Amid Costa Rica’s rainforest and beaches, these resorts blend stylish, contemporary green luxury with sublime experiences in protected natural areas. Experience local culture and cuisine, or explore raging waterfalls and hiking trails.
Embrace nature at this family-friendly resort in La Fortuna, where you can hike up the Arenal Volcano, visit a sloth reserve, and swim in hanging bridges over the jungle canopy. Stylish rooms feature woven textiles, endemic wood, and bamboo furnishings.
All Inclusive
With long stretches of coastline on the Pacific and Caribbean, Costa Rica is home to all types of beach resorts. These resorts range from barefoot luxe boutique hotels to luxury retreats that perfectly embody the “Pura Vida” lifestyle, focusing on natural beauty, adventure, and relaxation. From soaring volcanoes to pristine beaches, you’ll find paradise at these top all-inclusive resorts in Costa Rica.
Tucked between rainforest and two different beaches on the Costa Rican northwest coast, Arenas del Mar is one of the best all-inclusive resorts in Costa Rica, thanks to its unbeatable service, upscale amenities, and proximity to Manuel Antonio National Park. Guests can soak up the sun, hone their surfing skills, or go on a lush hike – all at their own pace.
This secluded beach resort is a tropical paradise, with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and azure sky. The resort is designed to be one with the natural world, with elevated paths over the jungle and a spa with a rainforest view. Rooms are crafted with local wood and woven fabrics, with modern bathrooms featuring river stone showers.
Located on a beautiful stretch of beach in Jaco, this all-inclusive resort is perfect for families. Various rooms are available, including suites that can sleep up to four people. The Unlimited Luxury (r) rate includes all meals, drinks, mini bar items, and day and nighttime activities. Kids can hang out at the Explorer’s Club and Core Zone Teens Club, while adults enjoy various restaurants and bars.
At this all-inclusive resort, you can lounge by the pool, swim in the hot tub, surf at the nearby beach, or explore the stunning Arenal Volcano National Park. The resort also offers a variety of other activities, from snorkeling and stand-up paddleboarding to zip lining and deep-sea fishing. The resort’s two restaurants, from Bahia’s Latin-inspired open kitchen to Nasu’s classic Italian seafood cuisine infused with smokey aromas and aged balsamic vinegar, are sure to please.
This all-inclusive resort fuses style and sustainability to create a unique experience on the southernmost part of the Papagayo Peninsula. Rooms are designed to extend the outdoor landscape seamlessly, with glass doors leading to private terraces, hammocks, and plunge pools. At the onsite spa, you can pamper yourself with a massage and facial while savoring freshly squeezed fruit juice or coconut water.
Family
Are you an adventurous family that dreams of zip-lining, embarking on a jungle safari, and snorkeling around the country? Or are you the kind of family that prefers a more laidback approach to your vacation, with a desire to lie back on a white-sand beach or dip into azure infinity pools? Luckily, Costa Rica has many stunning resorts catering to both families.
The best family resorts in Costa Rica offer an array of amazing excursions that are bound to appeal to all the different ages and interests within your group. They also have incredible facilities on site that will keep everyone happy and entertained. Whether you’re looking for fun in the sun on the beach, exploring the rainforest, or scuba diving among the sea life, there is something to suit every family and budget at the best all-inclusive resorts in Costa Rica.
For example, the beautiful Margaritaville Beach Resort in Playa Flamingo is a fabulous choice for active families who love a mix of adventure and relaxation. Onsite, kids will enjoy watersports, a pool party, ping pong and board games, movie nights, and an exciting playground. Meanwhile, adults can indulge in the spa and various dining options from the onsite restaurants.
There are also several offsite excursions to choose from. For example, take a boat tour to see the beautiful marine life at the Cano Island Biological Reserve or explore the spectacular landscapes of Corcovado National Park, which National Geographic describes as the most biologically intense place on earth.
