Skip to Content

5 Spectacular Resorts on Costa Rica’s Caribbean Side

Resorts in Costa Rica on the Caribbean side are perfect for a family, solo, or couple holiday as they are spread all over the Caribbean coast, close to national parks and natural attractions.

For those of you interested in exploring the Caribbean side of the country we strongly suggest you include into your travel plans Tortuguero National Park for watching turtles laying their eggs and the Southern part of the coast for those who are looking to have fun.

The Caribbean side is famous for its open-air bars and clubs, restaurants with local specialties and international dishes, and an impressive number of beach hotels.

Head to Cahuita National Park for unique encounters with marine life as the place is considered to be the best place for scuba diving from Costa Rica because of its beautiful coral reef.

Or head up to Manzanillo Beach where you can see the jungle meets the ocean and a long stretch of sand with wildlife close by. Wild encounters with sloths, toucans, and monkeys are pretty common in the area, especially if you plan to stay the whole day on the beach.

The most popular attractions from the Caribbean side are Puerto Viejo, Manzanillo, Tortuguero, and Cahuita, while for more secluded areas you have to go deeper into the jungle.

Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica resorts are not as fancy and famous as the ones located in Guanacaste and not all of them have outdoor pools and top-notch facilities, but these things make these hotels so special.

This article contains a list of the most beautiful Costa Rica Caribean Coast resorts that are conveniently located close to tourist attractions and offer high-class services and great amenities.

Some of the following links are affiliate links. When you buy something using the retail links in our article, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost for you. You can read our full disclosure disclaimer and privacy policy.

Hotel Le Cameleon Resorts in Costa Rica on the Caribbean side
Hotel Le Cameleon Resorts in Costa Rica on Caribbean side

Resorts in Costa Rica on the Caribbean side

1. Hotel Aguas Claras

Costa Rica Caribbean resorts list opens with Hotel Aguas Claras, a beautiful boutique hotel inspired by a banana plantation house, located on Chiquita Beach on a remote part of the Caribbean coast.

The hotel is an oasis of tranquility and peace and it is dedicated to adults and children over 12 years old.

Hotel Aguas Claras Costa Rica
Hotel Aguas Claras Costa Rica
Hotel Aguas Claras aerial view
Hotel Aguas Claras aerial view

The hotel has an outdoor pool, which is pretty rare for this side of the country, a yoga instructor, and a beautiful beach just a few steps from the hotel.

The on-site restaurant called The Papaya is open for lunch and dinner on a daily basis and most of the products used for cooking your meal come from local farms.

On the property, there are suites and bungalows and a private villa that can accommodate up to 10 persons.

The suites are located in the so-called Pavlova Sweets building, a Victorian Row House located right near the restaurant and the pool.

Hotel Aguas Claras Pool
Hotel Aguas Claras Pool
Hotel Aguas Claras Room
Hotel Aguas Claras Room

Each of the suites comes equipped with a minibar, a small living room table, an open-air shower, a semi-open terrace, a sofa, and a desk.

The bungalows are decorated with recycled wood furniture and are nestled in the middle of the dense forest.

The 5 bedroom villa is split into 2 floors and is the largest building from the property accommodating up to 10 persons.

There is no spa nor fitness center at the property but there are plenty of other interesting outdoor activities to do during your stay.

You should spend your morning at the pool, eat a delicious lunch at Papaya restaurant and then head up to the beach for a wonderful afternoon.

2. Hotel Le Cameleon

Located on the southern part of the Caribbean Coast in the beautiful town of Puerto Viejo, Hotel Le Cameleon is one of the most colorful hotels in Caribbean Costa Rica.

This vibrant and colorful hotel is a member of the world-famous brand Small Luxury Hotels of the World and is a true oasis of peace and serenity in this part of the country.

