12 Best Resorts in Costa Rica [Ultimate Resorts Guide 2024]
Costa Rica has long been among the most popular destinations in the Americas for travelers from the United States, and is it any wonder why? Everyone from wellness-minded luxury travelers and well-to-do retirees to hippie backpackers find plenty to love among the lush jungles and white sand beaches of Costa Rica.
Part of Costa Rica’s popularity among travelers lies in its incredible diversity of resorts, ranging from rustic jungle escapes to expansive all-inclusive beach resorts. Read on for an insider’s guide to the best resorts in Costa Rica to choose from for your trip.
This post contains affiliate links that may reward me monetarily or otherwise when you use them to make qualifying purchases – at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, please read our disclosure policy.
Best Resorts in Costa Rica
Whether you’re considering a beach resort or jungle resort experience in Costa Rica – or even a combination of both experiences! – these are our top picks of the best Costa Rica resorts for every style of travel:
- Best Luxury Resort in Costa Rica: Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection
- Best Jungle Resort in Costa Rica: Nayara Tented Camp
- Best Beach Resort in Costa Rica: W Costa Rica Resort – Reserva Conchal
- Best Family-Friendly Resort in Costa Rica: Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo
For as many luxury resorts as there are in Costa Rica, there’s simply no beating Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection, a stunning jungle resort known for its incredible wellness experiences and expansive views. However, everything from luxe beach resorts to mountain ecolodges makes our list of the best resorts in the country. Read on for even more details.
Plan a Trip to Costa Rica
1. Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection
Best Luxury Resort in Costa Rica
From the lush mountains of Pérez Zeledón emerges Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection, a stand out among all other resorts in Costa Rica for its luxurious accommodations, next-level amenities, and a curated guest experience from arrival to departure.
Hacienda AltaGracia is a true wellness haven. The resort is home to THE WELL at Hacienda AltaGracia, the first international outpost of the famed New York-based wellness brand, meaning travelers can now experience all their favorite transformative treatments amidst the lush backdrop of a tropical rainforest.
Whether you’re drawn here for a wellness encounter, its stunning mountaintop location in the heart of the jungle, or its unparalleled luxury, a bespoke travel experience awaits at Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection, where every detail points to an unforgettable stay.
Reviews and Bookings: Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection
2. Nayara Tented Camp
Best Jungle Resort in Costa Rica
Located at the foot of Costa Rica’s breathtaking Arenal Volcano in the heart of the rainforest, Nayara Tented Camp is one of the most unique and luxurious resorts in Costa Rica. With just 21 luxe and spacious tents, all with air-conditioning, contemporary furnishings, and private plunge pools, Nayara Tented Camp offers a boutique experience for travelers looking for seclusion and unmatched indoor-outdoor living among the lush rainforest.
Nayara Tented Camp is also well-known for being one of the world’s most impressive eco-resorts, with a commitment to sustainability woven into every detail of its operation. Guests can enjoy the benefits of the resort’s impressive planet-positive qualities as well, visiting the camp’s private hot springs pools in areas reforested with indigenous flora and cared for meticulously.
Reviews and Bookings: Nayara Tented Camp
3. W Costa Rica Resort – Reserva Conchal
Best Beach Resort in Costa Rica
From the white sands of one of the most pristine beaches in Costa Rica, W Costa Rica Resort – Reserva Conchal offers a mix of luxury and the local to make it the best beach resort in Costa Rica. Despite its tucked-away location on the beach, this design-forward resort is perfectly located to enjoy the best of one of the country’s most enchanting areas, whether that looks like bathing in hot springs at Arenal Volcano or ziplining over the canopy.
Wellness is the name of the game at the W Costa Rica, with everything from spa treatments and fitness classes to a round of golf on the resort’s course awaiting guests looking for a little something more out of their Costa Rica resort experience. Or, relax at the peaceful pool deck just steps from the sand of one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful beaches. You’ll love ending the day back at this award-winning Costa Rican resort in time for dinner at one of the property’s many restaurants or bars.
