The Top 10 Best Luxury Hotels and Resorts in Costa Rica (2026 Edition)
A curated look at Costa Rica’s best luxury hotels, beach resorts, yoga retreats, wellness villas, and eco-lodges.
Costa Rica’s luxury landscape brings together world-class beach resorts, design-forward hotels, elevated yoga retreats, and sustainable eco-lodges that pair five-star amenities with exceptional views across an unmatched natural setting. Frequently recognized by publications like Condé Nast Traveler for its mix of style, adventure, and quiet luxury, the country delivers refined getaways shaped by dramatic landscapes and its modern interpretation of the Pura Vida philosophy.
This guide highlights our selection of Costa Rica’s best luxury hotels and beachfront resorts, chosen for their design, service, premium amenities, and access to the landscapes travelers seek most, from jungles and beaches to geothermal pools and volcanoes.
To help streamline your travel planning, we have included direct links to recommended hotels, from which we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. The sections that follow present the top luxury hotels and resorts in Costa Rica for 2026, offering a clear starting point for designing an luxury Costa Rica vacation that feels as considered as it does unforgettable.
At a glance:
The Top 10 Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Costa Rica (2026)
The Best Costa Rica Beach Resorts
Top Costa Rica Yoga Retreats & Luxury Wellness Stays
The Best Costa Rica Boutique Hotels
The Best Luxury Eco Lodges in Costa Rica
Where to Stay in Costa Rica
The best hotels in Costa Rica are clustered across a handful of key regions. With many luxury Costa Rica resorts and Costa Rica vacation packages available, it’s important to understand what each region truly has to offer before booking your trip.
The Papagayo Peninsula and Guanacaste anchor many of the country’s strongest beach resorts, with direct access to the Pacific coast and proximity to Liberia Airport. La Fortuna hotels are known for their geothermal hot springs access, luxury wellness retreats, and clear views of Arenal Volcano, making the region ideal for a Costa Rica honeymoon.
Monteverde and the mountain region attracts luxury travelers seeking cloud forest design, sustainability, and privacy. Santa Teresa and the Nicoya Peninsula draw surf-focused guests who prefer boutique hotels and contemporary luxury villas.
→ Looking for more Costa Rica travel inspiration? Explore our guides about Costa Rica’s Best Luxury Yoga Retreats or Costa Rica’s Best Five-Star Resorts in 2026.
Costa Rica's Top 10 Best Luxury Hotels and Resorts 2026
- Sprawling two-beach luxury resort setting with uninterrupted ocean and bay views.
- Large suites and private villas with prviate terraces, soaking tubs, indoor-outdoor living.
- Oceanfront infinity pools, a destination spa, and an Arnold Palmer golf course.
- Costa Rica’s flagship five-star resort with dedicated private butler service.
The Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo spans more than two hundred acres between two swimmable white-sand beaches, with uninterrupted views of the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Papagayo. Suites and private villas feature expansive terraces, outdoor rain showers, and clean indoor-outdoor layouts that prioritize privacy, wellness, and five-star comfort.
An extensive luxury footprint includes oceanfront infinity pools, an Arnold Palmer-designed golf course, a full-service spa with tailored treatments, five excellent restaurants, and exclusive Beach Club access. Combined with dedicated butler service and curated experiences across the peninsula, it stands at the very top of Costa Rica’s modern luxury resort landscape.
- Modern waterfront hillside luxury resort with panoramic views over Culebra Bay.
- Suites and luxury villas with large terraces, outdoor rain showers, private plunge pools.
- Three infinity pools, an 11,000-sq-ft destination spa, and a strong dining program.
- One of Papagayo’s top five-star resorts with direct access to quiet coves and beaches.
The Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort sits on a waterfront cliffside location above Culebra Bay, surrounded by modern architecture, local craftsmanship, and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows across all rooms and suites. Accommodations range from modern bay-view rooms to multi-bedroom luxury villas with private plunge pools, outdoor rain showers, and elevated indoor-outdoor layouts ideal for couples, families, and groups.
Three infinity pools, an 11,000-square-foot destination spa, dedicated wellness programming, and strong dining at Ostra and Chao Pescao shape a polished five-star experience. Access to quiet coves and private beaches positions Andaz as one of Papagayo’s top five-star resort stays.
- Adults-only luxury rainforest hideaway with direct Arenal Volcano views.
- Expansive private villas with plunge pools, lush gardens, and outdoor rain showers.
