The 8 Best Luxury Resorts in Costa Rica | Hand-Picked 2025 Update
We have identified the best luxury resorts in Costa Rica that truly represent the highest level of service, amenities, and dining experiences in the world.
So, these aren’t just your average high-end stays—they’re the kinds of getaways that, in a way, make your regular vacations feel like distant memories.
From the lush jungles to the calming beachfront, Costa Rica has it all, and these luxury resorts are just the place to help you enjoy the country to the fullest.
Table of Contents
Methodology
To determine the luxury resorts Costa Rica has to offer, we processed through thousands of ratings and reviews on TripAdvisor, Expedia, and Google Reviews—comparing notes, reading the comments, and spotting trends that, frankly, kept repeating themselves.
So, what made the cut? Well, we looked for that magic combo: ridiculously good service, next-level food, standout beachfront locations, spa perks that feel like a dream, and accommodations that, in some respects, are more like mini-retreats than rooms.
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The 8 Best Luxury Resorts Costa Rica – 2025 Update
8. W Costa Rica – Reserva Conchal
Key Highlights:
- Sits inside a massive 2,300-acre eco-friendly private zone
- Direct access to Playa Conchal, which might be the prettiest beach in the area
- Over 150 bold, design-forward suites and rooms packed with personality
W Costa Rica brings energy, color, and a whole lot of playful design into a space that, in a way, still manages to feel soothing when you need it. Think jungle chic with a luxury twist—it’s that kind of vibe.
The shoreline is pristine and the water’s basically made for kayaking or floating around doing absolutely nothing.
There’s an adults-only pool for quiet days and another big one that’s perfect for groups who want a bit more life in their swim time.
Dining here feels like it’s made for food pics—plated beautifully, tastes amazing, and usually comes with a view you’ll probably never stop talking about. As for the rooms, many come with their own plunge pools or big terraces, which, honestly, you may never want to leave.
Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor
7. Punta Islita, Autograph Collection – Most Affordable
Key Highlights:
- One of the most budget-friendly luxury resorts Costa Rica offers
- 5-star property wrapped in hills and greenery
- Has its own on-site art and culture workshops
Punta Islita might be the lowest-priced pick on the list, yet it still delivers in a way that feels entirely premium. The energy here is quiet, artistic, and a little on the boho-chic side—perfect if you’re more into understated comfort than flashy everything.
The 5-star suites and villas are each kind of their own little worlds, with a lot of local flair in the decor and wide-open views of either jungle or ocean.
The beach feels like your own private spot—quiet, a bit rugged, but absolutely gorgeous in its own way.
There’s a saltwater infinity pool, plus spa options that feel personal and natural rather than overly polished. And if you’re into activities, they offer cultural classes and nature tours that make you feel, well, a bit more like a traveler than a tourist.
Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor
6. Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort – Best-Seller
Key Highlights:
- 153 eco-blended rooms and suites with scenic forest and water views
- Three beaches to bounce between, depending on your mood
- Onda Spa offers open-air massages under the canopy
This one’s a favorite for a reason. Andaz Peninsula Papagayo has that seamless feel where luxury meets nature without making a big deal about it. It’s not showy—it’s just really, really nice in that effortless way.
You’ve got three beaches to work with, which honestly gives it a nice choose-your-own-adventure quality. The rooms lean toward modern simplicity, with natural woods and oversized windows that basically frame the outdoors like a piece of art.
Meals here feel crafted—whether you’re doing a private ceviche session or just digging into something off the chef-driven menu.
And for the wellness folks, the spa is peaceful without trying too hard—just laid-back, open, and deeply relaxing.
It’s easy to see why the Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort is the most booked luxury resort Costa Rica has to offer these days.
Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor
5. Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo
Key Highlights:
- Two beaches with totally different vibes
- Five dining options and four sparkling pool areas
- Kid-focused programming that’s actually pretty cool
This opulent Four Seasons is the kind of retreat where things run so smoothly you barely notice how dialed in everything actually is.
