I know all too well how overwhelming it can be to plan a trip to a foreign country. I was right in your place a year ago. But after spending over two weeks in Costa Rica last winter, we found some phenomenal hotels and Airbnbs to stay at throughout the country.
To hopefully make your life easier, I’m sharing my recommendations for where to stay in Costa Rica! We truly loved each spot, and the hosts were great, too.
Inside, you’ll get the exact places we stayed in Guanacaste, Manuel Antonio, Uvita, Tamarindo, La Fortuna, and Bajos Del Toro.
Where to stay in Costa Rica for your upcoming trip
Let’s chat about where to stay in Costa Rica. On a map, the country isn’t very big. It’s 20% smaller than the state of West Virginia. However, just because it’s small doesn’t mean it’s easy to get around. The road system is not designed for fast travel. Mountains, towns, and infrastructure issues mean you can spend half a day going from Tamarindo to Manuel Antonio. I tell people to pick two destinations and stick to that. Costa Rica isn’t a place to bite off more than you can chew on a limited schedule.
I mean, my wife and I did a 9-day road trip around the country, but we spent it in Tamarindo, Manuel Antonio, Uvita, La Fortuna, and Bajos Del Toro. It did feel a little rushed, but we’re road warriors and do this throughout the US as well. I don’t think I’d suggest it to most normies who are looking for a nice, relaxing vacation.
Where would I stay for a week-long trip?
I’d focus on Manuel Antonio and La Fortuna. This gives you a mountains/jungle and jungle/ocean combination. A lot of people want to add Monteverde, but the drive time adds up and isn’t worth it.
What to consider when staying in Costa Rica
Is it safe?
Yes, Costa Rica is safe overall. Sure, you have to keep an extra eye on things that could get swooped off the beach or from a car, but it’s not much different than in other countries. I had my camera gear with me and had no issues. One thing I’d say: if you stay at an Airbnb, make sure every window and door is locked; don’t leave valuables in sight, or even in the house. We kept passports on us at all times just to be sure. All of that to say, Costa Rica is safe, and you shouldn’t have an issue. The country has the same US State Department advisory level as many European countries.
Which airport to fly into
The main airport is in San José, and that’s the standard hub to fly in and out of. However, if you plan to stay in Guanacaste, I highly suggest flying into Liberia. The airport is hardly more than a steel hangar, but it saves you a lot of headache driving across the country. This is where we flew into from Denver (nonstop flight, woo!) and had a 75-minute drive to Playa Portero. We then flew out of San José to cap off our 15 days in the country.
Proximity to where you want to go
A 60-mile drive in Costa Rica is not a 60-mile drive in America. Forget distances and focus on travel time. In the US, Manuel Antonio to La Fortuna should take 2.25 hours. In Costa Rica, it’s a 5-6 hour drive and could be longer for a multitude of reasons. So, when you choose where to stay in Costa Rica, keep in mind that driving time will eat into your vacation. Keeping things tight will make the trip more enjoyable! If you have the budget to fly, I’d do it. Your time is the one thing you can’t get back.
Airbnb vs hotel
In January and February, we found hotels to be much more expensive than Airbnbs. Now, the trade-off is you might have to drive farther; security might be lower (though it’s not a major concern); and you won’t have certain amenities (breakfast, spa, pool, etc.). Lastly, if you’re not renting a car, you may need to stay at a hotel that tours can pick up from. They won’t come to a private residence. I think the biggest cost difference was in La Fortuna. Nice hotels run $400-$800 per night, and we got lodging for under $175 per night, which left us more money for eating out or excursions. Obviously, everyone has to make their own financial decision, but that was the better move for us.
Costa Rica is not a budget-travel destination anymore
I’ll make a small caveat. I’m sure you can find some budget lodging – I’ve even included some in the list here. But overall, because of how Costa Rica’s currency is tied to the US dollar, this isn’t a place where you can spend just a few dollars a day in Central America. The currency is basically 2:1 USD: CR colones. So when you see something priced at 10 CR colones, it’s $20 USD. And worst of all, most tourist towns don’t even price things in their local currency. It’s all US dollars, as the United States plays a huge role in their economy. When my wife suggested we get married in Costa Rica, I, knowing nothing, thought it would be an inexpensive place to do it. Sadly, I learned the hard way!
Where we stayed in Costa Rica and loved
First up, I’m highlighting where we stayed throughout our two weeks in Costa Rica. We mostly stayed at Airbnbs to save money, but we also stayed at hotels for our wedding and during our time in Manuel Antonio.
Parador Nature Resort – Hotel – Manuel Antonio
Parador Nature Resort in Manuel Antonio. Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch Holy moly! This is freaking AMAZING! If you’re going to Manuel Antonio, I think this hotel is a must-stay-at. I’m not even sure where to start, so I just list out why this is fantastic.
- 4 different pools to enjoy
- Surrounded by trees with monkeys, sloths, and birds
- Hiking trails on the property
- Ocean Views
- Breakfasts are incredible, and drinks by the pool were phenomenal
- Golf cart rides available to a nearby beach (requires hiking up and down)
We were only here for two nights but wish we had been here for longer. It honestly felt like a Garden of Eden.
Bahia Del Sol – Hotel – Guanacaste
This is where we got married! It’s a hidden gem on the Guanacaste coast and not too expensive. The pool has a swim-up bar, breakfast is included, and you’re 20 yards from the ocean—an absolutely perfect place to stay in Costa Rica. I think they probably treated us a little better than average, but the staff was superb. Couldn’t have asked for a friendlier staff! The one downside is that Guanacaste doesn’t have many of Costa Rica’s top activities. Yes, you can go on a boat trip or spend a day driving to a national park, but there’s not much to do nearby. This region is for those wanting to relax near the water and chill out.
FIRE@Mana Shine – Airbnb – Uvita
This was a fantastic place to stay in Uvita. The town isn’t as developed as Manuel Antonio (though I think it will be soon); there aren’t a lot of hotels. So the Airbnbs do a lot of heavy lifting for lodging. The hosts were amazing (Americans who moved to CR), and each villa was beautiful. The backyard, with a pool, was tranquil.
You’re also in a fantastic place to explore Marino Ballena National Park. We hopped on the bikes they provide and rode just a few minutes down the street for dinner, breakfast, and our walk out to the whale’s tail.
KARÉ: Arenal Exclusive Rainforest Villa – Airbnb – La Fortuna
Our Airbnb outside La Fortuna was a GEM! The host, Francisco, made it one of our favorite stays of the trip. It even came with a local breakfast each morning. We had rainy weather, so we didn’t use the pool, but the backyard area was an amazing place to drink coffee and watch birds zoom around. They’ve done a great job of making it feel homey. You’ll absolutely love this place.
Bosque de Paz Reserva Biológica
If you’re looking to visit Bajos Del Toro and explore the Blue Falls of Costa Rica, I can’t think of a better place to stay. It’s extremely remote and won’t be like the touristy parts of Costa Rica. The staff spoke Spanish, which made communication a fun challenge. But I loved staying here! (Well, I didn’t love being cold because they have no heat and a cold spell came through, making it colder than Denver in winter!)
The lodge sits up in the mountains and has so much wildlife. I think we saw a couple hundred hummingbirds, and so much other wildlife over the course of 24 hours. The food was good, but nothing special. However, for being on the side of a mountain in the middle of nowhere, you can’t complain too much.
This is meant for those who want to see wildlife and be out in nature, not for someone looking for a luxury stay. (If you want a higher-end stay, check out the El Silencio Lodge and Spa.)