By the Where to Stay in Costa Rica editorial team · Updated November 5, 2026
How to Plan Where to Stay
- Two nights minimum per stop. With one night, you spend more time packing and driving than exploring.
- One drive per base. Most drives between regions take 3 to 5 hours. Leave after breakfast and arrive well before dark, which falls around 5:30 to 6 pm all year.
- Fly in and out of different airports if you can. Starting in Liberia (LIR) and leaving from San José (SJO), or the reverse, saves a long backtrack.
- Match the season. From September to October, when the Pacific is wettest, the Caribbean coast is often at its best.
7 Days: Volcano and Beach
Flying into San José:
| Nights | Base | Drive to get there |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | La Fortuna | About 3 hrs from SJO |
| 3 | Manuel Antonio | 4.5–5 hrs |
| (1) | Near SJO, if your flight leaves early | About 3 hrs |
Flying into Liberia: La Fortuna for 3 or 4 nights (about 3 hours from LIR), then 3 nights at a Guanacaste beach such as Flamingo, Conchal or Playa Hermosa (3.5 to 4 hours from La Fortuna). The beaches are 30 minutes to an hour from the airport for your flight home.
10 Days: Volcano, Cloud Forest and Beach
Flying into and out of San José:
| Nights | Base | Drive to get there |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | La Fortuna | About 3 hrs from SJO |
| 2 | Monteverde | About 3.5 hrs by road, or by jeep-boat-jeep across Lake Arenal |
| 4 | Manuel Antonio | About 4 hrs |
More beach, less driving: skip Monteverde and do La Fortuna (3), Manuel Antonio (3) and Uvita (3), about 1.25 hours further south, for whales and empty beaches.
Flying into Liberia: Río Celeste (1 night, about 1.25 hours from LIR), La Fortuna (3, about 2 hours on), Monteverde (2), then a Guanacaste beach (3), about 3 to 3.5 hours from Monteverde and an hour or so from the airport.
14 Days: Add the Wild South or the Caribbean
The south Pacific route (in and out of San José):
| Nights | Base | Drive to get there |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | La Fortuna | About 3 hrs from SJO |
| 2 | Monteverde | About 3.5 hrs |
| 3 | Manuel Antonio | About 4 hrs |
| 2 | Uvita | About 1.25 hrs |
| 3 | Drake Bay | About 1 hr to Sierpe, then about 1 hr by boat |
Flying back to San José from Drake Bay saves a 6 to 7 hour return trip. It works best if you drop your rental car before the boat, or travel the southern legs by shuttle.
The Caribbean route (best from about August to October): Tortuguero (2 nights, by road and boat from San José), Puerto Viejo (3, by boat to Moín and a short drive), La Fortuna (3, 5 to 6 hours), Monteverde (2) and Manuel Antonio (3).
Where We'd Stay at Each Stop
One reliable choice per base. Each area guide has splurge and budget alternatives.
Arenal Manoa Hot Springs Resort
Volcano road, a few km west of town, La Fortuna & Arenal
La Fortuna: volcano views and hot-spring pools, our default first stop.
Best for: Volcano views for less
- Volcano view from every room
- On-site thermal pools
- Rooms with private hot tub or pool
More about this hotel
Volcano views from every room, its own thermal pools and some rooms with a private hot tub or pool, for well under the price of the big resorts. Town is a short drive away.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Hiram Montiel Calder…, CC BY-SA 3.0
Hotel Belmar
Cerro Plano, Monteverde
Monteverde: views, great food and a short drive to the reserve.
Best for: Food lovers and design fans
- Restaurant with its own brewery
- Spa, yoga and hot tub
- Family rooms
More about this hotel
Monteverde's best-known boutique hotel, with wood-paneled rooms, a brewery restaurant, an organic garden and a wellness center with yoga and a hot tub.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Cephas, CC BY-SA 4.0
Si Como No Resort & Wildlife Refuge
Middle of the hill road, Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio: ocean views from the hill road, minutes from the park.
Best for: Couples and families
- Separate family and adults-only pools
- Private balcony in every room
- On-site cinema and spa
More about this hotel
A 54-room resort in the middle of the ridge with balconies over the forest and the Pacific. It splits guests sensibly: a family pool on one side, an adults-only pool on the other, plus a small cinema for rainy afternoons.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Kenza Gharbi, CC BY-SA 4.0
The Westin Reserva Conchal
Playa Conchal, Flamingo & Conchal
Guanacaste: an easy all-inclusive end to a Liberia trip.
Best for: All-inclusive family trips
- All-inclusive
- On Playa Conchal
- Kids club plus adults-only club rooms
More about this hotel
The easiest all-inclusive choice in Guanacaste, right on Playa Conchal's shell-sand beach. Families get a kids' club for ages 4–12; couples can book the adults-only Westin Club rooms with their own pool and swim-up bar.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Saraedum, CC BY-SA 4.0
Celeste Mountain Lodge
Above Bijagua, Río Celeste & Bijagua
Río Celeste: a night with volcano views between Liberia and La Fortuna.
