The Best Boutique Hotels in Costa Rica

Jacó is known as the gateway to the national parks, making the all-suite Oceano Boutique Hotel a luxury base for nature lovers. The apartment-style rooms are comfortable and unpretentious – some even come with their own plunge pools to cool off after a day exploring. Connect with the outdoors through the activities on offer – the concierge can arrange zip-lining through the rainforest, volunteering at the Sea Turtle Refuge, whale-watching boat trips and birdwatching at Carrera Park. If you’re feeling less adventurous, discover Costa Rican culture at the hotel’s very own art gallery, displaying more than 500 original artworks.

Tucked between a national mangrove refuge and the Pacific Ocean, this stylish, contemporary resort offers a slice of Costa Rican sophistication with views over the hotel’s world-class marina. Even if you don’t arrive by yacht, you can still feel extra special by enjoying the hotel’s two swimming pools, a fine-dining restaurant and an informal Tiki-style bar. Choose from garden-, marina- or ocean-view rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows for those staggering sunsets.

A lush garden sanctuary in Tamarindo Beach on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast could just be your own personal paradise. An adults-only boutique retreat, the guest rooms and suites in this family-run resort are nestled in the extensive tropical gardens, while the swimming pool appears like a mirage behind palm trees and vibrant flowers. A short, covered walk leads you to the private beach, complete with bar service and daybeds for ultimate oceanfront comfort.

An homage to Costa Rican cowboys and warm, friendly welcomes, El Rodeo Estancia is a ranch-style country hotel with a homely feel and the best steaks for miles. Ideally located just outside San José for those who want both city and countryside, El Rodeo Estancia offers all the amenities of a bigger resort hotel – swimming pool, popular restaurant and landscaped gardens – with an added extra of personalized service and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Discover the fascinating history and culture of Costa Rica at the Tifakara Boutique Hotel. Taking its name from the indigenous word for waterfall, this peaceful retreat is located in La Fortuna, the gateway to Arenal Volcano National Park. Traditional bungalows sit in tropical gardens and the outdoor pool is surrounded by lush foliage. Immerse yourself in the rainforest with unique activities – night hikes to a frog sanctuary, volcano hikes, rafting and horseback riding are all on offer.

One for culture lovers, the Hotel Boutique Jade is in Barrio Dent, an upscale neighborhood in San José filled with museums, theaters, shops and world-class dining. The 29 classically decorated rooms are set around a peaceful indoor courtyard and the hotel features its own swimming pool. The fine-dining restaurant, Jürgen’s, is a stalwart of the city’s gourmet scene, serving the good and great of San José for more than 25 years.

Hidden away in the relatively undiscovered town of Puerto Viejo, Hotel Banana Azul is a 25-room boutique hotel reserved just for adults and children over 16, ensuring a quiet, peaceful stay. With a casual, rustic vibe, we recommend opting for the Tree House Apartment for full jungle vibes. Not all of the rooms have air-conditioning, but the sea breeze will keep you cool. Don’t forget to visit the nearby Jaguar Rescue Center for an up-close encounter with Costa Rica’s incredible wildlife.

With Balinese-inspired architecture, Kenaki Lodge is a small beachfront hotel with just four rooms, 100m from the Playa Grande in Cahuita. Wake up to a home-cooked breakfast each morning that includes coffee, tea, fruit, bread, jams, eggs and gallo pinto. Owners Isabelle and Roberto are on hand with any recommendations you need, plus Roberto teaches tae kwon do and jiu-jitsu lessons on-site. If you visit between February and August, you may be lucky enough to witness the leatherback turtles laying eggs on the beach outside.

Tortuga Lodge and Gardens is the perfect vacation spot for those looking for a nature-rich, authentic Costa Rican experience. Only accessible by boat or plane, the Tortuguero National Park is one of the most spectacular national parks in the country, and is an incredibly important nesting zone for four different types of sea turtles. This secluded hotel has 27 luxury rooms, including family rooms. Join a daily nature walk led by the hotel’s naturalist guides, or find one of the free fishing poles for some solo time by the river.

Cariblue Beach and Jungle Resort is steps away from the spectacular Playa Cocles, just outside of Puerto Viejo. The 23 rooms range from junior suites to the luxury bungalow with a private porch for relaxing in the hammock. Breakfast is included – tuck into omelettes, fresh fruit and pastries, washed down with Costa Rican coffee. They offer bike rentals and surf lessons, plus there are also around 120 species of birds that reside in this immediate area, making this the perfect choice for bird-lovers.

Health comes first at Le Cameleon Boutique Hotel. From beach yoga classes and reiki healing sessions to raw cooking classes, this upscale hotel knows how to look after its guests. The crisp, white, modern rooms contrast to the wild jungle surroundings outside. Alongside the wellbeing program, it’s also a great hotel for families looking to entertain kids with mini soccer and beach volleyball on-site. Head to the Noa Beach Club for fresh Caribbean lobster with lime hollandaise sauce, live music and after-dinner cocktails.

Connect with Costa Rica’s wild, enchanting surroundings by staying in luxury tents at Almonds and Corals, a family-owned boutique hotel. Each open-air tent provides a rustic, authentic jungle feel combined with luxurious beds, hot-water showers and hammocks to read your book in. There’s also a restaurant in the middle of the jungle with fresh Costa Rican cuisine, cooked up by Chef Krasinski, plus a golden sand beach for a swim just steps away from your table. Environmentally friendly practices are a key part of the ethos here.

Set in a green enclave next to La Sabana Metropolitan Park – San José’s urban forest – the Parque del Lago boutique hotel blends city living with natural surroundings. Modern rooms offer a comfortable place to lay your head and buzzing Downtown San José is just 10 minutes away. If you prefer to soak up the natural world for a little longer, hire a bike from reception and discover the 178 acres (72ha) of lush parkland right next to the hotel.

Unplug from the outside world and step into one of six unique rooms at the Tree House Lodge. Would you prefer to sleep in a converted American school bus, or a beach suite complete with a domed bathroom and illuminated by colored glass windows? Owners Edsart Besier and Pamela Rodriguez transformed this swampland into a luxurious, eco-retreat on the Caribbean Coast. Each cabin is built using recycled, sustainable materials and the lodge also has its own foundation, the Iguna Verde Foundation, committed to protecting and restoring green iguana populations.