From the volcanic peaks and lush green cloud forests of San José to the perfect wave curling across the Pacific coast’s black sand beaches and the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean shoreline, Costa Rica is a nature lover’s dream. It’s also one of the world’s most environmentally conscious countries with a quarter of its land designated as protected preserve.
A favorite pilgrimage for surfers, thanks to consistent surf breaks, warm water and a laidback “pura vida” spirt, this Central American country attracts active travelers of all stripes, from yogis to mountain bikers and sport fishermen. And speaking of pura vida—which translates to “pure life”—you’ll hear it as a greeting, a farewell and in answer to the question, “How are you?” Before long, you’ll understand all its nuances, encapsulating both the warmth of the country’s people and the landscape’s natural beauty.
At roughly the size of West Virginia, it’s feasible to explore multiple regions during your Costa Rican adventure. We’ve compiled some of our favorite hotels to make that trip planning a little easier.
Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo
All-Star Amenities: Arnold Palmer-designed golf course; 18-room spa with full wellness offerings; multiple swimming pools; tennis courts.
Spanning 1,400 acres of a narrow isthmus near the end of the dramatic Papagayo Peninsula, the Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo is cradled between a tropical forest and the Pacific’ Culebra Bay. Designed by local architect Ronald Zürcher with updated guestrooms by Meyer Davis, the resort blends seamlessly into the natural landscape through the use of wood and stone finishes, floor-to-ceiling windows, expansive patios and infinity edged swimming pools. Take your pick from traditional guestrooms to tree house-style suites with private plunge pools and a collection of lavish private residences with up to six bedrooms.
In addition to lounging on the resort’s private beach, you can take advantage of the onsite 18-hole Arnold Palmer-designed golf course, tennis courts and the luxurious spa. The concierge can also arrange excursions, from surfing legendary breaks just offshore to a bird watching hike with a naturalist. And when it’s time to dine, your many options include the upscale steakhouse Nemare, Pesce for Italian coastal cuisine and Añejo for crudo and tapas at sunset set to the beats of a live DJ. Book
Nayara Tented Camp, La Fortuna
All-Star Amenities: Luxurious spa; yoga platform; multiple restaurants; swimming pools; onsite naturalists and concierges.
Nayara Tented Camp takes the concept of glamping to the next level with its collection of freestanding luxury tents cradled on stilts above the rainforest canopy of Arenal Volcano National Park. Inspired by the luxurious canvas lodges of African safaris, it’s the latest addition to Nayara’s collection of resorts on the national park. The tree house-like platforms are comprised of one or two connecting tents, each with a spacious terrace and private plunge pool fed by natural hot springs with picture perfect views of the 5,358-foot Arenal Volcano. Starting at 1,700 square-feet, these luxurious abodes feature dramatic canopied, four-poster, king beds, a freestanding French soaking tub and marble outdoor double showers hidden behind bamboo.
Connected by pathways, catwalks and footbridges, a collection of infinity pools resembling extravagant rain puddles await, as well as the resort’s yoga platform and open-air spa, which incorporates locally grown organic coffee, chocolate, and volcanic mud into their sublime treatments. While your tented campsite offers plenty of seclusion, you can also gather at the poolside fine dining Mediterranean-inspired Ayla and access the bars and restaurants of sister properties Nayara Gardens and Nayara Springs, including the sexy adults-only Amor Loco. Book
Hacienda AltaGracia, Pérez Zeledón
All-Star Amenities: The Well spa; mindful movement classes; indoor and outdoor pools; multiple restaurants.
Cradled in the foothills of the Talamanca Mountains, Hacienda AltaGracia spans 50 private casitas across 180 acres of untamed tropical forest. Part of the Auberge Resorts Collection, this all-inclusive resort covers all meals, non-alcoholic beverages, “mindful movement” classes and a calendar of daily programming. With an onsite coffee farm, organic chef’s gardens and equine stables, the resort’s emphasis is on both adventure and wellness.