- A world-class spa, Michelin-caliber restaurant, and elevated wellness programming.
- Personalized hosts and five-star service at one of Costa Rica’s best luxury retreats.
Nayara Springs Costa Rica is an adults-only rainforest hideaway with direct views of Arenal Volcano and expansive private villas, each featuring a private plunge pool, lush gardens, indoor-outdoor rain showers, and high ceilings with tropical detailing. Blending modern luxury with Costa Rican heritage, the property connects via a suspension bridge to the broader Nayara complex, where a world-class spa, a Michelin-star caliber restaurant, and world-class yoga and wellness programming are the focus of the stay.
Personal hosts attend to every detail, anchoring Nayara Springs as one of Costa Rica’s most luxurious and carefully curated five-star retreats.
- Luxury wellness resort on a crystal-quartz mountain with wide jungle and ocean views.
- Spacious suites with private terraces and a modern boutique aesthetic.
- Award-winning Vida Mia Spa offers holistic rituals, hydrotherapy, and guided yoga.
- One of Costa Rica’s most renowned five-star luxury wellness sanctuaries.
The Retreat Costa Rica sits atop a crystal-quartz mountain near Atenas, overlooking lush rainforest and broad Pacific views, with an intimate scale that reinforces its luxury-wellness positioning. Suites and villas combine modern design with private terraces, generous natural light, and a calm aesthetic that supports both rest and transformation. Wellness retreats anchor the experience, with daily yoga and meditation and the award-winning Vida Mia Spa, where holistic rituals and longevity treatments complement hydrotherapy circuits, sauna, and steam facilities.
On-site restaurants such as Sol Terrace and Santosha emphasize organic, farm-to-table cuisine aligned with the property’s health-led ethos. Personalized five-star service and a focus on restorative wellness place The Retreat among Costa Rica’s leading luxury wellness sanctuaries.
- Rainforest hot-springs resort at the base of Arenal Volcano with a natural thermal river.
- Cascading thermal pools and waterfalls woven through lush gardens and pathways.
- Signature spa with hydrotherapy, volcanic mud treatments, and Ayurvedic rituals.
- Costa Rica’s benchmark five-star luxury wellness and thermal resort.
Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa is a luxury rainforest hot-springs property at the base of Arenal Volcano, centered around a natural thermal river that flows through its lush landscaped gardens, stone pathways, and a network of cascading pools and waterfalls. Its signature hot springs and spa programs offer hydrotherapy circuits, volcanic mud treatments, and Ayurvedic-informed rituals, positioning Tabacón as one of Costa Rica’s leading luxury wellness sanctuaries.
Contemporary rooms and suites face either the rainforest or Arenal itself, while dining includes two restaurants, a bar, and full service across the hot-springs network, allowing guests to stay immersed in the thermal waters without compromising a polished Costa Rica luxury resort experience.
- Elevated luxury villas above the rainforest with uninterrupted jungle and volcano views.
- Suites with private plunge pools, deep soaking tubs, and oversized private decks.
- Hot-springs pools, a full-service spa, and curated nature and adventure experiences.
- A flagship five-star rainforest retreat defined by experience and exceptional service.
Nayara Tented Camp is a five-star rainforest lodge with luxury villas elevated high above the rainforest for uninterrupted jungle and Arenal Volcano views. Each suite features a private plunge pool fed by the natural hot-springs, deep soaking tubs, plush king beds, and spacious decks that extend the living area into the landscape.
A collection of hot-spring-fed pools, a full-service spa, and guided nature and adventure experiences, from wildlife exploration to zip lining and rafting, create a comprehensive luxury stay. Exceptional service and a calm five-star setting position Nayara Tented Camp among the region’s strongest luxury rainforest retreats.
- Luxury mountain estate with villa-style casitas overlooking Costa Rica’s cloud forest.
- Casitas with private plunge pools, large terraces, and modern residential interiors.
- The WELL spa features tailored local treatments, hydrotherapy, breathwork.
- Michelin-level dining and curated experiences make this a benchmark luxury retreat.
Hacienda AltaGracia spans almost two-hundred acres in the Talamanca Mountains, with villa-style casitas that each offer private plunge pools, generous terraces, and sweeping cloud forest views. Interiors feel residential and modern, with elevated amenities, separate living areas, and a polished, country-estate sensibility.
The Well spa anchors a deep wellness program designed around hydrotherapy, energy-treatments, and guided movement and breathwork sessions. Dining leans into Michelin-level execution, with horseback riding, waterfall hikes, and tailored outdoor experiences across the estate.
