Our Favorite Luxury Resorts in Costa Rica, and Why They Stand Out

Costa Rica surprises people.

They expect beaches and rainforest. They don't expect how different each region feels, or how much the resort decides what kind of trip they have. In Costa Rica, where you stay shapes how you see the country.

Costa Rica is one of my specialist destinations, and here's how I help clients pick.

The coast: Papagayo Peninsula

If you want a trip where everything just works, I usually start on the Papagayo Peninsula. Ocean views, wildlife and very polished service, and you still feel like you're in nature.

The resorts here work for almost everyone: couples, families and multi-gen groups (multi-gen is our jam). Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo sits between 2 beaches and does a great job balancing activities and downtime.

I send people here who want:

Real luxury with very little hassle

A mix of relaxing and doing

Consistent, high-level service

The jungle: Arenal

Inland, the landscape takes over. Rainforest, volcano views and wildlife you hear before you see.

The properties around Arenal are built into their surroundings, with open-air spaces, private plunge pools and views that change all day. Nayara Tented Camp is a great example. You wake up in the rainforest with every comfort handled. And you're close to zip-lining and the hot springs.

This is the right fit if you want:

Wildlife and nature as part of every day

A smaller, more personal stay

A strong feeling of being somewhere

Wellness: slowing down

Costa Rica's pace makes it easy to rest. A lot of properties build wellness right into the stay, with spa treatments, yoga and quiet places to sit.

Hacienda AltaGracia, up in the mountains of southern Costa Rica, is built around this. So are a number of properties on the Nicoya Peninsula.

I recommend this style for:

Couples or solo travelers who want to unplug

Anyone who values space, privacy and quiet

A slower trip with fewer plans

Small and boutique

Some of my favorite stays are smaller, design-focused properties in coastal towns or up in the hills. Fewer rooms, more personal service and a real sense of the place. These are great for couples who want something that feels like a private retreat.

The mistake I see most

People pick a resort from the photos.

I see the same thing with safari camps, and it causes the same problem. The beach, the jungle and the mountains are completely different trips, and your resort decides which one you get. Pick based on how you want to spend your days.

And once you've picked the property, rooms matter. Ocean view or jungle view, the right room category makes a big difference. You're in your room more than you think.

How I plan Costa Rica

I start with what is important to you.

Do you want to wake up to the ocean or the jungle? Do you want activities built in, or total quiet? Something social, or something private?

From there, I match you to the right properties. Often that means 2 regions in one trip, so you see more than one side of the country.

So tell me: ocean or jungle?