The Best Hotels for First Time Visitors in Costa Rica

Where to Stay on Your First Trip to Costa Rica

Sunset on Jaco Beach, Costa Rica Sunset on Jaco Beach, Costa Rica

Are you looking for a hotel for your first trip to Costa Rica? With plenty of activities and sites, this is a great destination for first-time visitors. So if you're deciding where to stay on your first trip to Costa Rica, don't worry, we've got you covered. We've analyzed the hotels in Costa Rica to find out which are the best for first timers based on price, amenities, location, reviews, and guest ratings. In this guide, we'll be showcasing the best hotels for first-time visitors in Costa Rica, taking into consideration all of these important factors. Whether you're traveling solo, with family, or with friends, there's a hotel that caters to every traveler's needs to make the most of your first trip here. So, if you're visiting Costa Rica for the first time, the hotels below will be great options, as many of them have pools, breakfast, and plenty of comforts to help you relax. So, here they are, the best hotels in Costa Rica for first time visitors.

(Prices are listed in U.S. Dollars.)

Hotel La Mariposa

Manuel Antonio, Province Of Puntarenas
3-star Hotel with prices starting at $227 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Time in Costa Rica
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach

Located at 100 meters SW de Cafe Milagro, Hotel La Mariposa has great rooms from $227 (before taxes). It offers an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a casino, and a restaurant. It has a terrific 8.80 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. Only a short distance from the city center, first time visitors will especially love scuba diving, snorkeling, a bar, hiking, and mountain views at this relaxing hotel. Don't forget that there's a kitchen in the room to cook your meals, too.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Snorkeling
  • Kitchen
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Horse riding
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Casino
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Coffee shop
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room
  • Infinity pool


Hotel Vista de Olas

Malpais, Province Of Puntarenas
3-star Hotel with prices starting at $142 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for First-Timers
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach

A great place to stay is Hotel Vista de Olas which has nice rooms starting at $142. Offering an outdoor pool, a pool bar, a restaurant, scuba diving, and snorkeling, it also has a great guest rating of 8.80 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at Vista de Olas Dr#1. This convenient hotel is also nice because it offers a bar, breakfast, hiking, mountain views, and a free breakfast which visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just a short drive from the city center. We always love having a pool, and the one here is really nice.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Snorkeling
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa
  • Horse riding
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Coffee shop
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room
  • Infinity pool


Vista Celestial

Uvita, Province Of Puntarenas
4-star Hotel with prices starting at $498 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Among the Best Places to Stay for a First Visit to Costa Rica
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach
  • Heated pool

We found Vista Celestial to be a great place to stay, and the price starts at $498. We loved that is has an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a restaurant, and scuba diving, and it also has a terrific guest rating of 9.30 out of 10 from previous guests. It's located at 2 km Noreste de Catarata de Uvita, Uvita de Osa, Puntarenas 60504 Costa Rica. You'll also find snorkeling, a bar, hiking, mountain views, and rooms with kitchenettes which travelers will love. And this fun hotel is just a quick trip from the center of town. Having a kitchenette is a nice way for you to have some meals in the room, too.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Snorkeling
  • Child pool
  • Horse riding
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Kitchenette
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Heated pool
  • Private pool
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room
  • Infinity pool
  • Saltwater pool


Villas San Rafael Natural Paradise Resort

La Tigra, Province Of Alajuela
2-star Hotel with prices starting at $73 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect Hotel to Make the Most of Your First Visit
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for first time trip hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

With terrific rooms from $73, Villas San Rafael Natural Paradise Resort, at 800 metros noroeste de Iglesia, La Tigra, San Carlos, (22.8 km sur de La Fortuna de San Carlos y a 40 km sur del Parque Nacional Volcan Arenal) provides an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a bar, and hiking. Its terrific guest rating is 9.30 out of 10 from previous guests staying here. New visitors will really like this amazing hotel which also offers mountain views, rooms with kitchens, rooms with kitchenettes, laundry services, and a free breakfast. It's located just a short distance from the city center, too. The restaurant serves delicious food, too. It's a great value, as the price is less than the average for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Kitchen
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa
  • Horse riding
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Kitchenette
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Private pool
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room


Arenas del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort

Manuel Antonio, Province Of Puntarenas
4-star Resort with prices starting at $663 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Great Hotel for First Time Visitors
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach

Arenas del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort has a great guest rating of 9.60 out of 10, and offers an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, snorkeling, and a bar. The great rooms here start at $663 before taxes and depending on the season. It can be found at Playa Playitas Manuel Antonio Manuel Antonio. Furthermore, it also offers breakfast, hiking, mountain views, rooms with kitchenettes, and laundry services, which is nice for first time visitors. Just a short drive from the city center, this fantastic hotel is a terrific choice. The pool here was very nice, relaxing, and fun.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Snorkeling
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Horse riding
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Kitchenette
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Breakfast in the room


