18 Best Hotels in The Osa Peninsula and the South Pacific, Costa Rica

Atop a cliff at the tip of Cabo Matapalo, this lodge has unparalleled views of the Golfo Dulce merging with the endless blue of the Pacific, as well as 750 acres of primary forest, home to plenty of monkeys and peccaries, as well as the occasional puma and ocelot. A network of nine trails meander past creeks and pools. Deluxe thatch-roof cabins have king-size beds, and some have a loft with a single and double bed for families, along with private garden showers with hot water. Two cabins with two bedrooms are ideal for families. Decks are perfect for sunning by day and stargazing at night. A suspension bridge through the forest links the main lodge with two more thatch-roof, rustic cabins set in a tropical garden that is great for bird-watching. Per-person rates also cover the excellent meals, including wood-fired pizzas, served in a restaurant overlooking a garden alive with hummingbirds by day and serenaded by a chorus of frogs at night. Solar- and hydro-powered generators provide light to read by, and with the ocean breezes you won't miss air-conditioning. Expert resident guides are on hand to lead you along forest trails on foot, or you can climb a towering tree, fly in the canopy along a zipline, rappel down a waterfall, and soak in natural warm tidal whirlpools down on the beach. There's a yoga deck with a serene ocean view, and you can opt for a relaxing massage in your bungalow or in a forest glade. A new adults-only pool separates grown-ups from the family-friendly pool. Eco-conscious owners manage to keep the property in ship-shape order while maintaining the highest standard of sustainability.

You can't get any closer to nature than this off-the-grid lodge, famous for its excellent birding and hiking trails, wedged between forest and the banks of the Río Tigre. Stay in a private cabin along a garden trail or in one of the four second-story rooms with shared baths that have chest-high walls, and above that, are open to nature (no screens, just mosquito nets over the beds). In these almost-alfresco rooms you're at eye level with the trees, the better to spot visiting birds. Tuck into the linens and pillows that always feel fresh, and enjoy natural air-conditioning provided by the rushing river. Electricity is solar generated, but there's enough power to recharge batteries and power a Wi-Fi connection. On-demand gas heaters provide plenty of hot water in the garden showers. The gourmet fare here rivals that of the best luxury-lodge kitchens. At dinner, guests gather around a communal table with owners Liz Jones and Abraham Gallo to plan the next day's birding. Abraham, a lifelong local, can show you hidden mountain trails leading to Corcovado National Park, less than a mile away. More than 390 bird species have been spotted on the property, including 255 species from the lodge porch, placing this lodge in the top three hottest birding sites in the country.

This hilltop jungle lodge has it all: exquisite bungalows in the closest location to Corcovado National Park, extensive gardens, two swimming pools, a beach, excellent tours, naturalist guides, and first-class service. Earth-tone fabrics, cane and bamboo accents, four-poster beds, and huge tile bathrooms---some with new open-air showers---set a serene mood amid the exuberant greenery outdoors. Laundry service is extra, but each room has a clothesline for drying your sure-to-get-damp clothing. Self-guided nature trails around the property include a well-signed garden tour of the immaculate grounds. You can take a guided boat tour to Corcovado's nearby San Pedrillo station, or you can hike there with a guide. Another highlight is the Caño Island snorkeling tour, with stops to watch dolphins and whales en route. A daily sunset ritual takes place at the hilltop bar, where guests snack on bocas as the sun disappears into the sea behind Caño Island. In the elegant restaurant, decorated with stained-glass panels, first-class four-course dinners focus on locally produced fish and meats. Desserts are especially creative and delicious. Servers are friendly and attentive. Breakfasts are excellent and huge, and the kitchen packs hearty picnic lunches. There is Wi-Fi throughout the property. The best deal is a three-night package that includes air transportation from San José, all meals, and guided trips to Caño Island and Corcovado National Park.

