The 12 Best Luxury Hotels in Guanacaste

Above the sea: At Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, infinity pools cascade toward the ocean, with Brisa serving alongside from lunch into the evening. Andaz Costa Rica Resort At Peninsula Papagayo has three infinity pools above Culebra Bay, including a quiet adults-only pool with sushi from the Perla bar. At Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique, you relax on loungers set in the shallow water of a pool that steps down over several levels with waterfalls.Andaz Costa Rica Resort At Peninsula Papagayo · El CoyolLong and family-friendly: The infinity pool at El Mangroove Guanacaste is around 40 meters long, with cabanas and a resident DJ; the family zone adds four more pools and a children's pool. At JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort, a sprawling free-form pool winds along the beach, with alcoves for couples and separate areas for families. The Westin Reserva Playa Conchal has a lagoon pool near the beach and an adults-only pool in the Westin Club.

On the roof and in the garden: From the rooftop pool at Santarena Hotel Las Catalinas, you look west into the sunset over the Pacific. At W Costa Rica - Reserva Conchal, the adults-only WET Deck pool sits on a hilltop with ocean views, and the beach club has its own infinity pool on the sand. At Hotel Nantipa Santa Teresa de Cobano, a freshwater pool meanders through the garden, and the Ninta bungalows have private plunge pools.

Warm water from the volcano: At Rio Perdido, a thermal river runs for a kilometer through a canyon, with dozens of natural pools at different temperatures; more thermal pools surround the main building. Our advice: if you want sea and pool together, book one of the luxury hotels in Guanacaste on the coast; if you would rather soak in warm water under the trees, head inland.

In the treetops: You reach the Nimbu Spa at Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve across a hanging bridge. Treatments take place in cabanas among the treetops and in private spa suites, using Chorotega pottery, volcanic mud and Juanilama oil; the saunas look out to sea. The ONDA Spa at Andaz Costa Rica Resort At Peninsula Papagayo follows the lunar cycles and Chorotega culture, with pitahaya, cacao and volcanic minerals, sound journeys and, since 2025, dry saunas and a beauty bar.El Mangroove Guanacaste · PanamáWith cacao and honey: The spa at Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique has eleven treatment rooms, saunas, steam rooms and a whirlpool; rituals include a cacao treatment and a body ritual with Melipona bee honey. At El Mangroove Guanacaste, the Bearth Spa is open-air, on terraces among the mangroves, with its own yoga decks.

At the big resorts: The AWAY Spa at W Costa Rica - Reserva Conchal has six treatment rooms designed like butterfly cocoons, plus a bar of its own. At JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort, you can also be massaged outdoors in six palapas, and there are two Vichy showers. The Heavenly Spa at The Westin Reserva Playa Conchal has steam rooms, saunas, an outdoor whirlpool and a cold plunge pool.

At no extra cost: you pay the same rate as booking direct with the hotel – the suitespot benefits come on top, free of charge.

Yoga and thermal water: At Hotel Nantipa Santa Teresa de Cobano, the Numu Wellness Center sits open-air in the garden, with yoga, meditation and breathwork every day. At Rio Perdido, there are facials with volcanic clay from Miravalles, volcanic mud body painting in a hot river pool and cliffside yoga pods 43 meters above the thermal river. Wellness at the luxury hotels in Guanacaste happens in the treetops as much as in the riverbed.

On the Pacific coast south of Guanacaste, prices start at 194 € at Los Suenos Marriott Ocean Resort and 298 € at Hotel Nantipa Santa Teresa de Cobano. Inland, Rio Perdido starts at 215 €.Los Suenos Marriott Ocean Resort · Playa HerraduraFurther north on the coast, Santarena Hotel Las Catalinas costs from 270 €, W Costa Rica - Reserva Conchal from 331 € and JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort from 388 €. The Westin Reserva Playa Conchal starts at 398 €, and all-inclusive for two is already part of the rate there.

In the north, El Mangroove Guanacaste starts at 274 €, Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique at 506 € and Andaz Costa Rica Resort At Peninsula Papagayo at 596 €.

At the top end, Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve starts at 1,195 €; for entire residences with two to five bedrooms, The Residences at Nekajui Ritz-Carlton Reserve Liberia starts at 4,351 €. Which rooms are available for your dates and what they cost today is shown in the hotel list further down.

Always included: At all twelve properties, you get an upgrade subject to availability as well as early check-in and late check-out subject to availability, plus daily breakfast for two, and for three at Hotel Nantipa Santa Teresa de Cobano. Nine properties give a 100 US dollar hotel credit; at The Westin Reserva Playa Conchal it is 50 US dollars for the spa, and selected suites get a further 100 US dollars for the spa from two nights.

Minimum stay: None. The suitespot benefits apply at all twelve properties from the first night.

Programs: Marriott Bonvoy applies at seven properties, including Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve and El Mangroove Guanacaste. You earn World of Hyatt points at Andaz Costa Rica Resort At Peninsula Papagayo, double Hilton Honors points at Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique and I Prefer points at Santarena Hotel Las Catalinas. We book directly with the hotel at the hotel rate, so points and status nights are credited to you, and your status applies on site.

Guanacaste through the year: December to April is the dry season, with plenty of sun and a fresh breeze on the coast. For Christmas and New Year, reserve your 5-star hotel in Guanacaste as early as possible. May to November is the green season: the savanna turns green, showers usually pass through in the afternoon, and the beaches get quieter.

How long to stay: Four to five nights at a 5-star hotel in Guanacaste leave time for beach, spa and a trip into the dry forest. Add two nights at Rio Perdido to experience the volcanic interior too.