The 447-room Dreams Las Mareas Costa Rica is an upscale all-inclusive resort with a quiet and secluded beachfront location. Contemporary decor complements the natural beauty of the rainforest and beach surrounding the resort. Rooms have views of either the pool, ocean, or gardens, plus terraces with whirlpools, minibars refilled daily, AC, and flat-screen TVs. The comprehensive all-inclusive plan covers nearly everything, including meals at five specialty restaurants and three eateries, top-shelf drinks at seven bars (including a swim-up bar), activities and entertainment, and even tips. Note that long pants are required for men at some restaurants, but reservations are not. Expect several pools, including an adults-only pool and waterslide pool, kids' and teens' clubs, and water sports. Note that the airport is a 90-minute drive away. Couples may prefer the adults-only Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica, which is also closer to Liberia.
The 447-room Dreams Las Mareas Costa Rica is an upscale all-inclusive resort with a quiet and secluded beachfront location. Contemporary decor complements the natural beauty of the rainforest and beach surrounding the resort. Rooms have views of either the pool, ocean, or gardens, plus terraces with whirlpools, minibars refilled daily, AC, and flat-screen TVs. The comprehensive all-inclusive plan covers nearly everything, including meals at five specialty restaurants and three eateries, top-shelf drinks at seven bars (including a swim-up bar), activities and entertainment, and even tips. Note that long pants are required for men at some restaurants, but reservations are not. Expect several pools, including an adults-only pool and waterslide pool, kids' and teens' clubs, and water sports. Note that the airport is a 90-minute drive away. Couples may prefer the adults-only Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica, which is also closer to Liberia.
Hacienda Pinilla is a sprawling, estate-like, gated community of private
homes and villas. It is packed with features: Guests
Hacienda Pinilla is a sprawling, estate-like, gated community of private
homes and villas. It is packed with features: Guests
Hotel Tamarindo Diria is a popular, three-and-a-half-pearl hotel located in downtown Tamarindo. The hotel’s 239 guest rooms are clean and pleasant, although not all have balconies and some lack natural light. Tamarindo Diria’s extensive facilities, which include four pools, six a la carte and buffet restaurants, and dozens of shops, are spread across both sides of Tamarindo’s main street. The hotel offers direct access to scenic Playa Tamarindo beach, but guests with rooms on the far side of the property need to cross the street to get there. Travelers who would prefer a quieter location, off the main strip, might consider Tamarindo Bay Boutique Hotel.
Hotel Tamarindo Diria is a popular, three-and-a-half-pearl hotel located in downtown Tamarindo. The hotel’s 239 guest rooms are clean and pleasant, although not all have balconies and some lack natural light. Tamarindo Diria’s extensive facilities, which include four pools, six a la carte and buffet restaurants, and dozens of shops, are spread across both sides of Tamarindo’s main street. The hotel offers direct access to scenic Playa Tamarindo beach, but guests with rooms on the far side of the property need to cross the street to get there. Travelers who would prefer a quieter location, off the main strip, might consider Tamarindo Bay Boutique Hotel.
Nearly all of Nosara’s hotels offer some kind of yoga class, but the upper-middle-range Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort is the area’s premier retreat for serious yogis. The Bodhi Tree has the best yoga teachers, facilities, and equipment in Nosara, with six indoor and outdoor shalas and an international staff. Guests can also sample additional fitness classes, like Pilates, indoor cycling, and samba. The Bodhi Tree’s main focus is wellness -- expect green smoothies and energy shots at the juice bar, and only healthy, organic food at the restaurant. Travelers who aren’t interested in a holistic vacation will feel entirely out of step. Families are welcome, but the atmosphere may be too serene for boisterous little ones. Those traveling with children may prefer the nearby Olas Verdes Hotel, though it lacks The Bodhi Tree’s yoga-centric environment.
Nearly all of Nosara’s hotels offer some kind of yoga class, but the upper-middle-range Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort is the area’s premier retreat for serious yogis. The Bodhi Tree has the best yoga teachers, facilities, and equipment in Nosara, with six indoor and outdoor shalas and an international staff. Guests can also sample additional fitness classes, like Pilates, indoor cycling, and samba. The Bodhi Tree’s main focus is wellness -- expect green smoothies and energy shots at the juice bar, and only healthy, organic food at the restaurant. Travelers who aren’t interested in a holistic vacation will feel entirely out of step. Families are welcome, but the atmosphere may be too serene for boisterous little ones. Those traveling with children may prefer the nearby Olas Verdes Hotel, though it lacks The Bodhi Tree’s yoga-centric environment.
