By the Where to Stay in Costa Rica editorial team · Updated November 5, 2026
The Short Answer
Start with three nights at Nayara Springs in La Fortuna, where every villa has its own hot-spring plunge pool, then finish at a beach. Which beach depends on your style:
- Wildlife and rainforest on the sand: Manuel Antonio, at Gaia or Arenas del Mar.
- Privacy and big views: the hills above Uvita, at Kura or Oxygen Jungle Villas.
- Surf-town sunsets and good restaurants: Santa Teresa, at Ocio Villas.
- Dry weather and an easy flight home from Liberia: Playa Langosta, at Cala Luna.
The Best Honeymoon Combinations
| Route | Hotels | Drive between | Airports |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arenal + Manuel Antonio | Nayara Springs, then Gaia or Arenas del Mar | 4.5–5 hrs | In and out of SJO |
| Arenal + Uvita | Nayara Springs, then Kura or Oxygen | About 6 hrs | In and out of SJO |
| Arenal + Guanacaste | Nayara Springs, then Cala Luna | 3.5–4 hrs | In and out of LIR |
| Arenal + Santa Teresa | Nayara Springs, then Ocio Villas | About 6 hrs, or fly to Cóbano | LIR or SJO |
On a longer honeymoon, add two nights at Lapa Rios on the Osa Peninsula, a short flight from San José, for the wildest rainforest in the country.
Adults-Only Hotels
No kids' clubs or splash pools: these hotels only take adult guests.
Nayara Springs
Volcano road, about 7 km west of town, La Fortuna & Arenal
Our top pick: adults-only villas, each with its own hot-spring plunge pool, in the rainforest below Arenal Volcano.
Best for: Romantic splurges
- Adults only
- Private hot-spring plunge pool in every villa
- Breakfast included
More about this hotel
Arenal's top honeymoon hotel: adults-only villas, each with its own plunge pool fed by natural hot springs. Breakfast is included, and a bridge links it to sister hotel Nayara Gardens.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0
Gaia Hotel & Reserve
Start of the hill road (Quepos end), Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio: adults-only, with a private nature reserve, a spa and ocean views.
Best for: Honeymoons and couples
- Adults only
- Three-level infinity pool
- Spa with six treatment rooms
More about this hotel
An adults-only hotel set in its own rainforest reserve at the Quepos end of the hill road, with a three-level infinity pool and a full spa. It is the quietest of the high-end options, but every beach trip is a drive or shuttle ride.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Idawriter, CC BY-SA 3.0
Kura Boutique Hotel
Hills above Uvita, Uvita
Uvita: adults-only design hotel with an infinity pool facing the Whale's Tail.
Best for: Honeymoons
- Adults only
- Ocean-view infinity pool
- Suite with private pool
More about this hotel
An adults-only design hotel high above Uvita with an ocean-view infinity pool and a master suite with its own pool. A strong honeymoon pick; the hotel runs a shuttle up its steep, unpaved road.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Yricordel, CC BY-SA 3.0
Oxygen Jungle Villas
Hills inland from Uvita, Uvita
Uvita: adults-only villas floating above the jungle canopy.
Best for: Romantic jungle stays
- Adults only
- Infinity pool
- Riverside spa
More about this hotel
Adults-only villas and suites in the jungle inland from Uvita, with a palm-lined infinity pool and a riverside spa. The beaches are about a 10-minute drive.
El Castillo Boutique Hotel
Ojochal hilltop, Uvita
Ojochal: adults-only hilltop hotel with sunset views and a dramatic pool.
Best for: Couples who want views
- Adults only
- 180-degree ocean views
- Breakfast and dinner on site
More about this hotel
An adults-only hotel about 300 ft above the Pacific in Ojochal, with 180-degree sea views, a pool and breakfast and dinner on site. Uvita is about 20 minutes north.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Los Paseos from Earth, CC BY-SA 2.0
Romantic Villas and Lodges
Not adults only, but private enough to feel that way.
Arenas del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort
Playitas beach, Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio: suites with outdoor hot tubs and the area's only upscale beachfront setting.
Best for: Beachfront luxury
- Direct access to two beaches
- Two pools and a beachfront restaurant
- Ocean-view suites and a family suite
More about this hotel
The only big Manuel Antonio hotel with direct access to the sand, on Playitas at the north end of Playa Espadilla. Suites look over the ocean from an 11-acre forest reserve, and the beach restaurant is a short walk down.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: jmcmichael from No Fixed Abode, The World, CC BY-SA 2.0
Ocio Villas Mal País
Mal País hillside, Santa Teresa
Mal País: villas with private plunge pools and ocean views, near Santa Teresa's sunsets.
Best for: Honeymoons
- Private plunge pool at every villa
- Ocean views
- Small and quiet
More about this hotel
Formerly Casa Chameleon: about ten hillside villas above Mal País, each with a terrace, ocean views and its own infinity plunge pool. Small and private, but the access road is steep and rough.
Cala Luna Boutique Hotel & Villas
Playa Langosta, Tamarindo
Tamarindo: private-pool villas on quiet Playa Langosta.
Best for: Villas and honeymoons
- Villas with private pools
- Adults-only suites
- Spa and wellness activities
More about this hotel
Two- and three-bedroom villas with private pools, plus adults-only suites, a few minutes' walk from quiet Playa Langosta. Downtown Tamarindo is about 15 minutes away on foot.
