Costa Rica Resorts
Luxury Stays for all Vibes
Costa Rica is filled with luxury resorts for all interests and travel styles. From all-inclusive resorts to jungle resorts, there is something for everyone.
This country is a paradise of jungle and beaches, adventure and relaxation, and so much more!
Costa Rica is not your typical resort destination. Here you will likely pay more than a Caribbean luxury stay, but your stay will be on another level of perfection.
Costa Rica All-Inclusive Resorts
Choose an all-inclusive resort to have all your meals and drinks included in your stay.
This is a great option if you plan to spend most of your time enjoying the on-site amenities of the resort and don’t want to have to think about planning where to eat every day.
Azura
LOCATION – Samara
THE VIBE – Samara is a cool town and this is the only all-inclusive option here. We love that it is directly on the beach and it is for adults only.
ON-SITE ACTIVITIES – Restaurant, pool, fitness center, beach access, and more!
Dreams Las Mareas
LOCATION – North of Liberia airport, not far from Nicaragua border
THE VIBE – This is a new resort. It’s in a remote spot with top-notch luxury. The service here goes above and beyond. The facilities are beautiful, and everyone will find something fun to do here.
ON-SITE ACTIVITIES – Restaurants, fitness center, nightclub, multiple pools, beach access, and more!
Book Your Stay at Dreams las Mareas
Riu Palace
LOCATION – Papagayo
THE VIBE – RIU has two resorts right next to each other. The RIU Palace and the RIU Guanacaste are both large resorts. However, the RIU Guanacaste is a bit more family-friendly, but also a bit crazier. For couples or families that want a calmer experience, I suggest RIU Palace.
Amenities – Multiple pools, multiple restaurants, beach access, kids programs, spa, volleyball courts, kayaks for guests to use, etc.
Book Your Stay at RIU Palace Now
Hacienda AltaGracia
LOCATION – Pérez Zeledón
THE VIBE – Hacienda Altagracia is a world-class, five-star, luxury resort. Expect service to be on another level of perfection.
ON-SITE ACTIVITIES – Horseback riding, hiking, birdwatching, wildlife tours, mountain biking, yoga classes, cultural experiences, and so so much more!
Book Your Stay at Alta Gracia Now
Would you like to check out more options in Costa Rica?
Honeymoon Resorts
Are you looking for a romantic peaceful getaway in Costa Rica? This list of resorts is perfect for you!
Rancho Pacifico
EXCLUSIVE PARTNER! SAVE 10% OFF YOUR ROOM
LOCATION – Uvita
THE VIBE – The vibe here is luxury relaxation with tons of adventure nearby. The staff here is amazing and will go above and beyond to make your stay amazing.
This is an adults-only resort that is perfect for honeymoons, romantic getaways, or remote working vacations.
ON-SITE ACTIVITIES – Relax in the pool, enjoy an amazing spa treatment, read a book and enjoy the stunning ocean views, grab a delicious cocktail at the bar
RESERVATIONS
We think very highly of this resort. Everything here is perfect and you can’t beat the location. It is the perfect mix of jungle with incredible views of the Uvita whales tale.
We have partnered with Rancho Pacifico to bring you a 10% discount on your room rate. To use the discount, book directly through the Rancho Pacifico website and use the code VIBES10
Book Your Stay at Rancho Pacifico Now
The Retreat Costa Rica
LOCATION – Atenas (between San Jose and Pacific coast)
THE VIBE – This feels like a great place for a girl’s trip, vacation on your own, or for couples. It has a real boutique feel to it.
ON-SITE ACTIVITIES – Restaurant, pool, nature trails, spa, yoga classes, and more!
Book Your Stay at The Retreat Now
Nayara Springs
LOCATION – La Fortuna
THE VIBE – An adult-only resort that is focused on a mix of relaxation and adventure. Nayara Springs is connected to its sister property, Nayara Gardens.