Jardin del Eden Boutique Hotel is a three-and-a-half-pearl adults-only property located in the buzzing town of Tamarindo. The hotel’s 43 guest rooms are polished and tidy, with many featuring striking themed decor. Playa Tamarindo is right across the street, and there are ample dining and entertainment options within easy walking distance. True to the hotel’s name, amenities aim to create the feel of a hidden paradise, including a lagoon-shaped pool shrouded in greenery, secret pathways, and a private garden with gated access. Travelers who prefer a more streamlined, sophisticated look might consider the nearby Tamarindo Bay Boutique Hotel instead.
Jardin del Eden Boutique Hotel is a three-and-a-half-pearl adults-only property located in the buzzing town of Tamarindo. The hotel’s 43 guest rooms are polished and tidy, with many featuring striking themed decor. Playa Tamarindo is right across the street, and there are ample dining and entertainment options within easy walking distance. True to the hotel’s name, amenities aim to create the feel of a hidden paradise, including a lagoon-shaped pool shrouded in greenery, secret pathways, and a private garden with gated access. Travelers who prefer a more streamlined, sophisticated look might consider the nearby Tamarindo Bay Boutique Hotel instead.
The only upper-middle-range surf lodge in Nosara, Olas Verdes Hotel is an excellent option for travelers who want to learn how to surf while enjoying the area’s laid-back lifestyle. The hotel’s 17 spacious rooms are beautifully decorated with local woods and tropical accents. All have separate living and sleeping spaces and are equipped with kitchenettes. Though guests should note that only the bedrooms are air-conditioned -- one of the hotel’s many eco-friendly practices. Olas Verdes has a beautiful pool, an outdoor yoga deck, and an open-air restaurant, but its biggest draw is the on-site Safari Surf School, one of the best and longest-running in Nosara. Travelers looking for a yoga-focused vacation might prefer The Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort, which tends to be pricier but has more on-site amenities.
The only upper-middle-range surf lodge in Nosara, Olas Verdes Hotel is an excellent option for travelers who want to learn how to surf while enjoying the area’s laid-back lifestyle. The hotel’s 17 spacious rooms are beautifully decorated with local woods and tropical accents. All have separate living and sleeping spaces and are equipped with kitchenettes. Though guests should note that only the bedrooms are air-conditioned -- one of the hotel’s many eco-friendly practices. Olas Verdes has a beautiful pool, an outdoor yoga deck, and an open-air restaurant, but its biggest draw is the on-site Safari Surf School, one of the best and longest-running in Nosara. Travelers looking for a yoga-focused vacation might prefer The Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort, which tends to be pricier but has more on-site amenities.
Hotel Chantel is a simple three-pearl property located in Playas del Coco with gorgeous views of the surrounding area. The hotel’s 11 guest rooms are cute and tidy with shared balconies, and some feature separate living areas and full kitchens. This relaxed inn offers a nice little infinity pool, widely acclaimed rooftop restaurant, and free local-style breakfast. The hotel’s hilltop setting offers scenic vistas over the surrounding countryside and out toward the coast, but it does place guests a long (30-minute) walk from the entertainment and dining of downtown, and it's almost equally far to reach the beach. Travelers who prefer to stay closer to the beach might also consider the budget property Hotel Coco Palms, although its rooms are far less charming.
Hotel Chantel is a simple three-pearl property located in Playas del Coco with gorgeous views of the surrounding area. The hotel’s 11 guest rooms are cute and tidy with shared balconies, and some feature separate living areas and full kitchens. This relaxed inn offers a nice little infinity pool, widely acclaimed rooftop restaurant, and free local-style breakfast. The hotel’s hilltop setting offers scenic vistas over the surrounding countryside and out toward the coast, but it does place guests a long (30-minute) walk from the entertainment and dining of downtown, and it's almost equally far to reach the beach. Travelers who prefer to stay closer to the beach might also consider the budget property Hotel Coco Palms, although its rooms are far less charming.
