Eco-Hotels Northern & Central Pacific

We specialize in customizing bespoke itineraries, tailored to your personal preferences and interests, as self-drives, or as individualized packages composed of hotels, activities, and transfers. To this end, we work with many different hotels, but give preference to those that are certified under Costa Rica’s eco-label certification scheme, or another, similar scheme. The hotels listed below are of differing standards, some quite luxuries, others in the mid-range. Clicking on the photographs opens up a mini-gallery for each property. Please use the menu links in the top menu to navigate between the hotel listings for the different regions of Costa Rica.

Rincon de la Vieja

Northern Guanacaste, close to the border to Nicaragua and the northern beaches, is one of Costa Rica’s most active geothermal regions. Surrounded by volcanoes, the National Park is an amazing region characterized by steam rising from the earth and boiling bubbling mud puddles.

Borinquen Mountain Resort & Spa

Borinquen Mountain Resort & Spa is located on the slopes of Rincon de la Vieja Volcano, just 31 miles (roughly 1h15 minutes) from Liberia International Airport. This rural and tranquil property offers 39 lodgings in different categories: the Villas, duplex-style units with two independent rooms that are great for groups of friends or family traveling together; the Bungalows, which are spacious and comfortable, and perfect for families with children; Standard and Deluxe Bungalows that are perfect for couples, and elegant Junior Suites that offer sweeping views – in good weather conditions, even of the northern Pacific coast.. All the rooms have air conditioning, satellite TV, telephone, mini bar, coffee maker, in-room safe and hairdryer.

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One of the highlights of this place are the many different activities that are available: hiking and nature observation in the forest, horseback riding, canopy-zip lines, and swimming in the pool. The natural hot springs on the property are of volcanic origin, and there is also a spa that offers various wellness applications, such as mud baths, hot stone massage, among others, and a sauna. Please note that due to the proximity of the volcano there may be a sulfurous smell at the property and that, despite frequent renovations, the chemicals in the air have an effect on the wood and natural materials.

Buena Vista Lodge

Buena Vista Lodge is located on the outskirts of Rincon de la Vieja Volcano, in the Guanacaste Province, 31 Kms from Liberia and its International Airport.  At an elevation of between 400 and 1200 meters above sea level, it offers beautiful views of the Guanacaste plains, the volcano, and the Papagayo Gulf, and often some spectacular sunsets. The property was once a cattle farm of 2000 acres but is now mostly dedicated to eco-tourism and some 1400 acres have been set aside for reforestation.

This Lodge offers 80 simple rooms in three categories, Standard Hacienda Rooms, Cabañas, and Lake Rooms. Each room has a private bathroom, hot water, and a fan. There are no televisions or telephones in the rooms. The Hacienda style rooms are close to the reception area and the pool; the Cabin style rooms are conveniently located near a resting area equipped with cozy hammocks and the Lake view rooms offer stunning views to the Pacific Ocean and the green tropical forest.

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The lodge also offers three thermal water pools. Other activities available include hiking, horseback riding, exploring the waterfalls, relaxing in the hot spring Spa, pumping adrenaline at the zip-line installation or the 425-meter water slide. In addition, there are some other more restful activities such as cooking classes, cow milking lessons and more.

Canyon De La Vieja Lodge

Located just a few kilometers outside Liberia and not far from any of the three Guanacaste National Parks, either, this lodge offers loads of activities to its guests: white water rafting, rock climbing, rappelling, zip lining, horseback riding, and more. Set amidst beautiful gardens its 50 simple Standard Rooms each have a small terrace and are fitted with double beds, air conditioning, private bathroom, and warm water. There is also a bar, a restaurant, and a beautiful, refreshing swimming pool with Jacuzzi.

Northern Pacific

There are dozens of beautiful beaches along the Northern and Central Pacific. The ones in the very north are less crowded than those around Tamarindo and Samara. Nosara Beach is known as a sea turtle nesting site.

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Bahia del Sol

Located at Potrero Beach, on the ‘North Pacific Gold Coast’, just steps away from the ocean, this hotel is about 45 miles from the international airport in Liberia and 15 miles from the local airport in Tamarindo. They offer 29 units in different categories: Standard Roomswith a terrace, a hammock and nice views of the tropical garden, Deluxe Rooms with a Jacuzzi and private patio, 1 or 2-bedroom Suites, and one King Sun or Honeymoon Suite. All guestrooms have air conditioning and fan, telephone, coffee maker and complimentary coffee, mini bar, safety box, internet access, and hairdryer. Suites have a living and dining room and a full-equipped kitchen, oven, microwave, toaster, blender and kitchen utensils. There is also a swimming pool, a wet bar, and a Jacuzzi, and a Spa, and wireless internet access.

