Top 10 Resorts to Experience in Costa Rica

With cascading waterfalls, lush jungles, meandering rivers, active volcanoes, and hidden beaches, Costa Rica is a paradise for those eager to connect with nature. In recent decades, the country has focused on preserving its stunning landscapes, reversing a history of high deforestation rates. Today, Costa Rica stands as a leader in sustainability, operating on 98% renewable energy and aiming to decarbonize its economy by 2050.

Eco-friendly initiatives are now integral to the country’s premier hotels and resorts. These havens provide travelers with memorable experiences in protected natural settings and strive to function responsibly within their surroundings and communities.

As part of Dinogo’s Hotels We Adore series, we have curated a selection of the top 10 retreats across the nation. Whether you’re drawn to a luxurious tented camp with views of volcanoes or a serene beachfront haven with perfect surf, these Costa Rican escapes offer extraordinary encounters in nature with something to please everyone.

1. Nayara Tented Camp

Located in the La Fortuna region, this tented camp redefines luxury camping. The 37 spacious glamping tents at Nayara Tented Camp feature private hot-spring-fed pools with stunning views of the active Arenal volcano, king-size beds, expansive bathrooms with deep soaking tubs, both indoor and outdoor showers, and dedicated butler service. This latest addition to the Nayara family is situated on a 62-acre rewilded estate alongside sister properties Nayara Gardens (currently undergoing renovations and set to reopen in January 2024) and Nayara Springs. The camp also offers multi-bedroom tents, ideal for families traveling together.

Guests can engage in activities suitable for all ages, including guided bird-watching, frog-spotting excursions, and trips to the farmers’ market in La Fortuna, as well as the wildlife-rich Arenal Hanging Bridges Park. Learn about Nayara’s conservation efforts for sloths through a unique on-site experience called the Secret Life of Tony the Sloth, where visitors can discover the story of a sloth that has lived at Nayara for many years. Thanks to the resort's reforestation initiative, which has planted over 1,000 cecropia trees—essential for sloth nutrition—several of these charming creatures now thrive on the property.

After a day of adventure, relax in one of the resort’s six cantilevered hot spring pools nestled in the jungle, enjoy a meal at the new on-site Mediterranean restaurant Ayala, or unwind at the treetop spa and yoga platform at Nayara Springs. Starting from $1,221

2. Origins Luxury Lodge by Mantis

Travelers flock to the serene town of Bijagua for its proximity to Tenorio National Park, home to the active Tenorio volcano, the stunning Rio Celeste waterfall, and diverse wildlife, including tapirs, howler monkeys, and sloths. Nestled on a hill within a 111-acre rainforest estate, the Origins Luxury Lodge by Mantis offers an experience that is both indulgent and environmentally friendly. Accessible via a private heliport or a scenic two-hour drive through charming villages, the resort comprises six circular one-bedroom luxury lodges and one three-bedroom treetop villa. The accommodations harmonize with the natural surroundings, featuring green roofs and utilizing sustainable materials such as wood, bamboo, adobe, and stone. Each lodge is equipped with its own private hot tub, a luxurious canopy bed, and an indoor-outdoor shower.

Guests will appreciate the lodge’s commitment to eco-friendly practices: single-use plastics are absent, and a large on-site organic garden along with 25 beehives provides ingredients for the spa and restaurant. Additionally, fragrant organic bath products are crafted from wild ylang-ylang found on the property. Behind the scenes, the lodge maintains composting stations, solar water tanks, and a treatment facility for soapy water that’s repurposed for irrigation. One of the standout experiences during your stay is a guided nature walk on the wildlife-rich grounds—keep an eye out for tree frogs and toucans. Rates starting at $1,175

3. Kurá Boutique Hotel

This adults-only retreat with eight suites on the Pacific Coast, just north of the Osa Peninsula, is owned by a Costa Rican architect and biologist who aimed to create a hospitality experience that is both chic and eco-friendly. The furnishings are crafted from sustainably sourced teak wood, and single-use plastics are completely absent. Nestled on a hillside, the resort boasts views of Marino Ballena National Park and its iconic Whale’s Tail sandbar, a prime location for spotting migrating humpback whales. Each suite features floor-to-ceiling windows and two-person hammocks on open-air terraces (the Master Suite includes a private pool).