The upper-middle-range Azul Ocean Club is a 21-room beachfront property located off a bumpy unpaved road in an isolated part of Guanacaste. Such seclusion provides Azul Ocean Club with a quiet atmosphere and a gorgeous untouched beach, but these don't outweigh the property's downsides. Noticeable wear and tear and frequent maintenance issues make the hotel less than idyllic, and its white cottages and contemporary decor don't exactly reflect Costa Rica. The hotel’s lovely mosaic tile pool has a swim-up bar and a hot tub, but many guests will be disappointed by the un-swimmable beach. While there’s a small fitness center, game room, and free breakfast and Wi-Fi, there’s absolutely nothing to see or do in the immediate area. Those looking for a mid-range property with a bit more Costa Rican charm could consider Sueno del Mar Beachfront Bed & Breakfast.
The upper-middle-range Azul Ocean Club is a 21-room beachfront property located off a bumpy unpaved road in an isolated part of Guanacaste. Such seclusion provides Azul Ocean Club with a quiet atmosphere and a gorgeous untouched beach, but these don't outweigh the property's downsides. Noticeable wear and tear and frequent maintenance issues make the hotel less than idyllic, and its white cottages and contemporary decor don't exactly reflect Costa Rica. The hotel’s lovely mosaic tile pool has a swim-up bar and a hot tub, but many guests will be disappointed by the un-swimmable beach. While there’s a small fitness center, game room, and free breakfast and Wi-Fi, there’s absolutely nothing to see or do in the immediate area. Those looking for a mid-range property with a bit more Costa Rican charm could consider Sueno del Mar Beachfront Bed & Breakfast.
Guests willing to brave the rough, winding road to Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel will be well rewarded. Everything about the hotel -- including the remote location and the lush, green grounds -- helps this hotel truly live up to its name. The three-and-a-half-pearl property’s list of noteworthy amenities includes an open-air restaurant, an outdoor pool, and an eclectic Turkish-inspired lounge. The 26 rooms draw on modern and rustic aesthetics and come with minibars, bathrooms with outdoor garden showers, and spacious furnished balconies. Beyond the adjacent volcano park and the Rio Celeste river, there are few attractions of any kind in the immediate area. The nearest comparable accommodations can be found at Celeste Mountain Lodge -- a slightly cheaper, three-pearl alternative with an eco-conscious philosophy.
Guests willing to brave the rough, winding road to Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel will be well rewarded. Everything about the hotel -- including the remote location and the lush, green grounds -- helps this hotel truly live up to its name. The three-and-a-half-pearl property’s list of noteworthy amenities includes an open-air restaurant, an outdoor pool, and an eclectic Turkish-inspired lounge. The 26 rooms draw on modern and rustic aesthetics and come with minibars, bathrooms with outdoor garden showers, and spacious furnished balconies. Beyond the adjacent volcano park and the Rio Celeste river, there are few attractions of any kind in the immediate area. The nearest comparable accommodations can be found at Celeste Mountain Lodge -- a slightly cheaper, three-pearl alternative with an eco-conscious philosophy.
Las Espuelas Hotel is a basic, clean three-pearl property located a 15-minute drive from Liberia’s airport. The hotel’s 44 rooms are chain-like but nice enough, with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and coffeemakers. The property has an uncrowded outdoor pool, a peaceful countryside setting, and a great breakfast buffet included in rates. It’s an adequate choice for a night or two en-route to and from the airport, but with limited entertainment and dining options within walking distance, guests without rental cars may feel stranded. Rates at the upper-middle-range Hilton Garden Inn Liberia Airport are steeper, but its free airport shuttle service saves guests the cost of a pricey cab ride to Las Espuelas.
Las Espuelas Hotel is a basic, clean three-pearl property located a 15-minute drive from Liberia’s airport. The hotel’s 44 rooms are chain-like but nice enough, with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and coffeemakers. The property has an uncrowded outdoor pool, a peaceful countryside setting, and a great breakfast buffet included in rates. It’s an adequate choice for a night or two en-route to and from the airport, but with limited entertainment and dining options within walking distance, guests without rental cars may feel stranded. Rates at the upper-middle-range Hilton Garden Inn Liberia Airport are steeper, but its free airport shuttle service saves guests the cost of a pricey cab ride to Las Espuelas.