Costa Rica Resorts | Places to Stay in Costa Rica

May 2, 2023 Jana Sager

Embraced by the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, Costa Rica has been attracting eco-tourists for decades, thanks to rich biodiversity and abundant wildlife. Here you’ll find splendid beaches that spill into sparkling blue waters, peaceful conservation areas, and outstanding adventure sports. Get in touch with ancient civilizations at the National Museum or tiptoe to the edge of a crater at Poás Volcano National Park. Surfers will dig the unparalleled conditions of the Guanacaste province.
Things to do in Costa Rica

1. Tulemar Resort

Tulemar Gardens, Manuel Antonio, Quepos 60601 Costa Rica
Excellent
92%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 2616 reviews

Tulemar Resort

Tulemar Resort is a full service resort set in the peaceful 33-acre gated and secure Tulemar Gardens Condominium. A wide variety of standalone accommodations are available for our guests, including the famed Tulemar Bungalows & Villas, as well as our luxurious 1, 2, and 3 bedroom Buena Vista Luxury Villas. The property itself is spectacular, nestled in a lush rainforest overlooking the beautiful Manuel Antonio coastline. Surrounded by nature, Tulemar Resort features incredible gardens, walking paths, thriving wildlife, and the ONLY exclusive sandy beach in the region. At Tulemar Resort you will enjoy the luxury and privacy of your very own villa, along with the amenities of a high end resort, including concierge service, daily maid service, 4 swimming pools, beach bar, spa services, tour desk, and the best sunset bar and restaurant in town. We invite you to review our website for photos and details, then book one of these magnificent villas or bungalows and experience the most unforgettable vacation of your life!

Vacation of a Lifetime!

Reviewed By Tarheel_Jen

This was the most amazing trip we have ever taken as a family...part of it was the incredible beauty of Costs Rica + its people and the other part was due to our time at Tulemar. We came with our kids, son (14) and daughter (11), it was their first time. My husband and I had been to La Fortuna before, but it was our first time in Manuel Antonio....and it DID NOT DISAPPOINT! We balanced our time between a few excursions and a few days of relaxation at Tulemar. We worked with Alex, our concierge, prior to arriving in order o get things planned out and booked. He was extremely helpful and friendly, it was great to have him on hand as a resource. We arrived on a Saturday and the "boys" went fishing Sunday on the offshore, 3/4 day tour. They slayed wahoo and mahi...we had more fish than we could handle. But, not to worry, we had a private chef come Monday night and they used some of it and TuleCafe used some and cooked it for us as well. Tuesday we went on the full day waterfall tour with Waterfalls Heaven (Pawel was our guide - AMAZING!). This was the highlight of our trip, we did a private tour where we jumped off cliffs, over waterfalls and swam in the middle of the rainforest. It was a perfect day, filled with adrenaline and memories we will never forget. Wednesday we relaxed at the resort and private beach. We took in some wildlife and that night we took a Nigh Jungle Tour. It was not nearly as good as we expected, but that's the way it goes sometimes. Thursday was our day for zip lining...we went with El Santuario Canopy Adventure and they did a fantastic job. There were 10 lines and one was almost a mile long! We all enjoyed the thrill of zipping through the treetops of the Costa Rican rainforest. Finally, Friday was a relax day, we were able to get our COVID tests in our casa, which were needed for a return to the US. The trip went amazingly, absolutely perfect...everything from the weather to the tour guides and of course, the staff at Tulemar (Alex, the drivers: Harry + David and the private chef: Marlon). Thanks to all and we will definitely be back again!!!!

2. The Westin Reserva Conchal, an All-Inclusive Golf Resort & Spa

Playa Conchal 50308 Costa Rica
Excellent
66%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6382 reviews

The Westin Reserva Conchal, an All-Inclusive Golf Resort & Spa

Great Honeymoon

Reviewed By EmanMoss

This resort is amazing all around. The site is beautiful, the food is great and the service is on point. John, our concierge was truly fantastic and so accommodating. Jean Karlo and Juan at Bar Imperial went above & beyond every night. Jeon K even wrote us up a bunch of sites to go see in Costa Rica. I have been to many all inclusive resorts and this one was particularly impressive. Thanks for a great stay!