ON-SITE ACTIVITIES – Daily yoga, hiking trails, a tropical garden to explore, spa treatments, pool relaxation, fitness center
Book Your Stay at Nayara Springs Now
Would you like to check out more options in Costa Rica?
Check out our guide to planning your Costa Rica honeymoon for all the details.
Adult Only Resorts
Are you looking for an experience away from kids? An adult-only resort could be great for you. We like this option for groups with friends or a couples getaway.
Secrets Papagayo
LOCATION – This beach resort is located on the Papagayo Peninsula near the Liberia International Airport.
THE VIBE – This resort is a lot larger than most of the other places on this list with over 200 guest suites. Everything here is top-notch, clean, modern, and well organized.
If you want tons of activities, beach access, and excellent restaurants, this is the perfect place for you. However, if you are looking for an intimate setting, this is not it.
ON-SITE ACTIVITIES – Relax and pamper yourself at the spa, enjoy the evening entertainment, play some volleyball on the beach, work out in the fitness center, enjoy a coffee or rum tasting, take a cooking class.
Book Your Stay at Secrets Papagayo Now
Jardin del Eden
LOCATION – Tamarindo
THE VIBE – This is an adult-only beach resort located directly in Tamarindo. It’s a good option if you are looking for a more affordable (but very nice) resort experience that is peaceful but also located right next to a ton of action.
ON-SITE ACTIVITIES – Relax in the tropical pool, enjoy the surrounding gardens, walk the short path to the Pacific Ocean beach, and relax with a spa treatment.
Book Your Stay at Jardin del Eden Now
Kura
LOCATION – In the hills above Uvita
THE VIBE – Kura is a great honeymoon option. This resort has only eight suites, so they offer a very intimate and highly level of service to every guest.
ON-SITE ACTIVITIES – Kura offers meditation classes, cooking classes, and cocktail-making classes. Relaxing by the infinity pool is also a popular thing to enjoy here.
Casa Chameleon
LOCATION – Las Catalinas
Note: Casa Chameleon also has a property located in Mal Pais which is just as amazing. We suggest the Mal Pais location for a more remote experience.
THE VIBE – Casa Chameleon has a bit of a boutique hotel vibe combined with the luxury of a resort. There are 21 villas available on the property, which makes it a bit larger than some of the other resorts on this list, but they also have more to offer on the property than some more intimate places.
ON-SITE ACTIVITIES –Relax in your plunge pool, enjoy the large infinity pool with ocean views, take a yoga or fitness class, and enjoy a spa treatment.
Book Your Stay at Casa Chameleon Now
Would you like to check out more options in Costa Rica?
Family Friendly Resorts
If you are traveling with kids these places will be great for you! Some options have kids clubs to keep the kiddos entertained and some of tons of adventure activity options for them.
Andaz Costa Rica
LOCATION – Papagayo Peninsula
THE VIBE – Andaz is great because it offers an upscale experience for couples or families. For example, there is a swimming pool reserved just for adults as well as one for families. Also, it is possible to stay here as an all-inclusive resort or to opt for a lower-cost option in which meals are not included.
Amenities – Spa, fitness center, multiple pools, three restaurants, tennis court, zip lining, beach access, and more!
Planet Hollywood
LOCATION – Papagayo Peninsula
THE VIBE – If you are traveling with kids, this place will be so much fun for the entire family. We also love that it is a new resort with top-notch design and amenities. It’s just an all around fun vibe.
Amenities – Multiple restaurants, multiple bars, a kids club, pools, beach access, and more!
Book Your Stay at Planet Hollywood Now
The Westin Golf Resort
LOCATION – Playa Conchal (a nice beach between Tamarindo and Playa Flamingo)
THE VIBE – This is a great place for the whole family. There is plenty for the kids to do (especially with the kids club). Also, the on-property golf course is a great perk for all of your golfing enthusiasts.
ON-SITE ACTIVITIES – Golf course, kids club, fitness center, spa, tennis courts, pool, multiple bars and restaurants, beach access, and more!
Book Your Stay at the Westin Now
Would you like to check out more options in Costa Rica?
