Playa Tamarindo
Shaded by palms, these teak, stilted bungalows feel like a luxurious retreat. In each one, the raised living quarters are rich yet rustic, while the area…
Must-see hotels in Península de Nicoya
Montezuma
This gem is situated about 2km north (and uphill) from Montezuma, in a colonial-style building surrounded by spectacular blooming gardens. Rooms are crisp…
Playa Sámara
A hidden slice of heaven. Contemporary and classy, these bungalows have beds dressed in plush linens, artisanal carvings on the walls, private terraces…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
Escape from the dust and into this cozy, quiet boutique featuring just a few accommodations set before a relaxing pool and surrounded by tropical…
Montezuma
Walk 15 minutes north along the beach to this lush property, complete with beautifully appointed cabinas and bungalows, and a palm-fringed swimming pool,…
Península de Nicoya
Hidden behind a bamboo fence, this stylish nest has eight elegantly understated rooms with stone-tile floors, rattan and wooden furnishings, and queen…
Playa Tamarindo
With a relaxed vibe, this congenial spot – aka 'the Bottle of Milk' – is recommended for its warm and attentive management, plus fully air-conditioned…
Península de Nicoya
Tucked between Montezuma and Cabuya, these tidy little chalets look like Lincoln log cabins in the tropics. They're equipped with living rooms, kitchens,…
Península de Nicoya
Perched on the sand at the southern end of the beach, this lovely all-suite hotel offers a stunning location. Guests relish the gorgeous gardens, private…
Playa Tamarindo
Simply exquisite, this boutique hotel is an oasis of serenity and beauty in the midst of Tamarindo chaos. Spacious cabaña suites are decorated in soothing…
Playa Sámara
Brightly painted in citrus colors, El Cactus is a great option, especially for those who prefer serenity over revelry. Fresh rooms have wooden furniture,…
Montezuma
On the northern edge of town on a hilltop overlooking the sea, this budget option is delightful. The 15 rooms and two dorms are simple but stylish,…
Playa Sámara
An inviting little Swiss-owned lodge on the edge of town. Eight spotless rooms feature tropical decor, with stained-wood furniture, tiled floors and bold…
Península de Nicoya
It's not too fancy at Indra Inn, but the grounds are blooming with fruit trees and hung with hammocks. Rooms are freshly updated (the old bar has been…
Península de Nicoya
Casa Surf looks a bit tired but still tropical, with a bamboo exterior and palm-thatched roof. Inside, you'll find simple, clean rooms – brightly painted…
Península de Nicoya
Run by a couple of adventuresome Norwegians, this fishing lodge has a Swiss Family Robinson vibe in its jungle lodge and private bungalow, both tucked…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
Truly in a class of their own, these romantic villas are scattered around 3 hectares of land next to a pristine white-sand beach. Indoor-outdoor spaces…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
If you're looking for a healthy, relaxing retreat with a bit of luxury, Nautilus is for you. Each villa has a living area, fully equipped kitchen and…
Península de Nicoya
Sitting pretty on a bank of the Río Coyote, this elegant property is blessedly intimate and blissfully isolated. The rooms are decorated with heavy wood…
Playas del Coco
A romantic beachfront hacienda with a wooden balcony overlooking the boardwalk. Fan-cooled rooms have ceramic tiled floors, beamed ceilings and cold-water…
Montezuma
A well-run hotel in the center of town. Although its many businesses take up an entire city block, it has just 12 prim and comfortable rooms with…
Nosara Area
An appealing lodge set amid a tropical garden. The standard rooms are small but sweet, with inviting, hammock-strung terraces. The suites are more…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
Replete with fountains and profound beauty, this stunning terraced property on the Santa Teresa hillside offers barefoot elegance at its best. There is a…
Península de Nicoya
Costa Rica's first upscale island glamping operation comes from the same folks who created the magnificent Hotel Punta Islita. The well-appointed and…
Montezuma
At the mouth of the river, en route to the waterfalls, this classic Montezuma hotel has 15 simple wooden rooms with flowy curtains and crisp white sheets…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
A cheerful hotel, smack dab in the center of town and close to the main surf break. Clean, colorful rooms have all the standard amenities, plus a private…
Nosara Area
This gorgeous mountaintop retreat takes care of all of the details, providing delightful accommodations, farm-to-table vegetarian meals (included), yoga…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
A waterfall-fed pool is surrounded by cushy blood-red lounge chairs and daybeds at this Euro-chic boutique hotel. Attractive tile rooms are draped in…
Península de Nicoya
Here's a collection of pleasant, spacious cabinas with hammocks on the porch. The brightly painted interiors have high vaulted ceilings and sturdy wood…
Playa Tamarindo
Inside this leafy compound are dorms and private rooms accented by trippy murals and mirrored mosaics. The vibe is friendly and chill, especially in the…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
Set on a 90-hectare private reserve, replete with birds, butterflies and monkeys, Star Mountain is an escape back to nature. The lodge has spacious guest…
Península de Nicoya
With a prime beachfront location at Playa Potrero, this luxurious spot gets high marks for four-star laid-back elegance. Large, tropically themed rooms…
Nosara Area
Lounge in a hammock on the breezy porch, overlooking iguana-frequented gardens, just steps from the surf. You have a stone shower to wash away the sand…
Península de Nicoya
This elegant hotel is a surprise, with its spacious bungalows and inviting infinity pool. From the outdoor showers to the private terraces, this is a…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
Montezuma
The brainchild of a Swedish photographer, this minimalist boutique hotel feels a bit buttoned-up for freewheeling Montezuma. But the posh rooms (including…
