Costa Rica

Whether it be on the Pacific or the Caribbean coast, Costa Rica has a wonderful range of boutique family-run lodges as well as well as larger resorts still full of character. In the jungles and mountains there’s an inviting selection of eco lodges combining luxury with pristine natural surroundings and we’ll propose the best for you.

The thing we love about the adult-only Amor Arenal is it’s very much a wooden lodge rainforest retreat among the busy Arenal area. It’s not basic however, the large cabins have plunge pools and there are natural hot springs to bathe in. Another centrepiece are the volcano views all around. And if you’re still not convinced the lively Jaranita bar is a great place to gather with fellow travellers.

Nayara Springs is one of the most exclusive hotels in the Arenal region, it’s an adult-only hideaway surrounded by jungle and with excellent views of the volcano. It’s well placed to explore the Arenal region and well set up for plenty of time to do nothing at all. The gardens are always full of birds and they run daily birdwatching our The large individual villa rooms come complete with four-poster beds and plunge pools. There’s one of the largest pools in the area and two excellent restaurants including Asia Luna which is one of the best in Costa Rica. What we particularly like about Nayara Springs is that it’s got all these features yet remains an independent Costa Rican hotel so they take care to look after the small touches.

This is the place to come for some serious adult only relaxation amongst the nature of Costa Rica. The name speaks for itself as pure natural spring waters surrounding the hotel and there’s hot spring pools and waterfalls everywhere. Rooms are large and well equipped and it’s a convenient base close to Arenal Volcano. It is the largest resort in the Arenal area, but not big compared to international standards, and it’s got that natural spring attraction, so a regular haunt of ours.

Finca Rosa Blanca is a hotel set within a coffee plantation in the lush central valley of Costa Rica. It’s well located close to San Jose and as it’s a friendly small hotel in a beautiful area it’s an excellent alternative to staying in the city. It combines a bit of luxury with local character, there are flowers everywhere and large rooms are in a Spanish colonial style each with individual decor. It’s a working coffee plantation and they run coffee tours, and it has a big sustainability ethos and is great for families. We certainly recommend more than one night if possible.

Pacuare Lodge is one of those unique places to stay that’s worth travelling to Costa Rica to stay here alone. It’s a raft in and raft out lodge, through the canyon of the Pacuare River (there is a way to get there by land if needed). So it’s completely remote within what feels like a lost world. Individual casita rooms are spread along a hillside surrounded by greenery. We recommend the hidden away Canopy Suite reached over a suspension bridge. From any room at night, you’ll hear the calls of the wild and can be woken to the sound of howler monkeys or toucan. It’s all about sustainability here as well as action, jumping into waterfalls, canyoning and zip-lining. And that arrival by white water is out of this world.

El Silencio Lodge is tucked away in the hills of Costa Rica’s central valley. It’s the place to go for seclusion matched with a high level of service in a wild natural environment. And as the name suggest, a bit of peace to connect with nature. The suites have floor to ceiling windows, prove ate decks and outdoor hot tubs, so just relax and watch as the birds come up to you. The restaurant has wonderful rainforest views and organic food straight from the plantation. El Silencio Lodge and Spa is also an ideal base for hikes to Poas volcano and your private eco concierge will make sure you get the most out of it. The lodge is in a relatively unexplored part of Costa Rica which we think is a reason to visit in itself.

Aguas Claras hotel is located on the southern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. It’s an area which is undeveloped for big resorts and that’s a Hughe part of the charm. Around here there creole villages and a few surfers hangouts and that’s about it. Behind the beaches, there’s nothing but rainforest. Aguas Claras, translated as clear waters, is a boutique resort in the style of a plantations house. It’s all white wood and bright primary colour decor. There’s just 6 individually styled rooms and a wellness centre called Casa Gandhi – so yoga included. Papaya restaurant is excellent and laid back, and it’s also easy to get out to the villages to eat. And most of all, you’re right on the beach for snorkelling, kayaking and plenty of beach time.

Tortuga Lodge is our regular choice among the lodges in Tortuguero by the wetlands and turtle watching Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. The very large and well-designed rooms are located by the waters of the inland canal, along with a large swimming pool and the restaurant. It all creates a light and airy space with water and jungle views everywhere. There’s a large network of trails leading off into jungle directly from the lodge. Or grab a hammock and have a lazy afternoon listening to the birds and monkeys.

Manatus Lodge is one of the best lodges in the Tortuguero area. With just 12 rooms guests receive personal service. Room combine fully equipped comfort and also allowing the rustic and laid back feeling of being close to nature and the unique environment of the Tortuguero waterways. Unlike other hotels in the area, what sets Manatus apart is the a la carte restaurant and the Afro-Caribbean menu which we love. There’s also a refreshing small pool and a showstopping location on the edge of the water, great for sunset drinks and lazy breakfasts.