Check out our guide to our 12 favorite family-friendly resorts
Destination Wedding Resorts
Are you planning your wedding in Costa Rica? We got married here on the beach and it was seriously magical.
El Mangroove Collection
LOCATION – Peninsula Papagayo
THE VIBE – The grounds here are beautiful. You feel so secluded in luxury here. Plus, you can’t beat the location. It is only about 20 minutes from Liberia International Airport (so easy for your guests to get to).
ON-SITE ACTIVITIES – Two restaurants, spa, beach access, a beautiful pool, and more!
Book Your Stay at El Mangroove Now
W Costa Rica
LOCATION – Playa Conchal (a nice beach between Tamarindo and Playa Flamingo)
THE VIBE – W Costa Rica is located on one of the nicest beaches in Costa Rica. If you are interested in an all-inclusive resort with a gold course, this is one of the few options in Costa Rica.
ON-SITE ACTIVITIES – Two outdoor swimming pools, a fitness center, three restaurants, beach access, spa, on-property golf course, and more!
Want to learn more about planning your destination wedding?
Jungle Resorts
Ready to get away from it all and experience the jungle vibe? We love jungle resorts for adventure activities such as zip lining and rafting as well as relaxing in hot springs.
The Springs Resort
LOCATION – La Fortuna
THE VIBE – Family-friendly large resort with a luxury jungle vibe
ON-SITE ACTIVITIES – The most popular activity is enjoying the multiple hot spring pools located throughout the property. Some are designed for kids in mind with a waterslide and some are more intimate for relaxation.
The other draw to this property is the Club Rio Adventure Center. Here you can book white water rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, rock climbing, rappelling, and river fishing.
Book Your Stay at the Spring Resort Now
Tabacon Thermal Resort
LOCATION – La Fortuna
THE VIBE – The vibe here is relaxed rainforest luxury. All the staff are so nice and helpful. Just note that this place can fill up during the day because they do allow day pass guests for hot spring usage.
ON-SITE ACTIVITIES – The hot springs are the most popular on-site activity here. The other popular activity is enjoying a treatment at the on-property spa.
Peace Lodge
LOCATION – Vara Blanca, Alajuela
THE VIBE – I would call this place cozy natural luxury. The resort is only 18 rooms and has a very clean jungle cabin type of feel.
ON-SITE ACTIVITIES –Learn about Costa Rican culture, walk the multiple trails, check out the views of the cascading waterfall, see all of the rescued wildlife throughout the property, go fishing at the trout pond, and relax at the resort pool.
Book Your Stay at Peace Lodge Now
Nayara garden
LOCATION – La Fortuna
THE VIBE – This is the sister resort to Nayara Springs. Children are welcome here, but it still has an intimate feeling to it. This is a semi-large resort with 50 bungalows.
ON-SITE ACTIVITIES – Explore the beautiful nature-filled property, relax in the pools, enjoy the spa
Book Your Stay at Nayara Sprins Now
Would you like to check out more options in Costa Rica?
Eco Resorts
Eco resorts are perfect for those of you who are interested in a luxury experience that may be a bit more rustic. Combine the resort experience with something environmentally friendly.
El Silencio Lodge
LOCATION – Bajos del Toro
THE VIBE – El Silencio is one of the nicest resorts in the country. This place is perfect for all of you that are interested in nature and want to enjoy activities like bird watching or hiking, but would like a luxurious experience.
ON-SITE ACTIVITIES – Birdwatching, horseback riding, hiking to a waterfall, planting a tree, rum tasting, cooking classes, mountain biking, river fishing, wine tasting, yoga, spa treatments, archery
Book Your Stay at El Silencio Now
Pacuera Lodge
LOCATION – Near the small village of Bajo Tigre
THE VIBE – The main focus of Pacuare Lodge is white water rafting. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t still thoroughly enjoy this place if white water rafting is not your thing.
ON-SITE ACTIVITIES – Relax in the pool, enjoy the spa, try out one of the many included activities, sit by the river and listen to the nature sounds.
