Costa Rica is a paradise for honeymoons, anniversary trips, bachelorette and bachelor parties, and other special adults-only getaways. The beaches and volcanoes are picture-perfect spots for hiking, rappelling, rafting, and zip-lining your way through the rainforest.
Not surprisingly, the potential for amazing adventures also attracts a large number of families to Costa Rica each year. Over peak travel periods like Christmas and spring break, it is not uncommon to share pool space with travelers of all ages. Yes, Costa Rica is an excellent natural playground for kids, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t have a relaxing adults-only vacation. It’s simply a matter of choosing the right accommodations.
Whether you’re embarking on a girl’s trip or exploring as newlyweds, there are a number of unique lodges, villas, and bungalows to suit your needs. Here are the Experts’ top picks for Costa Rica adults-only hotels:
Nayara Springs Resort, Arenal
Arenal Volcano is one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica, especially for families. Even so, it is possible to have a more adult-focused stay without someone’s kids splashing their way through your hot springs experience.
Nayara Springs Resort is the adults-only sister to the Arenal Nayara Hotel, a luxury boutique hotel designed with adults in mind. Each villa at Nayara Springs is surrounded by thick, tropical vegetation creating a secluded hideaway for honeymooners and couples who crave privacy. The private thermal plunge pool eliminates the need to visit any of Arenal’s hot springs, which are frequented by families and day-trippers from San Jose. Visit the wine bar at Arenal Nayara next door for a pairing, or try out the innovative cuisine at the Asian fusion restaurant.
Kura Design Villas, Uvita
Adults in search of quiet luxury should consider retreating to Kura’s stylish villas, perched on the cliffs high above Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast. This sleek boutique resort showcases modern design, a stark and stunning contrast to the rainforest that surrounds it.
Like something out of a magazine, Kura Design Villas‘ infinity pool blends seamlessly with the ocean in the distance, creating an endless sea of blue to gaze upon as you relax with a drink and soak up the sun. Sometimes, it is impossible to tell whether you’re looking at the pool, the ocean, or the sky. If you prefer to have your toes in the sand, Uvita’s beaches which are just as unforgettable as the poolside scene.
There are only 8 villas at Kura, so even when the hotel is full guests can expect an intimate and exclusive experience. Not to be outdone by the architecture, the human element at Kura is impressive as well. Personalized service and premium amenities are consistent throughout your stay.
Banana Azul Hotel, Puerto Viejo
While most families are vacationing on the Pacific coast, adults would be wise to check out the less-trodden southern Caribbean coast. At Banana Azul Hotel you’ll enjoy an adults-only atmosphere in a lively location. Choose between the main building’s rustic oceanfront rooms or the Villas Verde with private plunge pools. Banana Azul’s beachfront location allows you to be as mobile or stationary as you please. A 10-15 minute walk down Playa Negra will bring you to downtown Puerto Viejo, but drink service at the hotel means you can stay put if you so choose. It’s all about the flexibility to play things by ear, as with most matters in the south Caribbean.
Bike rentals are available through the tour desk and the best way to explore the beaches of the South Caribbean. Start from the hotel and ride down the main road to Playa Cocles, Punta Uva, and on to Manzanillo. This scenic coastal ride takes you 13 km down the coast to Gandoca-Manzanillo National Park, where you can snorkel, hike, and enjoy more pristine beaches.
Makanda by the Sea Hotel, Manuel Antonio
Breakfast delivered to your room daily is one of the perks of this boutique adults only hotel on the Central Pacific coast. Makanda’s newly-renovated villas are embedded into the rainforest to give you a comfortable luxury experience without compromising on nature. The Manuel Antonio National Park is just 5 minutes away by car and the Damas Island Estuary mangroves just 15-20 minutes, allowing you to get a taste of Costa Rica’s biodiversity.
Costa Rica Experts Don’t Miss Pick: Dining poolside as the sun sets over the Pacific.
Casa Chameleon Hotel, Mal Pais
Ultra Luxury Villa view
The Nicoya Peninsula is pretty remote compared to other areas of Costa Rica. It is best accessed by plane, and most roads are still unpaved. Perhaps too much of a jaunt for some, the laid back stretch of rugged coast on the peninsula’s southern tip is the perfect off-the-beaten-path hideaway for others.
