The best available hotels & places to stay near Costa Rica

August 11, 2022 Almeta Stockton

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. Shana By The Beach Manuel Antonio

Ruta Puento Quepos Next Line Manuel Antonio, Manuel Antonio, Quepos 60601 Costa Rica
Excellent
80%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2852 reviews

Shana By The Beach Manuel Antonio

Tucked in on the edge of the rainforest, and overlooking the expanse of the Pacific Ocean, Shana by the beach is the ideal resort escape in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. With clean lines and an open, airy feeling, there is little doubt that the casual yet chic decor of this sea-view jungle retreat is the perfect beach resort for those who want to quietly lounge in the sun, enjoy healthy gourmet cuisine in Shana by the Beach’s own Shana Restaurant Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, self-indulge with spa services, and catch sight of local wildlife. With that premise in mind, the Shana by the Beach provides visitors a fabulous selection of rooms, all with exceptional garden and ocean views. Choose from Superior or Deluxe Rooms, Junior Suites, or pamper yourself in the Spa Lifestyle Suites, a 3 bedroom luxury units, full kitchen facilities, and one with its own private infinity pool. Book today to start enjoying your dream Manuel Antonio Costa Rica romantic escape or family vacation getaway!

Great hotel. Super helpful and friendly staff

Reviewed By foodiesoraya

We stayed in this hotel for 4 nights and had a great time. There are plenty of activities to do in Manuel Antonio (we personally did the ATV tour organised by the hotel which was great), as well as taking time to chill by the pool/beach. The hotel has 2 pools - one for families and the other for adults only. We spent our time in the adults pool which has lovely views over the jungle/sea and enjoyed the 3-6pm Happy Hours. The hotel also has access to a beach - there are stairs from the hotel to get down to the beach. Overall, we found the food in the hotel to be good, particularly the food by the pool bar (although I would have preferred a buffet breakfast rather than having to pick from a menu). the rooms were clean and the staff were extremely friendly and accomodating. The staff went out of there way to make our stay great - they knew it was my Partners birthday as I had ordered a cake to the room beforehand. They went above and belongs to decorate our room with balloons and even gave us a bottle of wine on the house. The cake was nice delicious!! We were also particularly appreciative of Danny on reception who helped us by calling around different places to help us find the wallet my Partner had lost along the way… which he managed to track down for us! Overall I’d say this is a great hotel to stay in while in Manuel Antonio. I would recommend the ocean view rooms

2. 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!!!!

3. Nayara Gardens

702 Road 21007, Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna de San Carlos 21007 Costa Rica
Excellent
91%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 4062 reviews

Nayara Gardens

Nayara Gardens is a five-star luxury boutique hotel that is widely recognized for providing premium luxury amenities and ultra-personalized service at surprisingly affordable rates. Located on the outskirts of the amazing Arenal Volcano, Arenal Nayara is an oasis of tranquility, where guests can experience a profound and organic immersion with nature while living in luxury at the same time. Surrounded by lush tropical rainforest, each one of our 50 spacious casitas (bungalows) provides an exclusive, ultra-luxurious retreat. Each expansive casita (ranging from 855 to 1905 square feet) includes a secluded garden with an outdoor shower and a beautiful terrace overlooking the volcano with a private, intimate Jacuzzi for two.

Best service, amazing views!

Reviewed By Alyssa S

Staying at Nayara Gardens was the best vacation experience we have ever had. We stayed for our honeymoon. The grounds and atmosphere are incredibly romantic. We never felt like the resort was too crowded. Many casitas have private pools, so the resort pools were never crowded. Our room had a view of the volcano directly out of the balcony with a hammock and outdoor hot tub - magical. The view was perfectly framed by the forest, yet the groundskeepers maintain the trees and bushes for privacy so that your balcony is never visible to the guests walking the grounds. Each of the restaurants had a unique experience. Our favorite was Amor Loco which had a jazz lounge atmosphere, the food here was excellent. The Nostalgia wine and tapas bar provided self-serve automated wine tastings from Chile and Argentina curated by an extremely knowledgeable sommelier. We wish that we got to stay longer to try all the restaurants. We ended up taking a taxi one night into the La Fortuna town to experience the life of the town and a local restaurant. There are many bars and restaurants, with many catered toward tourists and a few more local places. One day we went to Tabacon to check out the hot springs there. We absolutely loved the grounds at Tabacon, but highly recommend staying at Nayara instead, and getting a day pass to Tabacon if you want to experience the hot spring waterfalls. The service and experience at Nayara cannot be beat. Nayara also has hot springs access in their tented camp area and all Nayara grounds are accessible to guests at any one of the three resorts. It is all walkable, though be ready for steep hills as it is at the base of the volcano! The service was impeccable. From the golf cart rides through the grounds to towel and umbrella service, every need had been considered and taken care of before it arose. We enjoyed the daily housekeeping as well as the nightly turn down service. Each night the staff left a little surprise on the bed as well as fresh cool water at the bedside. It was fairly inexpensive to take a taxi here. Uber is cheaper but we were told that it is illegal currently in Costa Rica and so if you are pulled over by police, you will have to get out and call a taxi from where you are left. We took an Uber one time and the driver went off route through a neighborhood to avoid a police car. The hotel recommends using a taxi instead.

