Monteverde & Santa Elena
The wonderful Tico hospitality starts first thing in the morning with homemade banana bread or pancakes. In addition to the excellent breakfast, staff…
Must-see hotels in Costa Rica
Península de Nicoya
Aside from offering boards, lessons and trips, the surf camp is also a great budget-accommodations option. Three cute, thatched, A-frame cabinas have…
Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa
This adorable lodge consists of colorful wooden cabins and safari tents, located near the picturesque beach of the same name. The owners are warm hosts…
The Road to Chirripó
This charming wooden cottage overlooks the river, northeast of the soccer field. Guests rave about the warm welcome and tasty meals prepared by the owner…
Jacó
In a wonderfully peaceful location along an unpaved road 2.5km north of Jacó, this intimate hotel caters to travelers who want to do their own thing yet…
Playa Sámara
They call it a B&C. No breakfast, just coffee. The rest is basically a dream: cozy and colorful, three darling cottages are perched in the sand,…
Jacó
On the tranquil northern end of Jacó, this crocodile-themed resort is surprisingly elegant. Sleek towers, an immaculate casino and sprawling pools…
Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa
Set amid extensive gardens and orchards, this lodge is arguably the most beautiful and intimate in all of Golfo Dulce. Stunning modern wooden cabins are…
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…
To Corcovado via Puerto Jiménez
To stay at Finca Exotica is to glamp in a tropical Eden, surrounded by 90 hectares of farmland that include more than 125 species of fruit and vegetables,…
Jacó
Bold colors and modern art create an artistic atmosphere at this 'boutique hostel,' where the best private rooms are spacious suites. The staff are lovely…
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio & Around
The gay owners of this intimate hotel cater to many of Manuel Antonio's LGBT+ travelers; it's particularly popular with men. The upstairs rooms are…
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…
The Road to Chirripó
Set within the eponymous reserve, these appealing garden and river cabins all show off beautifully embellished wood and tile interiors, with indigenous…
Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa
This legendary Dutch-run outpost is literally the end of the road in Punta Banco. Here, surfers gather to socialize in the evenings, sharing family-style…
Parque Nacional Corcovado
This wonderful, farm-based rural-tourism project is run by Eduardo and his hospitable family. There are various nature trails on the property, and it's a…
Quepos
Secure and cozy, this good-value gated backpacker outpost centered around a tranquil pool has spacious doubles and clean shared bathrooms. There are…
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio & Around
This attractive little adults-only hotel offers light, bright, spacious and contemporary rooms and suites, set around an oval pool and overlooking lush…
Quepos to Uvita
On the beach road you’ll find this friendly and laid-back place with luxury safari-style beachfront tents – all with electricity, tiled bathroom with hot…
Puerto Jiménez
The most appealing place to stay in Puerto Jiménez proper, Cabinas Jiménez combines the convenience of a central location with the ambience and amenities…
Quepos to Uvita
At the top end of the surfer market is this delightful and supersmart lime-green hotel. It's a two-minute walk to the beach, but far enough from the 'doof…
Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa
A large thatch-roof rancho, strung with hammocks, is the centerpiece of this property. Behind it, shiny wooden cabinas face the waves. They are dimly lit…
The Road to Chirripó
Simple but sweet chalets are lined up along a small lake, surrounded by beautiful gardens and trails through the forest. The digs are not fancy, but…
Caribbean Coast
There are two ways into this dream of an ecolodge, both equally adventurous. Most arrive at its remote location on the Río Pacuare by raft, via a…
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio & Around
This flawlessly designed 10-acre hotel is an example of how to build an ecofriendly resort. The 58 rooms are built into the jungle hillside and accented…
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio & Around
A 2017 face-lift elevated this already spectacular property to a veritable Shangri-La, featuring uniquely glamorous design elements, beautifully textured…
Southern Caribbean
At the foot of Cerro Muchito, this 12-sq-km family-run farm has dedicated three decades to developing sustainable ecotourism. While there's no beach…
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio & Around
This collection of rooms and studios occupies a verdant setting frequented by troops of monkeys. Efficiency units incorporating teak trim and furnishings…
Arenal & Northern Lowlands
Perched above Río San Carlos, ‘My Little Piece of Heaven’ is a rustic retreat, and don Marco is keeping apace with the times, paving the parking area,…
Sarapiquí Valley
Willing to forgo some creature comforts for the chance to commune with the rainforest? At Yatama, you’ll amble along wooden walkways above the forest…
Uvita
If you're looking for a jungle retreat that's a bit like a treehouse adventure, this awesome hostel run by a young expat couple is for you. About 2km…
La Enseñada Lodge & Wildlife Refuge
Northwestern Costa Rica
This wonderfully remote 400-hectare working cattle ranch and salt farm is an incredible setting for birding, horseback riding and good old-fashioned R&R…
Península de Nicoya
This hilltop hotel has 54 fully equipped rooms with staggering ocean views. (If you spring for a suite, you'll enjoy this view from a private outdoor…
Northwestern Costa Rica
In the mood to have your mind blown? Splurge on this absurdly cool resort in the middle of nowhere. Accommodations are the most stylish hobbit huts…
Southern Caribbean
Located 25m up a tree within the Gandoca-Manzanillo wildlife refuge, this observation deck and tree house allows guests to experience life in the canopy…
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…
Sarapiquí Valley
This former finca in Chilamate is now an elegant lodge protecting 200 hectares of rainforest. Choose to stay at the river lodge, elevated above the forest…
Nosara Area
Set on a lush hillside, this yoga resort is traversed by a gurgling river, complete with waterfall. The setting is gorgeous and serene – perfect for…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
Fifteen freestanding cabinas are scattered around the forested gardens of this 8-hectare property, which once formed part of the family finca. Each cabaña…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
Every room at the Belmar boasts views of forest or gulf – or both! The gorgeous light-filled rooms are decked out with handcrafted furniture and high…
