Dinogo Readers' Top 10 Resorts in Central America for 2024

For the second consecutive year, Costa Rica has dominated the best resorts category in Central America, as reported by Dinogo readers. Affirming its reputation as a premier travel destination, this nation (honored as Destination of the Year for 2024) secured seven spots in the top 10. Visitors are drawn to Costa Rica’s rich rainforests, abundant wildlife, eco-friendly tourism activities, and the pura vida lifestyle, with resorts that strike the perfect balance between adventure and relaxation. This year’s list also included three competing properties, with two located in Belize and one in Honduras.

Understanding the Voting Process

Each year, during our World's Best Awards survey, T+L invites readers to share their travel experiences from around the world, offering insights on the finest hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise lines, spas, airlines, and more. In total, over 186, T+L readers participated in the 2024 survey, casting more than 700,000 votes across 8,700 properties (including hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).

Hotels were categorized as resort hotels, city hotels, inns, or safari lodges based on their location and amenities, and they were evaluated according to the following criteria:

Accommodations/amenities
Setting
Customer service
Cuisine
Overall value

For each feature, participants could select a rating ranging from excellent to poor. The final scores represent the averages of these ratings.

What Captivated Readers

What are readers looking for this year? Properties immersed in nature with engaging outdoor experiences. This includes ziplining and canopy climbing at No. 3 Hotel Belmar, tubing on the Rio Celeste at No. 9 Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel, or diving at the second-largest barrier reef at No. 10 Kimpton Grand Roatan Resort & Spa. Voters also favored holistic wellness, ranging from natural hot springs nestled in the Costa Rican rainforest to herbal exfoliation treatments at a spa. Nayara Tented Camp (No. 1) remains the epitome of leafy luxury in Central America, with its sister resorts, Nayara Springs and Nayara Gardens, both WBA Hall of Fame honorees, ranking No. 2 and No. 4 respectively. Additionally, one traveler described Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection as “the most incredible wellness resort I’ve ever visited.” This 50-casita retreat, which secured sixth place, offers an extensive array of wellness options at the Well, including wood-therapy massages, breathwork, and infrared cabins.

Continue reading for the complete list of the top resorts in Central America, as rated by T+L readers.

The Champion

Nayara Tented Camp: Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica

A guest accommodation at Nayara Tented Camp.

Image courtesy of Nayara Tented Camp

For the fourth year in a row, Nayara Tented Camp has claimed the top spot. Located in the Arenal Volcano region of Costa Rica, this five-star resort serves as a tranquil rainforest retreat. Voters praised the safari-style tents, which range from cozy suites for couples to spacious family villas, all featuring thermal plunge pools and patios with breathtaking mountain views. Additional highlights include a hot springs circuit with outdoor pools at various temperatures, occasional sloth sightings, and the “outstanding guided excursions” provided by the knowledgeable naturalists on staff. Attentive service is another standout aspect, with multiple readers noting how the staff went the extra mile to make each visit memorable.