Best hotels in Guanacaste & Nicoya Peninsula

Where miles of forest meets Culebra Bay, Andaz boasts 1,400 acres of private peninsula - a playground for guests of every age. Built to blend with the surroundings, the hotel has a natural, curvaceous design and the outdoors never feel out of reach. Look out for jumping dolphins from your balcony! The peninsula has three fabulous beaches and the sky-blue waters are more than tempting for snorkelling, kayaking or a stand-up paddleboard excursion across the bay. Should you be looking for utter relaxation instead, enjoy the likes of a Pura Vida massage or champagne body scrub, or head straight for the adults-only pool...

In a country of remote, remoter, remotest destinations, the Peninsula Papagayo is one of the latter. 1,400 acres of cloistered forest, flaxen beaches and rocky outcrops, it's is a playground for every age - and that's before you hit the water. Perched on a slender stretch of land, right on the peninsula, the Four Seasons is the epitome of style, the interiors designed by an NYC studio and harnessing the beauty of the natural elements. Take your pick between the resort's twin beaches for sunning, surfing and swimming, or venture into the gulf for an idyllic sail at sunset. No matter how active or laidback you'd like to be, the Four Seasons will sort you out...

Located within one of the world's 'Blue Zones', where lives are among the longest and happiest, Silvestre provides all the elements of a perfect wellness retreat at the seaside. Surrounded by the sounds of breeze-ruffled leaves and gentle waves, the hotel has nine residences mere steps away from some of the best surf breaks in the world. Every building choice was made to keep the hotel's environmental footprint at a minimum including the placement of the buildings, which was carefully done to save as many trees as possible. There's also plenty of opportunity for adventure whether it's exploring the skies by gyrocopter or riding horseback along the beach at sunset.

Sitting amongst the trees on the Gulf of Papagayo, the 'Riviera of Costa Rica', El Mangroove has the luxe-casual vibe down to a tee. Designed by prominent Costa Rican architect, Ronald Zurcher, it's very modern-chic and the design is linear and clean with whimsical additions where you least expect them. Located beside a tranquil bay, there's a bevy of aquatic activities on offer including kayaking, paddleboarding and surfing, as well as scuba diving amongst the bull sharks and teeny-tiny sea horses. And of course, there are plenty of places to recline back at the resort - volcanic clay wrap anyone?

A part of the idyllic Las Baulus National Park, Diria Resort enjoys 3.5 kilometres of Blue Flag beach frontage. We're talking lapping waves, china-white sands, and access to endless adventures on the water. Split into multiple zones, the resort caters to every kind of guest, whether you're on a family holiday or looking to get away from it all. In fact, the main route leading into Tamarindo town cuts through the middle of the property, offering a bevy of dining choices and shopping spots too. Then, when you're not enjoying the local grub, learn to surf off Tamarindo Beach, go scuba diving around the nearby islands, or simply laze by the pool(s).

Rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit as you forge a meaningful connection to nature at Isla Chiquita Glamping Hotel. Perched on the tiny island of Isla Jesusita in Costa Rica's picturesque Gulf of Nicoya, this hotel is the first and only destination of its kind in the country. Celebrate the island’s artisanal fishing heritage with a delicious seafood meal at Donde Tía Nora Restaurant, or sip a drink at Harry’s Bar & Restaurant as you survey the beauty that envelops you. Embark on an adventure by land or sea; bioluminescence expeditions, birdwatching, forest bathing hikes, snorkeling excursions and island hopping are among the engaging experiences offered. Upon returning to the hotel, relax in the tropical lounging gardens or soothe tired muscles with a massage on the wellness deck.

Welcome to Las Catalinas, a newly constructed beach town nestled along the golden coast of Guanacaste in Costa Rica. Las Catalinas consists of homes, shops, restaurants, small hotels and inns, plazas, parks, and recreational facilities. Guests can enjoy wonderful, walkable public spaces interwoven with breathtaking natural surroundings. Architecture is adapted for outdoor living.

Step into this luxurious and spacious haven, perfect for families or friends seeking ultimate comfort and relaxation. With thoughtful design and an array of amenities, your stay promises to be unforgettable. The primary bedroom boasts a king-sized bed for restful nights. The full bathroom features a stand-alone shower and double sink, blending convenience with style. Morning curtains reveal a breathtaking balcony for serene moments.

Nestled in Santa Teresa's pristine beaches, Hotel Trópico Latino epitomizes a tropical paradise. It offers a unique blend of eco-conscious living and luxurious comfort in beautifully crafted bungalows. The hotel's focus on sustainability perfectly complements its array of modern amenities.

