10 Best Eco Lodges and Boutique Hotels in Costa Rica
Are you looking for the best Eco Lodges in Costa Rica? Costa Rica is one of the best destinations in the world for nature or adventure lovers and wildlife watching. Ecotourism is important for Costa Rica, making it one of the most environmentally friendly countries. So come to Costa Rica and explore this beautiful country with our detailed Costa Rica Itinerary.
Costa Rica offers a variety of accommodation options scattered throughout the country, such as near the beautiful national parks, around the famous La Fortuna area, or the surfers’ paradise of Santa Teresa. You can choose from eco-friendly accommodations to luxury beach resorts with a focus on sustainability. Recharge with the intimacy of nature, enjoy the sounds of animals and views, and spend a few relaxing days at one of the Eco Lodges.
In this post, you’ll find the top Eco Lodges in Costa Rica.
Choose your Costa Rica Eco Lodge Quickly
Don’t have time to read the whole article? Here are our best 3 Costa Rica Eco Lodges and Boutique Hotels recommendations.
1. Hotel Nantipa – $$$$$
The Nantipa is a luxury beachfront boutique hotel, a hidden gem in the heart of Santa Teresa. Santa Teresa is a paradise for surfers, famous for its beautiful beaches, lush jungles, diverse wildlife, and world-class waves. This 5-star property offers bungalows, luxurious beachfront villas, and suites scattered around the beach area.
Photo credit: Hotel Nantipa
2. El Silencio Lodge & Spa – $$$$$
El Silencio Lodge & Spa is a hidden luxury retreat in the pristine Bajos del Toro region of Costa Rica, just 1 hour from San Jose International Airport. The property is a secluded paradise in the cloud forest, with activities and a guided tour of the nearby waterfalls. The suites are ideal for couples, and the villas are for families.
Photo credit: El Silencio Lodge & Spa Costa Rica
3. Rio Perdido Hotel & Thermal River – $$$$
The Rio Perdido Hotel & Thermal River is located in Guanacaste Province, about 1 hour southeast of Liberia International Airport. The hotel features a full-service spa, lounge, and 3 hot mineral pools with a sun terrace and bar. The hotel offers guided hikes, yoga classes, zip-lining, mountain biking, and wildlife-watching tours. Rio Perdido was one of our favorite Costa Rica eco lodges on this list.
Photo credit: Rio Perdido Hotel & Thermal River
Best Luxury Eco Lodges in Costa Rica
Hotel Nantipa – A Tico Beach Experience
The Nantipa is a luxury beachfront boutique hotel, a hidden gem in the heart of Santa Teresa. This 5-star property offers bungalows, luxurious beachfront villas, and suites scattered around the beach area, and the hotel has a private 150-meter-long white sandy beachfront. Nantipa’s design and values focus on sustainability.
The hotel’s beauty is breathtaking, from the stunning rooms to the pool, restaurant, services, and the lush nature in between. The boutique hotel’s hammocks, beanbags, and loungers are perfect for sunbathing and relaxing. The rooms are spacious and air-conditioned, with king-sized beds, flat-screen TVs, luxury bathrooms, modern and beautiful design, ocean views, and private beach access.
The property serves à la carte breakfast daily. Manzú is the hotel’s open-air beachfront restaurant, serving authentic Costa Rican cuisine and offering stunning views of the beach and ocean at sunset. Treat yourself to unique treatments and spa experiences, join tours, get fantastic moments, and celebrate special occasions here.
Nantipa is one of the luxury eco beachfront hotels in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica.
Photo credit: Hotel Nantipa – A Tico Beach Experience
Oxygen Jungle Villas & Spa
Tucked away in the Uvita rainforest, Oxygen Jungle Villas & Spa is a beautiful boutique hotel that offers fantastic views over the Pacific Ocean. This Costa Rican boutique hotel (Adults-Only) offers eight oceanview villas and four jungle-view villas. The panoramic glass villa has a private terrace, rain shower, and outdoor soaking tub.
The villas are air-conditioned with luxury king-size beds, minibars, and in-room safes. The accommodation includes a complimentary breakfast menu, free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, and free parking.
Although 4×4 vehicles are required to reach the property, the Oxygen Jungle Villas & Spa is just 4 km from the center of Uvita. If you are not traveling by car, an airport shuttle is available for an additional fee. This accommodation offers exciting activities such as rafting, snorkeling, whale watching, surfing, kayaking, and horse riding.
