Costa Rica's Best 5-Star Resorts in 2026
Costa Rica’s top five-star luxury resorts and hotels in 2026, from jungle villas to beachfront escapes.
Costa Rica has emerged as one of the world’s most compelling luxury travel destinations in 2026, shaped by its dramatic natural setting, a strong emphasis on wellness, and a growing collection of top-tier hotels and resorts aligned with the country’s iconic Pura Vida hospitality philosophy.
At the highest levels, Costa Rica’s leading hotels and resorts combine five-star service with design-forward suites and villas, signaling the region’s arrival into the top tier of global luxury travel. Below is the definitive list of Costa Rica’s best five-star resorts in 2026. All properties were evaluated and selected based on overall experience, consistency of service, quality of design, attention to detail, and amenities that feel intentional from arrival to departure.
To support your travel planning, we have provided booking links to our top hotel and resort selections, from which we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Our reviews always remain fully independent and based on Jetset Select’s strict selection criteria.
For luxury travelers evaluating where to stay in Costa Rica, these are the properties that set the benchmark. Keep reading to see which hotels and resorts made the list.
In this article:
The Top 10 Costa Rica Five-Star Hotels in 2026
Where to Stay in Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s top luxury hotels and resorts are concentrated in a handful of regions that consistently deliver the strongest combination of location, exceptional service, and overall experience. For luxury travelers focused on five-star stays, choosing the right location is as important as selecting the right resort.
- Peninsula Papagayo: Home to the country’s highest concentration of five-star resorts, Papagayo features expansive resort settings, polished service, and easy access to private beaches, golf, and wellness facilities. This is Costa Rica’s most established luxury enclave.
- Arenal Volcano: Known for dramatic volcanic views and natural hot springs, the Arenal region is a standout for travelers prioritizing wellness, spa experiences, and immersive natural surroundings paired with top 5 star resorts.
- Manuel Antonio National Park: Combining lush rainforest environments with elevated luxury boutique hotels, Manuel Antonio is ideal for travelers seeking a more intimate experience, with a focus on privacy, design, and direct access to nature.
- Nicoya Peninsula: Known for its relaxed pace and wellness-led lifestyle, Nicoya attracts travelers looking for luxury stays connected to nature while maintaining a high standard of comfort and five-star service.
➔ For a broader overview of Costa Rica’s luxury regions and travel styles, explore our full guide to the country’s top 10 luxury hotels and resorts. IIn this article, we focus exclusively on properties operating at true five-star levels.
The Top Five-Star Costa Rica Hotels & Resorts 2026
The Four Seasons Resort at Peninsula Papagayo sets the benchmark for five-star luxury in Costa Rica. Located on a private peninsula, the resort offers direct access to multiple golden-sand beaches, world-class Four Seasons service, and a collection of destination-level amenities unmatched elsewhere in the region, including a full-service spa, three infinity pools, an Arnold Palmer–designed championship golf course, private tennis courts, and exceptional dining that elevates the stay.
Rooms and suites are bright, spacious, and well appointed, many with private plunge pools, terraces with ocean or rainforest views, and spa-style bathrooms with deep soaking tubs. Private villas are also available, featuring expanded living space, walk-in closets, outdoor rain showers, and dedicated butler service. For luxury travelers seeking Costa Rica’s most complete five-star resort experience, the Four Seasons Papagayo remains the clear point of reference.
Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve is the most ambitious new luxury property in Costa Rica, introducing a new standard of five-star hospitality when it opened last year. Set within the Peninsula Papagayo, the resort brings together architectural drama, privacy, and elevated service at a more intimate scale than traditional large resorts, with a clear emphasis on discretion, design, and highly personalized stays.
Oceanfront rooms and residences feature private plunge pools, seamless indoor-outdoor living areas, deep soaking tubs, rainfall showers, and interiors defined by natural materials and modern design. Home to the largest hydrotherapy pool in Central America, the resort also offers treetop spa cabanas, championship golf, and a focused collection of fine dining venues, positioning Nekajui as a standout choice for design-conscious luxury travelers seeking a balance of location, adventure, service, and relaxation.
Hacienda AltaGracia is Costa Rica’s leading five-star wellness destination, set across a vast private estate in southern Costa Rica. The resort delivers a fully immersive, world-class all-inclusive experience that balances nature, adventure, and relaxation, with each guest assigned a dedicated personal concierge, or Compa, to curate itineraries based on individual preferences. Signature offerings include Blue Zone-inspired spa treatments at The Well, bespoke experiences such as horseback riding on the beach, and elevated farm-to-table dining.
