12 Best Rainforest Hotels In Costa Rica in 2024

Last Updated: May 7th, 2024

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As one of the most biodiverse countries in the whole world, Costa Rica is home to some amazing rainforests. Full of amazing animals like toucans, sloths, snakes, and monkeys, the rainforests are some of the top tourist attractions in Costa Rica.

With that in mind, here are some of the 12 best rainforest hotels in Costa Rica. Wake up and be in the heart of the action – no need to fight your way through the crowds to get your perfect rainforest view! So, let’s dive in and find out where you might be staying in beautiful Costa Rica.

12 Best Rainforest Hotels in Costa Rica

Some of the best rainforests in Costa Rica can be found in two main areas: Manuel Antonio, near the national park, and Monteverde, home of the mighty Cloud Forest. So, here are the 12 best rainforest hotels in these two main areas of Costa Rica.

1. Koora Hotel- A Cloud Forest Resort, Monteverde

Boutique luxury in the heart of Santa Elena

Koora-Hotel-A-Cloud-Forest-Resort
Koora Hotel-a Cloud Forest Resort Image by: Booking.com

Set high into the hills of Santa Elena, the Koora Hotel Cloud Forest Resort is one of the most beautiful hotels in the area. With high floor-to-ceiling windows providing awe-inspiring views of the rainforest and town all around you, you’re inspired from the moment you wake up to the second you go to bed.

As you’re surrounded by trees and tropical, you can find a whole host of interesting animals and native flora just by standing on your hotel balcony!

 

Book here!

2. Hotel Playa Espadilla & Gardens, Manuel Antonio

Enjoy the beach lifestyle steps from the rainforest

Hotel-Playa-Espadilla-&Amp;-Gardens
Hotel Playa Espadilla & Gardens Image by: Booking.com

Get the best of both worlds with a stay at the Hotel Playa Espadilla & Gardens in Manuel Antonio. Located just 200m from the majestic Manuel Antonio National Park, which is filled with rainforest terrains, beaches, and hiking trails, this hotel blends beach and rainforest vibes seamlessly together.

If you don’t want to spend the minute it takes to walk to Playa Espadilla beach, you can always sit back and relax in the giant outdoor swimming pool that’s on-site.

 

Book here!

3. Hotel Trópico Monteverde

Bucket-list-worthy views of the Monteverde Cloud Forest

Hotel-Trópico-Monteverde
Hotel Trópico Monteverde Image by: Booking.com

Some views just take your breath away. After a stay in the Hotel Trópico Monteverde, you’ll be trying to catch your breath for some time! This beautiful luxury boutique hotel is located just outside Santa Elena, and the main draw is undoubtedly one of the best views in the world.

Pretty much every room has garden and mountain views that spread out all across the hilltops, so you can stand on your balcony or veranda and take in amazing sunsets and rainforest views in the privacy of your own space. Is this paradise? It might be!

 

Book here!

4. Planeta Sano Eco Lodge, Manuel Antonio

Eco-paradise in the heart of the rainforest

Planeta-Sano-Eco-Lodge
Planeta Sano Eco Lodge Image by: Booking.com

If you want to be surrounded by beautiful nature and stay far away from the hustle and bustle of the main strip of Manuel Antonio, you need to check out Planeta Sano Eco Lodge. It’s around 5km away from the national park, but this gorgeous hotel is surrounded by the rainforest and has a huge yoga deck with Pacific Ocean views.

This place is perfect if you’re looking to kick back and relax in Manuel Antonio and get your fill of ocean views and free yoga studio access. Sounds like paradise, right?

 

Book here!

5. Chira Glamping Monteverde

Boutique glamping experience in stunning Monteverde

Chira-Glamping-Monteverde
Chira Glamping Monteverde Image by: Booking.com

Want to have a once-in-a-lifetime stay in an eco-glamping dome in the middle of the Costa Rican rainforest? Chira Glamping in Monteverde is definitely a unique experience for intrepid explorers who love something a little bit different but still want that luxury aspect.

With many of the domes having a private deck area and an open-air hot tub, you can treat yourself to panoramic views of the Cloud Forest all around you. There are hotels and then there are experiences – Chira Glamping is both combined!

 

Book here!

