Costa Rican Vacations Travel Awards

To mark the end of the year, we'll be honoring those individuals who made your vacation better in 2023, the people who add that touch of class you'll remember forever, the sort of thing you just can't buy.

1. Best Tour Guide 
2. Exceptional Hospitality Service 
3. Lifetime Achievement Award

The CRVTA Academy will be voting for the following Costa Rica tours/activities categories in November 2023:

1. Best Hidden Gem Adventures
2. Best New Tour Experience
3. Best Family Experience
4. Best Nature Experience
5. Top Tour for 2023

In October 2023, our CRVTA Academy are voting for their favorite Costa Rica hotels as pertains to the following categories:

1. Best Hotel Beds
2. Best Hotel Bar
3. Most Unique Swimming Pool
4. Most Valuable Community Work
5. Best Hotel Customer Service

We have a total of 15 categories spread across three months. As the concept of our CRV Travel Awards grows, we will add more categories representing a large section of the Costa Rica travel industry, much like the Oscars are to the movies. We hope to emulate some of the more obscure Oscars with our own version in years to come. 

Here are 2023's nominees and winners!

When we speak of people being the heart and soul of any Costa Rican vacation, it's possible we're referring to our tour guides more than anyone else. A knowledgeable and friendly tour guide can make or break a day trip/excursion, which can, in turn, make or break a vacation.

Being a tour guide is a respected position in Costa Rica, an occupation that requires not only hours of study, but also a deep love for community, country, and the local environment. The best tour guides impart that love to their clients and make them feel like they've experienced something special. No one, at least as far as we're concerned, did that better in 2023 than our awarded today.

This is the second award we give to Arenas del Mar this season—they have already won our Best Hotel Beds award, described below. But before you lay down your head on an ultra-comfy bed at Arenas del Mar, you've probably been outside exploring the area, and Mauricio might have had a hand on that. Whether he's hiking around the Manuel Antonio National Park with you, or taking you out on any number of exciting adventures, Mauricio's blend of qualities will enrich and enhance your vacation experience, and turn it into something unique. His knowledge of the local area, communication and storytelling skills, passion for the environment and his community, empathy, and sustainability practices shine out for all to see. With nine years of showing people around Manuel Antonio, it's about time Mauricio received recognition from us. Thank you, sir, and congratulations!

This is a more general award, open to any individual who's gone the extra mile in 2023, offering outstanding service either to any one of our CRVTA Academy or—more importantly—our clients. Senda Monteverde Hotel is the type of hotel that our clients love, and we love sending our clients to. It's a boutique, luxurious little place located just outside the village of Santa Elena on the edges of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, perfect for eco-tourists looking to explore the natural wonders of Costa Rica while not missing out on the good things in life. But aside from a beautiful setting and wonderful amenities, Senda Monteverde has something else that sets it apart in the hospitality industry.

Tatiana Azofeifa has been at Senda Monteverde since 2017 and her hospitality services go above and beyond. Our clients talk about her customer service, cultural awareness, and attention to detail in glowing terms when we ask them how their vacation went. She simply enhances the guest experience at Senda Monteverde and today, we recognize her as the individual who's provided the most exceptional hospitality service in 2023. Congratulations Tatiana!

Our final individual award for 2023 goes to someone in the Costa Rican tourism industry who's contributed over the years (often behind the scenes, but not always) to making this country the outstanding destination it is. Our CRVTA Academy pondered long and hard on who, exactly, deserves this award in 2023, and we’ve finally agreed on the deserving winner.

The Tabacon is another double-award winner for 2023, winning our Best Thermal Springs Experience, described below. A thoroughly deserved win, we must say. But at the Tabacon, working in the main restaurant, is a man who, over the course of 30 years of service, has shown himself to be the living embodiment of what makes Costa Rica's most famous hot springs resort so special.

Every day that Hugo comes into work as a member of the Tabacon Food and Beverages Team, he makes that team better. His enthusiasm and passion for service, combined with unwavering loyalty to the resort, his teammates, and his customers make him deserving of a Lifetime Achievement Award.