4. Arenal Manoa Resort Hotel & Hot Springs

Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna de San Carlos 21007 Costa Rica
Excellent
68%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2673 reviews

Arenal Manoa Resort Hotel & Hot Springs

Arenal Manoa Hotel is a beautiful Arenal hotel to relax and enjoy the marvelous view of Arenal volcano in Costa Rica. Surrounded by gardens, pastures and animals, our rooms have been designed so that each one offers you a panoramic view of the Arenal volcano. Our visitors can take advantage of our spacious gardens for walking and meditation as well as the opportunities to see the daily operations of a typical Costa Rican farm.

Fantastic!

Reviewed By CJCJ123

My husband and I stayed at Arenal Manoa for 3 nights, our first stop after arriving in Costa Rica. The resort exceeded our expectations and beyond. It was our honeymoon and we really appreciated the thoughtful extra touches the hotel staff included, such as a sign on our door and chocolates and wine in our room on arrival. Our room (306) had the most incredible volcano view. It was clean, comfortable and spacious. The bed was huge, as was the whirlpool bath. Food was exceptional - loads of choice at breakfast, with fresh fruit, omelettes and cooked options. We ate dinner in the restaurant one evening, the steak was delicious. The view from the restaurant is fantastic, overlooking the volcano and teeming with wildlife so there is always something to look out at. While at the resort we saw monkeys, a toucan, a cayman in the pond/lake, and a whole variety of different birds which was a real bonus! The grounds are beautifully maintained throughout. We made the most of happy hour at the two pool bars too. We would definitely recommend this hotel. Thank you to the staff at Arenal Manoa for a wonderful stay!

5. 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!

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. The Springs Resort and Spa

9km Oeste Y 4km Norte Del Centro de la Fortuna, Arenal Volcano National Park 21007 Costa Rica
Excellent
83%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 3142 reviews

The Springs Resort and Spa

With a spectacular view of the Arenal Volcano, natural hot springs, five unique dining experiences, and an impressive full-service Spa, The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal promises to overwhelm you in every aspect of quality, service and design. CNN Travel voted our five-star property one of the seven resorts with the most spectacular views in the world, and we have hosted "The Bachelor" and many other famous TV Programs. On our 165-acre property, families are sure to enjoy the water slide, signature putt-putt course, kids' game room and our on-site Club Rio Adventure Center, offering river tubing, kayaking, horseback riding, rock climbing, hot springs and our amazing Animal Sanctuary.

Excellent Experience and Excellent People

Reviewed By J5972GYamandas

My family of 10 visited the Springs and stayed in the Villa Palacio. The grounds are absolutely gorgeous and you feel like you are living within the rain forest with the best view of the volcano. Everyone goes above and beyond to provide the best service. Orlando consistently greeted us with a smile and always checking in with us to make sure our daily plans were set. Mikol, Antonio and Anthony consistently took care of us at the various restaurants and bars. They all went above and beyond in providing excellent customer service. They made our trip so memorable. We will be back!!

9. 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!

10. Hotel Lomas del Volcan

Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna de San Carlos 21003 Costa Rica
Excellent
69%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2218 reviews

Hotel Lomas del Volcan

Lomas del Volcán Hotel is a warm mountain hotel that maintains it's rustic style with wood cabins, each one with 2 decks that invites you to enjoy nature, one with a view to the Arenal Volcano and the other with a view to the tropical forest.

Truly wonderful!

Reviewed By Louise W

The setting and views at this hotel are breathtaking, it is an absolute gem of a place to stay. The wildlife was amazing from the toucan that came each evening outside of our lodge to survey his territory, to the lady hummingbird that had a nest with chicks in a tree just outside the bar, to all the frogs and toads that came out when it rained. We ate lunch and dinner at the hotel and the food was good, great that you can have the same menu in the bar as the restaurant so you don’t have to get dressed up after a 5 hour hike! All of the staff were so helpful and friendly, I would return to this hotel without hesitation.

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