Cala Luna Boutique Hotel & Villas

Cala Luna Boutique Hotel & Villas is a very nice hotel found on Langosta Beach, in Guanacaste. The hotel benefits from all the nearby conveniences of the beach town yet its location, away from the hustle and bustle, offers guests an oasis of calm.  The recently renovated hotel flaunts its casual eco-chic architecture, creating a stress-free and informal environment. Winding paths weave through Cala Luna’s lush tropical setting, connecting the scattered villas to the hotel rooms, to Cala Moresca Restaurant, and to La Caletta Lounge. Cala Luna has 39 rooms in five luxuries categories: Deluxe Rooms with either one king or two queen beds, Lifestyle Suites, with a modern and elegant design, fitted with one king bed and a two-person shower, family villas with either 2 or 3 bedrooms, a living area, kitchen and private pool, making them ideal for families.

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The hotel also features a gourmet restaurant with an outstanding reputation and chill-out lounge The chef uses locally grown, organic produce, and fresh fish from artisan fishing. In addition, Cala Moresca restaurant offers an exclusive sustainable, organic and biodynamic wine list. La Caletta Lounge is a superb place to enjoy the sunset while sipping on an exotic fresh fruit cocktail. If you are looking for some pampering, the  Shanka Spa is just the place.

Capitan Suizo

This well established, beautiful hotel is located in a secluded area right on the sandy beach of Tamarindo. Casual elegance with an eco-friendly approach is how one could describe this hotel, which features 39 rooms in six categories. Superior, Beachfront Garden, Bungalow, Beachfront Bungalow, and Beachfront Suite. Most of the rooms have recently been renovated. All the rooms have a telephone, coffee maker, minibar, safety box, bathrooms with a bathtub, hairdryer, balcony or terrace; some rooms have air conditioning and some are naturally cooled by ceiling fans. This hotel has an excellent restaurant, bar, free-form swimming pool, gym, gift shop, internet access and parking. This is a gorgeous hotel that is seeking to make its operations as sustainable as possible. It is also extremely popular and reservations must be made early to secure rooms.

Punta Islita

While not a ‘beachfront resort’ its secluded location on a hillside guarantees fabulous views from just about anywhere on the property. The beach is only 300m away and the hotel offers a shuttle for those who have a hard time walking up or down the hill. The hotel offers 55 rooms in 7 categories, Standard Mountain View, Deluxe Partial Ocean View, Junior Suites with Outdoor Whirlpool, Junior Suites Premium Casitas, 2-, 3-, or 4-Bedroom Villas. It is an ideal place for family vacations, romantic getaways, honeymoons, and relaxation. The hotel is set amidst the dry tropical forest that is typical of the Guanacaste region, a unique environment with its own, special flora and fauna. It is laid out in a tiered arrangement to ensure spectacular views of the ocean.  This luxury resort offers world-class fine dining, relaxation, spa treatments, eco-adventures, and beach activities.

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All accommodations have a private terrace, air conditioning, cable TV, telephone, coffee maker, minibar, bathroom with a bathtub and hairdryer. In addition, villas are completely equipped and have a private swimming pool. The infinity pool sits at the pinnacle of the property, creating the illusion of merging with the ocean horizon. Hotel Punta Islita also has an air-conditioned Exercise Room features a treadmill, a stepper, a spinning bike, free weights, and a multi-exercise station. Facilities include a large swimming pool, landscaped gardens, easy beach access, a children’s playground, and a casual restaurant and swim up bar. A complimentary on-call shuttle service is provided. Hotel Punta Islita provides complimentary wireless internet access throughout the property. This top-range luxury eco-resort is proud to support the local communities. Over 85% of Hotel Punta Islita’s staff are local people, who have found their professional calling as managers, sous-chefs, bartenders, spa therapists, tour guides, landscapers, and maintenance and security professionals.

