Kalapiti Luxury Jungle Suites is a three-and-a-half pearl boutique hotel surrounded by lush gardens, a nine-minute drive from Montezuma. There are only two suites, both are infused with Moroccan elements like arched doorways, Arabian windows, and baby-blue paint-washed walls. Expect king or twin beds, cedar accents, paintings of Moroccan streetscapes, and amazing bathrooms with whirlpool tubs and open-air showers. The hotel’s gorgeous infinity pool has a waterslide, a cold-water whirlpool, and lots of lounge chairs. Hotel amenities include a shared chef’s kitchen, an outdoor grill, a steam room, and naturalist trails full of blossoming fruits, herbs, and flowers. The free breakfasts include home baked bread and pastries. There’s nothing like this hotel nearby, but for an oceanfront stay with gorgeous villas and a tasty restaurant, it might be worth the higher rates at Santa Teresa’s (a 35-minute drive) Latitude 10 Beachfront Resort.
Kalapiti Luxury Jungle Suites is a three-and-a-half pearl boutique hotel surrounded by lush gardens, a nine-minute drive from Montezuma. There are only two suites, both are infused with Moroccan elements like arched doorways, Arabian windows, and baby-blue paint-washed walls. Expect king or twin beds, cedar accents, paintings of Moroccan streetscapes, and amazing bathrooms with whirlpool tubs and open-air showers. The hotel’s gorgeous infinity pool has a waterslide, a cold-water whirlpool, and lots of lounge chairs. Hotel amenities include a shared chef’s kitchen, an outdoor grill, a steam room, and naturalist trails full of blossoming fruits, herbs, and flowers. The free breakfasts include home baked bread and pastries. There’s nothing like this hotel nearby, but for an oceanfront stay with gorgeous villas and a tasty restaurant, it might be worth the higher rates at Santa Teresa’s (a 35-minute drive) Latitude 10 Beachfront Resort.
Hotel Chantel is a simple three-pearl property located in Playas del Coco with gorgeous views of the surrounding area. The hotel’s 11 guest rooms are cute and tidy with shared balconies, and some feature separate living areas and full kitchens. This relaxed inn offers a nice little infinity pool, widely acclaimed rooftop restaurant, and free local-style breakfast. The hotel’s hilltop setting offers scenic vistas over the surrounding countryside and out toward the coast, but it does place guests a long (30-minute) walk from the entertainment and dining of downtown, and it's almost equally far to reach the beach. Travelers who prefer to stay closer to the beach might also consider the budget property Hotel Coco Palms, although its rooms are far less charming.
Hotel Chantel is a simple three-pearl property located in Playas del Coco with gorgeous views of the surrounding area. The hotel’s 11 guest rooms are cute and tidy with shared balconies, and some feature separate living areas and full kitchens. This relaxed inn offers a nice little infinity pool, widely acclaimed rooftop restaurant, and free local-style breakfast. The hotel’s hilltop setting offers scenic vistas over the surrounding countryside and out toward the coast, but it does place guests a long (30-minute) walk from the entertainment and dining of downtown, and it's almost equally far to reach the beach. Travelers who prefer to stay closer to the beach might also consider the budget property Hotel Coco Palms, although its rooms are far less charming.
The upper-middle-range Azul Ocean Club is a 21-room beachfront property located off a bumpy unpaved road in an isolated part of Guanacaste. Such seclusion provides Azul Ocean Club with a quiet atmosphere and a gorgeous untouched beach, but these don't outweigh the property's downsides. Noticeable wear and tear and frequent maintenance issues make the hotel less than idyllic, and its white cottages and contemporary decor don't exactly reflect Costa Rica. The hotel’s lovely mosaic tile pool has a swim-up bar and a hot tub, but many guests will be disappointed by the un-swimmable beach. While there’s a small fitness center, game room, and free breakfast and Wi-Fi, there’s absolutely nothing to see or do in the immediate area. Those looking for a mid-range property with a bit more Costa Rican charm could consider Sueno del Mar Beachfront Bed & Breakfast.
The upper-middle-range Azul Ocean Club is a 21-room beachfront property located off a bumpy unpaved road in an isolated part of Guanacaste. Such seclusion provides Azul Ocean Club with a quiet atmosphere and a gorgeous untouched beach, but these don't outweigh the property's downsides. Noticeable wear and tear and frequent maintenance issues make the hotel less than idyllic, and its white cottages and contemporary decor don't exactly reflect Costa Rica. The hotel’s lovely mosaic tile pool has a swim-up bar and a hot tub, but many guests will be disappointed by the un-swimmable beach. While there’s a small fitness center, game room, and free breakfast and Wi-Fi, there’s absolutely nothing to see or do in the immediate area. Those looking for a mid-range property with a bit more Costa Rican charm could consider Sueno del Mar Beachfront Bed & Breakfast.