Accommodations range from modern casitas to expansive villas, each designed with clean lines, generous terraces, mountain and jungle views, private plunge pools, fireplaces, and deep soaking tubs. Guests also have access to multiple pools, expansive open-air gathering spaces, and a destination spa integrated into the landscape, reinforcing AltaGracia’s position as one of Costa Rica’s top resorts where luxury, wellness, and five-star service are foundational to the experience.
Nayara Tented Camp is one of Costa Rica’s most distinctive luxury stays near Arenal, offering an elevated take on safari-style accommodations paired with five-star service and a deeply immersive sense of privacy. Set within lush rainforest surroundings, the resort delivers a nature-forward experience while remaining unmistakably luxurious, with panoramic volcano views from private tented villas, a full-service spa, and guided adventures such as whitewater rafting and zip-lining through the jungle canopy.
Accommodations are visually striking and thoughtfully designed, with luxury villas featuring private plunge pools fed by naturally heated mineral water, outdoor terraces, hammocks, and modern interiors that feel connected to local culture. Access to Costa Rica’s healing thermal pools, destination dining, and attentive service across the Nayara estate completes a stay that appeals to luxury travelers seeking five-star accommodations that are as memorable as they are elevated.
Tabacón is Costa Rica’s most iconic luxury hot springs resort, anchored by naturally heated thermal rivers that flow through its private rainforest reserve at the base of Arenal Volcano. The experience pairs polished five-star service with direct access to the thermal springs and an elevated adults-forward atmosphere, offering a quietly restorative alternative to the larger and more traditional resorts.
Suites are modern, spacious, and design-forward, featuring king canopy beds, terraces overlooking the rainforest, private hot tubs and plunge pools, and seamless indoor-outdoor living. The spa is directly integrated into the landscape with private treatment areas and river-fed relaxation zones, while destination dining and attentive concierge service round out a stay ideal for luxury travelers seeking a wellness-led experience grounded in Costa Rica’s volcanic landscape.
The Andaz Resort at Peninsula Papagayo offers a design-forward approach to five-star luxury that remains closely connected to Costa Rica’s diverse landscape. Set within one of the region’s most established luxury enclaves, the Andaz combines world-class service with access to several top beaches and lush tropical surroundings, creating a relaxed yet elevated stay that seamlessly blends nature, fine dining, adventure, and relaxation.
Showcasing architecture inspired by local cocoons and seashells, suites and villas offer private plunge pools, floor-to-ceiling windows, deep soaking tubs, river-stone rain showers, and expansive balconies. A private beach club, infinity pools, an 11,000-square-foot spa and fitness center, and guided nature experiences round out a five-star stay ideal for luxury travelers seeking modern design and understated sophistication in Costa Rica.
Nayara Springs is Costa Rica’s leading adults-only luxury resort near La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano National Park, known for its intimate scale of just 35 private villas, polished five-star service, and a strong emphasis on wellness and privacy. Set within lush rainforest surroundings, the property offers a quieter alternative to larger resorts while maintaining access to the region’s most sought-after natural attractions.
Suites are generously sized and thoughtfully designed, each featuring mineral-fed plunge pools, private outdoor terraces, and spa-style bathrooms with deep soaking tubs. Guests also enjoy access to thermal pools, a full-service spa, destination dining, and the full suite of Nayara estate amenities, making this an ideal choice for couples and luxury travelers seeking a serene five-star stay centered on comfort, discretion, and natural immersion.
W Costa Rica delivers a distinctively modern and social take on five-star luxury, combining bold design with a high-energy resort atmosphere on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. Set within Reserva Conchal, the resort offers prime beach access, polished service, the world-class AWAY Spa, and a vibrant rhythm that attracts stylish guests looking to mingle and unwind.
Modern rooms and suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows, private plunge pools, and balconies or terraces overlooking the ocean, alongside a collection of expansive private villas. Resort amenities include multiple pools, a private beach club, destination dining, wellness programming, and curated activities designed to move easily from land to water throughout the day. W Costa Rica is ideal for luxury travelers seeking top-tier amenities, a lively local scene, and world-class service, making it a standout choice among Costa Rica’s five-star beach resorts.
Makanda by the Sea is one of Costa Rica’s most distinctive boutique luxury resorts, offering an adults-only, design-driven stay overlooking the Pacific near Manuel Antonio National Park. Set within a 12-acre private rainforest reserve, the property prioritizes dramatic views, attentive service, and a slower pace, appealing to travelers who prefer intimacy and design over larger-scale resort environments.
Suites and villas feature modern interiors, private plunge pools or hot tubs, expansive terraces, and floor-to-ceiling windows that open directly to ocean and jungle views. An infinity-edge pool, destination dining at Arbol, Shanti Spa, and private beach access shape a focused five-star experience closely tied to the surrounding landscape, positioning Makanda by the Sea as a world-class retreat for luxury travelers seeking relaxation, privacy, strong design, and a direct connection to Costa Rica’s natural environment.
