Contact Us Terms of Use Privacy & Cookies Statement

Yes, send me expert tips and deals!

By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Search

Recent Search

Oyster Logo
Hotels in Province of Guanacaste
85 Hotels
Harbor Reef Hotel
Del Hotel Cafe De Paris 400 Suroeste y 150 al Este, 400 m West and 200 m South of Cafe de Paris

Harbor Reef Hotel is a quiet mid-range hotel that epitomizes Nosara’s laid-back lifestyle. The lushly landscaped property feels perfectly Costa Rican, with thatched roofs, hammocks, and howler monkeys playing in the trees. There’s a tiny pool with a swim-up bar and an open-air restaurant that serves healthy-ish meals. Nosara’s main attraction, Playa Guiones, is a five-minute walk from the hotel. The property's rooms are simply decorated in playful shades of red and green, but lack proper lighting and feel a bit plain. Travelers looking for a hotel with a bit more flair might prefer Harbor Reef’s sister property, The Harmony Hotel, which has nicer rooms and more amenities for pricier nightly rates.  

Tamarindo Bay Boutique Hotel
100 meters south of the Banco Nacional de Costa Rica, west of Hotel Arcoiris

Tamarindo Bay Boutique Hotel is a three-pearl, adult-only hotel located a short walk from lively downtown Tamarindo. The hotel’s nine guest rooms feature stylish, minimalist decor with a Zen feel and understated color schemes. The eco-friendly outdoor pool and common area have a refined, relaxing feel, and a wonderful free breakfast buffet is served on a scenic second-floor terrace. Other freebies include use of bikes, snorkel gear, and boogie boards. The hotel’s location on a gravel road isn’t particularly inspiring, but it’s under a 10-minute walk to the shops, restaurants, bars, and beach of central Tamarindo. Travelers looking for a hotel with direct beach access might also consider Sueno del Mar Beachfront Bed & Breakfast.  

Hotel Villas Playa Samara
South From the Center of Samara Going Towards Playa Carrillo 3km

The mid-range, 59-room beachfront Hotel Villas Playa Samara perfectly emulates the town's laid-back, casual vibe. Its beachy, modern restaurant with terraced seating and the adjacent, huge free-form pool with a pretty swim-up bar and volleyball net are the main hubs for guests, mostly families. The gray-sand, crescent-shaped beach with its calm waters makes it lovely for swimming and strolling, but serious surfers will be disappointed. The hotel has simple, modern hotel rooms, but the more spacious villas appeal to guests who prefer to cook their own meals (a nice option given there is only one restaurant on-site, and none within walking distance). Those seeking lower rates should consider the nearby The Hideaway Hotel Playa Samara, though it's not right on the beach.

Hilton Garden Inn Liberia Airport
Ruta 21 Frente al Aeropuerto Inter, Daniel Oduber

This modern169-room Hilton provides oodles of convenience for incoming/outgoing travelers by way of Liberia's growing international airport. Because the hotel opened from scratch in 2008, many will be impressed by the chain name's contemporary decor and work-friendly amenities that include spacious working desks, ergonomic desk chairs, and free Wi-Fi. Kids can stay busy at the outdoor pool, and parents can splurge on a bottle of Robert Mondavi wine at the bar. Free breakfast and coffee starts in the wee hours of the morning, but room service is restricted to dinner only (microwaveable meals are also sold in the gift shop). Typical stays are only one or two nights, hence front desk service may suffer; half-day rates are also available.   

Cala Luna Luxury Boutique Hotel & Villas
Playa Langosta

A serene, wellness-focused 31-room boutique retreat on the outskirts of bustling Tamarindo, Cala Luna has an organic, beachy ambience. A large pool, lounge, and restaurant serve as the hotel's social center while an intimate spa and yoga pavilion are tucked away in the jungle-like surroundings. Couples hide out in upscale, bungalow-style rooms with vaulted ceilings and spacious baths while families prefer the two- and three-bedroom villas with private pools. The hotel’s wellness focus is emphasized by daily yoga classes and a restaurant that uses organic and sustainable food sources, some from the on-site garden. While not located on the ocean, a five-minute walk along a landscaped path leads guests to a secluded beach, although it is rocky and not suitable for swimming, especially at low tide.

Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin
Rincon de la Vieja National Park, Las Pailas

Hacienda Guachipelin is a rustic, three-pearl property located on a working cattle ranch on the border of Rincon de la Vieja National Park. The ranch’s 64 rooms and suites are simple, yet appealing, and some offer mini-fridges and coffeemakers. The ranch features wonderful hiking trails, an outdoor spring-fed swimming pool, and free access to a set of natural hot springs. For a fee, guests can also enjoy activities ranging from horseback riding to river inner-tubing. While the ranch’s remote location is part of its allure, it also means that guests should be prepared for a rough, 30-minute journey to the nearest shops and restaurants (although the ranch has an adequate restaurant of its own on-site and serves free breakfast). Guests may want to compare rates and amenities with nearby Buena Vista Lodge, which offers a similar experience.

Sunrise Condos of Tamarindo
Tamarindo Main Street, 50 meters north from the Diria Hotel

Sunrise Condos of Tamarindo is a three-pearl condo complex located in downtown Tamarindo. While not upscale, the complex’s 52 two-, three-, and four-bedroom units are inviting and well-equipped, all offering full kitchens, separate living areas, multiple bathrooms, as well as washers and dryers. Like many condo complexes, in-room features are the selling point here, with few on-site amenities aside from a nice outdoor pool and kids' pool. Although there’s not much to do on the property, its central location in Tamarindo puts guests within easy walking distance of dining, nightlife, and the beach. Travelers seeking more on-site features might want to compare rates and amenities with Cala Luna Boutique Hotel & Villas, which offers a restaurant, a spa, and free yoga classes -- but it's a 20-minute walk to downtown Tamarindo.

Witch's Rock Surf Camp
Enfrente de Economy Rental Car, Playa Tamarindo

This 18-room, no-frills surfing mecca sits on a prime stretch of Tamarindo Beach perfect for learning to surf. The vibe is friendly, laid-back, and fun. Guests are encouraged to kick back in the two lively restaurants, the brewery, or the tiny pool. There's also a busy surf shop that outfits guests with surfing gear. Rooms are bare-bones basic, lacking clocks, TVs, and adequate lighting, but that’s part of the plan. Guests don’t come to Witch’s Rock to lounge on high-thread-count sheets (they're pretty thin) or linger in luxurious bathrooms (hot water is sporadic), they come to hone their surfing skills and embrace the camaraderie and campy lifestyle that goes along with the sport.

Margaritaville Beach Resort Playa Flamingo
Playa Flamingo Santa Cruz, Guanacaste

This mid-priced, 120-room resort -- popular with Americans -- looks onto a white sand beach in Costa Rica's Guanacaste region. Several types of accommodations (most with balconies) have varying views with contemporary furnishings, coffeemakers, and stocked minibars. Optional dining packages include themed buffets at the main restaurant, which serves international food (there's also a romantic dinner spot down the beach). Guests stay busy with games in the outdoor pool, tennis, and workouts in the fitness center, or pay for water sports, scuba diving lessons, and treatments at the spa. The swim-up bar receives a steady cocktail crowd, as does the Sunset Lounge in evenings when the vibe turns more adult-friendly -- read: after the kids are in bed. Freebies include parking, Wi-Fi, and use of beach chairs. 

Hotel Riu Guanacaste
Riu Guanacaste Boulevard

The 701-room Riu Guanacaste is a lot like a Riu anywhere, with a good beach, a huge, raucous pool, an energetic entertainment staff, and a party-hearty, booze-fueled atmosphere. Rooms are nothing special, and a la carte restaurant reservations need to be made a day in advance. If you're after a convenient, typical all-inclusive experience, this is it; if you're looking to experience local charm, not so much.