The 8 Best Beachfront Resorts in Costa Rica | Right on the Sand
We researched every oceanfront property and found the best beachfront resorts in Costa Rica, from tucked-away eco-retreats with jungle scenery right out your window to polished, high-end properties with endless Pacific views and fine dining at your fingertips.
These Costa Rica beach resorts offer direct shoreline access, impressive amenities, and room types that cater to couples, families, and just about everyone in between.
Table of Contents
Methodology
To identify the best beachfront resorts Costa Rica has to offer, we took a pretty methodical approach. First, we filtered resorts based on their proximity to the ocean—specifically, we looked at whether the property sat directly along the sand or had immediate walkable beach access.
Then, we sifted through hundreds of reviews from sources like Google Reviews, TripAdvisor, and Expedia. That helped us compare experiences with amenities, service, dining, spa access, pool offerings, room variety, and family-friendliness.
We also prioritized variety in geography and price range across the Pacific and Caribbean coasts.
The 8 Best Costa Rica Resorts on the Beach for 2025
8. Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- 2 secluded beaches on the Gulf of Papagayo
- 202 suites with tropical and ocean views
- All-inclusive with 4 restaurants, 5 bars, and nightly themed entertainment
Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica is, in a way, a pretty ideal choice for travelers who want that all-inclusive ease paired with an atmosphere that’s peaceful and scenic.
It’s almost hidden in a private bay area on the north Pacific coast, which makes it incredibly quiet and rather exclusive-feeling.
The resort wraps around a pair of calm beaches, so you’re basically just steps from the sand no matter where your suite is. Most rooms have outdoor terraces, and many have full-on ocean views.
As a matter of fact, their Preferred Club rooms add a bit of extra pampering, like upgraded mini-bars and soaking tubs.
The multiple restaurants range from seafood to Pan-Asian, and the open-air spa is tucked into the forest with outdoor treatment spaces. It’s not the liveliest spot, but it’s absolutely relaxing.
Secrets Papagayo is adults-only, too, so you won’t find kids’ programming here—making it a rather perfect pick for honeymoons or couples celebrating a big milestone.
7. W Costa Rica Reserva Conchal – Most Affordable
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- Set within 2,300-acre nature reserve with guest rooms with bold modern design
- Direct beach access to Playa Conchal
- One of the most budget-friendly resorts on the beach in Costa Rica
This W property, which is actually part of the Reserva Conchal development, comes off as both energetic and relaxing at the same time.
So, if you’re looking for resorts on the beach in Costa Rica that feel young and upbeat, this might be your match.
The beach itself—Playa Conchal—is stunning, with sparkling white crushed-shell sand and turquoise water that’s usually pretty mellow. That combination makes the area fantastic for paddleboarding or kayaking, both of which the W can help arrange.
Rooms here are artsy, with bold patterns, glass walls, and balconies. Some suites even have private plunge pools. There are two pools on site, plus a gym with floor-to-ceiling jungle views and a spa with local-inspired treatments.
Food-wise, you get a beachside seafood shack, a ceviche bar, and a Latin-inspired grill.
It’s highly stylish and feels a bit like an upscale beach club that happens to have rooms. That’s part of what makes it one of the best Costa Rica beach resorts for travelers looking for a fun, high-energy setting.
6. Punta Islita, Autograph Collection
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- 300-acre private hillside property
- Private beach cove and infinity-edge pool
- Eco-luxury design with art and cultural workshops
Punta Islita is set in the hills in front of the shore and feels incredibly special. Nestled along Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, this resort is kind of like a luxury nature retreat blended with a creative arts space, making it one of the best Costa Rica beach resorts for nature lovers.
You get wide-angle beach views from almost every point, and the secluded cove below is virtually never crowded.
The rooms, casitas, and villas all come with cozy wooden details and handcrafted decor. Several even offer their own plunge pools.
What makes this one of the most distinctive Costa Rica beachfront resorts is the way it incorporates local culture—you’ll find community art initiatives, guided birdwatching, and tree planting programs as part of the guest experience.
Dining is simple but satisfying, with an emphasis on fresh catch and Costa Rican staples. The open-air spa is down by the beach, and there’s an adults-only pool up the hill with sweeping ocean views.
This is a resort for travelers who want connection—with nature, with culture, and, sometimes, with themselves.
5. Tulemar – Best-Seller
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- 33-acre gated hillside community
- Private beach cove near Manuel Antonio National Park
- Dozens of unique villas and bungalows
Tulemar is a collection of vacation villas and homes than a typical resort, but it lands squarely among the best Costa Rica resorts on the beach thanks to its location, privacy, and layout.
Sprawled across a hillside above its own semi-private beach, it blends luxury with rainforest living in a way that’s, frankly, hard to beat.