6. Millenium Manuel Antonio

Luxury accommodation just steps from the national park

Millenium-Manuel-Antonio
Millenium Manuel Antonio Image by: Booking.com

When it comes to rainforest hotels, it’s all about location, location, location, and it doesn’t get better than the Millenium Manuel Antonio. You’re just 20m from the national park. As you can’t stay actually in the national park, you probably can’t get any closer than that!

Located with beautiful views of the rainforest-filled national parks and the pristine Pacific coastline beyond. Despite being in one of the most touristy areas of Manuel Antonio, the high-walled courtyard and plant barriers make it feel super private and cozy.

 

Book here!

7. Camino Verde B&B, Monteverde

Stay for the huge panoramic deck

Camino-Verde-B&Amp;B-Monteverde-Costa-Rica
Camino Verde B&B Monteverde Costa Rica Image by: Booking.com

Located in the tourist town of Santa Elena, Camino Verde B&B sits atop the hill, offering panoramic views across the town and the Monteverde Cloud Forest beyond. The main showstopper of this welcoming hotel and B&B is the sundeck and terrace area.

Emerging out from the restaurant, there is a huge wraparound deck where you can sit, have a cup of coffee, and watch the cloud cover lift in the morning, revealing the rainforest and mountains that lie all around the town.

 

Book here!

8. Sunset Vista Lodge, Monteverde

Rural panoramic rainforest views on the outskirts of Santa Elena

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Sunset Vista Lodge,Monteverde,Costa Rica Image by: Booking.com

Looking for a stunning eco-friendly lodge on the outskirts of the popular Monteverde town of Santa Elena? Sunset Vista Lodge is going to be right up your street. If the beautiful and spacious views weren’t enough, the common areas are amazingly designed and bring a sense of coziness with all the wood paneling.

The main event, however, is the view. With panoramic balcony views over the Cloud Forest providing some of the best sunsets in the entire country, it’s well worth checking into the Sunset Vista Lodge. Besides, you know that the view has to be good if it’s in the name of the hotel!

 

Book here!

9. Hotel Manuel Antonio

Benefit from giant garden chillout areas

Hotel-Manuel-Antonio
Hotel Manuel Antonio Image by: Booking.com

If you want to be directly in between the beach and the rainforest, you can be under five minutes from both at the Hotel Manuel Antonio. One of the best things about this particular hotel is the huge garden area out the back of the hotel. You can relax and maybe spot a monkey or sloth or two in the trees all around you.

The Hotel Manuel Antonio is also home to a huge restaurant area that has huge, expansive views of the beachfront. You can wake up and either be greeted with the rainforest side, or the beach side of Manuel Antonio. It’s the best of both worlds and the perfect way to welcome another beautiful day in Costa Rica.

 

Book here!

10. Chorotega Cabina, Monteverde

Rustic mountain lodge experience with outstanding views

Chorotega-Cabina
Chorotega Cabina Image by: Booking.com

Located in rural Monteverde, Chorotega Cabina is home to a series of small cabins and rooms, all with mountain views and cute verandas that allow you to enjoy a slower pace of life. Surrounded by forests and gardens, you can easily spot native birds and plant life without even having to leave your room. That’s the amazing kind of lazy holiday days that we all need sometimes!

Beyond the cabins themselves, the views include mountain landscapes, stunning cloud rainforest vistas, and much, much more. It’s an escape from the hustle and bustle, and definitely a tranquil place to stay in Monteverde.

 

Book here!

11. Burbi Lake Lodge Monteverde

Lakehouse beauty with rainforest views

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Burbi Lake Lodge Monteverde Image by: Booking.com

It’s pretty rare to find a lakehouse in the heart of the rainforest, but that’s exactly what you get when you stay at the Burbi Lake Lodge in Monteverde. All the rooms have gorgeous lake views surrounded by mountains and tropical rainforests, so you have a huge variety of vistas and vibes to enjoy all in one place.

Want to stay and hang out near the lake? You can actually hire a pedalo boat and explore the lake and check out the beautiful views all around you. If you’re looking for a quiet spot with spacious lodges, this might be the perfect place for you.

 

Book here!

12. Hotel Plaza Yara, Manuel Antonio

Hotel with spacious suites and gorgeous surroundings

Hotel-Plaza-Yara
Hotel Plaza Yara Image by: Booking.com

If you’re planning on coming to Costa Rica with a big group of people, spacious rooms and villas are a huge benefit. So, why not book yourself into Hotel Plaza Yara, located just a five-minute drive away from the national park, you’re far enough away from the crowds, but close enough to all the main amenities.

