Costa Rica is famed for its opulent eco lodges and secluded beachside retreats – to help you decide, we've compiled a collection of our favourite luxury hotels in Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula.
Florblanca
Florblanca is a small resort, fast becoming the benchmark for upmarket properties on this stretch of the Pacific coast. Accommodation at Florblanca consists of luxury cabins, finished in a Balinese style. The bedrooms are air-conditioned, the living rooms have one completely open wall and there are al fresco showers, as well as large tile bathtubs.
Facilities include swimming pools that flow into each other, yoga studios and a massage service. Activities range from relaxing on the beach and surfing to mountain biking, guided horse riding and jungle treks in Costa Rica's oldest protected wildlife area, the Cabo Blanco National Reserve.
Why We Love It
The resort is named after the pretty little white flowers that grow in profusion all around it.
Harmony Hotel
The rooms at the Harmony Hotel are dotted along a path through a tropical garden, leading down towards the Pacific Ocean.
Closest to the pool, the Cocos rooms open onto their own private patio, equipped with a heated shower and seating area. Each bungalow welcomes with an open layout and comfortably furnished seating area, as well as private front deck. With an emphasis on physical and spiritual well being, the hotel has a juice bar and healing centre, and the open air restaurant serves fresh and healthy dishes.
At the heart of the Harmony's lush tropical garden is the pool. It is completely surrounded by several endemic species of plants and trees, which serve as a habitat for various species of birds and butterflies.
Why We Love It
The Harmony is a stone's throw from the best break on Playa Guiones, home to the best surf in Nosara and, for that matter, some of the most consistent year-round waves in the world.
Latitude 10
Located just outside the laidback town of Santa Teresa on the Nicoya Peninsula, Latitude 10 has a similarly relaxed and friendly vibe.
In keeping with much of Costa Rica, the emphasis here is on an affinity with nature, but taken near to its logical extension - think no air conditioning and completely open air bathrooms in the 10 Balinese style private casitas. The owners take environmental concerns very seriously and proudly claim that no trees were cut down when building the hotel.
The casitas are dotted around in the trees between the main clubhouse and the lovely beach, where guests can relax on comfy private sun loungers or take surfing lessons on the forgiving beach break right in front of the hotel. For the less intrepid, there are yoga classes, massages and facials available.
Breakfasts are served on the terrace outside the clubhouse and overlooking the saltwater pool, but there is no actual restaurant at the hotel, so instead guests can pre-arrange for lunches and dinners served at their casita by the excellent chef, or wander along the beach to the restaurant at the (equally lovely) Florblanca hotel.
Why We Love It
The hotel was originally built as a private house and with just 10 rooms and no locks on the doors, this still feels as if you're staying with friends.
Punta Islita
Punta Islita has a spectacular, hillside position with superb views across forest, beach and sea. The property's design is elegant and natural, featuring stone, thatch, tiled floors, wooden furniture and vibrantly coloured quilts.
From the hotel guests can explore the forest and beach either on foot, by mountain bike or on horseback, and fishing can be arranged locally. In reality though, the view from the swimming pool terrace or your own hammock will prove strong competition.
Each of the ocean view bungalows has an open-air terrace with hammock. The junior suites also have an outdoor whirlpool and the villas are equipped with a small swimming pool and breath-taking ocean views.
Why We Love It
A 40-minute flight on a light aircraft from San Jose takes guests to Punta Islita's airstrip.
Rancho Humo Estancia
A nature lovers dream, Rancho Humo Estancia is off the well worn path in Costa Rica, located in the small town of Puerto Humo on the Nicoya Peninsula.
A ten bedroom boutique hotel, Rancho Humo is nestled within the private reserve of Guanacaste, in a thriving area of wildlife. In typical Guanacaste hacienda design, each room has inviting balconies from which to gaze at the spectacular views over the wetlands and grassy plains beyond. The hotel also offers a cosy bar with an open deck, swimming pool, living room and inside and outside dining rooms.
The cuisine of Rancho Humo Estancia is mainly home grown and offers both traditional and local delights, as well as international dishes. Home brewed beer and some of the finest wines are also on offer for those after a gentle evening tipple.
Guests can explore the Tempisque River on a boat safari to view the extraordinary wildlife and flora up close. Crocodiles, monkeys, iguanas, lizards, turtles and a huge array of bird species all inhabit this region. In addition to a boat safari, horseback riding, visits to Palo Verde National Park, Playa Samara beach and Ostional National Wildlife Refuge can all be arranged. For the culture vultures, the folkloric city of Santa Cruz or the colonial city of Nicoya, too.
Why We Love It
Eco-friendly and off the beaten track, this is the place to come for a properly tranquil experience of Costa Rican wildlife.