Best for: Views and food
- Volcano views from every room
- Meals included in the rate
- 5 km to the park
More about this hotel
A contemporary lodge above Bijagua with views to the Tenorio and Miravalles volcanoes and meals included in the room rate. The park entrance is about 5 km away by paved road.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Kura Boutique Hotel
Hills above Uvita, Uvita
Uvita: a quiet, adults-only finish with whale-season views.
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
Hotel Finca Maresia
Drake Bay, hillside, Drake Bay
Drake Bay: good-value cabins with Corcovado tours arranged.
Best for: Value wildlife trips
- Good birdwatching
- Family rooms and communal dinners
- Corcovado and Caño Island tours
More about this hotel
Cabins on a 5-hectare property above Drake Bay with good birdwatching, family-style dinners and a tour desk for Corcovado and Caño Island.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Imatges, algunes lle…, CC BY 3.0
Tortuga Lodge & Gardens
Riverbank across from the airstrip, Tortuguero
Tortuguero: comfortable lodge with canal tours from the dock.
Best for: Fly-in luxury
- River views and air-conditioning
- Breakfast included
- Across from the airstrip
More about this hotel
Tortuguero's most comfortable lodge, with river-view rooms that have air-conditioning, an outdoor pool and breakfast included. It is directly across the river from the airstrip and 10 minutes by boat from the village.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Lars0001, Public domain
Le Caméléon Hotel
Playa Cocles, Puerto Viejo
Puerto Viejo: a stylish Caribbean base at Playa Cocles.
Best for: Boutique luxury
- Walk to Playa Cocles
- Three pools and a spa
- Beach club
More about this hotel
A stylish all-white boutique hotel near Playa Cocles, with three pools, a spa, a beach club and two restaurants.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Hampton by Hilton San José Airport
Airport boulevard, San José Airport (SJO)
San José airport: for the night before an early flight home.
Best for: Early flights
- Free 24-hour airport shuttle
- Free hot breakfast
- Pool and gym
More about this hotel
About 1.5 km from SJO with a free 24-hour airport shuttle, free hot breakfast, a pool and soundproofed rooms. The practical choice before an early flight.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Itinerary 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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Arenal Manoa Hot Springs ResortVolcano road, a few km west of town, La Fortuna & Arenal · Mid-rangeVolcano views for lessCheck prices -
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Si Como No Resort & Wildlife RefugeMiddle of the hill road, Manuel Antonio · SplurgeCouples and familiesCheck prices -
The Westin Reserva ConchalPlaya Conchal, Flamingo & Conchal · SplurgeAll-inclusive family tripsCheck prices -
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Tortuga Lodge & GardensRiverbank across from the airstrip, Tortuguero · SplurgeFly-in luxuryCheck prices -
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Hampton by Hilton San José AirportAirport boulevard, San José Airport (SJO) · Mid-rangeEarly flightsCheck prices
| Hotel | Location | Price level | Best for | Prices | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Arenal Manoa Hot Springs Resort
Hot-springs hotel
|
Volcano road, a few km west of town, La Fortuna & Arenal | Mid-range | Volcano views for less | Check prices |
|
|
Hotel Belmar
Design hotel
|
Cerro Plano, Monteverde | Splurge | Food lovers and design fans | Check prices |
|
|
Si Como No Resort & Wildlife Refuge
Hillside resort
|
Middle of the hill road, Manuel Antonio | Splurge | Couples and families | Check prices |
|
|
The Westin Reserva Conchal
All-inclusive resort
|
Playa Conchal, Flamingo & Conchal | Splurge | All-inclusive family trips | Check prices |
|
|
Celeste Mountain Lodge
Mountain lodge
|
Above Bijagua, Río Celeste & Bijagua | Mid-range | Views and food | Check prices |
|
|
Kura Boutique Hotel
Adults-only boutique
|
Hills above Uvita, Uvita | Splurge | Honeymoons | Check prices |
|
|
Hotel Finca Maresia
Cabins
|
Drake Bay, hillside, Drake Bay | Mid-range | Value wildlife trips | Check prices |
|
|
Tortuga Lodge & Gardens
Riverside lodge
|
Riverbank across from the airstrip, Tortuguero | Splurge | Fly-in luxury | Check prices |
|
|
Le Caméléon Hotel
Boutique hotel
|
Playa Cocles, Puerto Viejo | Splurge | Boutique luxury | Check prices |
|
|
Hampton by Hilton San José Airport
Airport hotel
|
Airport boulevard, San José Airport (SJO) | Mid-range | Early flights | Check prices |
Hotel details checked on November 5, 2026.
Car, Shuttle or Flights?
A rental car is the most flexible way to do these routes, and the main roads between bases are paved. Shared shuttle vans link every stop here and cost less than a car for one or two people, but they run on fixed schedules and take longer. Short domestic flights save time on the long legs to Drake Bay, Puerto Jiménez, Tortuguero and the Santa Teresa area, though small planes are weather-dependent and have tight baggage limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to help you choose where to stay.