Lagarta Lodge

Warmth and comfort characterize this newly renovated elegant boutique hotel. Situated on a cliff, 40m above the ocean, Lagarta Lodge borders a private nature reserve with magnificent mangrove trees. The nearby beaches are known as turtle nesting beaches and nature lovers and birdwatchers find the lodge particularly appealing. The magnificent property offers 26 guest rooms, in three categories, Jungle Junior Suites, Panorama Junior Suites, and Flor Blanca Junior Suites. The hotel also has 2 Infinity pools, a Jacuzzi, the Chirriboca Restaurant and the Gecko Lounge (exclusively for hotel’s guests).

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Guests can enjoy the Vista Manglares Spa, with 3 treatment rooms, couples room, wet room, Jacuzzi, Yoga Studio and the only one Kneipp trail in the country. The property features La Arribada Conference and Meeting room for up to 50 people, ideal for conventions or social events. Also, it can be found the No-Sara Art Gallery, a Wine Cellar (private dining room), 90 acres of hotel owned nature reserve, the Lagarta Souvenir shop featuring sustainable merchandise, an observation tower with 360° views, room service, complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the property, complimentary shuttle to Pelada and Guiones Beaches, and complimentary self-parking lot. 

Central Pacific

The beaches of the Central Pacific between Jaco and Manuel Antonio National Park are among the most popular in Costa Rica as they are within easy reach of San José. Carara National Park is a must for birdwatchers, as it is a transitional zone between the moist tropical forest and the dry zone of Guanacaste. Manuel Antonio National Park near Quepos is one of the most popular National Parks in Costa Rica. It protects one of the last stands of virgin coastal forest and it is teeming with wildlife.

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Arenas del Mar

Located very close to the Manuel Antonio National Park, Arenas Del Mar is an upscale award-winning beach and nature resort. It is situated on a cliff, overlooking the National Park and the ocean. This carbon neutral resort has very high-end finishes with a Spanish tile theme. Some Rooms have amazing balconies with beautiful tiled hot tubs. Additionally, the resort has two swimming pools. There is a direct beach access to two tree-shaded sandy beaches. Arenas del Mar’s 38 Guestrooms are offered in five categories, Garden Superior Rooms, Ocean Breeze Superior Rooms, and Ocean View Premium Suites.  All rooms include one King size bed and a spacious bathroom, hairdryer and organic soaps, lotions and shampoos.

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There is also internet access, cable television, mini-bar, safe deposit box, coffee maker, iron and ironing board and closet space. Some of the rooms have private decks where guests can enjoy breathtaking views and the sounds and sights of the rainforest.  All rooms are non-smoking. The hotel has two gourmet restaurants: El Mirador Restaurant & Bar and Playitas Snack Bar famous for their use of seasonal ingredients and local foods featuring Costa Rican Cuisine with an international flavor. Room service is also available. Las Brisas Spa offers a relaxing and natural selection of massage, facials, wraps, and scrubs, as well as manicure and pedicure. La Tiendita is a contemporary Design Shop and Boutique dedicated to promoting local contemporary design from Costa Rican artists and emphasizes innovative products that utilize recycled materials or refer to local culture and/or traditional craft techniques and materials. At Arenas del Mar, guests can also go on the Sustainability Tour to learn about sustainable tourism in Manuel Antonio and how it can be incorporated into their own lives. Arenas del Mar was built with the goal of creating an ecological haven and a sustainable tourism destination in a high-quality, aesthetic environment for visitors who come to experience the biodiversity of Costa Rica. Highly recommended for honeymoons and weddings.

Hotel Parador

Blissfully secluded, this first-class hotel rests high above the breathtaking Pacific coastline on twelve acres of abundant rainforest land. The four-star hotel, built in colonial style, offers the stunning views from the bountiful hills to the beach. Walking trails right on the property where one may even get to see capuchin monkeys and sloths make this hotel special. El Paradors main building is located in an absolutely gorgeous spot and has been appealingly decorated with delightful antiques that belong to the owner’s private collection. Enjoy the refined decor, excellent food, and spa services for your absolute physical and spiritual well-being.

The hotel features 129 guestrooms of different categories; Tropical Rooms, Premium Rooms, Suite Rooms, Master Suites, and a Presidential Suite. All rooms have cable TV, direct dial telephone, air conditioning, coffee and coffee maker, mini bar, safety deposit box, hairdryer, bath amenities, iron and ironing board, ceiling fan and balcony or terrace.