Take time to sit back with a cup of local coffee on the huge sun deck out back, surrounded by forests, palms, and natural beauty. You’re welcome!

 

Book here!

Suggested Reading: The Best Hostels In Costa Rica

FAQs About Rainforest Hotels in Costa Rica

Do you have questions about staying in the rainforest in Costa Rica? Don’t worry, we’ve got the answers!

Can you stay in the rainforest in Costa Rica?

Yes, you can stay in the rainforest in Costa Rica. A lot of the time, the rainforests in Costa Rica are protected. We see that in Manuel Antonio where the bulk of the local rainforest is located inside the national park, where you’re not allowed to stay.

However, there are plenty of places where the rainforest either spills out or isn’t entirely protected by the Costa Rican government or private investment. So, you’ll find a lot of hotels and apartments with rainforest views, but only a handful that are actually in the Costa Rican rainforest themselves.

Where are the rainforests in Costa Rica?

There are a few rainforests in Costa Rica. The main ones are in Manuel Antonio, Monteverde, and on the Osa Peninsula further south down the coastline. These areas are all hugely popular with tourists, so they’re relatively easy to get to and there are normally a ton of places to stay nearby.

The most popular rainforest in Costa Rica is probably Monteverde’s Cloud Forest. It’s here where you’ll find the iconic ziplining experiences and beautiful swinging bridge hikes. So, if you like a bit of adventure and also want to visit a beautifully biodiverse rainforest, you can find them both here!

How far is the rainforest from San Jose, Costa Rica?

If you want to visit the rainforest from the capital, San Jose, it’s around 47km away and can take a couple of hours via bus. There are regular buses to both the Monteverde region and Manuel Antonio with various different bus companies, so you’ll have your pick of the bunch, and you’ll be sure to find a route, time, and price to suit your Costa Rican itinerary.

Which rainforest is the best in Costa Rica?

This is a super tricky question because it’s so subjective. A lot of people have named the Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula as the best rainforest in Costa Rica. That’s because it’s so pristine and well-kept, but that’s largely due to the fact that it’s pretty difficult to get to from the main tourist track.

Biodiversity-wise, the Corcovado National Park is hard to beat. You can find spider monkeys, macaws, and even jaguars in this area, so it’s a must-visit for nature lovers. As it’s on the coastline, you can check out stunning beaches that rise up to meet the rainforest hiking trails pretty much directly!

Located pretty close to the southern border with Panama, it does take quite a while to get to the Osa Peninsula, but once you’re there, you’ll be rewarded with a ton of eco-lodges, wildlife, and hardly any tourists. That’s why it’s one of the best rainforests in Costa Rica.

Why do visitors travel to Costa Rica’s rainforests?

Realistically, there are so many reasons why people visit Costa Rica’s rainforests. You can see a huge number of different species that you’re unlikely to see anywhere else in the world, and they’re all so well-protected that you’re actually giving back and contributing to conservation efforts when you buy a ticket to one of the national parks.

There’s also tons of outdoor activities and excursions that you can enjoy in Costa Rica’s many rainforests. From ziplining, to hiking, to kayaking, to mountain biking, there are so many different ways to experience the rainforest that there’s something here for all kinds of travelers!

About The Author

Rebecca Crowe is a freelance content writer who specializes in writing about travel, food, drink, and adventure. She specializes in budget and adventure travel content and can usually be found climbing some rocks, eating some tacos, or waiting around at the nearest airport. Her best budget travel achievement was spending a weekend in Paris with Roland Garros tickets for under £150, although she's always on the lookout for even better adventure and travel deals! If you want to keep up with her next adventure, check out her website at Wandering and Wine.

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Picture of Rebecca Crowe

Rebecca Crowe

Rebecca Crowe is a freelance content writer who specializes in writing about travel, food, drink, and adventure. She specializes in budget and adventure travel content and can usually be found climbing some rocks, eating some tacos, or waiting around at the nearest airport.

Her best budget travel achievement was spending a weekend in Paris with Roland Garros tickets for under £150, although she's always on the lookout for even better adventure and travel deals!

If you want to keep up with her next adventure, check out her website at Wandering and Wine.

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