One of Kurá’s main highlights, aside from its unique beach and rainforest location, is its stunning infinity pool equipped with an underwater sound system. This area is flanked by a bar and restaurant that focus on locally sourced ingredients, including seafood and grass-fed meat from nearby farmers. Some produce is harvested from the resort’s own organic greenhouse, and all food waste is composted on site. The hotel also provides a complimentary shuttle service to the village of Uvita and the whale coast and can arrange activities such as waterfall hikes, paddleboarding, snorkeling, and horseback riding. Starting from $880

4. Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection

The tranquil vistas of the verdant Talamanca Mountains from the private plunge pools and terraces of Hacienda AltaGracia’s 50 one- and two-bedroom casitas provide a wellness experience in themselves. This is no coincidence, as nature-inspired wellness is at the heart of this 180-acre property. Guests can enjoy freshly squeezed juices or coffee made from ingredients sourced from the resort’s own farm, select a horse from the stables for a ride through the rolling green hills, or ascend to the rainforest canopy via rope climbing.

Hacienda AltaGracia also boasts a 20,000-square-foot location of The Well, a wellness center and spa with a flagship in New York City that offers comprehensive health treatments and consultations. Guests can relax in the hydrotherapy tub, heated tepidarium, and healing garden or participate in outdoor movement classes such as aerial yoga or qigong. The Well also organizes multi-day retreats on various topics, often led by visiting experts. Previous classes have included journaling with Laura Rubin from the creative journaling company AllSwell and breathwork sessions with neuro-linguistic therapist Nicholas Pratley. Beyond the property, the resort can arrange visits to an Indigenous Boruca village or a rafting adventure on the Pacuare River. A highlight is the opportunity to meet a local family for insight into life on their farm in the Nicoya Peninsula, recognized as one of the world’s five Blue Zones—areas where people enjoy optimal health and longevity. Starting from $2,225

5. Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo

Nestled on the Pacific coast in the northwest region of Guanacaste Province, the 1,400-acre Peninsula Papagayo is easily accessible, located just an hour’s drive from Liberia Guanacaste Airport. The Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo is the peninsula’s premier destination, having reopened in November 2023 following extensive renovations. With 182 spacious rooms, suites, and private residences adorned with contemporary furnishings in natural tones, each space is flooded with natural light thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows. Guests can unwind by any of the four pools or relax in a cabana at the new Virador Beach Club, which includes a restaurant and lounge, an infinity-edge pool, and private cabanas, all set against a breathtaking coastal backdrop.

For younger guests, the recently updated Kids for All Seasons club showcases the local flora and fauna, while teens can enjoy the Tuanis Teen Center—a unique feature in the resort landscape that includes a basketball court and social areas for making new friends. Additional family-friendly activities on-site comprise surfing lessons with the women-run SurfX surf school and golfing on the 18-hole Arnold Palmer–designed course, which has recently undergone enhancements, such as a precision irrigation system that cuts water usage by 20 percent, a larger teeing area with 12 acres of native vegetation, and a new retail shop for golf and tennis. The spa now features a Wellness Shala, a versatile indoor-outdoor space inspired by the breezes of Guanacaste, offering yoga, meditation, and other wellness workshops.

Venture beyond the resort for a rainforest adventure to observe the three local species of monkeys, navigate the swinging bridges, tackle rope challenges, and zip line through the Palmares aerial park. You can also take to the water on a water bike or kayak through the mangrove forest, or enjoy an exhilarating UTV ride around the Palmares estuary. Additionally, guests have the opportunity to participate in a coral restoration project, assisting in the cleaning, cataloging, and rehabilitation of the region’s delicate coral reefs. Starting from $1,440

6. Finca Rosa Blanca

Renowned for its premium coffee beans sourced from eight distinct growing regions, Costa Rica exclusively produces 100 percent Arabica coffee. To experience the growers of these prized beans, look no further than Finca Rosa Blanca. Located in the highlands just an hour’s drive from San Jose, this family-owned coffee plantation is dedicated to sustainable, organic farming. The inn occupies the original family home built in 1974, and its interiors reflect the rich local art and culture alongside a focus on coffee and cuisine. Each of the 14 uniquely designed suites showcases hand-painted murals by local artist Oscar Salazar, alongside free-form hot tubs and locally crafted wooden furnishings—all accompanied by unlimited coffee, much of which is sourced from the plantation itself.

The hotel's farm-to-table eatery features dishes like coconut milk soup infused with root vegetables and braised beef tenderloin served with stewed plantains. Many ingredients are sourced from the hotel's own fruit orchards and organic vegetable and herb greenhouse. A highlight is the organic coffee tour and cupping experience, where guests can explore the coffee-making process from planting and fermentation to roasting and tasting. When not indulging in coffee, unwind by the chemical-free infinity pool, surrounded by a lush garden of orchids, bromeliads, and palms, offering stunning views of Costa Rica's lush Central Valley and its two active volcanoes. Starting at $499

7. Lapa Rios Lodge

Lapa Rios Lodge provides a unique combination of rainforest and ocean experiences in one of the last coastal lowland tropical rainforests in Central America. Located on the untamed Osa Peninsula, the luxury lodge borders the biodiverse Corcovado National Park and has protected over 1,000 acres of rainforest since its establishment in 1993. Each of the 17 bungalows boasts hardwood floors and expansive private verandas with plunge pools. Guests can engage in activities such as volunteer projects focused on restoring the coral reefs of Golfo Dulce, guided bird-watching walks where macaws and toucans are frequently spotted, and invigorating hikes to nearby waterfalls.