Guests can book anything from cozy one-bedroom bungalows to four-bedroom luxury villas. That flexibility makes it an easy pick for both couples and families.
The entire property is surrounded by wildlife—monkeys, sloths, toucans—and has the feeling of a hidden sanctuary even though it’s just minutes from the entrance to Manuel Antonio National Park.
There are four pools, several nature trails, and a beach shuttle that runs up and down the hill. The beach itself is intimate, quiet, and rather scenic.
And while Tulemar doesn’t have a traditional restaurant setup, most villas have kitchens, and private chefs or grocery service can be arranged.
It’s a best-seller for a reason—there’s something incredibly comforting about having space and nature without sacrificing beachfront access.
4. Copa De Arbol Beach & Rainforest Resort
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- Accessible only by boat near Drake Bay
- Eco-luxe beachfront treehouses
- All-inclusive with organic meals and tours
Located on the Osa Peninsula near the edge of Corcovado National Park, Copa De Arbol isn’t easy to get to—but that’s partly why it’s unforgettable.
It’s only reachable by boat, surrounded by tropical rainforest, and positioned right on a black-sand beach where the jungle basically spills into the ocean, making it one of the most secluded resorts on the beach in Costa Rica.
This resort is not flashy; it’s soulful. Each bungalow is built from recycled hardwoods and elevated for views and airflow. There’s no AC, yet the ocean breeze and natural shade keep things surprisingly comfortable.
Rooms come with wraparound decks, outdoor showers, and that soundtrack of waves and howler monkeys that’s, in a way, totally transportive.
Food here is organic, locally grown, and served family-style. It’s all-inclusive, so excursions like snorkeling at Cano Island or hiking through the rainforest are part of the experience.
It’s one of the most immersive Costa Rica beachfront resorts if you’re after wildlife, nature, and a genuine connection to the land.
3. Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort – Top Value Pick
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- 11 acres of rainforest next to Manuel Antonio National Park
- Direct access to two sandy beaches
- 38 rooms and suites with ocean or forest views
This resort balances eco-conscious values with a rather high standard of comfort, so it’s actually one of the best Costa Rica resorts on the beach for sustainability-minded travelers.
Nestled right along the Pacific and surrounded by thick rainforest, it offers immediate access to Playitas and Espadilla Beach.
The rooms and suites have an earthy elegance, and several offer private hot tubs with ocean panoramas. The vibe is peaceful but never stuffy. Wildlife is a regular presence, from the sloths lounging overhead to the capuchins playing by the pool.
The food is upscale yet grounded in local tradition—fresh fish, tropical fruits, and Costa Rican flavors with a modern twist. There’s also a wellness program that includes yoga, massage, and even surfing lessons.
The resort’s sustainability efforts include solar power and an on-site composting program. All of that adds up to one of the best beachfront resorts in Costa Rica where both luxury and nature get equal respect.
2. Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- Brand-new luxury property overlooking Culebra Bay
- 190 rooms and residences with ocean views
- World-class spa and 3 oceanfront dining venues
The Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique is one of the newest additions to Costa Rica beachfront resorts, and it’s already making waves with its bold design, panoramic water views, and meticulously crafted amenities.
Sitting high above a tranquil beach on Culebra Bay, it offers near-constant ocean panoramas from its rooms and common areas.
Suites are modern and expansive, featuring oversized windows, soaking tubs, and outdoor terraces. Some even come with plunge pools. The beach is relatively private and the resort includes personal cabana service and loungers right on the sand.
Its on-site spa focuses on restorative wellness, while dining options range from coastal cuisine to international favorites, often using locally sourced ingredients.
The resort also offers curated experiences like stargazing, mixology classes, and boat excursions. It’s incredibly polished without feeling overly formal, which makes it one of the best Costa Rica beach resorts for elevated but laid-back travel.
1. Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica – Top Overall
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- 2 private beaches on a 1,400-acre peninsula
- 182 rooms, suites, and villas with modern coastal design
- 4 pools, full-service spa, and 5-star golf course
At the very top of the list sits the Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo, which we think is the best beachfront resort in Costa Rica, period.
Wrapped by jungle on one side and the ocean on the other, this resort practically owns its peninsula.
It delivers on every front—service, design, location, dining, and amenities. There are two beaches, both pristine and remarkably different in mood: one calm and great for swimming, the other more open and dramatic.
Rooms range from sleek suites to sprawling villas, each outfitted with light wood finishes and crisp lines.
Multiple pools, a golf course, and a massive spa complex offer plenty of options to unwind. Dining is as polished as you’d expect, but never pretentious. With curated kid and teen programs, it works well for families, too.
Overall, it’s the most well-rounded and complete resort in the country, making it the best Costa Rica resort on the beach if you’re looking for uncompromised coastal luxury.
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