Los Pinos - Cabanas y Jardines is a mid-range eco-lodge that consists of 14 stand-alone cabins tucked into the forested hills of Monteverde. Each homey cabin features a full kitchen, free Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning, and many have porches. From the lobby to the rooms, the decor is simple and rustic. There's a tiny lobby lounge and a large, hydroponic vegetable garden, but few other amenities on-site. The shops, restaurants, and attractions of Santa Elena are just five minutes away by road, and there's plenty of outdoor adventures and hiking in the area. Travelers looking for a hotel with a pool and on-site dining should consider the nearby Hotel Fonda Vela, though rates will be higher.
Los Pinos - Cabanas y Jardines is a mid-range eco-lodge that consists of 14 stand-alone cabins tucked into the forested hills of Monteverde. Each homey cabin features a full kitchen, free Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning, and many have porches. From the lobby to the rooms, the decor is simple and rustic. There's a tiny lobby lounge and a large, hydroponic vegetable garden, but few other amenities on-site. The shops, restaurants, and attractions of Santa Elena are just five minutes away by road, and there's plenty of outdoor adventures and hiking in the area. Travelers looking for a hotel with a pool and on-site dining should consider the nearby Hotel Fonda Vela, though rates will be higher.
Funky Monkey Lodge is a two-and-a-half-pearl yoga-focused hotel set on a tranquil Santa Teresa hillside. Its 10 units are a mix of suites, bungalows, apartments, and dorms with safes, refrigerators, and fans. The posher rooms have air-conditioning, ocean views, flat-screen TVs, and kitchenettes, though others are more basic. The small pool is a nice addition, and the open-air yoga studio has ocean views and daily classes (the aerial-silk classes are a particularly cool addition). Expect tasty international cuisine and great ocean views in the restaurant, which often uses organic ingredients. There's also a shared kitchen, billiard and ping-pong tables, free Wi-Fi, and parking. For a yoga-centered stay closer to the beach with cute bungalows, a tasty restaurant, and a small spa, it’s worth pricing out Otro Lado Lodge and Restaurant.
Funky Monkey Lodge is a two-and-a-half-pearl yoga-focused hotel set on a tranquil Santa Teresa hillside. Its 10 units are a mix of suites, bungalows, apartments, and dorms with safes, refrigerators, and fans. The posher rooms have air-conditioning, ocean views, flat-screen TVs, and kitchenettes, though others are more basic. The small pool is a nice addition, and the open-air yoga studio has ocean views and daily classes (the aerial-silk classes are a particularly cool addition). Expect tasty international cuisine and great ocean views in the restaurant, which often uses organic ingredients. There's also a shared kitchen, billiard and ping-pong tables, free Wi-Fi, and parking. For a yoga-centered stay closer to the beach with cute bungalows, a tasty restaurant, and a small spa, it’s worth pricing out Otro Lado Lodge and Restaurant.
Situated on La Fortuna’s main tourist strip, Arenal Hostel Resort offers budget accommodations with a solid list of amenities (for a hostel). A casual, tiki-bar-style restaurant, pool, and swim-up bar are surprising touches while a relaxed garden courtyard offers hammocks and teak outdoor dining tables. Entry-level dorm rooms are minimal and functional with only bunk beds, air-conditioning, and ensuite bathrooms. Upgraded private rooms additionally offer flat-screen TVs with cable and shared, furnished balconies overlooking the garden. Hostel Backpackers La Fortuna offers similarly priced and appointed accommodations with a larger pool.
Situated on La Fortuna’s main tourist strip, Arenal Hostel Resort offers budget accommodations with a solid list of amenities (for a hostel). A casual, tiki-bar-style restaurant, pool, and swim-up bar are surprising touches while a relaxed garden courtyard offers hammocks and teak outdoor dining tables. Entry-level dorm rooms are minimal and functional with only bunk beds, air-conditioning, and ensuite bathrooms. Upgraded private rooms additionally offer flat-screen TVs with cable and shared, furnished balconies overlooking the garden. Hostel Backpackers La Fortuna offers similarly priced and appointed accommodations with a larger pool.
