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Costa Rica TRAVEL GUIDE AND DEALS

Appropriately enough for a country whose national mantra is pura vida (pure life), ecotourism is the major draw in Costa Rica. One of the most biodiverse countries on the planet – home to 6% of the world’s species – this stable, safe, and still affordable Central American democracy boasts dense rainforests, tropical beaches, unique cultural attractions, fresh eats, and growing number of luxury resorts.

Why Go

 Whether you’re an eco-tourist, adrenaline junkie, or straight up beach bum, Costa Rica has something for you.

Costa Rica Travel Deals

Costa Rica Hotels

Almost every major multinational hotel chain has a stake in Costa Rica or is building here, but that hasn’t scared independently run B&Bs, boutique hotels, tiny guesthouses, and ecolodges from springing up. Some of the classic budget accommodations are still around, though they’re quickly fading into the background.

= Smart Splurge = Great Value

Alta Hotel
In one of the San José area’s better heeled districts, this American-owned property is built into a landscaped...

Arenal Observatory Lodge
Some 11 miles uphill from La Fortuna, hang a left at Lake Arenal, drive another half-dozen miles along a good, but unpaved,...

Beija Flor
Opened in January 2008 after a series of renovations, Beija Flor weighs in as a surprising good-value retreat. The 11 guest... beach | value | great value

Casitas Eclipse
Roughly midway down the hill to the sand, beachfront restaurants, and national park, this intimate two-story compound of...

La Mariposa
One of Manuel Antonio’s most venerable high-end properties, La Mariposa (the butterfly), juts out of the verdant top of...

Tortuga Lodge & Gardens
Located on a spit of land on the Tortuguero River, just before it meets the Caribbean, this 27-unit eco-resort offers short... family | great value | eco-friendly

Casa Roland
This beautiful boutique hotel in a restored colonial house is well located in a quiet neighborhood just a few blocks from...

El Grano de Oro
In the Nomosco neighborhood west of downtown, on a leafy street off main drag Paseo de Colón, this gracious clapboard...

Hemingway Inn
The Spanish-style hacienda in Barrio Amón, originally the home of coffee plantation owners, is one of the hidden gems... great value

Monteverde Lodge & Gardens
One of Monteverde’s original eco-lodges, and still one of the most visited, this property offers amazing deals –... family | great value

Shawandha Lodge
Shawandha Lodge is a tropical village of sorts, lost amid the lush, coastal jungle between Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo, a few... great value

Flor Blanca
Set amongst lush, flower-filled gardens, this secluded tropical paradise offers seven one-bedroom and three two-bedroom villas... luxury | expensive | smart splurge

Sí Como No
Created by a gringo, Jim Damalas, just over a quarter-century ago, one of the area’s most appealing and amenity-stuffed... family | smart splurge | eco-friendly | spa

Tabacón Hot Springs Resort and Spa
The offshoot of a famous, dozen-year-old hot-springs complex was built in 1998 and quickly became (and remains) the crema de... pool | thermal pools | hot springs | spa

Alta Hotel
In one of the San José area’s better heeled districts, this American-owned property is built into a landscaped...

Arenal Observatory Lodge
Some 11 miles uphill from La Fortuna, hang a left at Lake Arenal, drive another half-dozen miles along a good, but unpaved,...

Beija Flor
Opened in January 2008 after a series of renovations, Beija Flor weighs in as a surprising good-value retreat. The 11 guest... beach | value | great value

Casitas Eclipse
Roughly midway down the hill to the sand, beachfront restaurants, and national park, this intimate two-story compound of...

La Mariposa
One of Manuel Antonio’s most venerable high-end properties, La Mariposa (the butterfly), juts out of the verdant top of...

Tortuga Lodge & Gardens
Located on a spit of land on the Tortuguero River, just before it meets the Caribbean, this 27-unit eco-resort offers short... family | great value | eco-friendly

Casa Roland
This beautiful boutique hotel in a restored colonial house is well located in a quiet neighborhood just a few blocks from...

El Grano de Oro
In the Nomosco neighborhood west of downtown, on a leafy street off main drag Paseo de Colón, this gracious clapboard...