Reviews and Bookings: W Costa Rica Resort – Reserva Conchal
4. Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo
Best Family-Friendly Resort in Costa Rica
Hidden away on Costa Rica’s exclusive Peninsula Papagayo, Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo combines luxurious design with an incredible array of resort amenities and perks for an unmatched guest experience in one of Costa Rica’s most upscale areas. With a dedicated kids club and babysitting services alongside reserved adults-only spaces across the resort for those traveling without kids, this resort stands out as our pick for the best family-friendly resort in Costa Rica.
Perched among rainforest canopy and with oceanfront views, Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo offers a nice mix of jungle and beach experiences for guests. The resort property is expansive, but with just 131 guest rooms and 21 luxurious suites, it provides guests with the boutique experience and personalized attention of a much smaller property.
Reviews and Bookings: Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo
5. The Westin Reserva Conchal
Just down the sand from the W Costa Rica Resort is The Westin Reserva Conchal, yet another of the most impressive resorts in Costa Rica known for its incredible beachfront and luxurious amenities and spaces. Modern and stylish yet comfortable rooms and suites come in a range of shapes and sizes, perfect for families traveling together or couples looking for more seclusion on a romantic escape among some of the most beautiful places in Costa Rica.
Offering everything from a renowned golf course and spa to an impressive kids club, The Westin Reserva Conchal is a favorite spot for travelers looking to enjoy a vacation in Costa Rica with family. Kids can go on scavenger hunts for Costa Rica’s diverse flora and fauna as parents relax on the beach or at the spa. Or, families can join in on the fun together by exploring the resort’s extensive property and beyond with experienced local guides.
Reviews and Bookings: The Westin Reserva Conchal
6. Botánika Osa Peninsula, Curio Collection by Hilton
Ditch the busy and buzzy Nicoya Peninsula and Peninsula Papagayo for a stay at the Osa Peninsula’s Botánika Osa Peninsula, Curio Collection by Hilton. Unique in a town marked by tiny hostels and laid-back yoga retreats, it’s perfect for travelers looking to escape and enjoy the untouched Corcovado National Park in luxury and style.
Surrounded by lush greenery, Botánika Osa Peninsula emerges from the forest with modern design and large glass windows bringing the jungle inside from every angle. 138 rooms and suites welcome guests to this private jungle escape, though resort amenities like an expansive pool and a number of gourmet restaurants make the stay anything but roughing it. You’ll feel like you’ve stumbled across one of Costa Rica’s few remaining hidden gems.
Reviews and Bookings: Botánika Osa Peninsula, Curio Collection by Hilton
Travel Essential
Don’t head out on your adventure without comprehensive travel insurance! Good travel insurance may cover lost or stolen gear, medical emergencies, delayed or canceled flights, and more. Check out the policies available from SafetyWing or compare plans using Visitors Coverage.
7. Hotel Belmar
Nestled among the mountains of the lush Monteverde cloud forest, Hotel Belmar has long been a leader in sustainable travel in Costa Rica, considered among the best eco-resorts in the country. In fact, when it was founded more than 35 years ago, it was the first upscale, sustainable hotel in the country.
Despite being a boutique property home to just 26 beautiful rooms and suites, Hotel Belmar offers an incredible array of activities and excursions for guests looking to experience this stunning and untouched corner of Costa Rica, with everything from dining above the jungle canopy to sustainable farm visits and an unending array of hiking trails. It’s all the best of a boutique stay with the extensive resort amenities that active travelers will love.
Reviews and Bookings: Hotel Belmar
8. Villa Punto de Vista
Just a stone’s throw from the sandy shores and richly diverse rainforest of Manuel Antonio, Villa Punto de Vista feels just about as far from a cookie-cutter resort experience as you can get. This private villa has ten spacious suites that can welcome up to thirty guests, offering the luxury of seclusion that even the most exclusive resort in Costa Rica never could.