According to Mario Mikowski, the owner of the Tabacon Resort, Hugo has "consistently elevated the standard of service, transforming every dining experience into a memorable occasion for guests. His dedication to excellence and genuine enthusiasm for his craft have been the secret ingredients to his remarkable 30-year journey with us. His enduring commitment has left an indelible mark on our community, making him an invaluable asset to our team. Here's to Hugo, a beacon of dedication, a paragon of service, and a living testament to the Tabacon legacy."

Hugo Lobo is a pillar of inspiration and a true representation of the spirit that makes up the tourism community in Costa Rica. Rural and beach communities all over the country have many people like Hugo: people from the neighborhood who help tourists appreciate the places they're visiting, making the experience not just a trip, but an opportunity to see the beauty of the world up close. It's people like Hugo that make Costa Rica so special and keep tourists coming back.

So here's to Hugo. Thank you, sir, and thanks for making our clients so happy over the course of 2023. We truly appreciate it.

A beautiful thing about traveling to Costa Rica is the ability to get off the beaten path and visit areas less known to tourists. It might be a little more effort to reach some parts of Costa Rica, but if you're a nature lover or want something unique, it's well worth it. Equally, it's possible to stay on the beaten path, in our more popular areas, and still do something or go someplace different. This award category celebrates these differences and those tours that take you away from the norm:

• Pacific Coast Discovery's Fun in the Sun, Beach & Snorkeling Tour, Papagayo
• Tours Bahia Aventuras' Corcovado National Park, Osa Peninsula
• Ecoterra Tours' Rural Farm Tour, Arenal
• El Silencio Lodge Hotel's Local Town Tour, Bajos del Toro
• Rio Perdido Hotel's Rio Perdido Tubing Adventure

The tours above have wide ranges, from cultural activities and adrenaline thrills to nature escapades and water adventures. All they have in common is their ability to take you to places where not many people go—even in popular areas like Arenal and the Papagayo Peninsula. When a tour can show you the hidden corners of a beloved destination, you know they're doing something right. So who wins our Best Hidden Adventures Category for 2023?

The Fun in the Sun Tour sounds amazing just reading those words. And when you actually take the tour, you'll truly know the meaning of fun in the sun! Eddie and Will at Pacific Coast Discovery take you out on a private half-day snorkeling trip around Culebra Bay in Papagayo, Guanacaste. Along the way, you'll look for dolphins and turtles, and get to see the occasional whale. Afterward, you'll head to a remote beach to relax, swim, and snorkel while the guys set up the BBQ and grill you up a delicious lunch. What sets this tour apart is the personal touch and the friendliness of Eddie and Will. They really want you to enjoy yourself and go the extra mile to make that happen. Congratulations to Pacific Ocean Discovery in Papagayo!

In spite of the hardships of recent years, tourism to Costa Rica came roaring back in 2023, with more travelers arriving in Costa Rica than in pre-pandemic years. Everyone was happy with busier beaches and more guests, and one key factor of all this success is entrepreneurship. It's been possible for people to set up new tours and experiences in their corners of the country for tourists to enjoy. Costa Rica always looks forward! Here, we highlight the best new tours of 2023 in Costa Rica:

• Paddle 9’s Waterfall Tour, Manuel Antonio
• Brisa Elegante's Sailing Cruise, Manuel Antonio
• Tucanes Tours' Horse Riding & Local Cooking Tour, Manuel Antonio
• La Leona Waterfall Tour, Guanacaste
• Ecoterra Expeditions' Sloth Sanctuary & Campesino Farm Tour, Arenal

Most of the nominees listed above are in Manuel Antonio—so it's great to see this area bouncing back! They encompass an exciting mixture of nature and culture, with waterfalls featuring prominently throughout the list. If there's something that's unmissable in Costa Rica, it's always a waterfall, and we have some pretty ones down here! Let's see who wins this category for 2023...

The Paddle 9 guys have been in operation since 2012, and always with great exellence! They know more about the various waterfalls around Manuel Antonio and the Central Pacific region than anyone else has possibly forgotten, and their tours reflect that. Fun, informative, and adventurous, with natural slides to boot... What more can you ask for from a day out? Paddle 9 operates a number of tours, but we recommend their full-day three-waterfall tour most of all. You'll love it.

