Costa Rica offers an unforgettable getaway with everything from lush rainforests with waterfalls and abundant wildlife to pristine beaches, outstanding surf and all sorts of other outdoor adventures. You can look forward to delicious Costa Rican cuisine, friendly people and plenty of ways to relax too. If you’re looking for an all-inclusive stay to enjoy it all, these are your best bets.
Secrets Papagayo
Secrets Papagayo is a luxurious beachfront property on the Papagayo Peninsula with sophisticated suites providing views of either the water or colorful gardens. An adults-only resort, it offers all the perks one would expect from an all-inclusive along with some most don’t, like al a carte restaurants where no reservations are required. It also covers non-motorized water sports and activities like wine tastings, movie screenings on the beach and cooking classes. There are two beautiful pools, one with a swim-up bar, and a separate hot tub, as well as a spa, beauty salon, gift shop and gym. Rooms are immaculate and include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, Britt coffee machines and well-stocked minibars.
Dreams Las Mareas
Dreams Las Mareas provides “Unlimited-Luxury” that includes friendly staff waiting to refill your margarita before you even have to ask. Rooms come with terraces that feature hot tubs overlooking the ocean and a private beach, and a stocked mini-bar – top-shelf liquor included. Enjoy decadent treatments at the full-service spa, swimming in two spectacular pools and taking part in a long list of activities with everything from salsa dancing to cocktail mixing classes.
Drake Bay Getaway
Drake Bay Getaway is made up of five stilted cabins along the oceanfront in the remote Drake Bay area on the Osa Peninsula. Guests enjoy an intimate stay surrounded by unspoiled nature, with every cabin featuring a large deck with sliding glass doors that overlooks panoramic views of the Pacific, Corcovado National Park and Drake Bay jungle. The kitchen serves mostly organic meals, including ingredients from the hotel’s garden, and guests can book a wide range of tours for an additional fee, like whale and dolphin watching, horseback riding, scuba diving and sunset boat excursions.
Hotel Riu Palace
Hotel Riu Palace is a great option for families, set along Matapalo Beach in Guanacaste. Some rooms and suites have multiple bedrooms that provide plenty of room to stretch out, and all come with balconies overlooking a wide stretch of Playa Matapalo beach. It has four themed restaurants offering a mix of local cuisine and classic meals, as well as a buffet eatery for plenty of variety. There’s a supervised kids’ club, four large outdoor pools with submerged lounge chairs and plenty of entertainment for all like water sports, horseback riding and golfing.
La Paloma Lodge
La Paloma Lodge is a laid-back seasonal resort that sits on a lush 14-acre estate overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Every stay here includes a full-day guided tour of Corcovado National Park and Caño Island, but the reason so many love it here is the chance to sleep high in the rainforest canopy, drifting off to the sounds of the tree frogs and waking up to the scarlet macaws and toucans flying just outside the window. Meals are all-inclusive and family-style, with drinks extra, and water sports gear like snorkels and boogie boards are complimentary.
The Westin Reserva Conchal, An All-Inclusive Golf Resort & Spa
The Westin Reserva Conchal, an All-Inclusive Golf Resort & Spa is set on 2,400 acres in the North-Pacific Riviera along Playa Conchal Beach in Guanacaste. Family-friendly, it offers a supervised kids’ club that allows parents to enjoy alone time, taking part in everything from snorkeling and tennis lessons to sipping cocktails at one of five bars, including a buzzing nightclub. There’s an 18-hole championship golf course, 24-hour gym and two pools, a lagoon-shaped main pool and a second adults-only pool. The all-inclusive package covers lots of activities, food and drinks, with multiple restaurants, including an outstanding buffet and a la carte options. Accommodation is provided in luxurious rooms, suites and villas, many with split-level designs that separate bedroom and living areas.
Barcelo Tambor Hotel
Set along Tambor Beach enjoying a backdrop of tropical rainforest, Barcelo Tambor is a budget-friendly all-inclusive that provides access to a remote beach with dark volcanic sands, ideal for watching sunrises and swimming. There’s also a great outdoor pool complex that includes a pool bar and a pool for the little ones, along with two restaurants and bars that serve both international and local cuisine. Enjoy treatments at the spa and guided horseback tours too. Rooms and suites feature either an ocean view or a view of the verdant rainforest.
Fiesta Resort
Less than an hour from San Jose, Fiesta is a mega-resort offering everything you’d expect in an all-inclusive and then some, with all-you-can-eat buffets, unlimited alcoholic beverages, including Botran Oro rum and Johnny Walker Red, along with practically an endless list of activities. Zip-lining, kayaking, paddleboarding, hiking, karaoke are all included, and there’s also a teens club with mocktails and pool tables as well as a kids’ club with supervised programs. The property has over 300 rooms, some of which feature balconies, terraces, and/or hot tubs.
Villa Buena Onda, Guanacaste
Villa Buena Onda is a luxurious adult-only retreat with more staff than guests, providing the exceptional service you’d expect. There’s a beautiful two-tier infinity pool with a swim-up bar and a shuttle that will bring you to the beaches nearby as well as a variety of classes hosted onsite, like Pilates, yoga and cooking classes. The terraced dining area showcases ocean and mountain views – three meals are included in room rates. Every room comes with luxurious touches like a private patio or balcony overlooking the bay.
Occidental Tamarindo
A great pick for a honeymoon or wedding, Occidental Tamarind is a beautiful all-inclusive on Langosta beach, providing plenty of opportunities to soak up the sun along with rooms and suites that come with romantic ocean and sunset views. Enjoy pampering in the spa, excursions to Arenal Volcano and dining at the two onsite restaurants serving international and local fare along with bars offering tasty tropical cocktails.
