All-Inclusive Hotels and Resorts in Costa Rica
Find Your Trip »Guide to All-Inclusive Resorts in Costa Rica
What Are the Best Costa Rica All-Inclusive Resorts?
It’s not easy to define the term “best” as it really depends whether you are traveling with a family, looking for luxury and seclusion, romance, or a rip-roaring good time with a more fun and laid back atmosphere. All that said, most of Costa Rica’s all-inclusive resorts are located in Papagayo, in Guanacaste province. Here are some suggestions for the best Costa Rica resorts, by category:
Best Costa Rica All-inclusive Resorts for Couples & Honeymoons
Best Non-Traditional, (Meals Only) All-inclusive Hotels
Most Fun Resorts in Costa Rica
When Is an All-Inclusive Resort the Right Decision?
Many all-inclusive hotels are known for endless food and drinks. Some visitors expect to have much of their fun at the property, but Costa Rica resorts offer more to those who want to explore. All-inclusive in Costa Rica means that you will enjoy accommodations, meals, and drinks and have access to the natural beauty for which Costa Rica is famous. In short, why do people choose these resorts?
Benefits:
- Safety: private security and surveillance, many properties are gated
- Convenience: short walk to food, drinks, amenities, and no need for a wallet.
- Value: savings add up with meals and activities on-site.
- Lots to do: activities, events, on-site tours and amenities that include exercise facilities, spas, and other services that aren’t as commonly found at smaller hotels.
- No surprises: one bill and a good idea of the final price before arriving.
- Low stress: let’s be honest, staying at an all inclusive resort makes vacationing a breeze!
All-inclusive hotels in Costa Rica are usually located on soft-sand beaches with great ocean views, along with built-in fun and extra adventure opportunities. The itinerary is yours to create! You can lounge by the pool, dip in the ocean, and relax on your balcony.
Families and friends can play in the sand or sunbathe knowing the resort is steps away with its comforts and safety. Guests can use the resort as “home base” to venture off property on a variety of exciting and unforgettable tours to explore the area and then return to the hotel knowing rest and convenience await.
It's essential to understand that all-inclusive definitions vary significantly. For example, some resorts limit the amount or specify what you can consume, while others may allow guests to decide if they would prefer a semi all-inclusive stay so that they may explore local dining options as well. To ensure you have the best trip and access to the meals and drinks you prefer, enlist help from local experts. We will design an itinerary tailored to your travel personality. We are here to help, and we can answer questions and ensure you enjoy the best trip.
When Is an All-Inclusive Not Your Best Option?
In some cases, we will discourage first-time visitors from going with a Costa Rica all-inclusive resort as their first option. This is because Costa Rica’s real magic is in how it developed tourism differently from other destinations. The vast majority of hotels and tour operators are local, boutique, and unique. We do have some famous branded properties here and hey, they are great, but one of the really special and memorable aspects of visiting Costa Rica is getting to know the local beauty and charm. In our opinion, that tends to be experienced best at a smaller property and throughout our twenty years in the business we have chosen extraordinary partner hotels who provide unforgettable vacation experiences for our clients.
Downsides of an All-Inclusive Resort in Costa Rica:
- Less authentic: you won’t experience as much of the unique local flavor of Costa Rica.
- Crowds: resorts tend to be larger and more densely populated with guests.
- Boring: after multiple days at a resort, things might be too repetitive for some.
- Food quality varies: options may be somewhat limited in variety and style.
Choose Your Costa Rica Resort Wisely
Costa Rica has many great locations to visit. Whether you want to relax, have adventures, or experience both, there is something for everyone. Destinations, resorts, and hotels have different environments and experiences. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Some of these variables change by the season. That’s why it is essential to do research or utilize an expert local travel planner.
Who doesn’t love a good resort? The ease and convenience of not carrying a wallet, not adding up a tab, and having all the luxuries you desire are valid reasons for opting for an all-inclusive hotel.
Costa Rica is different from resort hot spots like Mexico, the Bahamas, or the Caribbean. While these destinations may offer convenience, you and the family or your group could spend much of your time in Costa Rica exploring the property. Sure, you can relax at your excellent lodging to unwind, but a big part of what makes this country special can only be found outside the property.
