Quepos to Uvita
On the main drag, at the northern end of town, this friendly hotel has three suites and five double rooms centered around a tropical garden and large pool…
Must-see hotels in Costa Rica
Península de Nicoya
Spectacular panoramas surround you at this hilltop retreat, where the four cabinas feature floor-to-ceiling windows, open-air showers and super…
Arenal & Around
This eight-room lodge overlooks Laguna de Arenal, and has a stone swimming pool, and Jacuzzi. It must be rented out entirely – no individual rooms…
San José
A converted old mansion, this boutique hotel, restaurant and cafe is in the heart of Escalante's Paseo Gastronómico district and its up-and-coming…
Jacó
Down a shaded alley in the middle of town, dorms and private rooms share a chilled-out TV living area and fully equipped kitchen in the main house. Four…
Southern Caribbean
Funky, colorful and relatively cheap for Punta Uva, this ramshackle collection of open-air dorms, private rooms (including an 'attic' double reached by a…
La Fortuna
The original hostel-resort in La Fortuna, this self-proclaimed ‘five-star hostel’ with volcano views is pretty cushy. Sleep on orthopedic mattresses and…
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
This inn opposite the soccer field doubles as a Spanish school and offers midrange amenities. Breezy, immaculate rooms feature polished wood, bright…
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…
Península de Nicoya
The latest addition to Las Catalinas, a ambitious new beach community under development on Playa Danta, is this 45-room boutique hotel. Newly constructed,…
Tortuguero Village
Just across the river from Tortuguero village, this place has three simple cabinas with solar electricity and Guatemalan textiles. Each room sleeps…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
With unique architectural styling and around 14 hectares of trail-laced grounds, this long-standing lodge had, at the time of research, recently been…
Península de Nicoya
Local hero and granddad of Playa Grande, Louis Wilson was instrumental in the designation of the national park. Abutting the beach, his hotel was…
Central Valley & Highlands
Secluded outside of town, this upscale lodge from the Relais & Châteaux group comprises luxuriously designed cabina suites with private deck, rocking…
Southern Caribbean
Immersed in greenery, with frogs, agoutis and other tropical critters close by, this upscale lodge has 14 private, spacious, nature-themed bungalows…
Southern Caribbean
These four stand-alone wooden cabins range from a two-person bungalow to an amazing three-story structure known as 'La Casita del Río' that sleeps up to…
San José
This converted modernist home in La Sabana has polished-wood floors, vintage furnishings and over a dozen eclectic guest rooms to choose from, including…
Caribbean Coast
This 18-room lodge is housed in a rambling tropical-style building with breezy rooms connected by covered walkways; there's also a pool table and deck…
Northwestern Costa Rica
This cute B&B at the southern end of Bijagua has a collection of stylish bungalows with polished-concrete floors, frilly bed linens, beamed ceilings and…
San José
An intricately carved baroque-style carriage door and an arched poolside promenade usher guests into this 1940s Spanish-style inn. The 16 rooms and one…
Northwestern Costa Rica
About 1km past the park entrance, this unusual property is perched on a gorgeous slice beside the milky-blue Río Celeste (Piuri is the indigenous name for…
To Corcovado via Puerto Jiménez
Dreamy, far-flung cabins overlook the jungle and sea at this expansive property tucked away on Cabo Matapalo. Amenities include two pools, The grounds…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
There’s a lot to love about Poco a Poco. There's the spa, of course, but the restaurant is also excellent, and the contemporary architecture is striking…
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
You’ll find various options at this quiet hotel. The most charming are the palm-thatched bungalows, featuring shining wooden floors, mini fridges and…
Península de Nicoya
Next to Papaya, this is an outstanding deal in a busy roadside location. Tiled rooms are clean but cramped, with those upstairs giving a glimpse of the…
Península de Nicoya
Stay in a private room within a villa on Mel Gibson's sprawling hacienda. The colonial-style, shared casas feel geared toward special events, but any sort…
Tortuguero Village
Down a side street between the boat landing and the park entrance, you’ll find eight quaint bungalows surrounding a tidy garden at this popular budget…
Montezuma
The brainchild of a Swedish photographer, this minimalist boutique hotel feels a bit buttoned-up for freewheeling Montezuma. But the posh rooms (including…
San José
On a residential street in Barrio Aranjuez, this homey guesthouse has 30 rooms of various configurations spread over two buildings. Guests have access to…
Nosara Area
A good, clean option close to the Guiones action. The high-end minimalist design makes this evolutionary hostel feel luxurious. Within one dorm are three…
Northwestern Costa Rica
Set in a yellow concrete building, this motel-style place has spacious rooms with new tiles and wooden beds plus a few decorative flourishes such as…
San José
This Los Yoses standard-bearer features 25 rooms, most with a private garden patio, in a whitewashed building removed from the main street. Though sizes…
Península de Nicoya
As implied by the name, the amazing panoramic view of the islands is the selling point here. It really is spectacular, and you can enjoy it from your…
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…
Nosara Area
With a prime location close to town and the beach, this all-suite hotel has a lot to offer. Accommodations are spacious and stylish, featuring handcrafted…
Puntarenas
For early-morning ferry departures, Hotel La Punta is an appealing choice. Conveniently located one block from the dock, its 12 rooms are arranged around…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
Located about 100m up a side road off the main drag, this funky lodge has sweet, rustic bungalows built out of bamboo. Each has an open-air shower,…
Southern Caribbean
Comforts abound at this four-bedroom B&B, tucked down a Playa Cocles side road and managed by transplanted Pittsburghers Juliet and Matthew. There are…
Puerto Jiménez
A stone's throw from Playa Platanares, this resort offers spacious and attractive rooms with white-washed walls and wicker furniture. Sliding glass doors…
Montezuma
A lovely B&B just south of town with nine unique rooms, replete with exquisite touches like timber-framed mirrors, organic lanterns, and rocking chairs on…
