Top Costa Rica Eco Hotels
As an advocate for eco-tourism, Costa Rica has some of the best eco hotels in the world at the forefront of sustainable lodging.
Costa Rica has long been a world leader in sustainable tourism. The tourism board of Costa Rica has created a thorough program in which its hotels are classified according to their environmental footprint. The following accommodations are considered the most sustainable lodging options in Costa Rica.
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Cielo Lodge Osa Peninsula

Cielo Lodge

Enshrouded in the tropical forests of Golfito, you will find Cielo Lodge. This eco-lodge offers an authentic Costa Rican rainforest experience with luxurious and open-air architecture that brings the outside in. With its prime location across the Golfo Dulce from the Osa Peninsula, it’s the perfect spot to return and relax and unwind after a […]

Kunken Lodge Golfo Dulce

Kunken Lodge

Tucked away in a private paradise on the shores of Golfo Dulce on the Osa Peninsula, you’ll find Kunken Lodge. The very name, “Kunken,” is derived from the Ngäbe word for “wild,” and the sprawling, lush landscape of this boutique hotel lives up to its meaning. Kunken Lodge is the place to stay if you’re […]

Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort

Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort

The Tabacon Grand Spa Resort offers spectacular views of the 5,000-foot volcano and natural, therapeutic hot springs and pools that meander through one of the most exotic gardens in the world.

Arenal Kioro Hotel, Costa Rica

Arenal Kioro Hotel

Located on over 65 acres of land with miles of foot trails for exploration, Arenal Kioro boasts some of the best views in all of Arenal.

Arenal Springs Resort and Spa, Costa Rica

Arenal Springs Resort and Spa

Arenal Springs Resort and Spa is a deluxe hot springs boutique hotel at Arenal Volcano, with three restaurants, three pools, a spa, and a yoga deck on-site.

Chachagua Rainforest Ecolodge

Chachagua Rainforest Ecolodge

Located just 20 minutes from Arenal Volcano, Chachagua Rainforest Ecolodge offers an authentic jungle experience. The lodge is surrounded by 300 acres of lush rainforest with tours and trails to discover right on the property! Amenities Colibri Restaurant offers a variety of dishes inspired by Costa Rican flavors in an open-air setting surrounded by the […]

Hotel Parador, Costa Rica

Hotel Parador

Sitting above the Pacific Coastline, The Parador Boutique Resort sits on 12 acres of rainforest just minutes from the country’s best beaches and the little and lovely Manuel Antonio National Park.

Aguila de Osa Costa Rica

Aguila de Osa Inn

Aguila de Osa Inn is located on the Osa Peninsula, situated on a high bluff overlooking the Aguitas River with panoramic views of Drake Bay.

Lapa Rios Ecolodge Osa Peninsula

Lapa Rios Ecolodge

Lapa Rios Ecolodge is an award winning, luxury eco lodge situated within a remote, private rainforest preserve where the Golfo Dulce and the Pacific Ocean meet.

Playa Cativo Lodge swimming pool at dawn

Playa Cativo Lodge

Playa Cativo Lodge is an 18-room little hideaway in the Osa Peninsula region, one of the most unique and secluded destinations in Costa Rica. Looking out over the calm waters of the Golfo Dulce and surrounded by Piedras Blancas National Park, this boutique beachfront hotel is set on over 1,000 acres of private rainforest, leaving plenty of room […]

Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge, Costa Rica

Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge

Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge, tucked away in the trees and cooled by the Pacific Ocean, is a 170 acre private reserve bordering Corcovado National Park.

The Cloud Forest Lodge

Cloud Forest Lodge

Located two kilometers from the town of Monteverde, the Cloud Forest Lodge is situated directly between the famous Monteverde Cloud Reserve and the Santa Elena Reserve in the Bellbird Biological Corridor, an important landbridge for wildlife between the two reserves. The lodge has recently undergone a major renovation in which no detail was spared. The […]

Senda Monteverde Hotel

Senda Monteverde Hotel

The Senda Monteverde Hotel is a new sustainable hotel located outside Monteverde Cloud Forest on Costa Rica’s continental divide. A modern design, local artwork, and cozy nooks paired with the cool mountain air make the Senda experience one of a kind. Area Activities A hike through Monteverde Cloud Forest with a naturalist guide is a […]

Stay at Rancho Naturalista, Costa Rica

Rancho Naturalista

Located in the cloud forest of Costa Rica, Rancho Naturalista is a birding paradise, where Chachalacas, Collared Aracaris, and even the Rufous Motmot can be seen right from your balcony.

