The Coolest Beach Bungalows in Costa Rica

Off the Papagayo Peninsula, wedged between Playa Blanca and Playa Virador, you’ll find a seaside retreat at the Four Seasons. The villas are set up on the hillside, offering maximum privacy. Here you can go for a morning swim in your pool, hike through the Four Seasons forest, and host dinner in your expansive entertainment room. Don’t worry though, you won’t have to cook – the executive chef will create a menu for you.

Yoga lovers will adore Anamaya at Playa Montezuma, close to the Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve. The hotel specializes in both yoga teacher training and retreats, but also offers surfing retreats, scuba-diving intensives and more. If you’re just looking to relax, that’s an option too: the cabins are cozy, and the hammock on your balcony is the perfect spot to watch the waves roll in.

Ocho Artisan Bungalows is slap bang in the lively beach town of Tamarindo, on the Pacific coast. Pick from one of seven bungalows, each filled with handmade wood furniture and draped in canopies, or from one of two villas, which are a palm-thatched dream. And, while it’s hidden away on the beach, Ocho is still just a short walk from all the action downtown. Looking for fun? Sign up for one of the hotel excursions, which include boat safaris and mountain biking.

You’ll feel like the whole resort is yours at Tulemar, just next to the Manuel Antonio National Park. Book a hidden bungalow, casa or villa and you’ll have access to an exclusive, sandy white beach with boogie boards, kayaks and umbrellas. If you want to see nature, head to the Sloth Institute of Costa Rica, right on the resort grounds, for the daily sloth walk.

This adults-only jungle respite is a private paradise, perched atop a hill in the Uvita rainforest. Just minutes away, the beaches of the Ballena Marine National Park await, or venture into the forest on a hike. At the restaurant, chef Pabrö Sánchez whips up Costa Rican dishes, such as ceviche, bean soup with hard-boiled quail egg, and pollo caribeño.

Hotel Shawandha Lodge is a divine bungalow retreat on the south Caribbean coast just 656ft (200m) from Playa Chiquita, near Puerto Viejo. Couples, artists, photographers, writers, bird lovers, and nature enthusiasts will find this 14-bungalow lodge a dream come true, thanks to the romantic ambience and abundance of wildlife here. The lodge sits on five acres (2ha) of pristine secondary rainforest and is surrounded by lush gardens, the beach, and an inviting swimming pool with a waterfall. There are also 100 bird species and 200 plant species that make their home here.

Makanas is a superior hotel in the quaint bohemian surf town of Santa Teresa on the Nicoya Peninsula. It offers three styles of affordable bungalow, and is the perfect place for those interested in surfing, yoga, horse riding, diving, fishing or sunbathing. After a day of activity, head to the restaurant, which specializes in refined comfort food. The punchy cocktails are recommended.

Looking for a slice of paradise? Mundo Milo Eco Lodge is just 1,148ft (350m) from the peaceful and uncrowded beaches of Playa Junquillal. It has five cabinas, a pool, a restaurant and a bar. Sustainable ecotourism is a top priority here too; the employees live locally, there’s a recycling program, and the construction was done in a way to minimize the impact on the environment and preserve natural habitats.

Pranamar Villas and Yoga Retreat sits on Playa Hermosa in the booming beachtown of Santa Teresa. Balinese-inspired architecture and lush garden vegetation make for an attractive mix. The spacious and luxurious villas feature terraces with hammocks, open-air bathrooms, high ceilings, and furniture made from natural materials. There’s free wifi, a tea lounge, a beautiful pool, and an open-air restaurant serving healthy, organic cuisine. The open-air yoga studio is a selling point for many, with classes running throughout the day.

Cala Luna is a luxury boutique hotel on the exclusive Playa Langosta, just down the road from Tamarindo. This spot offers multiple accommodation choices, including freestanding two- or three-bedroom villas with full kitchens and private swimming pools. Perks include a beautiful gourmet poolside restaurant, an open-air yoga shala, and plenty of spa treatments, which you can receive in the privacy of your bungalow, on the beach, or in the spa bungalow. The location is ideal for those who want to be removed from the hustle and bustle of Tamarindo, but close enough to walk into town and the beach – and you can now visit with Culture Trip by joining our small group nine-day Costa Rica trip.

Hotel Playa Negra sits in the small beach town of Los Pargos, just south of Playa Avellenas and Playa Tamarindo. This boutique bungalow hotel is right in front of the beach – you can’t get any closer. It has 17 beach bungalows and an open-air restaurant and bar. There is an oceanfront swimming pool and yoga classes available throughout the week. This is a peaceful and picturesque place to relax and enjoy the pura vida.

Surf’s up at Cabinas Las Olas. This environmentally conscious hotel sits on the coast in the quiet surf town of Playa Avellenas. Just a short walk on a wooden path through the mangroves and you are on the white sands of Playa Avellenas, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. The hotel has several cozy cabinas, all with private patios and hammocks. The interiors are traditional, with whitewashed walls and natural woods. There’s a restaurant and bar, which is ideal as there aren’t many dining options in the immediate area. The eatery specializes in international and typical Costa Rican food, with vegetarian options available. The restaurant is surrounded by different kinds of native northern Guanacaste trees, providing shade and breeze throughout the day.