If you’re considering an all-inclusive package, make sure you plan to spend enough time at the property to make it worth it. Think about how often you will pay for meals while out exploring. Remember, you may have already paid for meals at the all-inclusive resort. You’ll likely spend your days out and doing activities and may not fully benefit from a resort stay. If you like to enjoy the “mom and pop” local restaurants (which are plentiful here!) or aren’t a big eater or drinker, you may want to consider other options like a partial meal inclusive (breakfast only) plan to ensure you get your money’s worth.
If you want the best resort experience in Costa Rica, the Pacific coastline is what you’re looking for. However, there are other terrific options across the country, even if they are not all-inclusive.
FAQs About All-Inclusive Resorts in Costa Rica
Is an all-inclusive resort in Costa Rica worth it?
This depends heavily on your priorities as well as how much you like to eat and drink. If you want to spend most of your time poolside and oceanside with minimal exploring outside the comfort of the resort property, then the answer may be YES. When is an all-inclusive resort in Costa Rica definitely NOT worth it? If you’d like to visit multiple destinations, spend more time outdoors on tours and excursions, then a smaller hotel with a la carte dining could be a better option.
Is Costa Rica or Mexico cheaper?
Mexico almost certainly. Costa Rica is not a super-affordable, mass-tourism destination. This is a major part of its appeal. Stricter environmental and development laws, along with greater social protections for workers makes Costa Rica a more costly place to operate. This translates to hotel rates that are usually higher than Mexico. Costa Rica does offer some more affordable all-inclusive resorts, but we generally do not recommend them to our customers.
What does all-inclusive mean in Costa Rica?
It can mean a variety of things, depending on the particular type of property. For the large resorts that were designed to be all-inclusive from the start, the term generally refers to all meals and entry-level alcoholic beverages included in the price. For some more remote, boutique and unique nature lodges hotels in Costa Rica with all-inclusive plans, they include meals in the price, due mostly to the fact that they are so remote, your meals are provided there. Some smaller Costa Rica resorts offer specific all-inclusive options that can include a combination of meals and drinks. Read the fine print regarding the all-inclusive terms at any given property so that you are 100% clear on exactly what is included and what is not.
Are there all-inclusive resorts near San Jose?
No. Most of Costa Rica's all-inclusive resorts are located in a specific corner of the country: Guanacaste!
How do you tip at a Costa Rica all-inclusive resort?
Some resorts add a tip per person or day, while others leave this option up to the guest. It’s not mandatory, but is always appreciated. A standard tip is 10-15%. In addition, you can give gratuities for housekeeping and waiters all at once at the end or daily.
Is alcohol included in all-inclusive resorts in Costa Rica?
Most all-inclusive do include alcohol, but it’s something to check ahead of time with the specific resort. Those that do have alcohol will use “well liquor” and will not include top-shelf options. Those would cost extra.
How do you get the most out of an all-inclusive resort?
By choosing an all-inclusive that offers activities, meals, and drinks, you can spend your whole vacation at the resort, getting the most for your money by eating all meals and enjoying all drinks there. Most people, however, like to get out and about a bit, which usually involves eating somewhere else at least a few times.
What NOT to do at an all-inclusive resort?
First, don’t go crazy the first-day eating and drinking so much that you feel sick. We’ve seen more than a few travelers fall into this trap. Just because you can have as much as you want doesn’t mean you should. Second, spread out the joy of the gastronomic offerings and specialty cocktails over the whole stay. Third, don’t go off-premises right before mealtime. Instead, try to plan tours around the time you eat at the hotel.
Are all-inclusive resorts in Costa Rica bad for the local economy?
This answer is a mixed bag. Some do a better job than others and we take that into account when we choose which to recommend to our guests. Most resorts provide good-paying jobs to locals. Some respect local environmental and labor laws more than others. It is ideal for the economy if, even while staying at a resort, that you go “off campus” to support local restaurants, shops, artists selling handicrafts on the street, tour companies, etc.