Check out the stunning Hacienda Alta Gracia in San Jose for a more luxurious option. This premium resort is one of the top family hotels in Costa Rica, offering an incredible experience that your whole group will cherish for years to come. You can enjoy various onsite activities, including horseback riding, hiking, and a luxury spa. There is an impressive array of offsite tours, including exploring the volcano’s crater and spotting flora and fauna in the rainforest.
Adults Only
A vacation to Costa Rica is a great idea for a romantic getaway, a honeymoon, or an anniversary. However, this paradise is also a popular destination for families and groups of friends. If you prefer to avoid sharing your trip with children, many adult-only resorts in Costa Rica exist. These hotels offer luxurious accommodations, great food, and a variety of activities that will make your trip memorable.
Some of the best Costa Rica all-inclusive adults-only resorts feature a range of onsite activities such as cooking classes, salsa dancing lessons, and yoga. Some even have spas and fitness centers. In addition, some offer offsite tours like mountain biking and canopy tours. Some are close to popular attractions like Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna waterfalls. Others have rooms with private pools and are located on the beach.
One of the best Costa Rica all-inclusive adults-only hotels is Secrets Papagais Secrets Papagayo, the coastline. It is a short drive from the airport and immediately transports guests to a tranquil state of mind with its stunning views and pristine beaches. The resort features three restaurants, four bars, and two swimming pools. Its rooms have a minibar and a balcony or terrace. The hotel also offers various onsite activities such as golf, tennis, a gym, and a spa.
Another top Costa Rica all-inclusive adults-only resort is Occidental Grand Papagayo. This luxury hotel is a short drive from the Liberia Airport and features ocean, garden, and pool views. This resort has various rooms, including suites with private plunge pools. The hotel’s deluxe rooms include a minibar and a balcony or patio with a view. The hotel also has a spa, three restaurants, and five bars. Guests can enjoy offsite activities like bird watching, horseback riding, and kayaking.
For those who want a more secluded experience, many Costa Rica all-inclusive adult-only resorts are located in rainforests. For example, the Makanda by the Sea private retreat is in the Manuel Antonio National Park. This resort has two incredible pools, a high-class spa, and a variety of hidden spots to enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail.
Luxury
At Hotel Punta Islita, Autograph Collection, you’ll find the epitome of Costa Rican luxury. This all-inclusive resort offers sweeping ocean views and handcrafted furnishings in your spacious casita, and you can take in the lush landscape from your private plunge pool. Spend your days enjoying the natural beauty of this region with guided hikes, yoga classes, and a spa that blends traditional treatments with pure local ingredients. This resort also makes it easy to experience the country’s vibrant culture with authentic cooking and art classes.
Great rental properties line Costa Rica’s shorelines, but the upscale resorts found inland are equally impressive. Rolling jungle hills flank tiny Manuel Antonio National Park, where you will likely spot howler monkeys and sloths. Luxury resorts here are as much about interacting with nature as the renowned beaches, with top-tier properties offering everything from golf courses to spas and restaurants serving farm-to-table fare.
The upscale resorts of the Arenal Volcano region make for a truly unforgettable vacation. Many of these properties have carved their niche as luxury retreats that embrace the pura vida motto, with lush rainforest and postcard-worthy beaches at their doorstep. At Nayara Springs, nestled within the volcanic craters of Arenal Volcano National Park, you’ll be surrounded by nature, but it’s hard to take your eyes off the property’s stunning golden architecture and the mystical landscape that’s dotted with hot springs and mist-drenched waterfalls.
Another top pick is Kinkara, a sustainable eco-resort on the Osa Peninsula. The resort is a sanctuary for wellness-seekers, and past guests rave about the high-quality service, the incredible range of activities offered, and the delicious food prepared from locally grown vegetables at the onsite restaurant. This resort’s accommodations are made from environmentally conscious teak wood and feature two-person hammocks on the outdoor verandas. At the same time, a pristine stretch of beach offers a place to relax with a good book or your favorite cocktail. The resort can even arrange offsite zip-lining and rafting excursions. All-inclusive rates start at $370 per night, based on double occupancy.