Sustainability tours provide an in-depth look at the eco-friendly materials utilized in the lodge's construction, along with a demonstration of how the 240 solar panels, 10 water turbines, and 48 energy storage units generate renewable energy and purified water. Guests also explore the lodge's organic gardens and pig pens, where food scraps from the restaurant serve as feed for the resident pigs.

Much of the produce harvested from the gardens finds its way onto the menu at Brisa Azul Restaurant, which features entirely plant-based options as well as selections of sustainably sourced meat, dairy, and seafood. Starting from $1,350

8. Nantipa

The Nicoya Peninsula is recognized as one of UNESCO’s five Blue Zones, areas around the globe where residents enjoy longevity and good health. Here lies Nantipa, a charming boutique hotel nestled among trees with views of a stunning beach. The hotel features 19 suites and bungalows, including two newly built beachfront villas that offer three bedrooms, kitchens, and indoor-outdoor living spaces with private pools.

At Nantipa, guests can visit the Numú Wellness Center, where they can engage in a variety of healing and fitness classes and workshops, such as sound healing, life coaching, and Ayurvedic treatments. Additionally, the beachside Manzú Restaurant offers a menu inspired by both international and Caribbean cuisines.

When not lounging by the pool or enjoying the beach, guests have the opportunity to embark on various excursions, including rain forest hikes, surfing lessons, horseback riding, fishing trips, and boat tours to Tortuga Island for marine wildlife sightings. In February 2023, the hotel received a Certification for Sustainable Tourism from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute, due to initiatives like eliminating single-use plastics, utilizing gray water for irrigation, and implementing solar water heating. Starting at $350

9. Casa Chameleon

Inducted into the culinary-focused Relais & Châteaux hotel collection in 2023, Casa Chameleon is celebrated for its dedication to sustainability, personalized service, and outstanding cuisine. Perched on a hill with sweeping views of Las Catalinas, a coastal town north of Tamarindo, the hotel offers stunning vistas of the Pacific Ocean. The property boasts 21 modern private villas, each featuring an infinity-edge saltwater plunge pool.

Dining options at Casa Chameleon are truly remarkable. The Sentido Norte Restaurant highlights Costa Rica’s culinary heritage and flavors in an open-air setting that provides breathtaking ocean views. Grotto 12, the latest addition, is an intimate restaurant that offers a curated selection of global wines in a cave with just 12 seats. The Green House serves as a cozy dining venue that focuses on Costa Rican dishes made from ingredients sourced from the property. Additionally, La Pampa Grill specializes in slow-cooked sea- and farm-to-table meals, including tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs prepared over an open fire. Starting at $1,160

10. El Silencio Lodge & Spa

Nestled within a 500-acre cloud forest reserve on the slopes of Poás Volcano, El Silencio Lodge is conveniently located midway between La Fortuna and San Jose, with a charming creek flowing through the property. The retreat features 16 spacious suites and villas, each equipped with gas fireplaces and overlooking the majestic Poás Volcano, the largest active volcano in Costa Rica. The on-site Esencia Spa serves as a true sanctuary, boasting open-air treatment bungalows, a yoga deck, and the Conical Room, specially designed to harness the vital energy of the Costa Rican cloud forest. Guests can indulge in treatments that utilize local ingredients, such as a chocolate massage, a volcanic clay wrap, and a fruit flake facial.

A private trail leads to the property’s three waterfalls, as well as paths for horseback riding and mountain biking, and an adventure park offering ziplining and rappelling. The resort also hosts cooking and mixology classes, bird-watching excursions, night frog walks, coffee and wine tastings, tree planting activities, and traditional oxcart painting workshops. After a day filled with adventures, guests can enjoy drinks and dining at Las Ventanas Restaurant and Toro Bohemio Bar, which incorporate vegetables and herbs from El Silencio’s expansive 5,000-square-foot organic greenhouse, fresh eggs from free-range chickens on-site, and trout from the property’s ponds, where guests can even fish for their own dinner. Starting at $540

This article was originally published online in 2020 and was last updated on December 14, 2023.