3. The Royal Corin Thermal Water Spa & Resort

From the Catholic Church, 4.2 Km Towards the Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna de San Carlos 21007 Costa Rica
Excellent
78%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3174 reviews

The Royal Corin Thermal Water Spa & Resort

The Royal Corin Thermal Water & Spa Resort Loto Spa is a 54 room, Adults Only, Boutique Hotel, which is renowned for its service, warm atmosphere and sense of romance, distinctively combined in a natural setting and unique environment in La Fortuna, steps away from the impressive Volcano Arenal. We offer personalized service to enjoy the area of the natural wonder, Arenal Volcano, together with International Cuisine, Hot Springs facilities, unique Spa, impressive unspoiled nature and countless entertainment and leisure activities in the nearby surroundings. We are dedicated to provide our guests with a truly relaxing, attentively cared for, enjoyable stay, in an elegant, eco friendly environment.

Wonderful Hotel & Service!!!

Reviewed By fredwB9794XA

Loved this amazing location and great service! We were celebrating our 20th anniversary and they decorated our room with towel swans (with rose petals) and chocolate covered strawberries. The included breakfast is fantastic and the hotel's restaurants have great food and service. We will absolutely stay here again next time we visit Costa Rica.

4. Jardin del Eden Boutique Hotel

Tamarindo Beach, Tamarindo 50309 Costa Rica
Excellent
87%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 840 reviews

Jardin del Eden Boutique Hotel

A tropical oasis of privacy and relaxation within the heart of Tamarindo! Welcome from our family to you! Jardin del Eden is the only Boutique Hotel in Tamarindo that offers gourmet breakfast and dinner included in the room rate. Our adults only Boutique Hotel has been especially designed for guests seeking an unparalleled level of personalized hospitality, relaxation and exclusivity while only being a few steps from the center of Tamarindo´s vibrant beach life. Jardin del Eden is a true tropical Paradise nestled within spectacular gardens that will make you feel like you escaped all the pace and hustle of beach life, but a short walk will lead you to one of Costa Rica´s most iconic beaches, our private ocean front garden and the large variety of bars, restaurants and shops the town has to offer. The shown rates include each day a wonderful breakfast buffet, which will leave no wish open and will get you ready for your day in tropical paradise as well as a delicious three course gourmet dinner at our elegant Plumeria Restaurant. The daily changing menu is built around seasonal ingredients with an emphasis on organic local produce, fresh seafood from the surrounding waters, and traditional favorites combined to a wonderful fusion of Latin and Mediterranean cuisine. We can´t wait to welcome you and share a piece of our heaven on Earth!

AMAZING trip

Reviewed By joshmG5600RO

The place is gorgeous!! they have pool space and a private area on the beach. It is located centrally to a lot of other bars and restaurants as well. The staff there is incredible. Ask for the manager Victor or Endy, they both go way above and beyond to ensure that you are having a great time. You can start everyday with a free breakfast which surprisingly comes with all you can drink mimosas so every day started off the way you would want on vacation. They also have dinner included where you can choose from different dinner each night (one fish/meat/vegetarian option) which sits on a deck overlooking the pool. They also arranged for transport for us to go do outside excursions and airport transit. We went during the beginning of the rainy season and honestly, the weather was way better than we thought it was going to be. it was sunny for parts of every day. Truly a great spot in an amazing country.

5. Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa

Noreste de Centro de la Fortuna de San Carlos 13 Km, La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna de San Carlos Costa Rica
Excellent
72%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5549 reviews

Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa

Nestled in the heart of the tropical rainforest at the base of the majestic Arenal Volcano in the northern Region of Costa Rica. This five-star carbon neutral resort offers a unique blend of nature, adventure and relaxation. Tabacon provides luxurious accommodations, services and amenities in a picture-perfect natural setting. The resort's unique healing thermal mineral spring river emerge from the volcanic earth, cascading to form waterfalls, streams, tranquil pools and ponds. Explore Shangri-La Gardens an hotel guests and adults-only hideaway, delight your senses with world- class cuisine inspired by local fares or surprise that special person with a gala dinner in the middle of the rainforest. Inside the gardens is located The Spa, which combines a beautiful location with a singular spa experience, where treatments are rendered in open air bungalows all of them with private jacuzzi.

Wonderful, Relaxing Luxurious Experience!!

Reviewed By destinationdede

Tabaccon was fantastic and definitely lived up to its' hype. Checking in was a breeze and we were greeted with hot towels and cocktails- then we were guided to our rooms which was the Orchid Room- it was super spacious, LOVELY rainforest view, and NICE shower/bathroom! I was able to see my friends Rainforest Room, which was also great with a tub for two and a porch with bed. The service was fantastic, restaurant food was really good- the pumpkin soup was the best!! Breakfast buffet was great and the hot springs I highly recommend. NO complaints about this stay and really looking forward to being back! Also, pretty close to everything too!

6. Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica

10 Km North West From Panama Beach Main Entrance, 50503 Costa Rica
Excellent
71%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4220 reviews

Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica

Set in the exuberant Arenilla Beach, Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica will offer adults a stunning Unlimited-Luxury(R) getaway in Costa Rica's Gulf of Papagayo. The secure community around Secrets Papagayo provides striking views of native flora and fauna and miles of unspoiled Pacific Coast beach. This all-suite resort boasts 202 spacious suites, each with a private balcony or terrace as well as a superb Unlimited-Luxury(R) experience starting with 24-hour room service, a daily refreshed mini-bar and more. The Preferred Club will provide an enhanced level of luxury with 65 ocean view suites and additional privileges including access to a private lounge, upgraded bath amenities and mini-bar, concierge service, pillow menu and much more. Guests will enjoy limitless gourmet cuisine, without reservations, at four restaurants and one café in addition to five bars that will serve unlimited top-shelf spirits. Days and nights are filled with land, beach and water activities and live entertainment. Two pools and a pristine beach await. Rejuvenation reigns supreme at the Secrets Spa by Pevonia(R), offering massage, body and facial treatments in 13 treatment rooms and a full-service beauty salon. Follow up this rejuvenation at the fully equipped fitness center or by taking part in one of many daily and nighttime activities. Just 20 minutes from the Liberia Airport and a mere 15 minutes from the touristic town of Coco Beach, Secrets Papagayo offers guests a privileged location both within the resort and throughout the area for an ideal Unlimited-Luxury(R) getaway on the Pacific Coast. We’re committed to redefining your travel journey with our best-in-class CleanComplete Verification™ practices. While health and safety have always been our top priorities, these new protocols further elevate our standards of quality and cleanliness, enabling you to vacation at any AMResorts® property with the ultimate peace of mind. Our 360-degree quality, safety and hygiene system takes into account every aspect of resort operations, backed by the highest-level third-party certification. We will be evolving and innovating our procedures continuously and will share the newest developments as they are implemented. Our protocols begin the moment you start planning a vacation to the time you return home! To learn more about our quality, safety and hygiene practices, please search for AMResorts CleanComplete Verification™ in your favorite browser.

The place is FUN!