The Palms is situated on a special beach, in a very special way. The white sands of Playa Flamingo stretch past The Palms property to the end of this almost private cove. Only 7 private homes stand on the real estate to the endpoint and occupancy only averages a couple months per year. The mangrove adjacent to The Palms is undevelopable so this stretch of beach will always be quiet, peaceful and uncrowded, even in high season. Few vacation destinations offer the stunning natural beauty of Costa Rica, where vast stretches of white-sand beach give way to lush tropical forest and misty mountain peaks, and where whale watching, marlin fishing, zip-lining, snorkeling, orchid hunting and sunbathing are tempting diversions. Ideally located steps from the ocean on Playa Flamingo. The beautiful white sand and crystal clear blue water is only a mere 50 steps from your patio. Upon entering the master suite, you are greeted with only the highest quality of finishes. The tall, vaulted ceilings allow for a cool breeze during the day and night as you vacation in paradise. Wake up in your large, comfortable king size bed, grab your fresh Costa Rican coffee, and walk out onto your own extended oceanfront balcony. Your relaxation and privacy are forefront at the Palms.

Pura Vida vibes meet high-energy adventure at W Costa Rica - Reserva Conchal, where legendary surf and lush forests set the scene for thrill-seeking or sun-worshipping. Bordering the iconic Guanacaste Coast, this Reserva Conchal Beach resort is perched on a pristine stretch of sand minutes away from Tamarindo’s world-class beaches and lively town. Grab your board and hit the waves, nibble on something sweet at the Wet Deck or kick back at Zona Azul, W Costa Rica’s bold beach club. In the mood to explore? Look no further than the resort's backyard—Reserva Conchal, a sprawling 2,300-acre nature reserve home to monkeys and mangroves. Turn up or tune out at W Costa Rica resort, a haven for wildlife and a playground for free spirits. Bold design meets natural wonders in each of the 150 rooms and suites, boasting sweeping views spanning the Pacific and Playa Conchal. Every airy space is decked out with a private balcony, marble bathroom, and a MixBar. Check into a Sunset Treehouse Suite to hide out among the mangroves, or spread out in an Ocean View Suite for epic ocean vistas right from your own personal plunge pool. Channeling local culture and surf vibes, this Guanacaste hotel rooms and suites remix the local with details like hand-painted indigenous patterns, nature-inspired headboards and surfboard bar tops.

Located on a 150-acre private beachfront reserve along the Nicoya Peninsula on the Pacific Coast, Tango Mar offers the intimate exclusivity of a small, deluxe beach resort on a vast site where you can find a space to call your own. People come seeking nature in abundance, a Garden of Eden, secluded beaches, beautiful, even spectacular surroundings, an oasis of comfort, active pursuits, or just lazing around with no crowds, no hustle, no bustle.

Bosque del Mar is a boutique hotel facing the sea in Hermosa beach, in the exuberant Gulf of Papagayo, Guanacaste. First class hospitality, service, gastronomy and high sense of environmental responsibility demonstrated in eco-friendly facilities and sustainable practices. Just steps from the beach, revitalize your senses with the gentle sound of waves, ancient trees and wildlife in our jungle- style gardens.

Welcome to Papagayo Golden Palms Beachfront Resort & Spa, a boutique hotel in the Gulf of Papagayo, Guanacaste, just 30 minutes from Liberia Airport. Our exclusive resort features 40 spacious Junior Suites with King and Queen beds, designed to offer maximum comfort and relaxation. Located beachfront, Papagayo Golden Palms provides panoramic ocean views and direct beach access, surrounded by Costa Rica's lush biodiversity. Enjoy the perfect blend of adventure and serenity: from water activities like kayaking and jet skiing to bike rides and sunset horseback riding. After an active day, unwind in our elegant pool or take in stunning sunsets by our beachfront fire pits.

The Westin Reserva Conchal Golf Resort & Spa is an all-inclusive, eco-friendly retreat set between the exotic forests and unspoiled beaches of Costa Rica's North Pacific Riviera. The secluded golf resort offers an ideal balance of soothing escape and local culture for an unforgettable family vacation. At 2,400 acres, the resort offers all you need to thrive in Costa Rica: a location near the beach, a lagoon-style pool, a WestinWORKOUT Fitness Studio, tennis courts, and championship golf.

Inspired by old school tropical destinations that appreciated low-key glamour and total escape, the Harmony Hotel is a beautiful property situated a stone’s throw from a pristine surf break with consistent, year-round waves. 24 guest rooms, each with private outdoor space, are nestled in lush native plant gardens that afford plenty of opportunities for wildlife sightings.

The private villas are located on the pristine beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula along the Pacific coast. At Florblanca, the pura vida lifestyle is ever-present and guests from around the globe visit to connect with the life lived here, so tied to nature, to the environment, and the people.

