The Ultimate Costa Rica Luxury Travel Guide: Where to Stay & What to Do
Planning a Trip to Costa Rica? Start Here.
Costa Rica is one of those rare destinations that truly offers it all: lush rainforest, dramatic coastlines, exceptional wildlife, and a sense of ease that makes traveling here feel both immersive and effortless. Whether it’s your first visit or a return trip, this guide is designed to help you navigate the destination through a more considered, luxury lens.
We’ve curated our full collection of Costa Rica content below, including in-depth hotel reviews, regional guides, and firsthand insights to help you plan a trip that feels intentional from start to finish.
The Spirit of Costa Rica: Pura Vida
“Pura Vida” is more than a phrase: it’s a way of life woven into every part of the Costa Rican experience. While it translates to “pure life,” its meaning extends far beyond that. It’s a greeting, a mindset, and a reflection of the country’s grounded, welcoming energy.
From the moment you arrive, there’s a noticeable shift in pace. Days feel lighter, experiences feel more connected to nature, and there’s an ease that carries through every part of the journey.
Why Costa Rica Works So Well for Luxury Travel
Costa Rica’s geography is what makes it so compelling, and so easy to design a multi-layered itinerary.
Located between Panama and Nicaragua, the country is known for its remarkable biodiversity, with nearly 5% of the world’s species found within its borders. What’s most impressive is how accessible it all is.
In just a few days, you can move between:
- Misty cloud forests and volcanic landscapes in the Arenal region
- Dense rainforest filled with wildlife
- Waterfalls, hot springs, and protected reserves
- Golden-sand beaches and secluded coves along the Pacific
We typically recommend pairing the inland rainforest regions, like Arenal or the cloud forest, with a coastal stay in Guanacaste for a well-balanced experience.
A Leader in Sustainable Luxury
Costa Rica has long been a global leader in sustainability, with over a quarter of the country protected through national parks and conservation areas. This commitment carries through to its hotel landscape, where many of the most exceptional properties are deeply connected to their surroundings.
What stands out is how seamlessly luxury and sustainability coexist here—whether through thoughtful architecture, conservation initiatives, or immersive nature-led experiences.
Where to Stay: Our Go-To Luxury Properties
Costa Rica’s luxury hotel landscape has evolved into a thoughtful mix of design-forward resorts, highly personalized service, and properties that feel deeply connected to their surroundings. Rather than choosing just one destination, we often recommend combining regions to experience both the rainforest and the coast, pairing inland immersion with time on the beach.
These are the properties we return to again and again when planning Costa Rica itineraries:
- Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo: A longstanding favorite set on a private peninsula, offering a balance of beach, golf, wellness, and one of the most well-rounded experiences in the country
- Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo: A more contemporary, design-led option with a vibrant atmosphere, multiple dining venues, and access to the Papagayo peninsula’s beaches and activities
- Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve: One of the most exciting openings in Costa Rica, offering a highly private, ultra-luxury experience with a strong emphasis on space, architecture, and seclusion
- Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique: A new addition bringing a refined, modern aesthetic to the coastline, with expansive ocean views and a more elevated, residential feel
- Nayara Tented Camp: Set within the rainforest near Arenal Volcano, this is one of the most unique stays in the country, with tented accommodations that feel both immersive and exceptionally well-appointed
- Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection: A destination in itself, ideal for those seeking a more remote, experience-driven stay centered around wellness, nature, and highly personalized programming
How to Plan Your Trip
Most itineraries begin in Juan Santamaría International Airport, which provides convenient access to both inland and coastal regions. From there, we typically structure trips in two parts:
- Rainforest / Volcano Region (Arenal or Cloud Forest)
- Beach Extension (Guanacaste or Nicoya Peninsula)
This approach allows you to experience the full range of what Costa Rica does best—without feeling rushed.
Explore Our Costa Rica Guides
Dive deeper into each region and property through our full collection of blog posts:
Book Your Trip With Ourisman Travel
Costa Rica rewards thoughtful planning. The right hotel doesn’t just give you a beautiful room—it shapes your entire experience. And that’s where working with someone who knows these properties firsthand truly matters.
For independent travelers who love researching luxury accommodations, we offer our Hotel Only service, designed just for you. When you already know where you want to stay, let us handle the booking without any fees, so you receive our exclusive amenities and personalized VIP treatment at no extra cost.
- Exclusive offers include complimentary nights, upgrades, double upgrades, and more.
- Room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, and maximum property credits.
With VIP status, hotel management and staff eagerly await your arrival. - First priority of the best rooms and suites available.
- Guaranteed lowest rates.
Ourisman Travel participates in nearly every major invitation-only preferred partner program, including Four Seasons Preferred Partner, Rosewood Elite, Hyatt Privé, Peninsula Pen Club, Mandarin Oriental Fan Club, and Virtuoso Travel. These programs recognize agencies that provide high-quality service to large volumes of clients, granting our clients priority access to room upgrades and VIP benefits. From the moment you book, you’ll receive elevated status and exclusive perks that surpass what’s offered through Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts.
Two weeks before your arrival, we always reach out personally to our hotel partners to confirm every detail of our clients’ stays, guaranteeing a smooth, memorable experience.
For those who would like us to do a deeper dive into consultation or concierge assistance, we offer our Hotel Plus service, which includes thorough research for a fee. Let us handle the details so you can focus on enjoying your vacation.
Doing research for a bucket-list escape? Our Tailored Luxury service offers end-to-end itinerary design, personalized support throughout your journey, and access to our unparalleled global partnerships, ensuring every moment is flawlessly curated and effortlessly memorable.
If you’re still exploring your options, we have several resources to help you, including our hotel reviews, complimentary booking tool, a Preferred Hotels Map, and detailed blog posts.
Becoming a client is easy!
To get started, please fill out a Travel Request Form, and we will get back to you within one business day. From there, we will have you fill out a client profile form. And from then on, any hotel stay booked through us unlocks exclusive and complimentary perks.
We can’t wait to work with you.