A true sanctuary, the heart of Hacienda AltaGracia lies in The Well, an all-encompassing holistic spa and wellness center. Here, you’ll find a heated indoor pool beneath vaulted double-height ceilings enclosed in glass for panoramic views of the lush San Isidro Valley. With an emphasis on hydrotheraphy, all spa treatments include a journey through the heated tepidarium, vitality and heated jet pools, aromatherapy steam room and sauna. Every treatment begins with an herbal exfoliation and local clay treatment before you embark on a signature facial or massage, fusing ancient traditions with the latest scientific innovations. Consider the otherwordly outdoor river bath experience, which includes a local coffee scrub and herbal soak. After the spa, relax in a lounge chair on the edge of a circular outdoor pool overlooking the mountain range and recharge at one of the resort’s fine dining restaurants, from Grano for elevated Costa Rican cuisine to Cienfuego for global barbecue traditions. Book
Hotel Aguas Claras, Puerto Viejo
All-Star Amenities: Lagoon-style swimming pool; two restaurants; beach.
Named for the crystal clear waters of Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, Hotel Aguas Claras is a bohemian hideaway on Playa Chiquita created by multi-media artist and San José native Elizabeth Steinvorth and her daughter Elena. Comprised of a main hotel with six suites, six freestanding bungalows and the two-story Casa Floralia, which sleeps up to 10 across five bedrooms, the property resembles a romantic, Victorian mansion in dazzling white set against the green jungle.
Elizabeth’s art, as well as works by her artist friends, are featured throughout the property, from floral watercolors and mosaics to upcycled furniture. Suites and bungalows have a touch of tropical opulence with lacquered white finishes and prim outdoor tile showers, each with their own unique design theme. From DaLime Beach Club to the poolside Papaya Restaurant, the hotel’s bars and restaurants emit an effortlessly hip vibe with creative menus that play up Costa Rica’s Afro-Caribbean spirit, from ceviche and tostadas to the catch of the day sizzled with coconut milk. Book
The Gilded Iguana, Nosara
All-Star Amenities: Onsite surf camp, rentals and surf shop; multiple swimming pools; restaurant and bar; spa; mountain biking center; athletic center.
Situated directly on Playa Guiones—the site of one of Costa Rica’s most consistent year round surf breaks—The Gilded Iguana has catered to surfers, adventure travelers and outdoors enthusiasts since 1988. Designed by acclaimed architect Benjamin Saxe and San José-based interior design firm Sofa Interiorismo, the overall aesthetic is that of a clean, modern surf lodge complex where you’ll find multiple swimming pools, a hot tub, an al fresco restaurant and bar, freestanding athletic centers and a spa. Every guestroom boasts generous outdoor space (plus, indoor and outdoor showers) and some rooms sleep up to six guests in a creative bunk bed configuration, making the Gilded Iguana perfect for families and tribes of surfers.
The onsite surf school offers everything from single lessons to weeklong camps for surfers of all levels with rental equipment available, as well as private lockers to stash your own gear. For those who wish to explore the area beyond the break, the hotel’s onsite Mountain Biking Center provides tours and rentals to explore nearby trails for all levels. Yoga and surfing often go hand-in-hand in Costa Rica and the impressive Athletic Center offers a full schedule of classes. Book
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Bajos del Toro
All-Star Amenities: Ample onsite eco-adventures; Essensia Spa; open-air yoga; a glass-enclosed restaurant.
Cradled in the valley of a cloud forest between two vertiginous national parks—the Poás Volcano and Juan Castro Blanco—El Silencio Lodge & Spa is a rustic-chic eco lodge spanning 16 suites and eight standalone villas. A Relais & Chateaux property, there’s no shortage of on-site adventures across the ample grounds, including naturalist-led hikes on private trails past waterfalls, horseback riding, mountain biking, river fishing and zip lining.
With weather that alternates between sunshine, rain, mist and clouds, there’s something magical about simply sitting in a rocking chair or soaking in the hot tub on your private viewing deck and watching the world go by. A visit to the creek-side Essencia Spa and open-air yoga deck will also do the trick. The appropriately named Las Ventanas restaurant resembles a lodge in clean, modernist lines with wrap-around floor-to-ceiling windows for the feeling that you’re fine dining directly on the forest floor. They serve both Costa Rican and international cuisine with produce sourced from the onsite garden. Book
El Mangroove, Papagayo Bay
All-Star Amenities: Swimming pool with private cabanas; spa; two restaurants.
