In a nutshell
- Costa Rica has some seriously special places to stay. We’ve combed through them all and picked out the 9 best boutique hotels in Costa Rica — from beachfront gems to jungle lodges.
- Our absolute favorite is the Les Voiles Blanches Luxury Lodge in Tamarindo. The rooms are stunning — modern boho style — and the hosts are incredibly warm and welcoming.
- The best value for money goes to the Alice y Juancito Boutique Hotel in Alajuela — perfect if you need a great place to stay for your arrival or departure, just 20 minutes from the airport.
Les Voiles Blanches - Luxury Lodge in Tamarindo
The Les Voiles Blanches – Luxury Lodge is our favorite boutique hotel in Costa Rica. The entire property is a true wellness oasis, set right in the middle of nature with a gorgeous large pool.
What we love most is the exceptional service. The hosts are incredibly warm and welcoming. Breakfast is prepared fresh every morning with real care and attention. Our highlight? The breakfast bowls.
All rooms feature an incredibly beautiful, modern boho design with a personal touch from the French owner.
Les Voiles Blanches is about a 20-minute drive from the popular town of Tamarindo. It’s wonderfully peaceful out here — you can genuinely switch off and recharge.
Book Les Voiles Blanches – Luxury Lodge
Makanda by The Sea Hotel Adults Only in Manuel Antonio
If glamorous, stylish design is your thing, book the Makanda by the Sea Hotel. The rooms are seriously elegant — and every single one is uniquely decorated. A dream for design lovers.
The luxury carries through the entire property. The restaurant serves extravagant dishes like lobster and duck confit, and the infinity pool delivers a breathtaking view over the Pacific.
On top of that, you get direct access to a pristine private beach. All of this does come at a premium — Makanda by the Sea is one of the pricier picks on this list.
The hotel is just a 10-minute drive from Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the most stunning national parks in Costa Rica. It’s adults-only, which makes it perfect for couples.
Finca Luna Nueva Lodge near La Fortuna
The Finca Luna Nueva Lodge is a genuine paradise for the whole family. Alongside the wonderfully cozy rooms, the lodge has a small working farm right in the middle of the jungle.
It’s not uncommon to see staff wandering the grounds with binoculars and a camera, spotting sloths, monkeys, frogs, and more. On the farm, the owners grow their own produce and use it fresh in the restaurant.
The owners describe their finca as an open-air classroom. They walk guests through the farming process, show how chocolate is made — and introduce everyone to the animals along the way.
The rooms are beautifully decorated with wood elements, giving them a wonderfully warm feel. The Finca Luna Nueva Lodge is about an hour’s drive from Arenal Volcano National Park.
aWà Beach Hotel in Punta Uva
Waking up to the sound of the waves, walking just a few steps, feeling sand between your toes, and diving straight into the Caribbean — that’s the daily reality at the aWà Beach Hotel.
But the beachfront location is only half the story. The rooms are modern and incredibly stylish, with natural materials, earthy tones, and unique touches in every space.
The common areas have a very open, airy feel with lots of wood and greenery. The staff is super friendly and always happy to help — you’ll feel the genuine warmth from the moment you arrive.
The hotel sits right on Punta Uva beach, which is honestly one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. The laid-back town of Puerto Viejo is also just a short drive away.
Colina Secreta - Glamping and Villas in Puerto Viejo
Martin and Celina turned their dream into reality with Colina Secreta Glamping and Villas. On a historic cacao plantation, they built a hotel with rooms and luxury tents, all designed in a colonial style with incredible attention to detail.
The couple’s three children and friends helped them build the place from the ground up. That same warmth and family spirit is what greets every guest.
Staying here feels like a luxurious expedition through the dense jungle. Everything is designed in harmony with nature — in the morning you’ll be woken by howler monkeys, and you’ll cool off in an outdoor shower under the open sky.
Colina Secreta is just 8 minutes by car from Puerto Viejo, and the Caribbean beach is only five minutes away. Cahuita National Park is also just 20 minutes down the road.
Book Colina Secreta – Glamping and Villas
Vista del Alma Boutique - Adult Only in Santa Teresa
The Vista del Alma has a modern, clean, yet incredibly stylish design — mostly earthy tones with subtle pops of color. Almost all villas and suites come with a private pool or jacuzzi.
What really sets it apart is the spectacular hilltop location above the surfer hotspot Santa Teresa. From up here, the ocean views are absolutely stunning — and the sunsets are something else entirely.
Every morning you wake up to the sound of waves and jungle. After that, the fantastic staff takes care of everything else.
Santa Teresa is one of the most sought-after destinations in Costa Rica, but fair warning — it’s also one of the most expensive spots in the country.
Book Vista del Alma Boutique – Adult Only
Marala Hotel in Esterillos
The Marala Hotel is a small, personally run place where the warmth hits you right at check-in — with a delicious welcome cocktail waiting for you.
The rooms are bright with a modern design that feels clean yet genuinely cozy. Some even have a whirlpool on the balcony, which is the perfect spot to wind down after a day of exploring.
We’re also big fans of the large pool area with its infinity pool and sweeping views of the ocean. And the beach in the small town of Esterillos is only about a 10-minute walk away.
For us, the Marala Hotel is the ideal choice if you want to spend a few days unwinding on the Pacific coast after your Costa Rica road trip. For what you get, this place is seriously great value.
Casitas Sollevante Boutique Hotel in Montezuma
Perched on the hillside above Montezuma is the Casita Sollevante Boutique Hotel. Spread across a lush green property are several villas with beautifully appointed rooms.
The real highlight here, though, is the breathtaking view of the Pacific. Don’t miss the sunrise — it’s probably the most beautiful one you’ll see on your entire Costa Rica trip.
The best spot to watch it? The pool. It’s small, but tucked under the palm trees, it’s the perfect place to truly switch off. And make sure you eat at the restaurant in the evening — the food is seriously good.
It’s about a 20-minute walk downhill to Montezuma beach. The Montezuma Falls — three stunning waterfalls stacked one above the other — are also just a short distance away.
Book Casitas Sollevante Boutique Hotel
Alice y Juancito Boutique Hotel in Alajuela
Need somewhere to stay for your first or last night in Costa Rica? The Alice y Juancito Boutique Hotel is a fantastic choice. It’s right in the center of Alajuela, just 20 minutes from the airport.
Every room is individual and decorated with real care and character. Owner Esteban takes great pride in making sure every guest feels at home in this thoughtfully renovated 100-year-old house.
His grandparents once lived here. After his grandmother passed away, he turned it into a hotel — because she too was a warm and generous host who always loved having people around.
For us, Alice y Juancito is the best boutique hotel in Costa Rica for sheer value for money. A night here costs around 60 euros — and it’s also a great base for a day trip to Poás Volcano.