Copa de Arbol is ultraluxurious, ultracool (comes with air-conditioning), ultra-expensive, and is idyllically situated between crashing ocean surf and dense jungle, right on the coastal path walking trail that connects Drake Bay to Corcovado. Two-story, thatch-roof houses scattered around the landscaped property have an open-air seating area or porch with hammocks at ground level. Stairs lead up to high-ceilinged, spacious rooms, decorated in muted earth tones with vaguely Asian touches: Buddha statues, cotton-print bedspreads from India, Balinese carved mirror frames. Luckily, you can turn off the a/c and throw open screened windows to let in the sounds, scents, and breezes that let you know you really are in Costa Rica. Bathrooms are exquisite, with good lighting, overhead fans, and square showerheads that deliver truly tropical deluges. A deluxe 2-bedroom suite is aimed at families and groups of friends. Paths winding through a maze of hibiscus hedges in the landscaped garden lead to a dramatic four-tier pool: hot tub on top, descending by steep stairs to two plunge pools with ocean views, and a kiddie-deep pool at the bottom. At mealtime you leave your shoes at the bottom of a staircase that climbs to the barefoot-only, second-story restaurant with an excellent view of garden, beach, and ocean. Service is attentive and friendly here, with a homey touch provided by self-serve coffee and stacks of specialty teas, along with home-baked cookies and cinnamon rolls. The food is average, not very imaginative or tropical, with the notable exception of excellent salads. The overall feeling here is more hotel than nature lodge. All the usual snorkeling, nature, and wildlife tours are available, along with kayaks and paddleboards. Or you can just head off along the Coastal Path and create your own adventure. There is a three-night minimum stay here; rates do not include boat transport to the lodge or any tours, making the price high relative to other area lodges.

Follow the giant tapir-footprint signs to this extraordinary, rustic lodge, reminiscent of an Adirondacks camp but with oversize, whimsical wood furniture, all within hiking distance of the western edge of Corcovado National Park. The lodge offers roomy cabins to suit all budgets, including one two-bedroom family cabin and a wheelchair-accessible room with a semi-open, large bathroom paved with smooth river stones. A completely round, freestanding room is comfortable and cool, with an outdoor shower shaped like a vulture's head with outspread wings forming the walls. Kids of all ages will delight in the cabin-in-the-woods atmosphere, enhanced by creatively designed, huge twig chairs and headboards, twisted-branch windows, and furniture made from tree stumps. Breakfast is included, and excellent traditional Costa Rican meals are served in an alfresco restaurant decorated with more of owner Merlyn Oviedo's creative wood sculptures and furnishings, including a giant spider over the open kitchen. It's an 8-km (5-mile) hike to Los Patos entrance to Corcovado National Park, but you can see much of the same wildlife by walking the 5 km (3 miles) of trails of this 86-acre property or by going for a tractor ride along the river.

High style at high altitude, this avant-garde lodge clinging to the side of a mountain has unbeatable valley views, great bird-watching, luxury accommodations, a sophisticated restaurant, and the top ecological sustainability rating. All casitas and suites have living rooms with huge picture windows, private terraces, and ethanol-fueled fireplaces, as well as fluffy duvets for cold nights.

This tranquil, sophisticated retreat in a forest brimming with birds and wildlife, 400 feet above a mostly deserted beach studded with tide pools, has luxurious two- to five-person cabinas with screened windows, king-size beds, contemporary bathrooms with spacious showers, and private decks with forest and ocean views. A secluded, spacious deluxe cabin, on the path to the beach, has stunning ocean views and lots of privacy, perfect for honeymoons. The teak-and-stone villas with ceiling fans each have a plunge pool and outdoor shower. Four spacious rooms and two suites in a two-story building close to the restaurant have verandas overlooking a swimming pool edged with teak lounge chairs. International meals with a tropical touch are served on a spacious terrace restaurant with forest and ocean view. A smaller, romantic side deck under palm trees is the perfect spot for candlelight dinners à deux. Waterfall rappelling and biologist-guided nature walks are the highlights, apart from soaking in the serenity. New trails lead through the forest to two suspension bridges spanning ravines. There's also a five-platform zipline, so guests can get a dose of canopy-level views of birds and wildlife, along with high-adrenaline adventure. The friendly and professional young owners are on-site and ensure service is smooth and guests' every request are met.