Stay at Selva Verde Lodge, Costa Rica

Selva Verde Lodge

With over 500 acres of tropical rainforest, at Selva Verde Lodge there are unparalleled chances for up close and personal encounters with nature.

Laguna Lodge, Costa Rica

Laguna Lodge

Laguna Lodge is a rain forest ecotourism lodge located on a narrow strip of land between the Caribbean Sea and the Tortuguero Lagoon.

Andaz Papagayo Resort Costa Rica

Andaz Costa Rica Resort

Featuring 153 deluxe rooms, 3 restaurants, and 2 cascading outdoor pools, the Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort begs to be discovered.

Unwind at El Mangroove Hotel, Costa Rica

El Mangroove Hotel

El Mangroove Hotel, a luxury hotel in Guanacaste, covers 17 acres and rests along 150 meters of beach front.

Stay at Hotel Capitan Suizo, Costa Rica

Hotel Capitan Suizo

Hotel Capitan Suizo is a gem and an unbeatable choice for those travelers looking for a combination of relaxation and activity.

Lagarta Lodge, Costa Rica

Lagarta Lodge

Lagarta Lodge is nestled within a private nature reserve on the Nicoya Peninsula between Playa Nosara, two rivers, and a lush forest with mangrove trees.

Isla Chiquita Glamping Resort

Isla Chiquita Glamping Resort

Isla Chiquita Glamping Resort is the only glamping resort in Costa Rica. This brand new resort offers the unique experience of camping on an island in luxury!

Trogon Lodge

Trogon Lodge

Located in the Savegre Valley in the small town of San Gerardo de Dota, Trogon Lodge sits at 7,000 feet above sea level and is surrounded by unspoiled ecology. It’s also an idyllic cloud forest paradise for birders as it is commonly frequented by the Resplendent Quetzal. Amenities Trogon Lodge has an on-site restaurant called […]

Suitree Experience Hotel

Suitree Experience Hotel 

Surrounded by the breathtaking landscape of Guanacaste, you’ll find the Suitree Experience Hotel hidden in the trees. This boutique hotel is designed as a modern take on the childhood whimsy of treehouses, boasting gorgeous standalone suites elevated high above the lush vegetation below. The property also hosts an on-site restaurant, a swim-up pool bar, a […]

Hotel Grano de Oro, Costa Rica

Hotel Grano de Oro

Tropical victorian architecture and gourmet dining make Hotel Grano de Oro a highlight in the San Jose & Central Valley region.

Finca Rosa Blanca Inn & Coffee Plantation

Finca Rosa Blanca Inn & Coffee Plantation

Finca Rosa Blanca is a beautiful family-owned coffee and art hotel in Heredia, outside of San Jose, renowned for its on-site coffee plantation. This boutique hotel is a charmer, especially when you notice its local touches. From the artisan crafts and murals in each suite to the bracelets in the gift shop, Finca Rosa Blanca is a comprehensive […]

Pacuare Lodge, Costa Rica

Pacuare Lodge

A member of National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World, Pacuare Lodge is one of the top eco lodge adventures in Costa Rica. This is more than just a lodge or a rafting trip, this is an experience. Just getting there is an adventure – many guests visit as part of a multiple day rafting trip on […]

Rios Lodge, Costa Rica

Rios Lodge

Rios Lodge is your Costa Rica adventure vacation hot spot. The lodge is located deep in the rainforest, with native wood furnishings, open-air pavilions, thatched roofs, and comfortable hammocks. Rios Lodge was the first eco-lodge built on the Pacuare River and is currently the only one powered by hydro-energy. Even getting to the lodge is […]

Finca Lerida Ecolodge, Panama

Finca Lerida Ecolodge

Amazing beauty and diversity and incomparable birdwatching can be found at this coffee plantation! Finca Lerida has its own trail network, allowing adventurers to explore on their own.

