14 of the best hotels in Costa Rica - Times Travel (2023)

Costa Rica is one of the world's leading destinations for wildlife viewing, so it is perhaps not surprising that it was also one of the early pioneers of ecotourism. Some of the world's very best eco-lodges can be found here, with a strong focus on sustainability, conservation and local employment. Some are deep in the cloud forest, others along the coast: many employ their own guides to lead you on private and wildlife tours. But while they're often stunningly remote, it's unlikely you'll need to sacrifice your comfort: from infinity pools to jungle-themed hot tubs, luxury is a big part of the Costa Rican lodge experience.

Main Photo: Hotel Makanda by the Sea, Manuel Antonio (Booking.com)

1. Lapa Rios Lodge, Schiereiland Osa

Best forexplore all inclusive
Founded in 1993, this opulent resort at the tip of the Osa Peninsula, most of which is covered by Corcovado National Park, was one of the first to develop the design plan forCosta Ricas luxurious eco-lodges: villas with palm trees, terraces overlooking the treetops, nature-inspired spas and all. It has grown significantly over the past three decades: there are now four accommodation options, from the luxury bungalows to the luxury villas in Lapa, which overlook the forest to the Pacific Ocean. All-inclusive packages include meals and a selection of tours with highly knowledgeable guides. It's part of the Boena Wilderness Lodges group: for a truly once-in-a-lifetime trip, put together a package that includes all five of their resorts - from Tortuguero to the Monteverde Cloud Forest.

SpaY
Swimming poolY
Taken£££

2. Origins Lodge, nær Bijagua de Upala, Alajuela-province

Best forInstagram extravaganza
Favored by honeymooners and high-end travelers, this is arguably the ultimate Instagrammable eco-lodge in Costa Rica, with a sky-high price tag. The organic, flowing design makes clever use of natural materials: buildings are made of bamboo, palms, stone and local hardwoods, with living roofs that make the buildings fall into the trees. The circular bungalows stand on wooden stilts just above the canopy and offer panoramic views of the forest towards Lake Nicaragua. The level of luxury here is second to none - rain showers, four-poster beds, tree-top balconies and private swimming pools - and the level of service is impeccable, with in-house naturalists leading walks and horseback rides through the surrounding forest. It's worth noting, though, that the lodge is extremely remote - it's way up in the north of Costa Rica, and the nearest town, Bijagua de Upala, is a bumpy 4x4 ride away.

SpaY
Swimming poolY
Taken£££

3. Amor Arenal, near La Fortuna, province of Alajuela

Best forhot springs
The brooding cone of the mighty Arenal Volcano is the backdrop to this luxury lodge complex. Carefully hidden on the mountain's lower slopes amid an abundance of jungle undergrowth, the wooden bungalows shine with local woods, high ceilings and glass: each also has a huge walk-in shower and a private terrace with a bubbling hot tub. It's not all hot water you'll find here though: La Fortuna is known for its hot springs and Amor Arenal has cleverly incorporated several mineral water pools into the complex, from a pool bar (water temperature: 40C) to a natural lounge pool wrapped in the jungle . There are plenty of activities in the nearby Arenal National Park - from volcano hikes to wildlife walks on Arenal's gravity-defying "suspension bridges".

SpaY
Swimming poolY
Taken£££

4. Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge, Osa Peninsula

Best forsustainability
This unpretentious coastal lodge brings something different to the luxury complexes: it feels more like a colonial retreat, with 14 hacienda-style bungalows with tiled roofs and a manicured garden. Founded by early ecotour pioneer Stephen Lill, it's an intimate, family-run affair, giving it a more personal feel - if a little less luxurious - than the premium lodges. The eco credentials are admirable - solar energy, electric turbines, rainwater harvesting, waste water management and local employment are all high priorities here. But it's the remote location on the Osa Peninsula that seals the deal: Corcovado is one of Costa Rica's more remote national parks, and it takes time to get to and even more time to navigate, which means untouched nature and fewer crowds.

SpaN
Swimming poolY
Taken££

5. Pacuare Lodge, near Bajo Tigre, Limon Province

Best foradventurers
If you are looking for an explorer experience, this is the lodge for you. There are no roads here, so most visitors arrive, believe it or not, by river raft: the Pacuare River is legendary for its whitewater, making getting here an adventure you're unlikely to forget (if not the case). a rough 4×4 tour or helicopter flight is also possible for you). The various villas and cabin buildings are connected by walking paths that float above the forest floor, making the whole place feel like the Ewok village ofReturn of the Jedi. As wild as the location is, pampering is the name of the game here, whether it's a coffee scrub or a candlelit meal in the middle of the tropical rainforest. For the ultimate dining experience under the open sky, El Nido (the nest) is a wooden platform 20 meters high in the trees. If you plan to propose, this is the place to do it.

SpaY
Swimming poolY
Taken£££

6. Rio Perdido Hotel, near Liberia, Province of Guanacaste

Best forrelaxation
Sustainability and ethical sourcing are the raisons d'être of this small luxury lodge in the little-explored San Bernardo Lowlands. It is surrounded by one of Costa Rica's last "dwarf forests" - a specific subclass of forest that combines lowland jungle and deep canyons. Designed by innovative Costa Rican architects Esteban Calvo and Rafael Cruz, it is a harmonious synthesis of yakisugi-burnt wood, solid steel and gleaming glass, with pathways connecting each of the thirty forest bungalows and the central, semi-circular hotel building. The decor here is distinctly Zen and everything is aimed at rest and relaxation. However, you are well off the beaten track: the nearest city of size is Liberia, a good 65 km away.