El Mangroove is as you would expect a pretty casual and fun resort which is great for families on a beach of the Papagayo Gulf. However, there’s also substance behind the quirkiness with luxury rooms and lots of international resort facilities. We like it for families because unlike some of the five-star hotels in the region it’s close to the action in the local town and rainforest activity centres. El Mangroove is full of facilities, restaurants with all kinds of food choices, a large pool, a kids zone and friendly staff everywhere. It’s a great place to switch off and enjoy.

Rio Perdido is a futuristic-looking and minimalist place hidden away in the forests close to Costa Rica’s north-west coast. In fact, the translated name Lost River says it all. Minimalist guest rooms and open lobby areas invite the forest colours in and provide a sense of serenity as well as sustainability. A big focus here is the action, with hanging bridges, white water rafting, tubing and zip lining and plenty more besides. It’s an excellent stop off on the way to the coast and a completely unique place to stay. We’re just not sure whether to call it a lodge, a hotel or a retreat, it doesn’t fit a category and that’s why many of our guests seek it out.

Playa Cativo Lodge is one of Costa Rica’s best coastal luxury eco-lodges, and in a country, with plenty of them, it’s quite an accolade. The location is almost everything, on the Dulce gulf completely on its own on the edge of the huge Corcovado National Park. It’s an adventure just to get there, reached by boat along the gulf where there are often dolphins and whales. All rooms are large and open with jungle and sea views. We particularly recommend Premium Plus Casitas with private terrace and plunge pool and the best views, making sunset quite an occasion. It’s a natural paradise at Playa Cativo Lodge, well worth a few extra nights.

Lapa Rios is one of the original and best natural restreats on Costa Rica’s pacific coast. This jewel of a small lodge is located in a wonderful position on the Osa Peninsula, on the edge of the rainforest with amazing views of the Pacific Ocean. It combines large luxury bungalows and villas which will make you want to stay longer, with an authentic and dedicated ethos of sustainability. The dining on the edge of the rainforest with sunset views is unforgettable, and their excellent dedicated wildlife guides will make your stay here unique.

The big thing to know about Arenas del Mar is the amazing location on Manuel Antonio beach. It’s one of the best beaches in Costa Rica, and Arenas del Mar is the only hotel with direct beach access. So when the national park day trippers have headed off, guests here have the place almost to themselves. The 37 suites are dotted around the rainforest, where you can see plenty of monkeys and sloths, and these also two pools to laze around in. It’s a place to come, switch off, enjoy the beach and wonderful nature.

Slow down and enjoy the timeless and untouched mountains and forest of Costa Rica at Senda Monteverde. We love the laid back attitude and friendliness of this retreat, but that doesn’t take away from amazing standards of service. This lodge is just a 15 minute walk from the inviting town of Monteverde while also being on the edge of the Aguti Wildlife Reserve, and therefore offers the best of both worlds. The rooms are fairly simple, yet with a mountain lodge cosiness, and this place is all about the location.

Kura is a tiny and ultra cool adult only escape close to the Pacific coast, and we think the name of ‘boutique hotel’ doesn’t do it justice. There’s just 8 minimalist and futuristic suites perched on rainforest-clad hills a few miles away from the coast and with extraordinary views. Come here for privacy and to truly get away from it all, a short hop to the untouched beach of Uvita. And for some action and adventure with hidden waterfall hikes, stand up paddling, whale watching. We recommend leaving plenty of time to do nothing and take in the sunsets.

Lagarta Lodge sits near the long beach of Nosara in the Nicoya Peninsula in the extreme north west of Costa Rica, a mecca for surfing, beach bums, lazy days and protected wildlife areas. The lodge has its own private nature reserve and it’s all about open air with large decks for dining, rooms with ocean and jungle views. It’s close to the Rio Nosara, and guests can easily take a kayak out, and it’s close to some amazing beaches including some of the world’s largest nesting sea turtle sites.

Origins Luxury Lodge has an emphasis on health and wellness, and we think just being here for a few days provides all the wellness you need. It’s a wonderful location in the secluded green hills of northern Costa Rica with views of Lake Nicaragua in the distance and the valleys all around. There’s just 7 super cool and large wooden lodge rooms which are hidden amongst the foliage, and invite close wildlife encounters. Whether it’s bird watching, hiking, cooking classes, yoga in the mountains and enjoying the wonderful organic gastronomy, you won’t be stuck for something to do, not forgetting bathing in an extraordinary plunge pool seemingly touching the sky.