A garden paradise that lives up to its name, this combination organic farm and sophisticated ecolodge is an otherworldly experience, meant to be slowly and thoughtfully absorbed over a three-night minimum stay. Beautifully designed, thatch-roof tiki cabins have private bathrooms and outdoor showers in cane-and-bamboo enclosures. There's a gorgeous, contemporary house with a spectacular ocean view for families or couples. Adventurous, budget-minded travelers can play castaways in seven airy, comfortable platform tents with garden showers and communal restrooms. Meals (included in the rate) are truly exotic, using organic produce from the garden and local fish and meat, prepared with spicy Asian accents and served in a stunning restaurant overlooking the sea. There are fresh juices and coffee and tea available all day. Two daily yoga classes are held on a serene yoga deck, and a masseuse is on call. One of the best activities is a tour of the garden. Carate Beach is steps away, and La Leona entrance to Corcovado National Park is a 40-minute walk along the beach.

If a long stretch of deserted beach is your idea of heaven, check out this idyllic lodge with two-story cabins set in an exquisite botanical garden. Cabins are elegantly furnished in bamboo, with thoughtful touches like Egyptian-cotton sheets and a raft of candles for romantic evenings. The upper-level cabins have the nicest views and catch the best breezes. Pebble-lined showers have plenty of hot water and excellent water pressure. Eight modern but smallish rooms above the lodge's separate restaurant have upscale detailing and are considerably cheaper than the luxury casitas. The gentle Golfo Dulce waters are perfect for swimming, sea-kayaking, and boogie boarding, and there's a 65-foot lap pool surrounded by gardens and forest. Tennis courts round out the amenities. Two yoga platforms, a hot tub, and a spa with massages can help take away your residual stress. Extravagant dinners, with exotic foods reflecting the owners' worldwide travels, are served in a thatch-roof dining room with a huge table that can accommodate up to 32 diners. The lavish breakfasts may include mango scones and homemade granola chock-full of walnuts and cranberries. Birds are plentiful in the Playa Preciosa Platanares Mixed Refuge, which borders the lodge, and scarlet macaws are daily visitors. Every morning there is a guided morning walk for guests along the new Native Species Jungle Trail. Children under 12 pay half price.

Stunning contemporary design, high-tech comforts, and a lofty location overlooking the Pacific combine to set a whole new standard of luxury at this adults-only property. Garden walkways lead to spacious villas, where architect and owner Martin Wells has pulled out all the stops: glass-walled showers for two, innovative stone double sinks, sliding teak doors leading to an exquisite walk-in closet, and glass flooring. Boxy white sofas and chairs and a floating king-size bed, piled high with pillows and a puffy duvet, invite relaxation. Creature comforts include exotic teas and a Nespresso machine. An exquisite saltwater infinity pool surrounded by an elegant terrace restaurant and chic bar and lounge establishes the sophisticated tone in the main lodge. Meanwhile, at the restaurant, from breakfast to dinner, every dish is delectable as well as beautifully plated. Returning from dinner, you'll find your villa romantically staged, with drapes drawn, candles flickering, and a red glow emanating from under the bed. Smooth service is supplied by soft-spoken, attractive young men and women. The spa is an experience not to be missed. All this high-tech comfort also comes within the context of a sustainable philosophy. You'll feel worlds away from civilization, but a brief shuttle trip can transport you to the beach upon request.

Sweeping ocean views, impeccably appointed accommodations, and lots of tropical-foliage privacy make this lodge the area's most romantic option. Planted in an exquisite jungle garden on a ridge jutting into the Pacific, the elegant, spacious wooden ranchos (small houses), placed strategically for total privacy, have bedroom lofts, spiffy bathrooms, and large, breezy porches with wicker furniture. Interiors are enlivened with local artisan touches, from ceramic sink basins painted with flowers and birds to glass-topped side tables showcasing local shells. All accommodations here have air-conditioning. Nos. 1 and 3, aptly called "sunset ranchos," have the best sea views. Four superior rooms in a shared building are spacious and luxurious, with king-size beds, jungle, garden, and ocean views. Room D has a wraparound deck overlooking an expanse of jungle, delighting bird-watchers. Service here is personal, enthusiastic, and polished. Take a dip in the small pool, or head down the hill to Playa Cocolito, a gem of a beach. Diving trips and certification courses, river kayaking, and nature tours with private guides are among the activities. The flower-filled, fan-cooled restaurant serves excellent tropical fare, and there's always afternoon tea and home-baked treats—the carrot cake is a standout. Sophisticated, four-course dinners—with vegetarian options—are served at a long communal table, giving guests a chance to meet and share experiences. Red or white wine (or beer) is poured at dinner. The lodge has the added luxury of electricity (and hair dryers). Wi-Fi is available in the main lodge and in cabin "A" closest to the Club House. There's a three-night minimum stay ($1,170 to $1,385 per person), a package that includes all meals and two tours.

