If you’re planning an upscale, unforgettable getaway, these top three luxury resorts in Costa Rica offer the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. Trust me – I’ve stayed at all three.
We combined Costa Rica’s most distinct luxury regions into one ultimate itinerary.
| Region & Hotels | The Vibe | Best For… |
| The Arenal Jungle (The Springs & Nayara Tented Camp) | Lush rainforest, local pura vida vibe at the base of the active Arenal Volcano. | Volcanic hot springs, hanging bridges, sloths, and jungle adventures. |
| The Papagayo Peninsula (Four Seasons) | Exclusive Pacific coast enclave, about 3.5 hours from the Arenal rainforest. | Pristine beaches, calm ocean bays, land and water adventures, and coastal relaxation. |
If you’re short on time, here is my quick breakdown of Costa Rica’s top three luxury resorts at a glance:
#1 The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal: Best for Active Families
- The Vibe: Authentic Pura Vida adventure meets palatial jungle lodge.
- The Highlights: An on-site adventure center (Club Rio), supervised kids play area, and a thrilling jungle waterslide that empties into natural thermal springs—and it all comes with an unobstructed jaw-dropping view of the Arenal Volcano (even from your balcony!).
- Best For: Families with kids of all ages who want non-stop activities. Anyone wanting legendary views, relaxation and casual fun.
- Expert Tips for The Springs Resort and Spa:
- Their website photos don’t do it justice!
- The staff treats you like family.
- You could easily spend 4-5 days here – there is so much to do without ever leaving the resort.
- You’ll have easy access to top Costa Rican adventures – zipline, hanging bridges, rafting, chocolate/coffee tours. Check out my itinerary for all the details!
#2 Nayara Tented Camp: Best for ‘Bucket-List Hotel Go-ers’ & “Out of Africa” Luxury
- The Vibe: Ultra-exclusive, safari-chic, deep in the rainforest.
- The Highlight: Luxury romantic ‘tents’ featuring private thermal plunge pools, outdoor showers, all with a unique, vintage style. Sloths literally live in the trees right outside your door. A ‘glamping’ experience like no other, although can we really call it ‘glamping’ when you wake up to a server on your private terrace, pouring you fresh French press?
- Best For: Honeymooners, couples, or families looking for a truly unique, bucket-list safari-style experience. Even just a one-night splurge is worth it!
- Expert Tips for Nayara Tented Camp:
- There are not as many activities that kids could do solo (but there is still a playground and pre-teen/teen club!). Our kids’ favorite was our private plunge pool.
- You’ll see plenty of wildlife (sloths and exotic birds galore) on site!
- The staff made us feel comfortable with our kids in tow, and treated us like royalty.
- The daily breakfast was top notch.
#3 Four Seasons Papagayo: Best for Beach Lovers & Flawless Service
- The Vibe: Sophisticated coastal elegance. It feels less rustic-jungle and more pure, high-end luxury.
- The Highlights: A unique dual-beach setup (a calm bay beach on one side, waves for boogie boarding on the other) paired with a world-class, supervised kids’ club that allows parents to actually slip away for complimentary date experiences.
- Best For: Travelers prioritizing top-tier dining, resort experiences, white-glove service, beach activities, and an entertaining, safe kids’ club.
- Expert Tips for Four Seasons Papagayo Peninsula:
- Sign up early for their complimentary experiences (like dance lessons or rum and wine tastings).
- Beach activities like boogie boarding are included! This was our favorite.
- Their service is top-notch, so if you want something, just ask. They made our daughter a strawberry birthday cake and hand-delivered her balloons!
- The kids club closes just before the dinner hour. Plenty of time to do date-night experiences (my favorite ‘adult’ thing that we did).
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Are There Costa Rican Activities Nearby?
Of course! Here are some of my favorites:
- For mild adventurers: hanging bridges, wildlife safaris, sloth sightings, photography tour, evening wildlife walk.
- For more extreme adventurists: surf the coastline, zipline by Arenal Volcano, hike or rappel down waterfalls, go whitewater rafting, river tubing, and horse-back riding.
- For culture enthusiasts: volunteer at a wildlife sanctuary, enjoy a cooking class, or make your own chocolate bars at a local coffee farm.
- Check out our itinerary for more details!
Contact me to help plan your itinerary and check out my bookable list of top activities in La Fortuna and top activities in Papagayo/Guanacaste.
Alright, let’s recap…
Summary of the Top 3 Luxury Resorts in Costa Rica
| Resort | Location | Best For | The Vibe | Standout Features |
| The Springs | Arenal (Jungle) | Active Families Groups | Lively & Adventurous | Volcano views, waterslide, games, adventures |
| Nayara Tented Camp | Arenal (Jungle) | Couples Bucket-List Solo Travelers | Romantic Safari-Chic | Ultimate bucket-list experience, private plunge pool, killer food |
| Four Seasons | Papagayo (Beach) | Beach Lovers, Solo Travelers, Friends/Families Resort Lovers | Refined Elegance | Kids club, complimentary experiences, beach activities, yummy food |
The Verdict: Do These Luxury Resorts in Costa Rica Live Up to the 5-Star Hype?
I can tell you that these properties absolutely back up the hype. They each offer a unique vibe, but the luxury and service are consistent across the board. Every single staff member we encountered went out of their way to make us feel welcome, remember our names, and treat our kids like royalty.
Ready to elevate your Costa Rican escape?
Don’t just book a room—unlock a VIP experience. As a luxury travel specialist, I provide my clients with exclusive preferred partner perks at Nayara, The Springs, and the Four Seasons that you won’t find on standard booking sites.
You pay the same rate as booking direct—but with the added VIP benefits you can’t get on your own. Get in touch with me through my advisor page.
When you book through me, you’ll enjoy:
- Daily Gourmet Breakfast for two
- $100+ Resort Credits for spa treatments, dining
- VIP Welcome Amenities and early check-in/late check-out
- Complimentary Room Upgrades (subject to availability)
- Zero planning fees: you’ll get these perks at the standard nightly rate
And of course I’ll be your personal travel concierge before and during your trip.
Did you already book your hotel but want to add my VIP perks for the same price? Contact me today, and I’ll email my partner hotel contacts right away.
Which one is right for you?
Whether you want non-stop family adventure or a quiet jungle sanctuary, I’ve broken down these top three luxury resorts in Costa Rica with my personal experiences, room tours, and insider pro-tips in these deep-dive guides – coming soon.
For majestic volcano views, healing thermal springs, and ‘Pura Vida’ adventure for the whole family, head to The Springs Resort & Spa.
👉 [Read the Full Review of The Springs Resort & Spa here] – coming soon!
For unrivaled exclusivity—a bespoke, safari-style rainforest sanctuary, a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ experience—look no further than Nayara Tented Camp.
👉 [Read the Full Review of Nayara Tented Camp here] – coming soon!
For white-glove service, a secluded beach cove and world-class kids’ club, the Four Seasons at Papagayo Peninsula is the definitive choice.
👉 [Read the Full Review of The Four Seasons Papagayo here] – coming soon!
~Pura Vida
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