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Facilities and services include two infinity swimming pools with swim up bar, one adults’ swimming pool with cascading waterfall, one relaxation pool at Pacífica Spa, tennis court, fitness center, minigolf, green areas and nature trails, free high-speed wireless Internet throughout the public areas, souvenir and gift shop, private parking, meeting room for up to 60 persons, laundry services, self-service washing and drying machines, room service, babysitting and medical service on request and shuttle service to Manuel Antonio beach. The one-bedroom Suites and two luxurious Master Suites are located at the top section of the property, private adult-only infinity pool and Jacuzzi, casual dining in La Fragata Restaurant & Tapas Bar, a small meeting room, two elevators, and a private concierge. Each Suite features a large bedroom with a King size bed, a spacious living area, sleeper sofa, 42” Plasma TV, fully stocked mini-bar, table clock with I-Pod deck, safety deposit box, and coffee-maker. The exclusive artwork of renowned Costa Rican painter Victor Chavarría adorns the entire Suite and wall-of-glass doors lead to a private Jacuzzi on an ocean-view balcony.   All rooms are 100% smoke-free.

Punta Leona

Located on the Central Pacific coast, only one 1h30min from San Jose, Punta Leona Hotel is a great mid-range option that is set close to the beach and is surrounded by tropical rainforest, part of which has been officially declared a Wildlife Reserve. Due to its convenient location near Jaco it is also a convenient departure point for excursions to nature destinations such as Carara Biological Reserve and Manuel Antonio National Park. Punta Leona offers 44 Selva Mar Rooms and Selva Mar Superior Rooms.

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Each room is equipped with air conditioning, mini-fridge, cable TV, telephone and a safe. Hotel and Club Punta Leona offers three different restaurants and two snack bars or light food restaurants. The Leon Marino Restaurant, next to the pool, offers snacks or light food. Carabelas Restaurant, located in the Selvamar area, serves international and Costa Rican buffet style food. Al Garte Bar and Playa Blanca are both beachside options offering snacks and refreshing cocktails and beers.  Besides taking a walk along beautiful secluded white sand beaches, guests can also enjoy three swimming pools, lit tennis court, volleyball court, basketball court, children’s play area, mini golf, butterfly garden, nature trails and in-site property canopy tour. Other services and facilities include a mini supermarket, souvenir shop and boutique, in-house shuttle transportation, conference and meeting rooms, internet access and laundry services.

Si Como No

This elegant beach resort is located near Manuel Antonio National Park, on a jungle-covered cliff and offers amazing views of the Pacific Ocean. Every day you will be greeted by toucans and hummingbirds buzzing by on their morning breakfast rounds. The hotel’s 58 guestrooms are offered in 5 categories: Standard and Superior rooms with partial jungle/ocean view, Deluxe Rooms and Deluxe Suites with panoramic jungle and ocean views, and a Honeymoon Suites, that are distributed over ten separate terraces located on ten acres of protected tropical forest. Each room has air conditioning, direct dial telephone, coffee maker, fully stocked mini-bar, safety box, and hairdryer. There is no TV in the rooms. Most of the rooms feature a private balcony. There are two restaurants, a bar, a family and an adults swimming pool, a Jacuzzi, a spa, a nature farm refuge with a butterfly garden, gift shop, multimedia theater.

Macaw Lodge

This lodge is located in the surrounding areas of the hills known as Cerros de Turrubares, in the Central Pacific of Costa Rica. It’s a strategic location because the property is practically adjacent to the Carara National Park, near the Cerros de Turrubares Forest Reserve and the Fernando Castro Cervantes Wildlife Refuge. It is a transition zone between wet and dry forests of the Pacific region, and thus very special with regards to endemic species. This is a great place for birdwatchers. The small size of this lodge, immersed in nature, is what gives it its charm.

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The main building’s second floor, with a dramatic balcony overlooking the beautiful lobby below, has eight guest rooms. Each room features two full beds with therapeutic mattresses and bedspreads woven by the Maya of the Guatemalan Atitlan area, a ceiling fan and a private bathroom built from marble extracted and processed locally, solar-heated water, and towels and bed sheets made from bamboo fiber. The screened windows can be opened to welcome the refreshing breeze. The well-appointed private cabins have a double bed and accommodate two people. Each has a private bathroom, ceiling fan, the windows have screens so they can be open to welcome the refreshing breeze and a deck with rocking chairs. The largest cabin has two double beds to accommodate up to four people, a spacious private bathroom, screened windows and a ceiling fan. The fully-equipped, roomy kitchen features a hand-hewn table with seating. The wrap-around deck is outfitted with rocking chairs where you can relax and enjoy the surrounding sights and sounds of nature.