Hotel Le Cameleon Resorts in Costa Rica on the Caribbean side
Hotel Le Cameleon Costa Rica
Hotel Le Cameleon Pool
Hotel Le Cameleon Pool Resorts in Costa Rica on the Caribbean side Poza

The hotel has a beautiful outdoor swimming pool, a restaurant, and a cozy bar all decorated in the rustic ambiance of the Caribbean style.

Playa Cocles Beach is just a few steps away from the hotel so there are plenty of activities to try: snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, and paddle boarding are just a few of them.

DOWNLOAD THE BEST TRAVEL GUIDE FOR COSTA RICA!

The beautiful beach of Chiquita is also located close to the hotel and the place is famous for its beauty and isolation.

Hotel Le Cameleon Restaurant
Hotel Le Cameleon Restaurant
Hotel Le Cameleon Room
Hotel Le Cameleon Room

There are only 23 rooms available at this Costa Rica Caribbean resort, all of them being equipped with air conditioning, large TV and cable, DVD and CD player, massage shower, high-quality toiletries, and a beautiful balcony overlooking the sea.

The best room is Le Cameleon Suite located on the second floor of the building decorated with wood ceilings, an additional half-bedroom, and an extra TV as well as a large bathroom overlooking the garden.

3. Manatus Hotel

Located right near Tortuguero National Park, in an area with many eco-lodges and environmentally friendly guesthouses, Manatus Hotel stands out with its amazing rooms and high-class services.

Besides the traditional spa and fitness center and the restaurants and bars, the hotel features an art gallery, a beauty center, and a wonderful outdoor pool.

Tortuguero is among the wildest and untamed areas from Costa Rica, so getting into the nearby national reserve might require a plane or boat.

Manatus Hotel Costa Rica
Manatus Hotel Costa Rica

The good side of the restricted access is that the area is completely wild and animals roam around without any fear.

This is a good place to spot jaguars, toucans, monkeys, sloths, and many other wild creatures including frogs, snakes, and butterflies that live in these jungles.

Tortuguero is also a good spot to observe the gentle Green turtle laying its eggs so book a room at Manatus Hotel anytime from July to October to be witness to this unique event.

Manatus Hotel Pool
Manatus Hotel Pool

The hotel offers 1, 2, or 3 days packages for tourists that include accommodation, meals but not beverages, a village tour, and one of two canal tours depending on the length of your stay.

The on-site restaurant called Ara offers a wide range of dishes, all from local cuisine, but as per request, there are also some international preps available at the property.

You have access to the outdoor pool and to the art gallery where the famous national artist Marcela Crespo Gallepos exhibits part of her work; if you find something you like you may buy it.

Manatus Hotel Room
Manatus Hotel Room

There are only 12 rooms at the property, all equipped with satellite TV, air conditioning, a mini-fridge, an outdoor shower, a beautiful balcony, and a good Wi-Fi signal.

The property does not arrange for your transport to and from the airport, so you have to deal with this on your own.

The hotel is accessible only by boat and you have to book your seat well in advance, especially during peak season.

4. Almonds and Corals

Nestled in the middle of nature, right in Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, Almonds and Corals offer the tranquility and peace needed for a relaxing holiday in the middle of nature.

This resort offers the unique opportunity to stay in the middle of the forest but has all the amenities you need for a luxurious holiday in Costa Rica.

Almonds and Corals is definitely a one-of-a-kind Costa Rica Caribbean side resort as it is a part boutique hotel, part safari camp, and part beach resort.

Almonds and Corals Costa Rica
Almonds and Corals Costa Rica

The Almonds and Corals Tent Camp is located close to the ocean on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica and offers a unique experience for those of you who want to reconnect with nature.

Almonds and Corals Room
Almonds and Corals Room

You will have an open-air restaurant overlooking the ocean and hidden under the trees, a beautiful sandy beach with umbrellas, and a wide range of activities available: snorkeling, kayaking, horseback riding, hiking, and biking.

Almonds and Corals Room with Jacuzzi
Almonds and Corals Room with Jacuzzi

The Almonds and Coral hotel have 24 bungalows (tree houses) hidden in the dense jungle protected by a peaked roof, connected by boardwalks lighted with kerosene lamps.