SpaY
Swimming poolY
Taken££

7. Tortuga Lodge, Tortuguero

Best forwild animals
Another great place owned by Boena Wilderness Lodges, this time on the edge of Parque Nacional Tortuguero, the low-lying national park that stretches along Costa Rica's Caribbean coast and is famous for its wildlife-rich wetlands and turtle nesting areas. There is a lot of forest, but at Tortuga Lodge the Tortuguero River is at the center. There are 29 rooms, most of them in colorful hacienda-style buildings overlooking the river: make sure you get one with a private balcony from which you can watch the boats hum by and the macaws and toucans barking between the treetops. The lodge has its own private nature reserve which you can explore by kayak; careful wellies, walking sticks and umbrellas are provided to keep you dry during your forest excursions.

SpaN
Swimming poolY
Taken£££

8. Rosa Blanca Farm, Santa Barbara, County of Heredia

Best fora taste of the highlands
A bit different from the rainforest cabins: a working coffee farm in the lush, fertile highlands north of San Jose, arranged around a central hacienda filled with quirky artwork, local crafts and silly design elements (including a circular corner tower). The eccentric style is the work of the owners, the Jampol family: there is barely a straight line throughout the place, plants grow with abandon, hummingbirds whistle around the infinity pool, and local artists have painted murals in many of the rooms. The suites and villas reflect the local architecture with their whitewashed walls and colorful tiles, and many of the staff have worked here for decades, so it feels like a real family affair. And as you might expect, the morning coffee is delicious.

SpaN
Swimming poolY
Taken££

9. Hotel Nantipa - A Tico Beach Experience, Santa Teresa

Best for the beach
This is a perfect coastal getaway on the Nicoya Peninsula near bustling Santa Teresa, a boho beach resort favored by celebrities and influencers seeking Costa Rican beach chic. It is right by the sea, with clusters of bungalows and villas delicately shaded among the trees: the property is modern in design with minimalist furniture and sliding glass doors that create an inviting layout inside and out so you can really enjoy the jungle environment. The wellness packages are especially popular: there is an extensive program of yoga, meditation and spa detoxes. The beachfront Manzu restaurant specializes in seafood and has a dreamy sea view.

SpaY
Swimming poolY
Taken££

10. Hotel Makanda aan zee, Manuel Antonio

Best forpampering for adults only
This adults-only spa may be on the coast of Costa Rica, near the popular Manuel Antonio National Park (a favorite weekend getaway for San Jose residents), but it travels far and wide in search of decorative inspiration: elements of Balinese Buddhism, Japanese Zen and African safaris are all thrown into the mix here. From wicker cocoon chairs to tiger-print wallpaper, tinkling fountains and carved wooden screens, it all feels very indulgent, and the saltwater infinity pool, enveloped by jungle trees and gardens, makes a real statement. Accommodation options are plentiful, from villas with private pools to oceanfront suites. This is without a doubt one of Costa Rica's best boutique hotels; if anything, it feels a little too fancy for its own good.

SpaY
Swimming poolY
Taken£££

11. Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica i Schiereiland Papagayo

Best forhigh-end luxury
If money is no object and you want the luxury hotel experience, this first class resort may be the best Costa Rican choice. Lavishly renovated, it pulls out all the stops: personal valet parking, five restaurants, four swimming pools, private surf lessons, chauffeured cars and even a championship golf course. The suites, villas and grand residences are undeniably impressive, but they definitely feel like the product of an international hotel chain: a little more Costa Rican-inspired character wouldn't have gone amiss. But if you want pampering, you're sure to be pampered here – and the Papagayo Peninsula teems with wildlife.

SpaY
Swimming poolY
Taken£££

12. Cielo Lodge, Golfito

Best forbecome towering in the rainforest
"Sky Lodge": An apt name for a place that appears to hover like a spacecraft above the rainforest canopy. This is one of Costa Rica's most architecturally adventurous lodges, a striking steel, wood and glass structure connected by walkways through the trees, with distant views of the sparkling Gulfito Bay. The suites are spacious and minimalist in design with thoughtful details such as stone sinks, hammocks and indoor/outdoor rain showers and large windows that really bring the forest inside. But it's the balcony decks where you'll spend most of your time: the view is hard to believe. The little-visited reserve of Piedras Blancas - a paradise for bird watchers - is on the doorstep and the nearby Golfo Dulce is famous for whale watching.

SpaY
Swimming poolY
Taken££

13. El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Bajos del Toro

Best forview of the mountains
High in the cloud forest, between Parque Nacional Volcan Poas and Parque Nacional Juan Castro Blanco, this 500-hectare mountain lodge is an excellent retreat. The bungalows on stilts are spread over a forested hillside: the higher you go, the more dramatic the view. Each room has a private deck, an outdoor hot tub, and an "eco-concierge" who is on hand to arrange activities and take you on a guided hike along the hotel's waterfalls and forest trails. The level of luxury befits a property that is part of the Relais & Chateaux brand (the only one in Costa Rica): the manager will most likely welcome you personally upon arrival with a hot chocolate or tropical cocktail, and the glass-walled restaurant, free yoga sessions and jungle treatment rooms are pure indulgence.

SpaY
Swimming poolY
Taken££

14. Oxygen Jungle-villa's, Ballena

Best fora remote residence
The Balinese style is a bit confusing, but the quality of the villas here is undeniable: half-timbered and enveloped in restless jungle, they feel wonderfully secluded, and a huge glass wall allows you to spot hummingbirds and toucans from your bed. This is a small resort with eight ocean-view villas and four jungle-view villas, meaning you won't have to fight for a seat at the pool, spa or restaurant. There are plenty of local hikes - the Nauyaca Falls are a must - or you can go whale watching in the nearby Parque Nacional Marino Ballena or surf at Dominical. It is approximately a 15-minute drive to the coastal town of Uvita: With your own 4×4 you save on taxi costs.

SpaY
Swimming poolY
Taken££

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