- Luxury resort above the Arenal Valley with some of Costa Rica’s best volcano views.
- Rooms and suites with large terraces, floor-to-ceiling windows, and deep soaking tubs.
- Twenty-eight spring-fed thermal pools, a 14,000-sq-ft spa, and multiple dining venues.
- One of Arenal’s best five-star resorts with extensive adventure and wellness programs.
The Springs Resort & Spa sits on a mountainside above the Arenal Valley, offering some of the region’s strongest volcano views. Rooms and suites include large terraces with hammocks, floor-to-ceiling windows, and spa-inspired bathrooms with deep soaking tubs. Twenty-eight spring-fed thermal pools extend across the rainforest grounds, complemented by the fourteen-thousand-square-foot Sanctuary Spa, multiple restaurants, and a private wildlife sanctuary.
With the Club Rio Adventure Center coordinating private tubing, kayaking, horseback riding, climbing, and guided nature experiences, The Springs stands as one of the most comprehensive luxury properties in the Arenal region.
- Luxury treetop villas on a sprawling private reserve on the Osa Peninsula.
- Suites with expansive decks, hardwood floors, outdoor rain showers, plunge pools.
- Guided rainforest hikes, waterfall visits, daily yoga, and a focused spa program.
- One of Costa Rica’s most established and consistently luxurious five-star eco-lodges.
Lapa Rios sits within a one-thousand-acre private reserve on the Osa Peninsula, with treetop bungalow-style villas set along the ridgeline for wide Pacific and Golfo Dulce views. Suites feature expansive decks, hardwood floors, outdoor rain showers, and private plunge pools. Guided rainforest hikes and waterfall visits structure the stay, supported by daily yoga classes and a focused spa program. Guapira serves locally driven fusion menus with a strong cocktail and wine program overlooking the coastline, reinforcing why Lapa Rios is one of Costa Rica’s most established and consistently luxurious five-star eco-lodge experiences.
- Villas set high above Bijagua with panoramic views across the valley and rainforest.
- Wide terraces, polished concrete interiors, private outdoor hot tubs. concrete interiors.
- Iconic circular infinity pool, yoga pavilion, spa, guided nature experiences.
- Unparalleled luxury in Costa Rica’s most immersive natural surroundings.
Origins Lodge sits high above Bijagua between the Tenorio and Miravalles volcanoes, with hillside villas positioned for dramatic valley and rainforest views. Each private villa includes a large terrace, a fire-heated outdoor hot tub, polished concrete interiors, and luxe spa-inspired bathrooms. The estate holds one of Costa Rica’s most sought-after infinity pools, a yoga pavilion, and guided nature experiences across its grounds. El Salto, led by a Michelin-starred French chef, serves haute-cuisine tasting menus built around organic local ingredients and a focused wine cellar, placing Origins among the country’s most sophisticated boutique luxury retreats.
The best Costa Rica beachfront hotels concentrate along the Pacific coast, where modern suites, premium amenities, and direct access to protected beaches shape an elevated coastal experience. Without exception, the best beach hotels in Costa Rica combine five-star service with strong culinary programs, wellness facilities, and oceanfront views, positioning coastal Costa Rica as one of Central America’s most polished luxury destinations.
1. The Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo
Set on a private peninsula between two calm beaches, the Four Seasons Costa Rica delivers its signature modern suites with premium finishes, large terraces, and wide ocean views. Multiple pools, refined dining, and a world-class wellness program reinforce its position as the strongest luxury resort on the Pacific coast.
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2. Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo
The Andaz frames the bay through it collection of suites with floor-to-ceiling windows and private terraces, supported by three beaches, two pools, and a full spa. Contemporary architecture, strong dining, and five-star service give the resort a lifestyle-driven luxury position within Papagayo.
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3. Arenas Del Mar Beachfront
Arenas Del Mar sits on one of Manuel Antonio’s most luxurious beachfront sites, with modern suites, private plunge pools, spacious terraces, and premium amenities positioned toward the Pacific. Refined dining, two quiet beaches, and a full-service wellness program give it a standout five-star presence among Costa Rica’s top beach resorts.
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4. The Westin Reserva Conchal
One of the best all inclusive resorts in Costa Rica, The Westin Reserva Conchal sits on a calm stretch of of oceanfront with contemporary suites, a lagoon-style pool, and upgraded dining across the property. Its location within the Reserva Conchal estate adds privacy, wellness facilities, and direct beachfront access.