Tierra Magnífica
Hills above Playa Guiones, Nosara
Nosara: a small boutique hideaway in the hills above Playa Guiones.
Best for: Romantic boutique stays
- Ocean- and jungle-view suites
- Chef-run restaurant
- Pool, spa and yoga
More about this hotel
A small hillside boutique hotel with jungle and ocean views, a pool, a spa and a chef-run restaurant. The beach is about 1.4 km downhill, so a tuk-tuk or car helps.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Alegutierrezc, CC BY-SA 4.0
Lapa Rios Lodge
Cabo Matapalo, Puerto Jiménez
Osa Peninsula: screened bungalows with outdoor showers on a private rainforest reserve, for wildlife-loving couples.
Best for: Eco-luxury
- 1,000-acre private reserve
- Full-package or B&B rates
- Airport shuttle
More about this hotel
One of Costa Rica's original eco-lodges: rainforest bungalows in a 1,000-acre private reserve at Cabo Matapalo, sold either as a full package with meals and guided walks or as bed and breakfast.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0
Romantic Stays for Less
Adults-only atmosphere at a fraction of the price.
Hotel Banana Azul
Playa Negra, Puerto Viejo
Caribbean coast: adults-only beachfront hotel at Playa Negra, for less.
Best for: Adults-only beachfront
- Adults only
- On Playa Negra
- Pool and restaurant
More about this hotel
An adults-only hotel right on Playa Negra, with a pool, a large garden and a restaurant. It is about 2.5 km from town, so bikes help.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Jsfouche, CC BY-SA 3.0
Hotel Villas Gaia Ecolodge
Playa Tortuga, Ojochal, Uvita
Ojochal: adults-only jungle ecolodge above Playa Tortuga, for a romantic stay on a budget.
Best for: Couples on a budget
- Adults only
- Private trail to the beach
- Breakfast included
More about this hotel
An adults-only ecolodge with a private trail to Playa Tortuga (about 12 minutes on foot), a view pool, a restaurant and breakfast included.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Los Paseos from Earth, CC BY-SA 2.0
Honeymoon Hotels at a Glance
Prices change by date and room type, so check your own dates on Booking.com before you decide.
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Nayara SpringsVolcano road, about 7 km west of town, La Fortuna & Arenal · SplurgeRomantic splurgesCheck prices -
Gaia Hotel & ReserveStart of the hill road (Quepos end), Manuel Antonio · SplurgeHoneymoons and couplesCheck prices -
Arenas del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest ResortPlayitas beach, Manuel Antonio · SplurgeBeachfront luxuryCheck prices -
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Cala Luna Boutique Hotel & VillasPlaya Langosta, Tamarindo · SplurgeVillas and honeymoonsCheck prices -
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| Hotel | Location | Price level | Best for | Prices | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Nayara Springs
Adults-only luxury
|
Volcano road, about 7 km west of town, La Fortuna & Arenal | Splurge | Romantic splurges | Check prices |
|
|
Gaia Hotel & Reserve
Adults-only boutique
|
Start of the hill road (Quepos end), Manuel Antonio | Splurge | Honeymoons and couples | Check prices |
|
|
Arenas del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort
Beachfront eco-resort
|
Playitas beach, Manuel Antonio | Splurge | Beachfront luxury | Check prices |
|
|
Kura Boutique Hotel
Adults-only boutique
|
Hills above Uvita, Uvita | Splurge | Honeymoons | Check prices |
|
|
Oxygen Jungle Villas
Adults-only villas
|
Hills inland from Uvita, Uvita | Splurge | Romantic jungle stays | Check prices |
|
|
El Castillo Boutique Hotel
Adults-only boutique
|
Ojochal hilltop, Uvita | Splurge | Couples who want views | Check prices |
|
|
Ocio Villas Mal País
Villas with plunge pools
|
Mal País hillside, Santa Teresa | Splurge | Honeymoons | Check prices |
|
|
Cala Luna Boutique Hotel & Villas
Boutique hotel and villas
|
Playa Langosta, Tamarindo | Splurge | Villas and honeymoons | Check prices |
|
|
Tierra Magnífica
Boutique hotel
|
Hills above Playa Guiones, Nosara | Splurge | Romantic boutique stays | Check prices |
|
|
Lapa Rios Lodge
Eco-lodge
|
Cabo Matapalo, Puerto Jiménez | Splurge | Eco-luxury | Check prices |
|
|
Hotel Banana Azul
Adults-only beach hotel
|
Playa Negra, Puerto Viejo | Mid-range | Adults-only beachfront | Check prices |
|
|
Hotel Villas Gaia Ecolodge
Adults-only ecolodge
|
Playa Tortuga, Ojochal, Uvita | Budget | Couples on a budget | Check prices |
Hotel details checked on November 5, 2026.
Planning Tips
- Book early for December to April. The best villas at Nayara, Kura and Arenas del Mar sell out months ahead in the dry season.
- The green season can be perfect for a honeymoon. From May to August, mornings are often sunny, rates are lower and the hotels are quieter. Avoid September and October on the Pacific side, the wettest months.
- Ask about honeymoon extras. Many hotels add a bottle of wine, a couples' massage or a private dinner if you mention it when booking.
- Plan for the transfer. Private drivers cost more than a rental car but let you both enjoy the views, and save navigating hillside roads after dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to help you choose where to stay.