Today, Costa Rica has more than 27,000 hotel rooms throughout the country. A number of medium (50 to 100 room) and larger (200 to 400 room) hotels, both in the Central Valley and at the beaches, offer every facility to the travelers.
The majority of hotels in Costa Rica, however, are small properties with less than 50 rooms - most in a natural setting -. This style, which lends itself so well to nature-based tourism, is equally suitable for small groups, meetings and seminars that require privacy and an atmosphere conducive to productivity. Some of these properties are also the perfect choice for incentive groups.
The alternatives include: bed & breakfasts, hostels, moderate hotels, deluxe hotels, resorts, lodges, among others. There is also a significant number of hotels specialized in health services with modern and professional spa facilities.
We have classified hotels by zones in order to show you the different options you have to create special packages.

Throughout these last twenty years, Costa Rica has experienced an amazing growth of its tourism activities. Not only have many new activities been born (such as canopy touring, bungee jumping or scuba diving); the hotels have also shown all the diversity that Costa Rica possesses as a tourist destination. Small, wilderness lodges for the adventurous and ecotourism travelers, secluded boutique hotels for the distinctive clients, chain hotels for those seeking international proximity, and all-inclusive beach resorts, this small country is capable offering, in its different regions, everything for the different holiday segments.

Costa Rica is as well a country with its own tourism features. These are the main considerations about the country & hotels' particularities that all travelers should know before coming:

Why we don't stick to the international star-ranking system: International standards in the tourism industry have established the 5-star code to identify the quality, infrastructure, price, and services of all the hotels around the globe. In Costa Rica, several hotels offer great service and top quality, but due to the setting where they are located, do not reach some internationally stated requirements (e.g. valet parking, internet service in each room). Such is the case of some secluded wilderness lodges that service wise can even go beyond the 5 star expectations. For these reasons, we prefer to classify the different hotels according to their main features and to the type of travel segment they fit to.

The Costa Rican concept of beach holidays: Whether you prefer the exotic Caribbean or the sunny Pacific, deep black or white sandy beaches, Costa Rica has it all. There are a few basic tips to bear in mind when seeking for beach holidays in Costa Rica:

1- Beach front hotels: Costa Rica's conservation laws prevent any building from being constructed within certain limits from the oceanfront. These laws ensure a natural "belt" is maintained along our coastlines. Most beach hotels are within short walking distance of the ocean; simply request your preference when booking and check the hotel description. Do not expect to find hotels right on the beach

2- Active beach holidays: many areas offer plenty of activities, such as rafting, hiking, kayaking, horseback riding, boat tours, etc. These are ideal for energetic or sportive travelers. Some activities and tours are appreciated by families with children who like being busy during the holidays.

3- Secluded versus animated beaches: most Costa Rican beaches offer wonderful natural landscapes, with small villages, local atmosphere and all the major services, but not necessarily the typical "beach resort" concept with lots of night life and shopping. The most lively beach towns are: Jacó, Tamarindo and Manuel Antonio on the Pacific Coast and Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean Coast.

HOTEL CATEGORIES: In order to provide a more personalized concept for your holidays, we recommend you to follow these hotel categories when referring to lodging options in Costa Rica, rather than the conventional star-ranking system.

• Beach Resorts: usually a big hotel with many facilities: one or several swimming pools, night entertainment, one or several restaurants, rental equipment (such as kayaks, and boogie boards), golf courses & tennis courts (not all of them), babysitting service (not all of them), room service, and rooms with Cable TV, telephone & showers with hot water. Most of them are all-inclusive.
• Bed & Breakfasts: small hotels with a sort of family atmosphere, located mainly in San José and its suburban areas, and some of them are restored houses built during the first decades of the XXth Century. They have a limited number of rooms (between 20 and 45), and a more personalized service. Facilities and luxuries are restricted, due to the convenient prices: there is no swimming pool.
• Condos & Villas: Widely chosen by families traveling with children, as well as by groups of friends / relatives, or people who wish to stay long enough in a same spot. They have the advantage of the privacy and seclusion. They are fully equipped. When choosing a Condo or Villa, it is always important to know how many people are traveling together, how many rooms are needed, and the bedding requirements in each room (eg. Queen beds, double beds, etc.).
• Deluxe Wilderness Lodges: They can be described as the top quality hotels in the middle of the forests. These lodges are very well kept, offer great, personalized service for all the guests, and are located in magnificent settings in the wild. Some of them may be accessed only by airplane and / or boat. Some may not have electricity or hot water; others have small electricity power sources that function only during the night (take this into consideration if you carry a camcorder - you may not be able to reload it while staying at a wilderness lodge!). Their remoteness and high standards make them the favorites amongst those nature lovers that also love good comfort, even in the wilderness!
• Nature Lodges: With a high environmental consciousness, the nature lodges are usually located near national parks, and cloud, damp or dry forests. They tend to be rustic and simple, and encourage ecotourism practices such as sparing electricity and water. We recommend them for travelers who like to be in close contact with nature and do not mind sacrificing some comfort for the rewarding wilderness experience.
• Rural properties: This is perhaps the most recent lodging option created in Costa Rica. Rural tourism is an attractive holiday option for people particularly interested in having an approach to local culture, even though this can mean traveling on bad roads, and lodging in places with only the most basic comforts. The rural properties are usually run by families and are located in off-the-track places.
• Small boutique hotels: As their name suggests it, the boutique hotels are those that have developed their own particular lodging concept. This special touch is evident in the architecture, decoration and all the little details in the hotel. Ideal for couples and people who like quiet and peaceful atmospheres.