotted with old trees, orchids,…

  • Rancho Amalia

    Central Valley & Highlands

    Attention, horse people: this family-owned mountaintop ranch just 10 minutes' drive south of Zarcero is your dream. On offer are four charming and well…

  • Orosi Lodge

    Central Valley & Highlands

    This quiet haven has bright rooms with wood-beamed ceilings, tile floors, minibar, coffeemaker and free organic coffee. Most rooms face a lovely garden…

  • Hotel Chalet Tirol

    Central Valley & Highlands

    Once serving as the backdrop for a German beer advert, this charming hotel channels the gingerbread quaintness and romance of the Austrian Alps. Somehow,…

  • Vida Tropical B&B

    Central Valley & Highlands

    In a quiet residential neighborhood a five-minute walk north of downtown Alajuela, this friendly house has snug, simple guest rooms awash with bright…

  • El Silencio

    Central Valley & Highlands

    Secluded outside of town, this upscale lodge from the Relais & Châteaux group comprises luxuriously designed cabina suites with private deck, rocking…

  • Villa Pacandé

    Central Valley & Highlands

    Located 3km north of Alajuela center, on the road to Volcán Poás, this Spanish-style home is set in gorgeous grounds festooned with blooms and buzzing…

  • Vista Atenas B&B

    Central Valley & Highlands

    Soak up dreamy valley views that include four volcanoes – and sometimes smoking craters – in the distance. Located in a residential area 5km outside…

  • Lagunillas Lodge

    Central Valley & Highlands

    Run by a charming local family, this rustic lodge and farm 3km below the park entrance is the closest accommodation to Poás. Hillside log cabinas offer…

  • Hotel La Posada

    Central Valley & Highlands

    Well-maintained rooms surround a lush, plant-filled courtyard at this pleasant inn, 400m north of the church. Rooms are somewhat baroque-looking,…

  • Trapp Family Country Inn

    Central Valley & Highlands

    The most attractive option you'll find near the airport landing strip, this hacienda-style country inn surrounded by an acre of jungle has terracotta…

  • Hotel Buena Vista

    Central Valley & Highlands

    About 5km north of Alajuela, this whitewashed Mediterranean-style hotel, perched on a mountaintop, has panoramic views of the nearby volcanoes. The best…

  • Turrialtico Lodge

    Central Valley & Highlands

    Commanding dramatic, sweeping views of the Río Reventazón valley, this old farmhouse 9km east of Turrialba (off the highway to Siquirres) offers 18…

  • Poás Lodge

    Central Valley & Highlands

    Run by American expats Leah and Matthew Lentz, this roadside hotel perched high on Poás' slopes at 2186m (only 4km south of the park entrance) has a cozy,…

  • Turrialba B&B

    Central Valley & Highlands

    For a bit of tranquility in downtown Turrialba (a rare commodity!), this B&B has a lovely garden patio with pool table and hammocks. Rooms are spacious…

  • Hotel Pacandé

    Central Valley & Highlands

    This popular, locally run option is spotlessly clean throughout, offering 10 large rooms with wood furnishings, folk-art touches and cable TV. The bright,…

  • Hotel Wagelia

    Central Valley & Highlands

    Simple, modern and clean rooms come with cable TV and face a quiet interior courtyard. A restaurant serves Tico specialties, while the pleasant terrace…

  • Alajuela Backpackers Hostel

    Central Valley & Highlands

    This gloomy four-story place with cookie-cutter rooms feels a tad institutional at first glance, but dig deeper and you'll discover some pluses: free…