Lapa Rios Eco Lodge
LOCATION – Puerto Jimenez
THE VIBE – Lapa Rios is located on a 1,000-acre nature preserve. If you are looking for a luxurious eco-lodge filled with wildlife, near a beach, and near Corcovado National Park, this is a great option.
Children over the age of six are welcome here.
ON-SITE ACTIVITIES – Relax in the pool, get an in-room spa treatment, explore the property on your own or with a guided tour, go birdwatching, take a night tour, learn about medicinal plants in the area. So much to do!
The beach is located just below the property. You can easily walk there (but the hike back up is a bit much) or they will happily drive you down and set up beach chairs for you.
Kinkara
LOCATION – San Isidro de El General
THE VIBE – Kinkara is more than just a resort. This place also offers a wellness retreat component that encourages connecting to nature and refocusing through relaxation.
Children are welcome.
ON-SITE ACTIVITIES – Mountain biking, river hiking, permaculture tours, sweat ceremonies, swimming under a waterfall, horseback riding, culinary experiences, yoga, meditation, cacao & sound healing ceremonies, spa services, farm & food forest tours.
What You Should Know Before Booking Costa Rica Resorts
Transportation
Usually, we suggest renting a car in Costa Rica, but if you are staying at a resort it is most likely not very necessary because you probably won’t be doing a ton of exploring on your own.
All the resorts listed above will be happy to arrange transportation for you. However, sometimes it can be pricey. We personally suggest a local private transfer company called Adobe Transfers. You can get a transfer price quote here.
Alternatively, if you would like to rent a car, you can find out more about that and get a 10% discount plus other great perks here.
If you are flying into Liberia International Airport and need to get to or from the airport to your resort we highly recommend our favorite family of registered taxi drivers.
You can get your price quote from them here.
Packing
Rain jacket, bug spray, nice clothes for dinner, swimsuit, sunscreen, small backpack for day trips, sandals, hiking shoes, everyday shoes, and fast-drying clothing.
Keep in mind that things have a tendency to get wet here and just never dry. Check out our packing guide for more info.
Best Season
The dry season in Costa Rica runs from late December until late April. This is also the busiest and most expensive time of year to visit.
From May until the end of July, resort prices tend to go down a bit. You will likely experience afternoon rainstorms for an hour or two, but besides that, the weather should be decent.
From August to early December the weather is more difficult to predict. You might have some days that are complete washouts. However, you will have your choice of any resort you want.
To save a bit of money, we suggest visiting in July. The weather should be pretty good, there aren’t too many tourists, and prices are a bit lower.
Safety
You should feel very safe in resorts in Costa Rica. However, keep a close eye on your belongings while out and about. We have never had any issues, but petty theft sometimes happens.
Also, don’t forget to purchase travel insurance. It not only protects you from costs related to illness but also for lost luggage, trip cancellation, etc.
Get a travel insurance quote from Heymondo
Other Things to Note
– We strongly suggest staying at a resort for a few nights and then checking out more of the country. Costa Rica is beautiful and has so much to offer. It is always nice to get a taste of the country besides being in a resort.
– Credit cards are accepted everywhere. Costa Rican colones are the main currency in the country, but US dollars are also widely accepted (especially in resorts).
– Spanish is the main language in Costa Rica, but resort staff should all be trained well in English.
– The main motto for life in Costa Rica is “Pura Vida”. This directly translates to “pure life” and in Costa Rica, it is used to mean “everything is good. Life is great.”
I’m telling you this because I hope everything at your resort stay goes perfectly, but keep in mind that sometimes you just need to relax and enjoy this different culture. People here live in a more relaxed time frame than you may be used to.
You Might Also Like:
Complete Guide to VRBO in Costa Rica
Glamping in Costa Rica: 21 Unique Places to Stay
Costa Rica Treehouses: 12 Great Places to Stay
….if none of those appeal to you, check out our Guide to all Accommodation Options in Costa Rica for more ideas of places to visit in this area.