Each bungalow is equipped with electric lamps, a private bath with shower, fans, hammocks, sofa, and toiletries.

5. Hotel Banana Azul

My list with the most beautiful resorts in Costa Rica on the Caribbean side continues with Hotel Banana Azul, a small but amazing hotel located close to a wild strip of land on the Caribbean Coast.

There are many beautiful Costa Rican beaches around Puerto Viejo that are close to this hotel so you can pick a different beach each day during your stay.

Hotel Banana Azul Costa Rica
Hotel Banana Azul Costa Rica

This eco friendly resort is surrounded by lush vegetation and exotic gardens with many hammocks hidden between the trees, the perfect refuge for a relaxing day.

You can choose to spend your day in a hammock or explore the nearby area which is full of amazing attractions and natural beauties.

Hotel Banana Azul Pool
Hotel Banana Azul Pool
Hotel Banana Azul Beach Cocktail
Hotel Banana Azul Beach Cocktail

Book a trip to Cahuita National Park or take a boat trip to see the whales and dolphins from the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea or experience some adrenaline on a zip lining tour or many other guided tours in the jungle.

One of the most interesting Costa Rica Caribbean beach resorts, Hotel Banana Azul has a new outdoor pool, a Jacuzzi, and a delicious restaurant where you can eat organic food.

Hotel Banana Azul Room
Hotel Banana Azul Room

All the food is organic and comes from local farms and is inspired by the Caribbean cuisine with plenty of options to choose from.

There are just 12 rooms on the property each of them equipped with a ceiling fan, Wi-Fi, a private bath with toiletries, and the rooms from the second floor open to a beautiful veranda with ocean views.

Conclusion

The Caribbean side is perfect for a relaxing holiday for those looking to combine a few days on the beach with a few days of exploring the area.

What is the best beach on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica?

Fabulous beaches in Costa Rica for the perfect holiday

Here you will have stunning beaches including Punta Uva with turquoise waters, natural parks, and an abundance of flora and fauna, all waiting to be discovered.

Hotel Aguas Claras Pool
Hotel Aguas Claras Pool

Caribbean Coast is the perfect place to go, especially if you plan to visit Costa Rica during September and October, the rainiest months of the year.

All the hotels on my list are famous for their wonderful location, top-notch services, and amazing facilities.

Hurry up and plan your next holiday in this exotic corner of paradise as there are many interesting things to do and see while around.

Logistical tips and tricks for your trip

Book your accommodation

We always use Booking.com as they have the best price-quality ratio and they offer a wide range of hotels, guesthouses, apartments, and villas to choose from.

You will find here all types of accommodations, from the cheapest ones to the most luxurious.

Don't forget travel insurance

We never leave home without HeyMondo Insurance or Safety Wings Insurance as they offer the best services and a good value for money, plus COVID coverage.

When we go for longer trips around the world we get Globelink Insurance as it offers a good cover for an affordable price.

Travel insurance will always protect you against unexpected events and cost like illness, COVID, injury, theft, or travel cancellation.

We never go on any trip without travel insurance and there were many cases when we had to use it.

Renting a car
We like to explore a country on our own and a car gives us the mobility and freedom to do that.

We always rent our car from Discovercars as they have free cancellation 48 hours prior to starting date and a wide range of car rental companies and options to choose from all over the world.

Tours and attractions
When we are looking for some adventure or we simply want to break up the monotony and discover new places, we always use GetYourGuide.

We love it because we always find the most amazing experiences, with free cancellation and a large variety of activities and tours to choose from.

Airplane tickets and holiday packages
Expedia is our ally when searching for the best price for airplane tickets as it works as an aggregator for a huge number of airlines and we always find the best price for our flights.

Travel tip: use Expedia when you are searching for holiday packages as they have many last-minute offers and great discounts for hotels, flights, and even the whole holiday packages.