Los Altos de Eros

Tamarindo, Province Of Guanacaste
4-star Hotel with prices starting at $303 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Visit to Costa Rica
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

The great guest rating of Los Altos de Eros is 9.60 out of 10. This place has an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a bar. Prices for the terrific rooms are from $303, and it's located at 2 km sur del hotel el Sabanero Eco Lodge, Canafistula, Santa Cruz, Gte. We also love the breakfast, mountain views, laundry services, golf, and a free breakfast which are great for visitors. And since it's just a quick trip from the center of the town, the location is great, too. You'll love relaxing in the hot tub at the end of the day, too.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa
  • Horse riding
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Refrigerator
  • Infinity pool


Casa Turire

Turrialba, Province Of Cartago
4-star Hotel with prices starting at $182 (before taxes) - See All Prices
A Good Stay for Your First Trip
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 4-star hotels.

A cool place is Casa Turire because it has great rooms that start at $182. It has an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a bar, and breakfast, it also earned a great guest rating of 8.60 out of 10 from people who have stayed here before. It's found at 1.5 Km Oestre de Curce Hacia Atirro De La Suiza. Only a short distance from the city center, travelers will especially love hiking, mountain views, laundry services, a free breakfast, and cooking classes at this convenient hotel. The room service is especially nice after a long day.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Horse riding
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Coffee shop
  • Playground
  • Breakfast in the room


JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa

Tamarindo, Province Of Guanacaste
5-star Resort with prices starting at $619 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Time in Costa Rica
  • Beach

JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa offers an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and scuba diving which we really like. The terrific rooms here start at $619 (before taxes). It's located at Hacienda Pinilla and has earned a guest rating of 8.50/10. This fun hotel is also nice because it offers snorkeling, a bar, a kid-friendly buffet, hiking, and rooms with kitchenettes which new visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just a short drive from the city center.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Snorkeling
  • Spa
  • Horse riding
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kid-friendly buffet
  • Hiking
  • Kitchenette
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Table tennis
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Private pool
  • Tennis
  • Coffee shop
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Playground
  • Breakfast in the room
  • Infinity pool
  • Kids' club


Rio Celeste Hideaway Resort

Bijagua de Upala, Province Of Alajuela
4-star Hotel with prices starting at $362 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for First-Timers
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Family-Friendly

Located at La Paz Rio Celeste, Rio Celeste Hideaway Resort has great rooms from $362 (before taxes). It offers an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a bar, and hiking. It has a terrific 9.40 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. You'll also find mountain views, laundry services, pet-friendly rooms, a hot tub, and a game room which first time visitors will love. And this amazing hotel is just a quick trip from the center of town.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Spa
  • Horse riding
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Refrigerator


La Mansion Inn Arenal Hotel

Nuevo Arenal, Province Of Guanacaste
3-star Hotel with prices starting at $147 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Among the Best Places to Stay for a First Visit to Costa Rica
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Heated pool

A great place to stay is La Mansion Inn Arenal Hotel which has nice rooms starting at $147. Offering an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a bar, and breakfast, it also has a great guest rating of 9.40 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at La Union de Nuevo Arenal. Visitors will really like this fantastic hotel which also offers hiking, rooms with kitchens, laundry services, a free breakfast, and pet-friendly rooms. It's located just a short distance from the city center, too. After a busy day, the heated pool is a nice place to unwind.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Breakfast included
  • Kitchen
  • Free breakfast
  • Horse riding
  • Airport shuttle
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Heated pool
  • Private pool
  • Coffee shop
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room
  • Infinity pool


For more terrific hotel ideas in Costa Rica, make sure you also see Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Costa Rica, Best Beach Hotels in Costa Rica, Best Cheap Hotels in Costa Rica, Best Luxury Hotels in Costa Rica, Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in Costa Rica, Best Hotels for a Weekend Getaway in Costa Rica, Best Hotels for One Week in Costa Rica, Best Hotels for One Night in Costa Rica, Best Romantic Hotels for Couples in Costa Rica, Best Adults Only Hotels in Costa Rica, Best Party Hotels in Costa Rica, Best Hotels for Scuba Diving in Costa Rica, Best Business Hotels in Costa Rica, or Best Party Hotels in Costa Rica.


How much do hotels for first-time visitors cost in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica Average First Time Trip Hotel Price
$125

Travelers to Costa Rica will have a large number of terrific first time trip accommodation options with a variety of great prices. The price of first time trip hotels here can vary by amenities, dates, and the neighborhood. Based on thorough data from 591 first time trip hotels, their average price is a very reasonable $125. If you're interested in more information about hotels here, see our guide to hotel prices in Costa Rica.

The average prices of our suggested first time trip hotels by star rating:

  • 5-star hotels: $484
  • 4-star hotels: $239
  • 3-star hotels: $117
  • 2-star hotels: $67


Budget Your Trip
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. On this website you can also find travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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