San José
A 1936 vintage art deco manse houses this cozy, welcoming spot on the northeastern edge of Parque Nacional. Five large, basic private rooms (two are…
San José
A 1936 vintage art deco manse houses this cozy, welcoming spot on the northeastern edge of Parque Nacional. Five large, basic private rooms (two are…
Quepos
By far the best budget-to-mid-range option in Quepos, this large, rambling building just out of town offers various configurations of bright simple rooms…
Southern Caribbean
Korrigan is a Breton word for a fairy or gnome, and maybe that was the impetus for this otherworldly lodge, nestled into a patch of Talamanca jungle. Four…
San José
This boutique stay is comfy, close to good restaurants and the airport, reasonably priced and decked out in Costa Rican artwork. It doubles as a gallery,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Central Pacific Coast
Each individually designed villa at this remarkable resort encompasses intriguing bright and colorful design elements, including wooden-lattice ceilings,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
Carlos and Paula remodeled their family farmhouse, filled it with art, jazz and delicious food, and then opened their doors to share the love. Five rooms…
Northwestern Costa Rica
Set on 40 hectares of forest and pastures 3km west of Bijagua, this family finca is crisscrossed by 3.5km of trails and dotted with farm animals. The two…
Península de Nicoya
The area's most creative nest is this unique ecolodge, where attention to detail is paramount. Choose from five skylit bungalows (four with air-con, one…
Northwestern Costa Rica
This excellent operation has taken over the western end of Playa Copal, with a wide range of accommodations, kiteboarding lessons and rentals (the same…
Bahía Drake
This excellent nonprofit, off-the-beaten-track hostel is a boon for budget travelers wanting to connect with the local community. All rooms have sturdy…
Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa
They might look rustic from the outside with their thatch roofs and stilts, but these 10 hillside cabinas are gorgeously outfitted inside. Built with…
Tortuguero Village
On the opposite side of the canal from Tortuguero village, this jungle hideaway is good value. The immaculate rooms are connected by elevated walkways;…
Península de Nicoya
Romantically set on the beach amid a palm-fringed garden, Tambor Tropical is a lovely boutique hotel with stunning architecture. The 12 roomy, hexagonal…
Nosara Area
At this B&B in the trees set high on a hillside with views of both bays, you can’t help but relax. The seven spacious rooms have a Mediterranean flair,…
Bahía Drake
This absolute gem of a finca hotel stretches across the hills 2km south of Agujitas. Cost-conscious travelers are drawn by the excellent value-to-price…
Southern Caribbean
Steps from idyllic Punta Uva, this cluster of cabinas with tiled bathrooms, polished-wood verandas, hammocks and a shared open-air kitchen is hidden down…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
This full-service hostel right in central Santa Elena is a perennial favorite, offering budget travelers top-notch service and pura vida hospitality. Each…
To Corcovado via Puerto Jiménez
One of Costa Rica's best all-inclusive wilderness lodges, Lapa Ríos combines luxury with a rustic, tropical ambience. It comprises 17 spacious, thatched…
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…
Playa Tamarindo
A slice of paradise just a block off the main drag. Meander through the jungle-like grounds' inlaid wooden paths to any of seven bungalows (plus two…
Quepos to Uvita
To visualize Danyasa, imagine eight refurbished cargo containers set amid tranquil greenery, each turned into a snug room or grander suite, with shared…
Península de Nicoya
A dreamy campground offering three cozy, fan-cooled safari tents, an open-air rancho, a shared kitchen, and bathroom facilities with hot showers, all…
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…