Spend a few relaxing nights in your private jungle paradise, chill out in the infinity pool, treat your taste buds at the Oxygen restaurant, and enjoy a unique spa experience.
Photo credit: Oxygen Jungle Villas & Spa
Peace Lodge
It is one of the best luxury eco-lodges in Costa Rica. The Peace Lodge is a 5-star hotel located on the grounds of the beautiful La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park. This lodge provides a unique rainforest setting with magnificent mountain views. The property, situated less than one hour from San Jose Airport, is the perfect place to start or end your Costa Rica holiday and explore the nearby attractions (Poas Volcano). The property offers free parking.
This rustic accommodation offers beautiful rooms with a king-size bed, a flat-screen TV, a balcony, and a private bathroom with a hot tub or shower. Most rooms have a fireplace, and jacuzzi & hammock on the balcony. Guests have free access to the La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park.
The hotel organizes guided tours to explore the park, and you can see hummingbirds, rescued toucans, and sloths. In addition, you can join night frog tours, which offer great photo opportunities. If you love nature and waterfalls and want to experience the beautiful diversity of Costa Rica, stay at Peace Lodge and have unforgettable moments.
Photo credit: Peace Lodge
Tiki Villas Rainforest Lodge – Adults Only
Tiki Villas Rainforest Lodge is a Boutique Eco Lodge in Uvita built in Balinese style. The property has nine unique, spacious villas set on a mountainside 120 meters above the Pacific Ocean. The Tiki Villas Rainforest Lodge offers guests an outdoor swimming pool, comfortable lounge chairs, complimentary breakfast, and spa services.
The villas feature air conditioning, king-size beds, private bathrooms, outdoor jungle showers, free Wi-Fi, and private terraces with ocean views. There’s also a kitchenette with a fridge, hot plate, sink, coffee maker, and cooking accessories.
It is an ideal base to explore nearby national parks, such as Marino Ballena National Park (15 minutes), Manuel Antonio National Park (1 hour), and Corcovado National Park (2 hours). You can book various adventure tours or enjoy relaxing in the peaceful surroundings and watching Costa Rica’s fascinating wildlife.
The Tiki Villas is one of the best eco lodges near Uvita, perfect for couples and families.
Photo credit: Tiki Villas Rainforest Lodge
Best Mid-Range Eco Lodges in Costa Rica
Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails
Looking for the best eco lodges in Costa Rica around the Arena Volcano? It is the only hotel inside Arenal Volcano National Park. Situated on a ridge overlooking one of Costa Rica’s most active and spectacular volcanoes. The lodge offers a unique experience for adventure lovers, families, and honeymooners.
Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails, with more than 352 hectares, includes a primary forest with rivers, waterfalls, tropical gardens, reforested lands, and grazing lands. It is located a 30-minute drive from La Fortuna, the most visited destination in Costa Rica.
The rooms feature tropical decor, ceiling fans, in-room safe, private bathrooms, and furnished terraces overlooking the garden and Arenal Volcano. Breakfast includes a variety of buffet options. Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails also has an on-site bird sanctuary with around 500 different species of birds.
The property also offers a guided complimentary morning walking tour for all guests, where you can see many animals, such as birds, butterflies, frogs, monkeys, and coatis. The 3-bedroom villa is suitable for 10 people and is recommended for families or groups.
Photo credit: Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails
El Silencio Lodge & Spa Costa Rica
El Silencio Lodge & Spa is a hidden luxury retreat in the pristine Bajos del Toro region of Costa Rica, just 1 hour from San Jose Airport. This eco-luxury hotel is located near Juan Castro Blanco National Park and Poas Volcano National Park, a perfect base for visiting the nearby waterfalls.
Cozy and modern chalets stand among some 500 hectares of the nature reserve of private cloud forest, where a river flows through the area, and waterfalls cascade down the hillsides. The suites are ideal for couples, and the villas are for families. Each suite and private villa has its private outdoor heated hot tub, fireplace, and terrace with stunning mountain views.
The hotel’s restaurant uses fresh ingredients from the on-site organic mini-farm, making the dishes taste heavenly. You can sample traditional and signature cocktails, wines, and the hotel’s craft beer at the bar. The Esencia Spa offers relaxing massages, facials, and body wraps. A spacious yoga terrace is also available where you can recharge and relax.
We think this is one of the best eco lodges in the Costa Rica rainforest.