Reviewed By Robert M

First off, not the four seasons. But who cares!!! This is a place for people who want to have a good time. Whether sitting by the pool or beach, walking the trails, or partying it up play the pool bar with Henry. It’s plenty clean and well kept. Loved the hills, served a substitute for working out. The guys at the beach were not that bad at all, you tell them no and they stop asking. Actually Leo was very helpful to us and we went on a great jet ski tour with his company. If you are looking for the four seasons it’s right across the bay. But if your looking for a well kept beautiful property with an A+ staff to take care of anything you need and have a great time meeting other like minded fun loving people, THIS IS YOUR PLACE!!! PURA VIDA

7. Dreams Las Mareas Costa Rica

Playa El Jobo, El Jobo 51001 Costa Rica
Excellent
57%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
5%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 5768 reviews

Dreams Las Mareas Costa Rica

We’re committed to redefining your travel journey with our best-in-class CleanComplete Verification™ practices. While health and safety have always been our top priorities, these new protocols further elevate our standards of quality and cleanliness, enabling you to vacation at any AMResorts® property with the ultimate peace of mind. Our 360-degree quality, safety and hygiene system takes into account every aspect of resort operations, backed by the highest-level third-party certification. We will be evolving and innovating our procedures continuously and will share the newest developments as they are implemented. Our protocols begin the moment you start planning a vacation to the time you return home! To learn more about our quality, safety and hygiene practices, please search for AMResorts CleanComplete Verification™ in your favorite browser.

Perfect Honeymoon Trip

Reviewed By Reviewing101

Me and my wife traveled everywhere in the world and we decided to return back to Costa Rica for our Honeymoon and it was the best decision ever. The staff is phenomenal, the food is amazing, and the views are breathtaking. I highly recommend this resort, we felt like home throughout our whole stay. I do advise all men to bring some jeans or slacks or else they wont allow you into the italian restaurant. So just take that into consideration, but overall the experience was amazing. Clean pools, great food, and great drinks.

8. Parador Resort & Spa

Punta Quepos, Manuel Antonio, Quepos Costa Rica
Excellent
72%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4076 reviews

Parador Resort & Spa

Welcome to Parador Resort & Spa, Costa Rica’s premier eco-luxury resort. Sitting high above the Central Pacific coastline, this award-winning hotel is built on 12 acres of rainforest in beautiful Manuel Antonio, just minutes from Costa Rica’s best beaches.Known for its dedication to preserving and protecting Mother Nature as well as its first-class amenities, Parador offers a long list of activities for your enjoyment and a staff ready to accommodate your every need. Experience inspired cuisine. Take a walk along a white sand beach. Swing through the rainforest canopy. Or simply relax and take in the view from your splendid suite. It’s all about responsible luxury, pura vida style. Parador Resort & Spa… Where Green Is More Than Just A Color.

Amazing!!!!!

Reviewed By pateldesai

We stayed here for 4 nights and had a fantastic time ever!! The service and food was amazing! Our room was nicely cleaned all the time. The staff was super pleasant and helpful. We saw tons of wild life just from our balcony, pool and all over the resort. Tons of monkeys and sloths. Lots of birds. The pools were great too. Sharing some videos. The night before we left there was huge storm that rolled in and we lost power in our building. The staff was there in less than half hour asking if we wanted to change room to another building with power so we did. It was great! Like I said, no regrets! Enjoy your stay if you are staying here.

9. Fiesta Resort

El Roble 23, Chacarita 60115 Costa Rica
Excellent
44%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
8%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 4407 reviews

Fiesta Resort

The closest all-inclusive resort to San Jose! Fiesta Resort All Inclusive Costa Rica is a modern, full-amenity, all-inclusive resort hotel. This beachfront Costa Rica Hilton hotel is perfectly situated on the Central Pacific region outside the port city of Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Located only 50 minutes West of Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) and the Costa Rican capital city of San Jose, and two hours south of Liberia International Airport (LIR). Buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner served daily. Snacks and drinks available all day long. Two a-la-carte restaurants open for dinner. All-day activities for adults, teenagers or children, nightly entertainment and lounge.