Hemingway Inn
The Spanish-style hacienda in Barrio Amón, originally the home of coffee plantation owners, is one of the hidden gems... great value

Monteverde Lodge & Gardens
One of Monteverde’s original eco-lodges, and still one of the most visited, this property offers amazing deals –... family | great value

Shawandha Lodge
Shawandha Lodge is a tropical village of sorts, lost amid the lush, coastal jungle between Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo, a few... great value

Flor Blanca
Set amongst lush, flower-filled gardens, this secluded tropical paradise offers seven one-bedroom and three two-bedroom villas... trendy | expensive | smart splurge

Sí Como No
Created by a gringo, Jim Damalas, just over a quarter-century ago, one of the area’s most appealing and amenity-stuffed... family | smart splurge | eco-friendly | spa

Tabacón Hot Springs Resort and Spa
The offshoot of a famous, dozen-year-old hot-springs complex was built in 1998 and quickly became (and remains) the crema de... pool | thermal pools | hot springs | spa

Flor Blanca
Set amongst lush, flower-filled gardens, this secluded tropical paradise offers seven one-bedroom and three two-bedroom villas... luxury | expensive | smart splurge

Costa Rica Restaurants

Though Costa Rica is not known for its cuisine, that’s not to say it doesn’t have excellent dining options. An influx of tourists over the past decade has spawned a new generation of upscale, trendy dining options, typically located in resort towns and within hotels. Fresh seafood, American-style grills, French bistros, and pizzerias are perhaps more common now than a traditional place serving casado (a one-plate dish with rice, beans, meat, and side dishes like plantains or vegetables). Tips are included in the bill, but leave 10% for exceptional service.

= Smart Splurge = Great Value

Bakea
One of Costa Rica’s only proponents of the slow food movement, this fusion bistro and coffeehouse combines global styles... trendy

Ginger
It’s hard to miss this trendy restaurant right on the road to Papagayo. Mediterranean and Pan-Asian small plates and... great value | tapas | asian

Tree House Restaurant
Circling a colossal, over 60-year-old Higuerón tree, this bi-level restaurant, bar, and cyber cafe is all about the... family

Café Milagro
The Quepos answer to Starbucks, this small café with a shady patio churns out fresh roasted Costa Rican coffee along... cafe

El Loco Natural
Just a few open-air canopy roofs are all that’s blocking the stars from the mosaic tile floors of the dining area. The... trendy

Father Rooster Bar & Grill
Right on the beach in Playa Ocotal near Playa del Coco, Father Rooster is a slap-happy beach bar and grill. Go for the... mexican | american

Machu Picchu
Downtown San Jose is where you’ll find the best Peruvian restaurant in the country. Decent ceviches (Peruvian ceviches,... great value | seafood

Miss Edith's
One of the best traditional restaurants left in Costa Rica, this tiny, undeniably rustic shack hidden down a dirt road at the... great value

Le Monastère
Visiting dignitaries and upper-crust Ticos are drawn into this elegant restaurant night after night for its jaw-dropping views... seafood | french

Nectar
Nectar matches the chic design and style of the hotel in which it’s located, Flor Blanca, one of the most luxurious... trendy | seafood | asian

Park Café
A onetime two-Michelin-star chef at Pied á Terre in London, English chef and owner Richard Neat relocated to a Sabana... smart splurge | tapas | editor pick

Bakea
One of Costa Rica’s only proponents of the slow food movement, this fusion bistro and coffeehouse combines global styles... trendy

Ginger
It’s hard to miss this trendy restaurant right on the road to Papagayo. Mediterranean and Pan-Asian small plates and... great value | tapas | asian

Tree House Restaurant
Circling a colossal, over 60-year-old Higuerón tree, this bi-level restaurant, bar, and cyber cafe is all about the... family

Café Milagro
The Quepos answer to Starbucks, this small café with a shady patio churns out fresh roasted Costa Rican coffee along... cafe

El Loco Natural
Just a few open-air canopy roofs are all that’s blocking the stars from the mosaic tile floors of the dining area. The... trendy

Father Rooster Bar & Grill
Right on the beach in Playa Ocotal near Playa del Coco, Father Rooster is a slap-happy beach bar and grill. Go for the... mexican | american

Machu Picchu
Downtown San Jose is where you’ll find the best Peruvian restaurant in the country. Decent ceviches (Peruvian ceviches,... great value | seafood

Miss Edith's
One of the best traditional restaurants left in Costa Rica, this tiny, undeniably rustic shack hidden down a dirt road at the... great value

Le Monastère
Visiting dignitaries and upper-crust Ticos are drawn into this elegant restaurant night after night for its jaw-dropping views... seafood | french

Nectar
Nectar matches the chic design and style of the hotel in which it’s located, Flor Blanca, one of the most luxurious... trendy | seafood | asian

Park Café
A onetime two-Michelin-star chef at Pied á Terre in London, English chef and owner Richard Neat relocated to a Sabana... smart splurge | tapas | editor pick