That’s the beauty of it—effortless service, ridiculously scenic surroundings, and no need to ask for anything twice.
You’ve got one beach that’s great for floating around and another that invites a bit more action. Rooms are elegant but not stiff, filled with warm tones, natural textures, and little touches that seem designed just for you.
Whether you’re doing sushi by the ocean or noshing on Italian with a Costa Rican twist, the food’s well-thought-out and made to impress. Oh, and if you’re traveling with kids? Their programming is so legit, you might not see your little ones all day.
Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor
4. Nayara Springs
Key Highlights:
- Adults-only for pure peace and privacy
- Every villa includes a personal plunge pool fed by hot springs
- Perched just near Arenal Volcano’s dramatic slopes
This one’s adults-only, and let’s just say the mood is extremely honeymoon-friendly. Tucked into rainforest surroundings, Nayara Springs is set in an idyllic green forest that is as serene as it is beautiful.
The villas are outrageous in the best possible way—canopy beds, wide-open layouts, massive bathrooms, and private hot spring pools that might keep you from leaving your room altogether. Service tends to be attentive but never clingy.
Dinners under the stars feel intimate, and their wine selection is just as good as the food itself. The spa, located on a peaceful path through thick greenery, feels very much like a hidden gem, only it’s intentionally not hidden.
Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor
3. Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica – Top Value Pick
Key Highlights:
- Adults-only and all-inclusive for ultimate value
- Minutes from the airport but still feels tucked away
- Four restaurants and round-the-clock room service
This resort tends to fly just under the radar, but once people find it, they usually return. Secrets Papagayo offers a sweet spot between good value and grown-up luxury, all set on a hillside overlooking a beautifully dark-sand bay.
The beach is quiet, the views are solid, and most of the rooms come with patios or balconies that are basically made for sunset watching.
You’ll find themed events, multiple pools, and plenty of drink options thanks to the four bars on-site.
Meals rotate through international styles, but everything feels fresh and made with care. This one’s great if you want the high-end touches without needing a butler or a black card.
Overall, it’s one of the best luxury resorts in Costa Rica for those who want a high-end, all-inclusive experience.
Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor
2. Hacienda AltaGracia
Key Highlights:
- 180 acres of rolling hills, coffee trees, and mountaintop magic
- Private airstrip, which is kind of wild in the best way
- One of the most in-depth wellness centers in Central America
This beautiful, 5-star property is set in the highlands of southern Costa Rica and offers a unique experience compared to the typical luxury resort Costa Rica has to offer.
Hacienda AltaGracia is less about ocean views and more about quiet mountain mornings, horseback rides, and deeply curated wellness journeys, a combination of options that is not found at any other Costa Rica luxury resorts.
The property is huge, like sprawling, and yet it still feels intimate thanks to the private casitas spread throughout the hills. If you’re into clean food, yoga, and spa experiences that go way beyond massages, this is your kind of stay.
Dinners might include freshly picked herbs, while mornings start with sunrise hikes or cold plunge pools. And while it’s ultra-luxurious, it never comes off as overly formal—it’s all very easygoing in a totally refined way.
Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor
1. Nayara Gardens – Top Overall
Key Highlights:
- Indulgent 5-star retreat that offers the highest level of service and amenities
- Three pools, one sloth sanctuary, and rainforest trails
- Casitas and suites that could pass as luxury bungalows
Nayara Gardens combines just about everything people want from Costa Rica luxury resorts and somehow wraps it up in a way that feels both incredibly refined and completely relaxed.
The setting is a tropical jungle that’s practically humming with wildlife and mist from Arenal nearby.
Suites are airy, surrounded by greenery, and set up for ultimate chill—complete with hammocks, plunge pools, and indoor-outdoor vibes.
The spa treatments, many of which include native botanicals, are deeply soothing. Meals are thoughtful without being fussy, and service always hits that sweet spot between friendly and ultra-professional.
All in all, this is the best luxury resort in Costa Rica, period.
Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor
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