Named for its beachfront mangrove preserve and the languid, groovy lifestyle it promotes, El Mangroove is a high-style boutique hotel situated on a pristine bend of Papagayo Bay on the country’s northern Pacific coast. Part of Marriott’s luxurious Autograph Collection, the hotel features 85 suites, many boasting oversized terraces with ocean views and some with private plunge pools. A modernist aesthetic pervades here with clean architectural lines, neutral color palettes and natural wood and stone finishes, plus playful touches, like en suite red and white woven hammocks for a pop of color and contemporary sculptures throughout the grounds.
A 130-foot long, black tile pool flanked by private cabanas and lounge chairs extends towards the ocean and a sublime spa consists of outdoor massage decks and terraces with soaking tubs for a tranquil communion with nature. With an emphasis on sustainability, the hotel’s two restaurants adhere to a farm-to-table ethos with locally sourced ingredients and freshly caught seafood. All-inclusive packages are also available. Book
Alma del Pacifico Hotel & Spa, Esterillos Este
All-Star Amenities: Spa; pool; surf lessons; open-air restaurant and bar.
Situated on a remote stretch of Costa Rica’s central Pacific Coast, Alma del Pacifico Hotel & Spa is a dream for travelers who want to truly unplug from modern life and connect with nature. Composed of about 20 private bungalows and villas lining a wide black sand beach, the property was envisioned by California architect Sherrill Broudy who drew inspiration from Costa Rica’s culture and landscape. His wife Charlene is an artist who created over 150 pieces of art throughout the property, from colorful, large-scale abstract paintings to tapestries and mosaics, for an overall groovy and ethereal aesthetic. The stucco buildings are painted purple, turquoise, blue and gold with low, rolling rooflines emblematic of the ocean’s waves and large sliding glass doors that open for unimpeded ocean views.
The hotel is located on a surf break ideal for beginners and lessons are offered onsite. From hammocks dangling between palm trees to the hotel’s pool and spa, there are plenty of ways to while away a day in paradise here. Alma del Pacfico’s restaurant and bar is found beneath a thatched palapa where you’ll enjoy everything from a hearty Costa Rican, or Tica-style, breakfast to whole fried snapper prepared with fresh produce sourced from the onsite garden. Book
Drake Bay Getaway Resort, Osa Peninsula
All-Star Amenities: Private tour planning; open-air bar and restaurant; house car; beach.
With just five eco-luxe cabins held aloft on stilts, Drake Bay Getaway Resort is situated on the southern Pacific coast’s Osa Peninsula where the lush jungles of Corcovado National Park meet the sea. The vision of Yens Steller, who grew up in Costa Rica, and his partner Patrick Ludwig, each of Drake Bay’s five cabins are named for local flowers. Built with high gloss reclaimed teak, pocketing sliding glass doors open to a full deck adorned with lounge chairs and hammocks for an air of privacy and romance. In fact, Drake Bay specializes in honeymoons. Steller and Ludwig are the consummate hosts, available to plan bespoke excursions for you and your beloved, from private tours of nearby rainforests to snorkel trips to the remote Caño Island Biological Reserve. The resort’s open-air Drake Bay Café serves everything from fresh fruit smoothies at breakfast to locally caught fish at dinnertime with a chef who can design customized menus and romantic private dining experiences beneath the stars. Book
Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo
All-Star Amenities: Multiple swimming pools; spa; fitness center; 24-hour room service; kids clubs and babysitting services
Carved into a jungle hilltop overlooking the Pacific Ocean’s Culebra Bay, the Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo, with its low-slung buildings and wavy-edged infinity pools, seemingly cascades down the cliff side. Local architect Ronald Zürcher taps into his playful side here with curvilinear forms inspired by cocoons and seashells for a design motif that brings the outside in. Spacious modern guestrooms and suites (no room is less than 550-square-feet) boast private terraces, some with private plunge pools, for the feeling that you’re perched in an elegant tree house. The resort is especially family-friendly with babysitting services, as well as the Cambi Kids Club for children under 12 and Camp Jaguar, which plans excursions for teens. Still, those traveling without kids need not distress; there’s an adults-only pool where you can unwind in peace. The crown jewel of the hotel’s many dining offerings is Ostra for fresh caught local fish in a setting designed to emulate a private residence. And 24-hour room service adds to the overall fun—and luxury—of a stay here. Book
A version of this story originally appeared in Forbes.