With over 12,000 square feet of space designed to maximize both jungle and Pacific Ocean views, Villa Punto de Vista is perfect for a getaway with friends and family or even a destination wedding. Villa Punto de Vista‘s concierge and house manager make sure every detail of guests’ stays goes to plan for a memorable visit to one of the most beautiful areas of Costa Rica. Private chef, butler, and maid service make this luxury stay one of a kind.
Reviews and Bookings: Villa Punto de Vista
9. El Mangroove, Autograph Collection
Oceanfront El Mangroove, Autograph Collection is one of the best resorts in Costa Rica for travelers looking for laid-back luxury in a friendly setting with a boutique feel. Perched along a serene stretch of coastline overlooking Culebra Bay and the Gulf of Papagayo, it’s close to some of the country’s best attractions and just a short drive (a mere 20 minutes!) from the international airport.
One of Costa Rica’s newer luxury resorts, El Mangroove offers 85 luxe suites, each offering clean, contemporary furnishings and private outdoor spaces with stunning views over the hotel’s 17-acre property along one mile of pristine beachfront. Its gorgeous design feels trendy and fresh, but still accessible.
Reviews and Bookings: El Mangroove, Autograph Collection
Travel Essential
Don’t think about traveling without a good VPN (Virtual Private Network). Using a VPN while connecting to the internet is an easy way to keep your personal information safe from hackers and trackers. We’ve used NordVPN for years and couldn’t recommend it more – it’s a must for safety online, at home or abroad.
10. Hotel Punta Islita, Autograph Collection
Clinging to the lush hillside overlooking one of the most pristine bays in Guanacaste, Hotel Punta Islita, Autograph Collection is an intimate jungle escape among the best resorts in Costa Rica. Offering experiences from hiking and ziplining to long days on Guanacaste’s gorgeous beaches, Hotel Punta Islita rivals the most impressive Costa Rica resorts you’ll find on this list with its top-notch guest experience.
One of the highlights of a stay at Hotel Punta Islita is visiting the resort’s Nanku Spa. This wellness-focused space offers an array of rejuvenating treatments and healing rituals inspired by the ancient wisdom of the Chorotega indigenous peoples of the area. Treatments can be added to any stay, though some of the hotel’s inclusive deals include spa visits as part of the package.
Reviews and Bookings: Hotel Punta Islita, Autograph Collection
11. Nantipa
For a luxurious yet off-the-beaten-path getaway in one of the most charming beach towns in Costa Rica, look no further than Nantipa. This beachfront boutique resort property in Santa Teresa on the Nicoya Peninsula is the embodiment of the laidback pura vida lifestyle that has so long drawn travelers to Costa Rica.
Despite its beachfront location, Nantipa feels straight out of the Costa Rican rainforest, with winding paths surrounded by lush foliage that provide a rich sense of seclusion and privacy at the 19 guest bungalows scattered across the six-acre property. Nantipa is also the perfect spot from which to explore Santa Teresa and the rest of the Nicoya Peninsula, home to yoga pavilions and retreat centers, delicious local and international food options, and some of Costa Rica’s best waves.
Reviews and Bookings: Nantipa
12. Arenas Del Mar
If you’re looking to experience the most impressive beaches in Costa Rica without missing out on the country’s lush rainforests and jungles, the beachfront Arenas Del Mar resort is calling your name. Perched on eleven lush acres of beachfront backing up to the untouched jungles of Manuel Antonio National Park, Arenas del Mar is a dreamy resort that offers every imaginable amenity from its enviable location in one of Costa Rica’s most desirable areas – there’s nothing like it in Manuel Antonio.
Arenas Del Mar takes seriously its proximity to one of Costa Rica’s most pristine and guarded natural areas. As a member of the Cayuga Collection group of sustainable luxury hotels in Central America, the resort maintains a dedication to providing a clean and green experience that preserves the area for years to come.
Reviews and Bookings: Arenas Del Mar