The best luxury Costa Rica yoga retreats and wellness resorts pair design-forward suites with world-class wellness programming, thermal pools, guided movement, and menus built around local farm-to-table ingredients. Prioritizing luxury, longevity, privacy, and these properties are exactly why Costa Rica is known as one of the world’s leading luxury wellness destinations, making these properties some of the best places to stay in Costa Rica.
1. The Retreat Costa Rica
Perched on a crystal quartz mountainside, The Retreat is one of the region’s most advanced luxury wellness stays. Open-air yoga shalas, hydrotherapy circuits, the Vida Mia Spa, longevity-focused treatments, and a saltwater infinity pool anchor the resort’s programming, supported by organic dining and sweeping valley-to-Pacific Ocean views.
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2. Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa
Tabacón’s geothermal river system is the core of its wellness program, with mineral-rich thermal pools positioned throughout its private rainforest reserve. Modern rooms with balconies frame the Arenal landscape, complemented by a full spa, meditation decks, hydrotherapy, and exclusive access to the adults-only Shangri-La Gardens.
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3. The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal
Twenty-eight healing spring-fed thermal pools and a fourteen-thousand-square-foot spa position The Springs as one of Costa Rica’s top luxury wellness resorts. Suites offer floor-to-ceiling windows, generous terraces, and spa-style bathrooms with stone finishes and deep soaking tubs, supported by hydrotherapy facilities and comprehensive yoga and wellness programming.
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4. Nayara Tented Camp
Nayara Tented Camp defines Costa Rica luxury-wellness travel with spacious tented villas that feature large decks, deep soaking tubs, private plunge pools, and uninterrupted volcano views. Guests gain access to private thermal springs, guided movement sessions, meditation areas, and refined dining across the Nayara collection, placing it among the top luxury wellness retreats in the world.
Costa Rica’s top luxury boutique hotels deliver design-led suites, refined service, and premium amenities in intimate settings. These properties combine contemporary architecture with upscale interiors, strong culinary programs, polished wellness offerings, and high-level privacy, creating a more exclusive alternative to larger Costa Rica resort stays.
1. Hotel Belmar
Hotel Belmar brings a sophisticated boutique experience to the Monteverde cloud forest, with modern suites, polished detailing, and spacious balconies overlooking the reserve. With farm-to-table dining, a craft brewery, and attentive service, Belmar is one of the most refined luxury boutique hotels in the region.
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2. Peace Lodge
Peace Lodge delivers oversized suites with stone fireplaces, spa-style bathrooms, jetted tubs, and premium finishes, set within one of Costa Rica’s most visually striking rainforest settings. Private terraces overlook the landscape, while curated nature experiences and elevated dining reinforce its position as a top-tier luxury boutique stay.
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3. Oxygen Jungle Villas
Oxygen Jungle Villas offers an ultra-modern, glass-fronted adults-only villa concept with clean architectural lines, luxe bedding, and private terraces suspended above the rainforest canopy. A coastline-facing infinity pool, focused spa treatments, and a calm yet design-forward layout establish it as one of Costa Rica’s leading boutique luxury hotels.
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4. Hotel Flor Blanca
Florblanca Resort Costa Rica is one of the Nicoya Peninsula’s most polished boutique properties, with spacious villas, refined open-air living areas, and premium natural materials throughout. A beachfront pool, elevated dining, and a strong wellness program give it a quietly luxurious presence on one of Costa Rica’s most scenic coastlines.
The top luxury Costa Rica eco lodges combine architectural sophistication with premium amenities, attentive service, and access to private reserves and biodiverse landscapes. These properties offer elevated suites, polished design, strong culinary programs, and curated nature experiences that deliver both environmental integrity and five-star comfort.
1. Lapa Rios Lodge
Lapa Rios sits within a one-thousand-acre private reserve on the Osa Peninsula, with elegant treetop villas positioned along the coastline for wide ocean views. Open-air interiors feature hardwood finishes, expansive decks, outdoor rain showers, and private plunge pools. Refined dining, guided rainforest experiences, and attentive service solidify its place as one of Costa Rica’s most luxurious eco-lodges.
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2. El Silencio Lodge & Spa
El Silencio pairs modern mountain villas with heated outdoor whirlpools and sweeping cloud forest views. A strong culinary program, a full-service spa, and curated private excursions give the lodge a polished, high-luxury profile within its private reserve setting.