Weekend get away

Reviewed By 310mauricioo

Excellent all way around from the facilities , my room was extremely spacious and clean , I had everything I need and more, the staff was welcoming and very pleasing of any and every need , food was oustanding, very greatfull of the invitation from the GM., Mr, Pronovost to one the signature restaurants got to enjoyed a complete 4 course meal, every single item was outstanding. In overall highly recommended, excellent choices of food in the buffete and choices of drinks alcoholic and not alcoholic, and the entertainment was great as well. Just a short 90 minutes from the main airport in Costa Rica. Recommended 100%

10. Hotel Riu Guanacaste

Playa Matapalo, Matapalo 60602 Costa Rica
Excellent
37%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
7%
Terrible
6%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 9143 reviews

Hotel Riu Guanacaste

The 24h All Inclusive Hotel Riu Guanacaste opens all year round and is located directly on the beautiful, fine-sandy Matapalo beach, in the Playas del Coco region, next to the Riu Palace Costa Rica. The location is ideal because of its proximity to Daniel Oduber Airport LIR (33 km) and Playa del Coco (18km) and invites you to explore the area. The hotel has 701 cosily furnished rooms with free Wi-Fi and offers many amenities. Relax in the Renova Spa, or get fit at the gym or on the tennis courts. 3 outdoor pools, 1 children's pool. For the youngest guests, there is the RiuLand Kids Club (for children from 4 to 7 years & 8 to 12 years old) and for adults, day and evening entertainment, as well as the Pacha Discotheque. For lovers of gastronomy, we offer live cooking stations at our main restaurant, various specialty restaurants with Asian and Italian cuisine, gourmet restaurant, Steakhouse, and 5 bars.

Very good, would return, but room to improve

Reviewed By Daiverman

In short, I liked my stay and would return. The Riu can be had at a low price and quite frankly I do find the price to quality ratio very good, provided you can find one of these Expedia package bundles. Starting with the good stuff: - Quick and easy check in - Food is decent and on par with the more expensive Dreams Las Mareas (you'll need to leave the hotel to actually do fine dining. Massive shoutout to Randall in the Liberia restaurant for being such an energetic and committed server - Beautiful grounds, well kept - Nice pool with a swim up bar - Beach is decent and usable. - Nightly entertainment (live music, dance, etc.) Oh and there is this Freddy guy who dances in these shows that is unbelievably good. Amazing energy and skill. I got tired just watching him do what he was doing. Freddy was definitely a highlight. - Building, especially the lobby, is majestic. Ceilings as high as the sky with a modern hacienda-like feel. The bad: - Parking: If you are renting a car, prepare to embark in an unbelievable ordeal with parking at the hotel. They have maybe 30-40 parking spots for a hotel that has 700 rooms. People are forced to park on the street (which is private) and pretty much wherever they can. The result looks very messy, with cars parked in different directions all along the narrow road that leads up to the lobby. I ended up having to park in the much farther away Riu Palace lot because no other spaces were available. - Dumb Towel System: Maybe this just bothers me, but at check in you are given a key card and you're expected to take it to the pool to exchange it for a towel then bring back the towel and get a card back. The guys working the towel hut have to look for your room number in a printed out Excel sheet and write down how many towels you're taking, which seems unnecessary since the key card system is already in place. - Restaurants have no reservations. First come, first serve. And these restaurants open for 2 hours only: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Needless to say I don't want to have to run to the restaurants (which are also buffet) to get food. They really need to keep these open longer to get another 1-2 sittings in there if they were actually encouraging you to try them. I was only able to try the Asian restaurant due to this and ended up driving to other beaches to get most of my dinners. - Air Raid Siren: On my last day I woke up just before 5 am to get ready to leave for the airport. Shortly after that what sounded like an air raid or tsunami siren started going and kept going on for a whole 35 minutes without stopping (I wish Trip Advisor would allow video uploads to show you how bad it was). I called the front desk 7 times to ask what was going on; they never picked up. Good thing I was already awake when this happened, because this is something that would have prompted me to have a word with management if I were asleep. Overall, the place is good and I will return. However, this hotel could greatly benefit from visionary management that relentlessly focuses on small details to better serve the guests, starting with parking and the towel system. There are many other, smaller, things that I didn't mention but that I think that addressing them would make a big difference.

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