The world-famous Playa Pavones surf break is a 10-minute walk from La Ponderosa, the area's only beach resort and several cuts above the usual surfer hangout, with accommodations verging on luxurious. Fresh, bright rooms have high-end mattresses dressed in crisp white linens and gleaming tiled bathrooms, air-conditioning, small refrigerators, flat-screen TVs, and Wi-Fi. Two of the three spacious suites also have screened-in porches overlooking the pool. A large, two-bedroom villa with kitchen is also available for about double the price of a standard. If you're not into surfing, there are nature trails winding through 10 acres of magnificent gardens and forest, loaded with birds and specimen plants. On-site massages can be arranged. Everything is within walking distance, including a swimmable beach, so you don't need a car. For rainy days, there's a large game room with Ping-Pong, darts, and a collection of DVDs and a book exchange. In addition to board and bike rental, there's a tranquil swimming pool set in an enchanting garden with an ocean view. Breakfast is not included in the price, but optional meal plans cover two or three meals.

Set in a vast, private nature reserve, with a breathtaking view from the lodge's high jungle ridge, this is the first and most spectacular ecolodge in Costa Rica, garlanded with numerous awards for its mix of sustainability, conservation, service, and comfort. The cost includes all on-site tours, meals, and transportation to and from Puerto Jiménez. The service here is exceptional, including morning coffee or hot cocoa brought to your cabin at 6 am. After a day of activities and three filling meals, you'll sleep on a luxury mattress in a four-poster queen or king bed that is layered with fabrics made by local artisans. Spacious, airy cabins built of gleaming hardwoods blend indigenous motifs with bold, contemporary design elements. Bathrooms are fresh and modern, with blissful indoor showers and double vessel sinks. Outdoor garden showers also have hot water, along with views onto the private teak terraces, where you can view passing monkeys, roosting toucans, and plenty of scarlet macaws—the lodge's namesakes—all from your lounge chair. The layout is creatively designed with luxury villas branching off a skyway trail perched above the forest canopy. There's a good-size pool, with ocean view, plus a massage hut and a yoga deck. Meals here are all à la carte, served in a dramatically lighted, round rancho under a soaring thatch roof. The menu includes lots of seafood, exotic fruits and vegetables, and mouthwatering desserts. Four resident naturalist guides lead tours through the lodge's pristine wilderness and to nearby beaches on foot or on horseback. Don't miss the free sustainability tour called Pigs, Twigs, and Garbage, which highlights the resort's eco-friendly commitment, including pigs' contribution to energy fuels.

If you don't like to climb stairs, request a cabin close to the main lodge.

Perched on a sublime mountaintop overlooking rain forest and ocean, this is the quintessential yoga retreat, though it's universally enjoyed for its remoteness and proximity to wildlife. Accommodations range from private bungalows with showers and decks to platform tents. Romantic, round bungalows in the garden, have thatch roofs, garden showers, and decks for relaxing in wood-and-leather rocking chairs, while three deluxe rooms near the main lodge have private baths and share a spacious deck. For real adventure, bed down in one of the lodge's comfortable (and cheaper, at $165 per person, double occupancy) platform tents, each with a private bathroom. The large decks are perfect for practicing yoga, scanning the horizon for hawks or scarlet macaws, or contemplating Pacific sunsets. There's an elegant spa and massage hut with ethereal views. The bird life here is unbeatable; a tour with an expert guide should not be missed, even if you have never given birding a thought before. Guided hikes to waterfalls and swimming holes are precipitous and thrilling, and lounging around the pebble-deck pool is pure nirvana. You can also visit nearby Corcovado National Park on a day tour. Healthful, delicious meals have an imaginative vegetarian focus, along with servings of fish, flavored with herbs from a hilltop organic garden. Complimentary savory bocas are served at cocktail time, creating a friendly atmosphere. The lodge's decks are made from recycled plastic, and the lodge's electricity is provided by a hydro project on the property, in line with the owner's commitment to sustainability, which has earned the lodge the highest five-leaf rating.

