Playa Tamarindo
A whitewashed, concrete villa with weathered louvered accents, this contemporary B&B overlooks a plunge pool and two tennis courts. It's within earshot of…
Must-see hotels in Península de Nicoya
Península de Nicoya
On the beach side of the plaza, this basic hotel offers simple, clean rooms with wood floors and ceiling fans, lined up along a wide balcony. Sea-view…
Península de Nicoya
Luxury at Hotel Sugar Beach is simple and understated: floor-to-ceiling windows, private balconies and stunning views are just a few of the upsides,…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
These charming stilted bungalows are built along a forest-covered hillside, each with a huge veranda with hammocks. Though they're definitely on the…
Península de Nicoya
A great guesthouse with only five upgraded rooms and a more spacious and stylish treehouse apartment. Guests spend most of their time in the exquisite…
Playa Tamarindo
It's hard to resist this fun, funky yellow house backing up to the beach. Upon arrival, ebullient Cindy will greet you with a shot of tequila or a slab of…
Península de Nicoya
The quaint cabinas here are set around a gorgeous tropical garden teeming with hummingbirds, butterflies and parakeets. Simple rooms have freshly painted…
Playa Sámara
A terrific-value hostel a block from the beach, with private rooms (shared bathrooms) in the main house and cozy dorm rooms (sleeping four or six) in the…
Península de Nicoya
Midway between Carrillo and Sámara, this attractive whitewashed place is noteworthy for its super service and intimate atmosphere. A dozen spacious tiled…
Montezuma
This hillside hotel has 16 stained-wood cabinas, some with stone bathrooms, wide balconies and ocean views. The grounds are landscaped with tropical…
Península de Nicoya
This colorful castle, decked out with crenellated walls and carved masks, is just 400m from the beach, offering panoramic views from its rooftop bar. Take…
Península de Nicoya
These attractive yellow concrete buildings are a comfortable and affordable option, with kitchenettes and multiroom options to accommodate families. Rooms…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
This lovely Asian-inspired guesthouse is decked out in celestial murals and Buddha sculptures. The colorful but basic rooms share bathrooms and two fully…
Península de Nicoya
This hip spot offers a straight shot to the beach. Paths lead from the gorgeous pool area through a lush garden to attractive podlike bungalows. Look for…
Playa Sámara
This whitewashed concrete hacienda, twirling with fans and bursting with colorful knickknacks, is on a quiet street. There's loads of charm: rooms are…
Península de Nicoya
A long-standing and secluded beachfront hotel catering mostly to domestic tourists, and the outdated design and so-so restaurant leave something to be…
Península de Nicoya
Mapi's is a comfortable stop. Your room price includes a decent bed, cool air-con and warm showers. Bonus: fill up on mangoes and other tropical fruits…
Península de Nicoya
Set well back from the road and shaded by mango and palm trees, this pretty pink property is a solid midrange option. The rooms – spacious and spotless,…
Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Curú Cabinas
Península de Nicoya
There are six rustic cabinas on the grounds of the wildlife reserve. The accommodations are bare and the showers are cold, but they are beautifully…
Montezuma
Nine bright houses (each painted and named for a color of the rainbow) are fully equipped with kitchens and big porches with hammocks. They're set amid…
Península de Nicoya
This is a lovely, intimate inn nestled into the semi-gated Palm Beach Estates. Spacious and luxurious rooms each have a private terrace overlooking the…
Península de Nicoya
Ensconced in the Tierra Pacifica 'eco' development, this little guesthouse has access to tennis courts, a gym and yoga studio, a swimming pool and a…
Playa Sámara
This fantastic little inn offers the charming personality and artistic atmosphere of a boutique hotel at the price of a roadside motel. Seven simple rooms…
Península de Nicoya
Near the southern end of the beach this funky, friendly faux-dobe villa property offers a room to suit every budget. All room categories are quite smart,…
Península de Nicoya
In the center of unassuming La Javilla (2km from the beach), this semi-swanky hotel is incongruous with the setting, but still lovely. Rooms are simple…
Playa Sámara
Surrounding a big mango tree and a tiny swimming pool are 17 rooms with whitewashed stucco walls and tiled floors. The rooms that share a bathroom are fan…
Playa Tamarindo
Across the street from the beach, this immaculate and intimate hostel is popular among the surfer set. Budget travelers appreciate the clean, cool dorms …
Playa Sámara
Welcome to paradise. A handful of brand-new thatch-roof bungalows are scattered about the tree-filled grounds, promising plenty of privacy. From your…
Península de Nicoya
This gracious stucco mansion houses a friendly B&B. The property is charming in an artistic Old World way, with plenty of eclectic art, a two-tiered…
Península de Nicoya
Perched on the hillside just above the beach, these studios and apartments are a great option for divers, beach bums and self-caterers. Studios (no beach…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
An easy-to-like, economical family operation 100m south of the Santa Teresa/Mal País divide, this Italian-Tico property offers a quiet, comfy spot a bit…
Península de Nicoya
A major price shift has made this charming hotel in the center of Tambor more of a bargain. Nine classy rooms surround a gorgeous garden that is bursting…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
Steps from the beach, this family-owned place offers the intimacy of a B&B and the luxury of a boutique hotel. With a balcony or terrace overlooking lush…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
Vying for the title of 'closest to the break,' this is one of the friendliest places in town, thanks to owners Amir and Idan. The rooms are plain but…
Península de Nicoya
Named for two canine amigos, this comfy, convivial inn has a handful of rooms that are clean, modern and artfully painted, each featuring a small patio…
Península de Nicoya
We know a bargain when we see one, and we see one here. Four spacious cabinas feature spotless tile floors and bathrooms, well-stocked kitchens and shiny…
Playa Tamarindo
This is a lovely, low-key collection of bungalows, set on the quiet eastern edge of town. Outstanding and personable service is the hallmark of this…
Península de Nicoya
Oddly situated on the main drag north of Potrero, this little place (named for the popular dragon fruit) is set up like a roadside motel – a strip of…
Montezuma
You can't beat the location of the 'happy snapper's' beachfront cabinas in the heart of Montezuma. Rooms are simple, clean and fan-cooled. The communal…
Playa Tamarindo
The Mahayana is a sweet retreat, away from the hustle and bustle of the main drag. Spotless, citrus-painted rooms have high ceilings, big windows and…
