Ecolodge options in Costa Rica range from tent camps with communal dining and no electricity or hot water to some of the most luxurious accommodations in the country. 

  • Arenal Observatory Lodge (near La Fortuna): Originally a research facility, this lodge now features exquisite gardens and comfortable rooms with impressive views of Arenal Volcano. Excellent trails lead to waterfalls and postcard-pretty vistas, with a great hike to the summit of the dormant Cerro Chato volcano. Toucans frequent the trees near the lodge, raccoon-like coatis roam the grounds, and howler monkeys provide the wake-up calls. 

  • Hacienda Alta Gracia (Central Pacific Coast): Spread out on 180 acres in the foothills of the Talamanca Mountains, AltaGracia is a holistic eco-resort where every whim and fancy is catered to. Guests’ morning coffee comes from the on-site farm, and its an excellent base for guided hikes to remote Boruca communities and  mountain biking across rugged farmland.


  • La Paloma Lodge (Drake Bay): If your idea of the perfect nature lodge is one where your front porch provides prime-time viewing of flora and fauna, this place is for you. When you’ve logged enough porch time and are ready to venture out, the Osa Peninsula’s lowland rainforests are just outside your door.
  • Bosque del Cabo Rainforest Lodge (Osa Peninsula): Large, unique, and cozy private cabins perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean and surrounded by lush rainforest—this is a spectacular place.
  • Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge (Golfo Dulce): Accessible only by boat, this lodge is among the best options on the Golfo Dulce. Set in deep forest, it has individual bungalows with a perfect blend of rusticity and luxury. The guides, service, and surrounding wildlife are all superb.
  • Tortuga Lodge (Tortuguero): This lodge features a beautiful riverfront restaurant and swimming pool. The canals of Tortuguero snake through its maze of lowland primary rainforest. The beaches here are major sea-turtle nesting sites.
  • Lapa Ríos (Osa Peninsula): This was one of Costa Rica’s first luxury ecolodges to gain international acclaim, and it remains one of the best. The attention to detail, personalized service, and in-house tour guides are all top-notch. 
  • Selva Bananito Lodge (in the Talamanca Mountains south of Limón): Providing direct access to the southern Caribbean lowland rainforest, this authentic ecolodge combines nature with adventure. You can hike along a riverbed, ride horses through the rainforest, climb 30m (100 ft.) up a ceiba tree, or rappel down a jungle waterfall here. 

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.