Here is a list of amazing places to stay in Costa Rica for a memorable vacation - and there’s something for every budget, in multiple regions! Pura Vida!
Are you looking for the best places to stay in Costa Rica? Costa Rica is filled with beautiful accommodation options in beautiful cities. After all, this incredible country attracts all types of travelers, including nature lovers, beach bums, yogis, and animal aficionados.
Depending on your interests, you can find a place to stay in Costa Rica that’s perfect for you and your group. You can experience a taste of Costa Rican culture in San Jose, keep an eye out for gorgeous wildlife in the Osa Peninsula, and soak up the sun on the sandy shores of Tamarindo.
Whether you’re looking for a budget hotel in the city or a luxurious resort on the beach, here are 10 of the best places to stay in Costa Rica.
Table of Contents:
Where To Stay in Costa Rica
Where will you stay on your next trip to Costa Rica?
Where to Stay in Costa Rica
1. Gulf of Papagayo
The Gulf of Papagayo is just north of Samara and Tamarindo, yet most visitors never venture up there. With smaller crowds and calmer waters, the Gulf of Papagayo is fantastic for families.
Best Hotels in Gulf of Papagayo
Budget: Hotel Mangaby
Moderate: Hotel Bosque del Playa Hermosa
Luxury: Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo
2. San Jose
While you might be tempted to find a hotel near the beach, the landlocked city of San Jose is one of the best places to stay in Costa Rica. As the capital of Costa Rica, San Jose is the perfect city to get a taste of Costa Rican cuisine and culture. You can stroll down Avenida Central, grab a bite of local food from Mercado Central, and even catch a captivating show at Teatro Nacional.
Best Hotels in San Jose
Budget: Hostel de Paseo
Moderate: Park Inn By Radisson San Jose
Luxury: Gran Hotel Costa Rica, Curio Collection by Hilton
3. Puerto Viejo
Puerto Viejo is one of the best places to stay if you’re looking for affordable hotels on the beach in Costa Rica. This little town is home to many of the most picture-perfect shorelines in the country, including Playa Negra, Playa Cocles, and Playa Chiquita, and you can do more than just suntan at these beautiful beaches. Puerto Viejo also boasts a few world renowned surf breaks, including the Salsa Brava surf break.
Best Hotels in Puerto Viejo
Budget: Casa Moabi
Moderate: La Tica y la Gata
Luxury: aWà Beach Hotel
4. Jacó
If you’re looking for excitement and entertainment at all hours of the day, Jacó may be the Costa Rican town for you. During the day, you can spend all of your time at the beach, swimming and surfing to your heart’s content. And, after the sun sets, you can party all night long!
Best Hotels in Jacó
Budget: Encanto Del Mar
Moderate: Hotel Ibiza
Luxury: Hotel Villa Caletas
5. Osa Peninsula
The highlight of the Osa Peninsula is Corcovado National Park, and this one attraction is so cool that you may want to plan your entire Costa Rica itinerary around it. While visiting this natural gem, you can hike through thriving greenery and keep an eye out for wildlife. You’ll be able to see everything from jumping red-eyed tree frogs to cascading waterfalls to massive jaguar paw prints.
Best Hotels in Osa Peninsula
Budget: Hostel y Cabinas Tapandua
Moderate: La Leona Eco Lodge and Blue Osa Yoga Retreat
Luxury: Bosque del Cabo Rain Forest Lodge
6. Arenal
The main draw to Arenal is the Arenal Volcano. This majestic natural wonder is located in Arenal Volcano National Park. While there, you can admire the views of the towering volcano, hike to the beautiful La Fortuna waterfall, and soak in the natural hot springs.
Best Hotels in Arenal
Budget: Arenal Roca Lodge
Moderate: Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa
Luxury: Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa
7. Nosara
Nosara is where all of the visiting yoga lovers stay in Costa Rica. There are many resorts in town that offer a wide variety of yoga classes for you to enjoy. And while yoga is the highlight of Nosara, it’s certainly not the only thing to do there. You can also surf the beautiful beaches, keep an eye out for howler monkeys at Sibu Wildlife Sanctuary, and catch a glimpse of turtles at Playa del Ostional.
Best Hotels in Nosara
Budget: Green Sanctuary Hotel
Moderate: The Gilded Iguana
Luxury: Moana Surf Resort
8. Tamarindo
If you’re looking for hotels on the beach in Costa Rica, you’ll definitely want to check out Tamarindo. Tamarindo is known for being one of the best beach towns in the country – and for good reason. The beaches there are home to prime surfing waves, amazing swimming conditions, and even gorgeous leatherback turtles!
Best Hotels in Tamarindo
Budget: La Botella de Leche - Hostel
Moderate: Tamarindo Bay Boutique Hotel - Adults Only
Luxury: Capitán Suizo Beachfront Boutique Hotel
9. Samara
The one downside to Tamarindo is the crowds. After all, who doesn’t want to experience the stunning Costa Rican beaches? But Samara is an easy solution to this problem. This lovely little town is less popular than Tamarindo but still offers access to some of the country’s most amazing shorelines.
Best Hotels in Samara
Budget: Pension Playa Samara
Moderate: Nammbú Beachfront Bungalows
Luxury: Azura Beach Resort
10. Monteverde
Filled with rolling mountains and thriving rainforests, Monteverde is a dream for nature lovers. While staying in the little town, you can see all of the flora and fauna that Costa Rica is known for, including the rare quetzal bird. Experience the cloud forest, a protected and unique natural wonder that lends to Monteverde’s ecotourism popularity.
Best Hotels in Monteverde
Budget: Selina Monteverde
Moderate: El Establo Mountain Hotel
Luxury: Monteverde Lodge & Gardens
Where will you stay on your next trip to Costa Rica?
All of these towns and accommodations are just the start of the best places to stay in Costa Rica. There’s also Hotel Nya in Montezuma, Poas Volcano Lodge in Poas, and Hotel Plaza Yara in Manuel Antonio. In other words, there are many hotels in Costa Rica that are worth your time.
If you have some flexibility during your Costa Rican getaway, you can consider staying at multiple accommodations in different parts of the country. That way, you’ll be able to experience more parts of Costa Rica during your trip.
Have you been to Costa Rica? Where did you stay?
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