Hotel Capitán Suizo is a four-star boutique hotel located on Tamarindo Beach, one of the most beautiful swimming and surfing spots on the Costa Rican Pacific coast. The hotel enjoys a privileged location just outside of town, at the end of the bay and directly on the beach with an informal, cheerful atmosphere in which nature is respected, the food is tasty, the staff offer very personalised service and its thoughtful design reflects a touch of Swiss quality.

Enjoy an endless sea of pura vida at Casa Chameleon at Las Catalinas, a secluded paradise where adventurous moments meet serene comfort. Explore the streets of the cosmopolitan hometown, choose from one of the many handcrafted experiences or sit back and soak in the sun all day from your private pool villa… a long list of extraordinary memories awaits you.

Lagarta Lodge is the Costa Rican hotel with breathtaking views onto the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy the unique ambience amidst verdant subtropical vegetation and within reach of the ocean.

Just five minutes' stroll from Tamarindo's main drag, this adults-only hideaway feels wonderfully removed from the beach town bustle. Tucked behind tropical gardens that practically hum with hummingbirds, the boutique hotel strikes that sweet spot between barefoot beach vibes and grown-up sophistication. Days drift between the jungle-fringed pool, the open-air Plumeria Restaurant (where the ceviche is spot-on), and the private beach path that deposits you straight onto Tamarindo's golden sand.

Explore the vivid Montezuma life from the tranquil Nya, enveloped by lush tropical gardens attracting diverse wildlife. Designed by Central American architects, Nya harmonizes with nature, offering rooms with meticulous details, forest sounds, and ocean breezes. Most rooms feature balconies or terraces for relaxation. Experience attentive hospitality, minimalist room designs, and exquisite dining at Ubin by Keilor Sánchez, all set against the healing backdrop of jungle and sea sounds.

Hotel Pasatiempo is the perfect small boutique hotel in Tamarindo Beach. A breezeway leads you past the reception area to the tropical pool and restaurant. Stone or wood pathways, dotted with lush vegetation, palm and mango trees, meander to the various bungalows, each with its own shaded patio with lounge chairs and/or hammock. Guests are invited to this intimate place, with abundant green gardens surrounding the pool. The hotel is located only 400 yards from the beach at Playa Tamarindo, the jewel of Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

Arrive to feel an immediate connection with the true soul of Costa Rica. Nestled within a collage of tropical forest paying homage to the breathtaking Guanacaste shoreline, the rooms and villas' tiered landscape offer the best ocean views around.

Escape into luxury at Secrets Papagayo. Located by the exuberant Arenilla Beach, this all-inclusive resort offers an adults-only, stunning getaway in Costa Rica’s Gulf of Papagayo. The secure community surrounding the resort provides striking views of native flora and fauna and miles of unspoiled Pacific Coast beach from your luxury suite. Enjoy a romantic and picturesque hideaway, delectable gastronomy, and a world-class spa.

Upscale and boutique yet intimate, organic and magical, Cala Luna is one of the only hotels in Guanacaste that remains green all year round. There are few barriers between you and the untouched natural beauty of Tamarindo. Open-air social areas and secluded accommodations seamlessly meld into a lush jungle that draws more wildlife than anywhere else in the area. Your neighbours are curious monkeys and raccoons, exotic iguanas and birds. Within this natural retreat, you are offered five-star barefoot luxury that’s inclusive to all.

A unique luxury vacation rental located on the most desirable beachfront point in the Guanacaste Province of Costa Rica. Featuring 7 oceanfront suites, indoor/outdoor living, state of the art kitchen, pool, ocean view private gym, and much more. This Costa Rica Luxury Villa’s property reaches into the Pacific Ocean between two of Costa Rica’s most famous white sand beaches.

Located on beautiful Carrillo Beach in Costa Rica’s Northern Province of Guanacaste. This truly unique property’s designed especially to offer customers incomparable service in a real tropical paradise! Located just an hour and a half from the Liberia International Airport. Above all, a convenient beach destination for those looking for peace and tranquility without the crowds. There are many dining options available in nearby Samara Beach, located just 10 minutes to the north. This area offers a broad range of activities aside from beachside lounging.

Hotel Nantipa is a luxury beachfront boutique hotel in the heart of Santa Teresa on the Nicoya Peninsula – recognized by UNESCO as one of only five Blue Zones in the world. Nantipa, which means ‘Blue’ in the native Chorotegan language, provides a sense of serene escapism. It is the ultimate place to just be. The distinct pleasure of true barefoot luxury awaits. The distinct pleasure of a true beachfront vacation awaits you in the heart of the Nicoya Península: Santa Teresa is a hidden treasure where deep blue waters are framed by vividly green tropical rainforests.