The Marriott Los Suenos is one of Costa Rica's few large-scale resorts, with 201 comfortable rooms, an 18-hole golf course, a big pool complex, full-service spa, six restaurants, and beautiful Spanish colonial architecture. But the on-site beach is extremely rocky, so you may want to take a taxi to one of the other nearby beaches instead.
The Marriott Los Suenos is one of Costa Rica's few large-scale resorts, with 201 comfortable rooms, an 18-hole golf course, a big pool complex, full-service spa, six restaurants, and beautiful Spanish colonial architecture. But the on-site beach is extremely rocky, so you may want to take a taxi to one of the other nearby beaches instead.
The no-frills, 22-room Hotel El Velero is one of the only beachfront options in Playa Hermosa. Rooms are clean and simply decorated, and rates are often surprisingly affordable, considering the hotel’s prime location. Amenities include a small pool, an on-site restaurant, and freebies like parking and Wi-Fi. There’s not really much to do in the immediate area aside from hitting the beach. Nearby Playas del Coco has tons of bars, restaurants, and touristy attractions -- and Hotel Coco Palms is a short walk from the beach -- but the scenery isn’t nearly as beautiful as that in Hermosa.
The no-frills, 22-room Hotel El Velero is one of the only beachfront options in Playa Hermosa. Rooms are clean and simply decorated, and rates are often surprisingly affordable, considering the hotel’s prime location. Amenities include a small pool, an on-site restaurant, and freebies like parking and Wi-Fi. There’s not really much to do in the immediate area aside from hitting the beach. Nearby Playas del Coco has tons of bars, restaurants, and touristy attractions -- and Hotel Coco Palms is a short walk from the beach -- but the scenery isn’t nearly as beautiful as that in Hermosa.
Guests willing to brave the rough, winding road to Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel will be well rewarded. Everything about the hotel -- including the remote location and the lush, green grounds -- helps this hotel truly live up to its name. The three-and-a-half-pearl property’s list of noteworthy amenities includes an open-air restaurant, an outdoor pool, and an eclectic Turkish-inspired lounge. The 26 rooms draw on modern and rustic aesthetics and come with minibars, bathrooms with outdoor garden showers, and spacious furnished balconies. Beyond the adjacent volcano park and the Rio Celeste river, there are few attractions of any kind in the immediate area. The nearest comparable accommodations can be found at Celeste Mountain Lodge -- a slightly cheaper, three-pearl alternative with an eco-conscious philosophy.
Guests willing to brave the rough, winding road to Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel will be well rewarded. Everything about the hotel -- including the remote location and the lush, green grounds -- helps this hotel truly live up to its name. The three-and-a-half-pearl property’s list of noteworthy amenities includes an open-air restaurant, an outdoor pool, and an eclectic Turkish-inspired lounge. The 26 rooms draw on modern and rustic aesthetics and come with minibars, bathrooms with outdoor garden showers, and spacious furnished balconies. Beyond the adjacent volcano park and the Rio Celeste river, there are few attractions of any kind in the immediate area. The nearest comparable accommodations can be found at Celeste Mountain Lodge -- a slightly cheaper, three-pearl alternative with an eco-conscious philosophy.
Tulemar Bungalow & Villas manages to combine the privacy of bungalow living and the convenience of full hotel services, without any sense of pretension. There are 45 luxury residences spread out on a 33-acre resort that includes private access to Tulemar Beach, which has one of the only beach-facing restaurants in Manuel Antonio. Rooms range from homey, but older, Bungalows with floor-to-ceiling windows to over-the-top Casa Las Nubes with gasp-inducing architecture and a semi-indoor infinity-edge pool. All units come with free Wi-Fi and a personal concierge. Buena Vista del Sol serves up food and drinks near one of the four infinity-edge pools, but breakfast isn't included with the price of a room. There's an air of seclusion on the property, but it's still conveniently located near a grocery store and laundromat. This is one of the best, and most popular, options in the area.
Tulemar Bungalow & Villas manages to combine the privacy of bungalow living and the convenience of full hotel services, without any sense of pretension. There are 45 luxury residences spread out on a 33-acre resort that includes private access to Tulemar Beach, which has one of the only beach-facing restaurants in Manuel Antonio. Rooms range from homey, but older, Bungalows with floor-to-ceiling windows to over-the-top Casa Las Nubes with gasp-inducing architecture and a semi-indoor infinity-edge pool. All units come with free Wi-Fi and a personal concierge. Buena Vista del Sol serves up food and drinks near one of the four infinity-edge pools, but breakfast isn't included with the price of a room. There's an air of seclusion on the property, but it's still conveniently located near a grocery store and laundromat. This is one of the best, and most popular, options in the area.