Where Is the Best Place to Stay in Costa Rica?

Manuel Antonio packs a national park, three swimmable beaches, and capuchin monkeys into one steep hillside. Stay along the road between Quepos and the park entrance. The top of the hill near Cafe Milagro has the postcard ocean views, while the bottom near Playa Espadilla puts you on the sand. Restaurants like El Avion and Agua Azul sit mid-hill with Pacific sunsets. The park gates open at 7 a.m. and closes Tuesdays, so plan accordingly. Avoid booking anything past Quepos town center if you want walkable dining. The public bus runs the main road every 20 minutes for 500 colones.

Best for

First-time visitors who want wildlife without driving far

Walk times

Park entrance to Playa Manuel Antonio 12 min
Hilltop hotels to nearest restaurant: 5 to 8 min
Quepos center to Marina Pez Vela 10 min

Skip if: You want a quiet beach without crowds in high season

Local tip: Skip the guides who hassle you at the park gate. Book a certified ICT guide through your hotel for around $25 per person. They carry telescopes and find sloths you would walk right past.

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$134per night

La Fortuna

Volcano views and natural hot springs

Mid-range $90-$320/night

La Fortuna sits at the foot of Arenal Volcano in the northern lowlands. The town itself is small, built around a central park with a church facing the cone. Most hotels line the road toward the volcano on Route 142, with thermal river spots like Tabacon and the free Rio Chollin within a 15-minute drive. Downtown La Fortuna has solid sodas (small family restaurants) like Soda Viquez and Rancho La Cascada. Stay in town if you want walkable dinners and cheaper rooms. Stay on the volcano road if you want hot spring access and bigger resorts. The waterfall trail at Catarata La Fortuna costs $18 and takes about 90 minutes round trip with the descent.

Best for

Adventure travelers who want hikingraftingand hot springs in one base

Walk times

Town center to bus terminal 4 min
Central park to Soda Viquez 6 min
Hotels on Route 142 to nearest restaurant: 10 to 25 min

Skip if: You only have three days and want beach time

Local tip: Rio Chollin is the free public hot spring next to Tabacon. Park at the bridge on Route 142, walk down the path, and bring water shoes. Locals go after 5 p.m. when it cools off.

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$101per night

Tamarindo

Surf lessons by day, ceviche by night

Mid-range $80-$260/night

Tamarindo on the Guanacaste coast is the most developed surf town in Costa Rica. The main beach runs about two kilometers with consistent beginner-friendly waves at Playa Tamarindo and stronger breaks at Playa Langosta to the south. Calle Central is the main strip with bars, surf shops, and restaurants like El Coconut and Pangas Beach Club. Stay near the roundabout for walkable nightlife or push toward Langosta for quieter mornings. The Playa Grande estuary across the bay protects nesting leatherback turtles from October through March. Liberia airport sits 75 minutes north on Route 21, making this the easiest international arrival.

Best for

Surfersgroupsand travelers who want walkable nightlife

Walk times

Roundabout to main beach 2 min
Calle Central to Playa Langosta 18 min
Town center to Witch's Rock Surf Camp 5 min

Skip if: You came for unspoiled nature or quiet luxury

Local tip: Book surf lessons in the morning when the wind is offshore. Iguana Surf and Witch's Rock both charge around $50 for two hours. Skip the guys selling lessons on the beach without a board leash.

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$90per night

Monteverde

Walk through clouds in a primary forest

Mid-range $95-$290/night

Monteverde sits at 1,440 meters in the Tilaran mountains, perpetually wrapped in mist. The Cloud Forest Biological Reserve and Santa Elena Reserve protect some of the last untouched primary cloud forest in Central America. Santa Elena town has the budget hotels, sodas, and tour operators along the main road. Cerro Plano between Santa Elena and the reserve has the mid-range lodges with forest views. Selvatura Park runs the longest hanging bridges and the Sky Walk. The road up from Route 1 is partially unpaved and takes about three hours from San Jose, which keeps the crowds manageable. Bring a rain jacket. It rains most afternoons.

Best for

Birdershikersand travelers chasing the resplendent quetzal

Walk times

Santa Elena center to bus stop 3 min
Cerro Plano hotels to Selvatura Park 8 min
Reserve entrance to Santa Elena 25 min

Skip if: You hate cold mornings or have a tight schedule

Local tip: The free Bajo del Tigre trail behind the Children's Eternal Rainforest office is half the price of the main reserve and just as good for spotting motmots and toucanets in the early morning.

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$106per night