Hotels in Costa Rica, Mexico and Central America

With its smouldering volcanoes, misty cloud forests, rare wildlife and surfeit of beaches offering a gateway to world class surfing and diving, Costa Rica is a dream destination to book a hotel in. It boasts family-friendly resorts and attractions and has fantastic weather year round, making it a great place to discover on foot, by horseback or even in a kayak.

Where to Stay in Costa Rica

Cahuita – Book a hotel in a most relaxing place that maintains its old-fashioned charm and keeps its Caribbean flavour strong. Its black sand beaches to the north and white sand to the south are both home to one of the Costa Rica’s only living coral reefs.

Cartago – Once you have visited it is easy to see why Cartago, with its breathtakingly beautiful riverbank setting, was chosen to be Costa Rica’s first capital. This is the place to book a hotel for amazingly rich organic coffee and to visit the expansive – and potentially explosive – volcano at the heart of its national park.

Escazú — From golfing to excellent shopping, there is something for everyone who books a hotel in this neighbourhood. Foodies flock to the area to take advantage of the sea-to-plate freshness most of the restaurants have on offer.

Montverde – Its name means ‘green mountain’ and this is the place to go if you’re a nature lover, cheese enthusiast, birdwatcher or thrill seeker. Zip line through the rainforest or check out the impressive endangered frog collection at the local theme park before embarking on the hidden valley night walk.

Puerto Jimenez – Get away from the crowds of tourists and discover secluded and deserted beaches here. Puerto Jimenez also boasts the crown jewel of Costa Rica’s biological reserves, the Corcovado National Park.

How to Make the Most of Your Hotel in Costa Rica

Natural wonders are the main sights to take in here. The spectacularly scenic Gandoca Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge offers hundreds of species of birds and animals. Youngsters will enjoy the children’s museum and can experience a simulated earthquake here too. The Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles is a stunning Roman Catholic Church but it pales into insignificance next to the glories of the five waterfalls at La Paz.

Costa Rica is awash with outdoor activities. You can horse ride on the beach, zip line through the jungle and snorkel around the coral reef all in the same day. Surf at Salsa Brava beach or just relax and enjoy the sunsets from the warm sands. Take a hike through a real cacao farm on a chocolate forest experience and find out how it’s made from bean to bar. At the Jaguar Rescue Centre, a tour includes play time with recovering monkeys and sloths. With so much on offer, Costa Rica promises to be full of fun and adventure, but there will of course be plenty of time to relax and soak up the sun on one of the many stunning beaches.