Famous for miles of bird-watching trails and expert guides, this lodge has comfortable, spacious rooms with two double beds and modern bathrooms, some with bathtubs, set in colorful, bird-attracting gardens. The main lodge has a huge fire pit, a spacious bar, and a gift shop with lots of useful bird-watching items, including rain ponchos. A hearty breakfast is included in the rate. Breakfast and lunch can be served on a large sunny terrace frequented by hummingbirds. Homegrown trout is the restaurant's specialty. Don Efrain Chacón first bushwhacked his way through these mountains in the 1950s, and the property is still run by his children and grandchildren.

If you want to avoid the twisting drive down the San Gerardo road, take a bus to Km 80 on the Pan-American Highway and arrange a lift to the hotel ($25 for up to 5 people).

The carefully groomed grounds of this top-notch, luxury beachfront resort are a riot of tropical foliage and flowers, shaded by massive mango trees. Guests, who are mostly well-heeled, avid anglers, sleep in spacious, air-conditioned, deluxe rooms with ultramodern bathrooms with thick towels and huge showers. Most rooms are in a two-story building shaded by tall trees, but there are also two separate bungalow suites that are larger and have private porches with pool and ocean views. More ocean views can be had in the two huge luxury suites with wraparound glass walls. The style is chic and contemporary: dark-wood furniture softened by earth-tone fabrics in natural textures and beds dressed in top-quality linens. On the property, water elements, from a koi pond and trickling fountains, to the inviting pool with ocean view, provide a cool note in the southern heat. Hammocks strung between trees and lounging areas, both indoors and on shaded beachfront platforms, provide relaxing places to contemplate the Golfo Dulce view. The outdoor lounge has handsome teak furniture with front-row seats for watching sunsets, where guests are treated to s'mores around the fire pit. Weary fishers can also relax with a massage after a day of reeling in fish. The upscale restaurant serves bountiful, innovative breakfasts, and lunch and dinner buffets are included. An outdoor kitchen includes a brick pizza oven and a huge grill. Kayaks, bikes, and surfboards are available. The hotel boasts fiber-optic Wi-Fi throughout.

This last-outpost ecolodge, near the border with Panama, is a draw for bird-watchers as well as nature lovers, yoga enthusiasts, and adventurers who want to really get away from it all in relative comfort and at an affordable, all-inclusive price. Built from fallen trees are comfortable wooden cabins on stilts with rustic furniture and tiled bathrooms. Cabin No. 7 has the most privacy, with an outdoor rain-forest shower, screened windows on three sides, and a huge porch looking onto a beautiful ocean view. The property includes a vast orchard with more than 125 varieties of fruit trees that attract plenty of wildlife. Surrounding it are 800 acres of primary and secondary forest, a habitat for the more than 275 species of birds, including more than 65 scarlet macaws, the result of a 10-year release program. The best---and most relaxed---birding is from a deck chair beside the pool. A 90-strong troop of squirrel monkeys also roams the property, which includes a large yoga deck with an ocean view. Trails invite you to explore the jungle and a cascading waterfall with freshwater pools. Simple, healthy meals using local produce are served in an open-air dining room during set times. The beach, with swimmable waters, is a steep 10-minute downhill walk. Rates include two guided forest tours, all meals, plus coffee, tea and juices throughout the day. The owners sell their own cocoa butter and chocolate bars made in house. 

These modern 1,000-square-foot villas, on the rain-forested peak overlooking Costa Ballena and the "whale tail," feel lavish and luxurious; each has indoor and outdoor showers and large soaking tub, private terraces with infinity plunge pool, posh beds, and heavenly views. If you ever leave your room, you can join the other guests at the hotel pool and lounge, restaurant, well-maintained hiking trails on 12 acres, or jungle yoga shala. Unlike some other boutique hotels in the area, this one welcomes children.