When it comes to adventures in Costa Rica, we often think of the adrenaline activities firs, like whitewater rafting, rappelling, and zip lining. Sometimes we overlook the experiences best shared with family—especially with the little ones. Costa Rica is a perfect place for children to explore. It's the perfect place for them to learn about the rainforest and the environment while having bags of fun and excitement on the side. These five nominated tours, we believe, offered the best family experiences in Costa Rica in 2023:

• Sky Adventures' Combo Tour, Arenal
• La Paz' Waterfall Gardens Tour, La Paz
• Aguila Mayor's Manuel Antonio National Park Tour, Manuel Antonio
• Jacamar's Safari Float Tour, Arenal
• Mystico's Hanging Bridges, Arenal

Whether zip lining through treetops, exploring cloud forests, chasing waterfalls, floating down jungle rivers, or spotting monkeys in national parks, the tours and excursions above all ensure your kids will have the time of their lives in Costa Rica. But which one does the CRVTA Academy like best?

Sky Adventures is a family-run company that has been making Arenal and Monteverde fun since 1997. The winning tour we're talking about here is their combo adventure in Arenal. Suitable for all ages, this tour includes a gondola tour over the rainforest canopy and a walk through a network of hanging bridges. It's a wonderful way to explore the rainforest with ample opportunities to spot wildlife. Adults and children alike love this tour, and we can't recommend it enough. Congratulations to Sky Adventures!

Nature enthusiasts adore Costa Rica. This country takes up around one-thirtieth of the world's landmass but is home to some 4% of all species on the planet. That's an amazing stat and goes a long way to explaining why tourists come to visit us. Sure, it's possible to find amazing tropical beaches in other countries, but can you find amazing tropical beaches plus a plethora of plants, birds, mammals, reptiles, and marine life in a country that goes so far to protect its natural treasures? It would be difficult. In this category, our CRVTA Academy pays tribute to the best tours and excursions that get us back into nature:

• Tours Bahia Aventuras' Corcovado National Park, Osa Peninsula
• Ocotea Tours' Birding in Monteverde, Monteverde
• Jacamar's Caño Blanco Nature Sanctuary Expedition, Arenal
• Aguila Mayor's Manuel Antonio National Park Tour, Manuel Antonio
• Lapa Rios' Guided Trail in the Rainforest, Osa Peninsula

From hiking to birdwatching and more, Costa Rica offers so much for nature lovers, and the five tours listed above represent some of the best opportunities to see wildlife while here. But who wins the category?

More of an unmissable experience than a single tour—the remote and untamed Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula is essential for serious nature lovers. This 164-square-mile park offers more biodiversity than any other similar-sized piece of land on earth. In fact, some 3% of the world's biodiversity is here, which is remarkable. A visit to this park is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and it's possible to encounter tapirs, jaguars, scarlet macaws, and so much more while hiking the jungle trails here.

One of the best things about visiting Costa Rica is the amount of tours and activities available. And then, after a day of action, the chance to relax and soothe your sore muscles in the healing waters of a natural spring, heated by a volcano. The Arenal Volcano area has many thermal springs to enjoy, and many hotels also feature them. Temperatures range from soothing lukewarm to super hot and everything in between. There are hot springs for relaxing, for partying, for friends, for couples, for wellness, and so much more. Below we look at the nominees for the Best Thermal Hot Springs Experience in Costa Rica:

• Tabacon Hot Springs, Arenal
• The Springs Resort Hot Springs, Arenal
• Ecotermales Hot Springs, Arenal
• Rio Perdido Hot Spring River, Rio Perdido
• Paradise Hot Springs, Arenal

Most of the nominees listed above are in and around the Arenal Volcano, which is the most famous area for this activity. But there are some very good options in Guanacaste as well, for those exploring the country. But who's the winner in 2023?

Sometimes the most famous and original things are the best, and this is definitely true of the Tabacon Hot Springs at the Tabacon Resort in Arenal. Set on a private rainforest reserve, these are Costa Rica's largest natural thermal mineral springs, comprising a thermal river, various pools, and waterfalls. Temperatures range from 72° F to 105° F and the therapeutic benefits of soaking here are numerous. Guests can visit Tabacon on day passes or stay at the resort for ongoing access. Tabacon is this year the king of hot springs in Costa Rica and we congratulate them!