Punta Caracol Aqua Lodge, Panama

Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge

Nine cabins built along a mile-long reef coast, Punta Caracoal is dedicated to protecting the natural environment, where the only interruption to the crystal-clear waters is the occasional curious dolphin!

Laguna Azul Eco Lodge

Laguna Azul Eco Lodge

Built right on the sea and nestled amid a mangrove, the views and beautiful surroundings make Laguna Azul Eco-Lodge a place of both relaxation and inspiration.

Hacienda del Mar, Panama

Hacienda del Mar Panama

Explore the white sand beaches of the Pearl Islands while staying in one of 17 amazing cabanas – each with stunning panoramic views of beach, sea, and forest!

Isla Palenque Private Island Resort

Isla Palenque Private Island Resort

Situated in the Gulf of Chiriqui on the Pacific Coast of Panama, Isla Palenque is an intimate eco-lodge accessible by boat. This private island is made up of over 395 acres of jungle surrounded by seven pristine beaches – just waiting to be discovered! How to Get to Isla Palenque Once you arrive at Tocumen International Airport in […]

How is sustainability measured in Costa Rica eco hotels?

The Costa Rica Tourism Board created the Certification of Sustainable Tourism Program (CST) to measure environmental sustainability in the tourism sector. The CST consists of five levels or “leaves” in which participating hotels can score between zero and five leaves. The program has been a fantastic motivating force for businesses to improve their operations in sustainability. Certifications are available for renewal every two years.

The CST evaluates five areas of sustainability:

Physical-biological environment: the relationship between the hotel and the surrounding environment
Service plant: internal systems in the company in relation to waste management and water and light saving technologies.
Service management: how the company designed a tourism product according to market trends and the localities of where the product will be put into operation
Client: management invites client participation in the hotel’s sustainability programs
Socioeconomic environment: the interaction between the facility and local community such as employment generation, response to growth or development in the community, and attaining benefits for the community

What are some things Costa Rican eco hotels are doing to be more sustainable?

Some features that will earn a hotel five leaves are solar heating on all houses, residual treatment plants, wood from fallen trees, oil-based natural paint, and roofs made from recycled materials. Many hotels offer tree-planting experiences to guests, have their own gardens, and buy ingredients they don't have on hand locally. At Lapa Rios Ecolodge, food leftovers go to pigs that live just outside the resort. Biogases from the pigs are then used to operate the staff kitchen.

Leaf Level Compliance

Each leaf level corresponds to a percentage of compliance. To acquire one leaf, compliance must be at 20-39%. For two leaves, compliance must be 40-59%. For three leaves, compliance must be 60-79%. For four leaves, compliance must be 80-94%. And for the highest categorization of five leaves, compliance must be 95% or greater.


Explore Costa Rica’s Top Eco Lodges

El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Bajos del Toro

 

  El Silencio Lodge & Spa is located in the cloud forest just two hours from San Jose. Upscale cabins and fine dining seamlessly blend with surrounding environment and local culture.

Lapa Rios Ecolodge, Osa Peninsula

 

  Lapa Rios Ecolodge is located outside of Puerto Jimenez on the remote Osa Peninsula, a destination with no shortage of wildlife and plentiful opportunities for rainforest exploration. Learn all about the lodge's with a guided tour showcasing the lodge's sustainability practices.

Pacuare Lodge, Pacuare River

 

  The Pacuare Lodge experience is packed with adventure. White water raft into this remote rainforest eco lodge, member of National Geographic's Unique Lodges of the World. Enjoy an all natural spa treatment or explore the trails and waterfalls accessible from the lodge.

Whether you dream of visiting the rainforest, mangrove estauaries, or the cloud forest, Costa Rica is one of the best eco-travel destinations in the world with a collection of spectacular ecolodges to match.

Discover 6 Top Costa Rica Eco Lodges

 

 

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