Between Santa Teresa and Cabo Blanco is Casa Chameleon Hotel, a collection of private villas designed to showcase the rugged scenery of the southern section of the peninsula. It is best reached by domestic flight, followed by a 4×4 transfer on the area’s (mostly) unpaved roads. Thanks to the extra effort it takes to reach this sweet spot, you can be sure that you won’t see many families vacationing around here.
The Casa Chameleon experience is built around privacy and personalized service. You can count on this both on and off the property – the hotel is known for its excellent local tours. Try your hand fishing, cooking lessons, cultural tours, horseback riding, and of course, surfing.
The Adults-Only Royal Beach Club at Westin Playa Conchal All-inclusive, Playa Conchal
The Westin’s Adults Only Royal Beach Club
All-inclusive resorts are convenient and therefore a popular option for families. In order to accommodate kid-less travelers, the Westin Playa Conchal of the Guanacaste region created an exclusive adults-only club. The hotel’s Royal Beach service affords an added touch of luxury and service in an exclusive area of the hotel property.
This adults-only section offers exclusive access to the hotel’s club lounge, where guests enjoy coffee and beverages, evening cocktails, and social bites. Also included in the Royal Beach service is access to a private pool, exclusive restaurant privileges, 24-hour room service, complimentary internet access, and personal concierge service. These fine touches bring the all-inclusive experience from typical to extraordinary. Just an hour south of the Liberia airport, the Westin is a great way to start and end any adults-only vacation.
Oxygen Jungle Villas, Uvita
An hour south of bustling Manuel Antonio is a quiet retreat tucked away in the rainforest. Oxygen Jungle Villas is an adults-only hotel jungle experience unique to the South Pacific region of Costa Rica. Couples massages and spa treatments are a specialty here, making it a must-visit if R&R is at the top of your vacation priority list.
The Balinese-style villas were designed to create a connection between every couple’s accommodation and the jungle that surrounds it, resulting in a tranquil rainforest bungalow with luxury amenities. Breezy linens create the ethereal atmosphere that lulls guests down to ultimate relaxation levels.
From Oxygen, couples can trek to nearby waterfalls or arrange a trip to see the Whale’s Tale at Marino Ballena National Park.
Rancho Pacifico Hotel, Uvita
On the South Pacific Coast, Rancho Pacifico Hotel offers a remote eco rainforest escape to guests over 18 years of age. Set high up in the lush mountainside, Rancho Pacifico Hotel has unparalleled views over the rainforest canopy out over the famous whale’s tail on Uvita Beach. Contemporary design, tropical cuisine, a unique treetop spa, infinity pools, and private suites and villas define the Rancho Pacifico experience.
On and around the property, guests might encounter tropical birds, sloths, monkeys, iguanas, tapirs, and more. Venture off the property for whale watching, horseback riding, rafting, surfing, snorkeling, coffee and chocolate tours, organic farm tours, and mangrove tours.
Hotel Aguas Claras, Puerto Viejo
On the remote southern Caribbean Coast on Chiquita Beach, Hotel Aguas Claras is a charming Victorian-Caribbean style boutique hotel surrounded by lush jungle with all white interiors and pops of bright unique decor. With an emphasis on delicate high-end decor, tranquility, and rejuvenation, Aguas Claras does not accommodate children under 12 years old.
Jardin del Eden Boutique Hotel
Jardin del Eden Beach Garden
Set just behind Tamarindo Beach, Jardin del Eden Boutique Hotel is a kids-free hotel ideal for couples in search of a quiet retreat. Relax poolside in a private cabana or in the exclusive gardens set behind the white sand beach of Tamarindo. Order a drink at the beach bar and take in sights of Tamarindo or book a relaxing massage in the gardens. Jardin del Eden also offers complimentary beachfront yoga from their beach garden three days a week in the morning.
Activities abound in the Tamarindo area. Surfing, sport fishing, sailing, golf, tennis, canopy tours, horseback riding, mangrove boat tours, national park tours, and one-day volcano tours can all be arranged from Jardin del Eden.
If you’re on the hunt for the perfect adults-only hotels in Costa Rica, best start with these picks from our Experts. Whether you stay at just one or mix and match these fabulous resorts, your adults-only vacation is sure to inspire you with breathtaking views, unsurpassed nature, and a special type of relaxation only found in paradise.
Ready to plan your Adults-only Escape? Shop our vacation packages for couples or customize your dream trip.
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