Our final category for November is something a little more traditional. It's a straight-out best of the best, a category where the CRVTA Academy simply votes for their favorite. Below, you'll find our five nominees for the Top Costa Rican Tour in 2023. Scroll down below to see who wins!

• Pure Trek's Canyoning Waterfall Rappel, Arenal
• Ecoterra’s 4-in-1 Arenal Volcano Combo Tour, Arenal
• Paddle 9’s Waterfall Tour, Manuel Antonio,
• Tropical Rivers' Rafting the Pacuare River, Pacuare
• Sky Adventures' Zip-line Canopy Tour, Arenal

Waterfalls, rappelling, hiking, zip lining, and rafting - the above tours represent the cream of the crop for activities in Costa Rica. But who has the CRVTA Academy voted for in 2023?

Imagine hiking through the rainforest along a jungle river canyon full of waterfalls like a modern-day Indiana Jones. Pure Trek in the Arenal Volcano area has been making this possible since 2001, leading thousands of adventurers over the years through their canyon for waterfall rappelling, rock climbing, and their famous "Monkey Drop"—prepare to get wet! You'll also see toucans, sloths, monkeys, and more during this exciting adventure, and there's no doubt it's one of the best tours available in Costa Rica. Our CRVTA Academy loves this tour, our clients love this tour, and so will you. Congratulations to Pure Trek for being the best tour in Costa Rica and we look forward to working with you in 2024.

Hotels are for sleeping in, right? They give you a place to lay your weary head at night and truly rest. But not every hotel bed is the same, and we're not just talking about comfort or thread count.

Below, we introduce, in no particular order, our nominees for the best hotel beds in 2023:

• Nayara Resort (Arenal Volcano)
• The Springs Resort & Spa (Arenal Volcano)
• Arenas del Mar (Manuel Antonio)
• El Silencio Lodge & Spa (Bajos del Toro, Central Valley)
• The W Hotel Costa Rica (Conchal, Guanacaste)

Our CRVTA Academy selected the above hotels as standout among all the hotels we work with for their incredible bedding. Some beds will have great views. Others will be perfect for eating breakfast in. And yes, others will be just plain comfy and wonderful pillows. But who's our winner for the Best Hotel Bed in 2023?

There’s no doubt that Arenas del Mar, one of the only hotels with direct beach access in Manuel Antonio, has the best beds in Costa Rica. Geared for couples (but still accepting families), every room here comes with an extra comfortable, plush, king size bed and pillows to match. It’s perfect to fall into after a day discovering the delights of Manuel Antonio.

However, it's not just the beds themselves that won this award. The views at Arenas del Mar offer some of the best rainforest and ocean scenery in the country—all visible from the comfort of your cozy bed. Congratulations to Arenas del Mar, and thanks for continually keeping our clients comfy!

The bar might be the most important place in a hotel outside of your room. Even more important, dare we suggest, than the restaurant. The bar is a place to unwind, to congregate, to meet others. It's a place to talk about your adventures and explorations throughout the day. And yes, a place to relax and enjoy a tropical cocktail or an ice-cold Costa Rican beer.

Here are the nominees for our favorite hotel bars in 2023:

• Nayara Resort (Arenal Volcano)
• The Springs Resort & Spa (Arenal Volcano)
• Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort (Papagayo, Guanacaste)
• The W Hotel Costa Rica (Conchal, Guanacaste)
• El Silencio Lodge & Spa (Bajos del Toro, Central Valley)

Whether the bar is a swim-up, a poolside refuge, or boasting a view, the five listed above are among the best. Perhaps they even serve the best appletini in the world! Either way, you'll love the bars in all these hotels. But which one did our CRVTA Academy vote as the best in 2023?

Andaz Papagayo is an upscale resort with a boutique feel on the prestigious Papagayo Peninsula in Guanacaste. With four restaurants, the place is perfect for foodies, yet their bar, Chao Pescao, is fantastic. Chao Pescao is a tapas bar with open terraces that provide ocean views, while wood-lining makes the ambiance elegant and relaxing. They offer live music and some of the best cocktails you'll ever try in front of a tropical Pacific sunset. And you can also sign up for mixology lessons here! Truly an experience you can’t miss.