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3. Pacuare Lodge by Böëna
Pacuare Lodge elevates the rainforest experience with spacious, design-forward suites, luxe bedding, private decks, and plunge pools in select categories. Accessed by river, the lodge offers a refined culinary program, attentive service, and curated nature and wellness experiences that position it among Costa Rica’s most prestigious eco-luxury stays.
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4. Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Farm & Inn
Finca Rosa Blanca blends contemporary suites with custom woodwork, curated art, and views over its organic coffee estate. A strong farm-to-table dining program, premium amenities, and personalized guided experiences give it a sophisticated boutique-lodge identity close to San José.
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The Best Luxury Hotels in Costa Rica 2026
Costa Rica’s luxury landscape brings together design-forward resorts, advanced wellness retreats, boutique hotels, and eco-lodges that pair premium amenities with exceptional natural settings. From the five-star beach resorts of the Papagayo Peninsula to the intimate retreats of the Osa Peninsula, the country offers refined service, curated experiences, and contemporary suites and villas for travelers seeking an upscale, design-conscious Costa Rica escape.
Its top properties support varied travel styles through private villas, robust wellness programs, elevated dining, and conservation-led design. Couples, families, wellness-focused guests, and eco-minded travelers all find comfort shaped by attentive hospitality and polished accommodations. This blend of dramatic landscapes and sophisticated stays keeps Costa Rica positioned as one of the world’s most compelling destinations for experience-driven luxury travel.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Costa Rica's Best Luxury Hotels & Resorts
1. What is the most luxurious place to stay in Costa Rica?
The most luxurious area is the Papagayo Peninsula, home to five-star beach resorts, modern suites, refined service, and premium amenities. This region anchors the country’s strongest luxury footprint and is a top choice for travelers planning a high-end Costa Rica vacation.
2. What are the nicest parts of Costa Rica for luxury travelers?
The Papagayo Peninsula offers polished beachfront resorts; Arenal delivers luxury wellness and volcano views; the Osa Peninsula features boutique eco-lodges; and Manuel Antonio blends beaches, wildlife, and upscale boutique hotels. These regions define Costa Rica’s premium travel landscape.
3. What side of Costa Rica is best to stay on for luxury?
The Pacific Coast is the best side for luxury hotels and resorts, with design-forward suites, beach access, national parks, and strong culinary programs. The Caribbean coast is more rustic and less focused on premium amenities or five-star service.
4. Where do celebrities stay in Costa Rica?
Celebrities often stay in Papagayo, Santa Teresa, Tortuguero, and private luxury villas across Guanacaste. High-profile guests, including the Kardashians, favor ultra-private beachfront hotels, boutique eco-lodges, and secluded properties with strong service and security.
5. Which Costa Rica luxury hotels offer the best amenities and service?
Top options include Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica, Nayara Springs, Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa, The Retreat Costa Rica, Origins Lodge, and Andaz Costa Rica. These hotels offer thermal pools, modern suites, refined dining, and elevated wellness programs.
6. What are the best eco-friendly luxury hotels in Costa Rica?
Lapa Rios Lodge, Pacuare Lodge, El Silencio Lodge & Spa, and Origins Lodge lead the eco-luxury category. These properties pair sustainability, conservation programs, and private reserves with premium finishes, spa treatments, and curated nature experiences.
7. What unique luxury experiences do Costa Rica’s best resorts offer?
Top resorts offer thermal springs, guided wildlife encounters, hanging bridges, volcano-view suites, chef-driven dining, hydrotherapy circuits, yoga pavilions, private beach access, and adventure options like river tubing, zip lines, and rainforest hikes.
8. What are the best luxury hotels in Costa Rica for first-timers?
Ideal choices for first-time luxury travelers include Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica, Andaz Costa Rica, Nayara Tented Camp, Nayara Springs, and The Springs Resort & Spa. These properties offer strong service, premium amenities, easy logistics, and access to Costa Rica’s top attractions.
9. What are the best Costa Rica luxury resorts for families?
Top family-friendly options include Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica, The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal, Westin Reserva Conchal, Arenas Del Mar, and Andaz Costa Rica. These hotels offer multi-bedroom suites, calm beaches, wildlife encounters, and kids’ programs.
10. What are the best wellness retreats and yoga hotels in Costa Rica?
The leading luxury wellness stays include The Retreat Costa Rica, Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa, Nayara Tented Camp, and The Springs Resort & Spa. Travelers come for thermal pools, yoga, hydrotherapy, holistic treatments, and menus built around local organic ingredients.
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.