Casa Chameleon at Las Catalinas is one of Costa Rica’s most exclusive boutique luxury resorts, offering an adults-only private-villa stay defined by privacy, architecture, and uninterrupted ocean views. Located in the seaside town of Las Catalinas, the property operates at an intentionally intimate scale, appealing to luxury travelers who value discretion, strong design, and a quieter five-star experience.
Private villas feature clean-lined modern architecture, expansive terraces, open-air showers, and private saltwater infinity pools perfectly positioned for sunset-facing ocean views. Destination dining, exceptional service, and a minimalist yet relaxed atmosphere shape a stay that feels highly considered and self-contained, with the added appeal of Las Catalinas’ walkable streets, dining, and understated elegance just steps away.
Costa Rica’s luxury hotel landscape in 2026 is defined by natural beauty, world-class amenities, and relaxed five-star service, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in the region’s unmatched jungle, rainforest, ocean, and volcano landscapes. The Costa Rica resorts that rise to the five-star level distinguish themselves through consistency, service standards, design quality, and experiences that feel both elevated and intentional.
From private peninsula resorts and design-led beach escapes to rainforest retreats and wellness-focused estates, these top Costa Rica hotels and resorts represent the highest tier of luxury accommodations available in the country.
This list reflects a clear five-star point of view, and each resort was selected for its ability to deliver a complete luxury experience beyond trends or name recognition alone. For travelers evaluating where to stay in Costa Rica, these are the hotels and resorts that set the benchmark.
The Best 5 Star Resorts in Costa Rica:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What are the top five-star resorts in Costa Rica to visit in 2026?
The top five-star resorts in Costa Rica for 2026 include a focused group of luxury hotels and resorts known for exceptional service, standout accommodations, and destination-level amenities.
These include established leaders such as Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo, design-forward newcomers like Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, wellness-focused resorts such as Hacienda AltaGracia, and Arenal-region standouts including Nayara Tented Camp, Nayara Springs, and Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa.
2. Where are Costa Rica’s most popular five-star resorts located?
Most of Costa Rica’s five-star resorts are concentrated in Peninsula Papagayo on the Pacific coast, the Arenal Volcano region near La Fortuna, and select coastal destinations such as Las Catalinas and Manuel Antonio. These regions consistently offer the strongest combination of scenery, accessibility, and luxury resort development.
3. What amenities and services do the best five-star resorts in Costa Rica offer?
The best five-star resorts in Costa Rica typically offer private villas or suites with plunge pools, full-service spas, destination dining, curated outdoor experiences, and highly personalized service. Many also feature wellness programming, private beach access, infinity pools, guided nature excursions, and thermal or hydrotherapy facilities depending on location.
4. Which five-star resorts in Costa Rica are best for wellness and spa-focused stays?
Costa Rica is particularly strong in wellness-led luxury resorts. Properties such as Hacienda AltaGracia, Nayara Tented Camp, Nayara Springs, and Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa emphasize spa experiences, movement, thermal bathing, and immersion in natural surroundings. These resorts integrate wellness into the overall stay rather than offering it as a standalone amenity.
5. Which five-star resorts in Costa Rica are best for hot springs and volcano views?
The Arenal Volcano region near La Fortuna is the country’s top destination for luxury hot springs resorts and volcano scenery. Five-star resorts such as Nayara Tented Camp, Nayara Springs, and Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa are located near Arenal Volcano National Park and are known for naturally heated mineral waters, rainforest settings, and direct volcano views.
6. Are there all-inclusive five-star luxury resorts in Costa Rica?
Yes, Costa Rica offers a limited number of high-end, all-inclusive luxury resorts that operate at a true five-star level. Wellness-led properties such as Hacienda AltaGracia deliver a fully inclusive experience centered on personalized itineraries, dining, and activities, while select beach resorts also offer premium all-inclusive options.
7. How do I choose the best five-star resort in Costa Rica for my trip?
Choosing the best five-star resort in Costa Rica depends on travel style and priorities. Peninsula Papagayo is ideal for full-service beach luxury, Arenal suits travelers seeking hot springs and volcano landscapes, while boutique resorts in Manuel Antonio or Las Catalinas appeal to those who value privacy, design, and a more intimate atmosphere. This guide is designed to match the right luxury resort to the right traveler at the highest level.
Sam Wise
Sam Wise is the Founder of Jetset Select, a global luxury travel platform that curates five-star recommendations for the world’s top hotels, resorts, villas, and wellness destinations.
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