One of the best things about traveling to Costa Rica is the year-round tropical heat. Whatever the month, in pretty much every corner of the country, it's hot enough for a dip in the pool. In fact, we'd say that a dip is mandatory after a morning of hiking or zip lining.

Below, we list our nominees with the most unique hotel pools in Costa Rica:

• Casa Chameleon (Las Catalinas, Guanacaste)
• Kura Boutique Hotel (Uvita, South Pacific)
• The Springs Resort & Spa (Arenal Volcano)
• Villa Caletas (Jaco)
• Pacuare Lodge (Pacuare River)

Some of these pools are private and intimate, some have breathtaking infinity edges. Some have amazing views of the landscape or top-notch swim-up bars. They're all perfect places to relax and cool off. But which one is our favorite of favorites in 2023?

There are pools and there are pools. And at Casa Chameleon, a boutique hotel in the unique Guanacaste beach community of Las Catalinas, you have both. First, when you're staying here, you have, as part of the deal, your own private infinity plunge pool on your terrace. These salt water pools have views to die for and are excellent to hang out in. Then, you have the main pool. Think of this as a larger version of your own pool, complete with its own bar and restaurant. The ambiance, the food, the drinks, and the company are all great.Think of a beautiful pool and double it, and that's the pool at Casa Chameleon, which includes its own fire fountains.

If there's one thing we love about the tourist industry in Costa Rica, it's how it gives back. Most hotels in the country are located in rural areas, areas in which tourism has played a key role in improving the local economy. Tourism helps keep communities together in Costa Rica and often allows people from the countryside to stay closer to home instead of moving to the city in search of work.

The best hotels recognize this and do their best to a) hire locally and b) source locally. They know that ingredients for restaurants and other products for hotel use are better when they are fresh and reflect the uniqueness of the area. Beyond this, they act as stewards of their environments, helping with local conservation efforts and ever conscious of how privileged they are to work in such a wonderful place.

Please find below our five nominees for hotels that do the most valuable community work:

• Arenas del Mar (Manuel Antonio)
• Capitan Suizo (Tamarindo, Guancaste)
• Punta Islita (Nicoya Peninsula)
• Lapa Rios (Osa Peninsula)
• Si Como No (Manuel Antonio)

Each of the five hotels listed above should be commended for the outstanding work they do in their communities. But who is our overall winner for Most Valuable Community Work in 2023?

Located in a remote part of the Nicoya Peninsula, one could say that the very point of Punta Islita is to serve its community as much as it serves its guests. Punta Islita is one of Costa Rica’s most iconic hotels—open since 1994—and is a flagbearer of the unique boutique vibe that defines tourism in Costa Rica.

Punta Islita also leads the way with giving back to its community. When other hotels talk about their community work, they learned what they know from Punta Islita, who have been stewarding their community for longer than anyone else. There’s no one piece of community work to point out in particular. The hotel in its own right is community work. From its ethical local hiring practices to its sustainability efforts and sponsorship of local events, you know you’re supporting a local community when you stay at Punta Islita.

One of the signatures of Costa Rican Vacations is excellent customer service and every one of our partners believes the same. Service is the difference between a great vacation and an unforgettable one, and we all take it seriously. And some hotels go the extra mile beyond the extra mile with their attention to detail.

To that end, we want to salute and highlight our five nominees for Best Hotel Customer Service in Costa Rica for 2023:

• Capitan Suizo (Tamarindo, Guanacaste)
• Arenas del Mar (Manuel Antonio)
• Arenal Springs Resort (Arenal Volcano)
• Si Como No (Manuel Antonio)
• Nayara Resort (Arenal Volcano)

Whether you've lost your flip-flops, need something special for your anniversary, or want local restaurant recommendations, the hotels listed above have you covered. These hotels will treat you more than just a customer, taking your already fantastic Costa Rica vacation to the next level. So who wins for 2023?

Nayara comprises three hotels in Costa Rica (with others in Chile and Panama): Nayara Gardens, Nayara Springs, and Nayara Tented Camp (pictured above). Located in the rainforests around the base of the Arenal Volcano, each hotel is a world-beater on their own. The service is incredible, no matter which Nayara you choose. Their dedication to client satisfaction and consistent customer support has earned them many awards, including our service award as well. They make every guest feel truly special and welcome with unique touches that only Nayara offers.