Arenal & Around
About 15.5km east of Nuevo Arenal, the cottages, pool and restaurant at La Mansion enjoy amazing lake views. The large split-level rooms feature king-size…
Must-see hotels in Costa Rica
Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa
This is a beachfront, jungle-shrouded hostel and turtle-conversation project, beloved by travelers for the relaxed atmosphere, home-cooked meals and…
Arenal & Northern Lowlands
Fulfil your childhood fantasy with a couple of nights in an awesome treetop hideout. With solid wood construction and big windows facing the rainforest,…
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…
Caribbean Coast
About 3km south of the dock, this simple solar- and generator-powered retreat, steps from the beach and surrounded by 36 hectares of jungle, is an…
Arenal & Around
This country inn 2km east of Nuevo Arenal is an all-round winner, offering epic views and unparalleled hospitality. Rooms feature bright serape bedspreads…
Montezuma
Set on jungle-shrouded former horse ranch, this Moroccan-inspired stay is defined by arching doorways and Arabesque windows, moon-shaped door handles and…
Arenal & Around
Perched on a 22-hectare hilltop with incredible volcano and lake views, this boutique hostel is the best cheap sleep in the region. Bed down in a basic…
San José
Constructed in 1930, the city’s first prominent hotel is recognized as a national landmark (John F Kennedy and soccer legend Pelé both stayed here)…
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…
Northwestern Costa Rica
Innovative and sustainable, this contemporary, open-air, hilltop lodge in the shadow of Tenorio is stunning. The 18 rooms are small but stylish, with…
San José
Built around an early-20th-century house that once belonged to President Tomás Guardia, this quiet, welcoming Barrio Amón inn exudes a slightly campy…
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Across from the beach at Puerto Viejo's western edge, this cool guesthouse has colorful basic rooms, including spacious garden rooms with air-con and hot…
Nosara Area
This member of the mighty Selina hostel chain has really outdone itself. The expansive, jungle-shrouded property is defined by dreamy thatched-roof villas…
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…
Northwestern Costa Rica
This former hacienda is now an attractive lodge with a delightful restaurant. Located 4.5km north of Cañas on the Interamericana, it's set on nine…
San José
This Spanish-style hillside posada (guesthouse) rates as one of the area's top B&Bs. Homey standard rooms have wooden floors, throw rugs, cable TV and hot…
Sarapiquí Valley
On the edge of town and at the edge of the forest, this charming B&B is a rough-around-the-edges gem. Breakfast with the birds can't be beat, and night…
Arenal & Around
Set on a rainforest lagoon 3km west of Nuevo Arenal, the five blissfully isolated bungalows at the Lucky Bug feature works and decorative details by local…
Northwestern Costa Rica
This friendly B&B caters to travelers who prefer their adventure with two wheels on the ground. Accommodations are simple and sweet, with a shady common…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
This sweet property offers tremendous value, especially in its quaint faux-adobe bungalows, each with a kitchenette and shady front porch. There's also a…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
Here’s some contemporary luxury in the midst of the cloud forest. The 20 spacious rooms have high wooden ceilings, big bathrooms and fabulous views from…
La Fortuna
On a private reserve that abuts the Bosque Eterno de Los Niños, this place includes an organic farm and fishing ponds (catch and cook!). Explore on hiking…
Montezuma
Billed as a 'mind, body, and soul resort,' Anamaya's perch, high above Montezuma, is pretty damn special. With ocean panoramas and weeping jungle on all…
The Road to Chirripó
Birders rave about this lodge, surrounded by 13km of walking trails and viewing platforms that provide an excellent chance of spotting the resplendent…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
A 121-hectare working dairy finca surrounded by lush forest, this unique place offers guests an authentic rural experience, while raising environmental…
Arenal & Northern Lowlands
Set in an orchard of mango and citrus trees next to the ‘Chapel’ lagoon, this friendly hotel is a fisher’s and birdwatcher’s paradise. After angling for…
Arenal & Around
Here’s an invitation to relax and reconnect – with nature, your body and your breath. Comfortable, colorful rooms have Spanish-tile floors, woven…
Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa
This tranquil retreat has simple rooms and dorms with shared bathroom facilities, as well as more private cabins. Prices include three fantastic…
Playas del Coco
This unpretentiously luxurious Mediterranean-inspired hotel is a short walk from the town and the beach, but a world away from the traffic and the noise…
Manzanillo
Just 1km outside Manzanillo, Dan from Amsterdam has created a whimsical pop-art paradise of repurposed and recycled materials. Eight cabinas, surrounded…
Nosara Area
Relax amid the simplicity and serenity of this tropical paradise. Pristine white rooms have tile floors, shiny wood ceilings and pretty stenciled walls…
La Fortuna
Nine cute, shingled cabins face the parking lot but back up to the forest, with private porches overlooking the trees. A 200m trail leads to the rushing…
Playas del Coco
Perched on a cliff overlooking the coast, this intimate hotel is a step up from other local lodgings. Eleven rooms feature tasteful wood and wicker…
Playa Tamarindo
This elegant boutique B&B opened in late 2018 and became an insta-favorite thanks to the intimate atmosphere, convenient (yet secluded) location and…
Southern Caribbean
Relax in rustic comfort in the sculpture-studded grounds of this popular Cocles outpost, which has timber-and-bamboo bungalows decked out with hand-carved…
La Fortuna
This intimate and indulgent hotel, 6km west of town, has amassed a slew of awards for its Asian-inspired architecture, minimalist decor and richly…
La Fortuna
Located just 3.5km from the center of La Fortuna but surrounded by vegetation and wildlife, this place is truly an oasis. The accommodations are in dark…
La Fortuna
Here’s a chance to luxuriate in some high-end amenities (Apple TV and Netflix, for example) at budget prices. We’re talking high-thread-count sheets and…
Nosara Area
Nosara's first bar opened in 1984 and was the go-to for expat wave chasers. Today a chic hotel of the same name stands around that original structure, and…