Photo credit: El Silencio Lodge & Spa Costa Rica
Tifakara Boutique Hotel & Birding Oasis
Tifakara Boutique Hotel is located near Arenal Volcano National Park, just a 10-minute drive from the center of La Fortuna. The rooms are large cabin-style with air conditioning and terraces, surrounded by nature and beautiful views. There is also a coffee machine. The private bathroom features a bath or shower and free toiletries.
The tropical bungalows are comfortable and allow you to enjoy the privacy and sounds of nature, especially the early morning bird chirping. Relax in the pool or hot tub with stunning views of the surrounding volcanic area and rainforest. The impressive La Fortuna Waterfall is just a 10-minute walk from the property.
The hotel has a frog sanctuary that offers fantastic photo opportunities, and free frog tours are organized every evening. The breakfast is freshly prepared each morning and offers a healthy and balanced combination of à la carte options. Enjoy a romantic dinner in this tranquil setting or a tropical cocktail while relaxing by the pool.
Photo credit: Tifakara Boutique Hotel & Birding Oasis
Luna Lodge
Are you looking for one of the best eco-lodges in Costa Rica? Luna Lodge is located at the end of the road overlooking Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica. Surrounded by 360 degrees of nature, the property offers breathtaking rainforest views. Luna Lodge combines the best of ecotourism and wellness.
You can choose from three different accommodations: Rainforest Bungalows, Hacienda Rooms, and Safari-Style Tents. The hillside is home to beautifully designed private bungalows, and on top of a steep hill are tents, each with a terrace and private bathroom, the perfect place to escape to the natural world.
The property is in the middle of the jungle, so 4×4 is recommended to get there, but it is well worth it. Luna Lodge offers incredible hiking trails, yoga classes, and wellness treatments. You can eat delicious food in the Lodge restaurant and relax by the pool while watching toucans, spider monkeys, or even macaw parrots and enjoying the sounds of nature.
Luna Lodge also offers activities like bird watching, kayaking, guided tours to the Corcovado National Park, and horse riding on the beach.
Photo credit: Luna Lodge
Hotel Nya
Looking for an affordable eco lodges in Montezuma, Costa Rica? Nya is a design hotel encased in an elegant tropical garden that merges into the jungle of Montezuma with unique wildlife. Each room is designed with attention to detail, allowing guests to spend a peaceful and rejuvenating time while enjoying the sounds and views of the forest and ocean breezes.
The hotel is surrounded by plenty of wildlife, which makes your experience at this Costa Rica Eco Lodge even better. All rooms at Hotel Nya have air conditioning and private bathrooms. Most rooms have a balcony or terrace where you can relax after an adventurous day with a glass of wine while enjoying the sounds of the jungle.
The property offers an à la carte breakfast. It’s a perfect balance to rejuvenate and recharge through the healing sounds of the jungle and sea.
Photo credit: Hotel Nya
Rio Perdido Hotel & Thermal River
The Rio Perdido Hotel & Thermal River is located in Guanacaste Province, approximately 1 hour southeast of Liberia Airport. No 4×4 is needed to get there, and free parking is provided. The hotel features a full-service spa, lounge, and 3 hot mineral pools with a sun terrace and bar. The centerpiece of the reserve is a unique thermal river that flows for over a mile through a rocky gorge. Guests can access the hot river via descending stone steps and paths.
The hotel offers spa treatments and an excellent restaurant. The restaurant’s terraces overlook canyons, volcanoes, and the Miravalles dwarf forest. Guests can enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast and regional dishes in the restaurant, with many gluten-free and vegetarian options. The rooms are in the middle of the Monkeys’ habitat, so you can see them every morning while drinking a coffee on the balcony.
The rooms are modern and comfortable, equipped with air conditioning, a coffee maker, and a minibar. The property offers guided hikes, yoga classes, zip-lining, mountain biking, and wildlife-watching tours. Rio Perdido was one of our favourite Eco lodges in Costa Rica which is close to Liberia airport.
Photo credit: Rio Perdido Hotel & Thermal River
We hope our post about the best Eco Lodges in Costa Rica will help you plan to choose where to stay in this magical country. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
More Travel Guides about Costa Rica
- The Ultimate Costa Rica Itinerary for 14 Days
- 7 Best Things to Do in Uvita
- 8 Best Things to Do in Monteverde
- Guide to Visiting Manuel Antonio National Park
- 9 Best Things to Do in La Fortuna
- 7 Epic Waterfalls in Costa Rica You Must Visit
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