Travelers can find Costa Rica
Resorts for all Budgets

(Special thanks to Patricia Guth for this great article on Costa Rica resorts)

Many think that a trip to Central America will cost a fortune. That’s not necessarily the case. In Costa Rica, resorts, hotels, lodges, and inns come in many shapes and sizes and there’s something for everyone, including posh Costa Rica resorts that offer the ultimate in luxury.

Tourists flock to Costa Rica for many different reasons and to experience lots of different adventures. While some travel to this beautiful Central American country to enjoy the breathtaking beaches along the Pacific and the Caribbean, other more daring guests choose Costa Rica for the jungles, rain forests, and unusual adventure activities, like Canopy Touring.

For some, where they sleep doesn’t matter much. As long as they have a bed and roof over their head, they’re happy. Others, however, are looking for quality, comfortable lodging that’s a step above the rest. For those travelers, Costa Rica offers a number of excellent hotels and resorts for even the pickiest guests.

Where to Find Costa Rica Resorts

Costa Rica is divided into several different regions, all offering something a little different to the traveler. Some areas are quite rugged and harsh while others are typical of any tropical paradise.

Visitors will find some of the country’s most luxurious resorts on the northern Pacific Coast in the region known as Northern Guanacaste. In this area, which extends from the border with Nicaragua to Punta Cerritos, you’ll find extraordinary beaches, breathtaking landscapes, and plenty of cultural activities.

Because this is Costa Rica’s most popular tourist area, visitors can choose from large resort hotels run by high-end companies as well as a number of all-inclusive resorts. Prices tend to be a bit higher here, but there are budget hotels available as well.

Further south, the beaches around Puntarenas and the small islands of the Gulf, such as Tortuga, offer more spectacular sights. Nearby, you’ll find quite a lovely golf resort in addition to a few other upscale accommodation choices.

The South Pacific, or the Corcovado-Golfito region, isn’t a place where you’ll find luxury accommodations. Visitors come to this part of the country for its amazing bio-diversity and to visit sites such as the Corcovado National Park, defined by National Geographic Magazine as “the most biologically intense place on the planet.” Here, you’re more likely to stay in a jungle lodge than in a fancy resort.

In the Central Valley, in and around the capital city of San Jose, you’ll find that the accommodations vary greatly, from a handful of well-known resorts to chain hotels and budget options.

On the Caribbean Coast, lodging is much more rustic and low-key. In this region, visitors stay in “tent-camps”, small “cabinas,” or little privately-owned beach hotels.

Many North Americans are accustomed to staying in posh, spacious resorts that offer dozens of amenities like pools, spas, tennis, golf, and more. If that’s what you’re hoping to find in Central America, you’ll need to carefully research the limited number of resorts that match that description. If you’re willing to pay a bit more, you can certainly locate such accommodations. However, if you choose something less, carefully check out the specifics so that you’re not disappointed when you arrive in the country.