Pacuare Lodge - Jaguar Villa with private pool overlooking Pacuare River
Pacuare Lodge - Jaguar Villa with private pool overlooking Pacuare River

If you’re thinking about or preparing to visit Costa Rica, you probably already have an amazing bucket list but you should make room for one more thing: staying at a hotel so unique that you couldn’t find it anywhere else in the world.

With its tropical climate and diverse ecosystem, Costa Rica boasts some of the coolest places to stay while on vacation; imagine living in a tree house hotel for a night or a week, or unpacking at your Pacific Ocean surf resort.

All this and more awaits you during your Costa Rica adventure. Check out this list of the top ten most unique hotels in Costa Rica, and see how many you can check off during your vacation.

Almonds and Corals Lodge in the middle of the rainforest at night
Almonds and Corals Lodge in the middle of the rainforest at night

1. Almonds and Corals Lodge, Limón

Get up close and personal with Costa Rica and its natural habitats when you stay at the Almonds and Corals Lodge. These guest rooms feature no walls, plenty of mosquito netting and an experience that you aren't likely to find anywhere else.

Situated along the Caribbean Sea and in the middle of the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, Almonds and Corals Lodge offers a truly unique vacation experience in Manzanillo, Costa Rica.

Part resort, part safari camp and part boutique hotel, Almonds and Corals Lodge promotes harmony between your inner and outer self.

Laguna Lodge & Tortuguero Canals from the air
Laguna Lodge & Tortuguero Canals from the air

2. Laguna Lodge Tortuguero

This property is surrounded by canals that offer unique scenery, and it’s a great place to see if you want to visit Tortuguero National Park – one of the world’s most exotic regions.

Uniquely situated on a 650-foot-wide stretch of land between the Caribbean Sea and a lagoon, Laguna Lodge Tortuguero is a place to experience the rivers and lakes of north-eastern Costa Rica.

Take a ride through the naturally formed canals and visit the nesting sites of Green Sea Turtles during an eco-tourist visit.

Monteverde Lodge & Gardens next to the beautiful Cloud Forests of Monteverde
Monteverde Lodge & Gardens next to the beautiful Cloud Forests of Monteverde

3. Monteverde Lodge & Gardens

Approximaly only 1% of our planet has cloud forests. A cloud forest is a type of rainforest but the altitude is usually much higher, somewhere in the range of 3,000 to 8,000 feet.

Stay at Monteverde Lodge & Gardens to immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of Costa Rica's beautiful cloud forest. With its rustic charm, modern amenities, and plethora of activities and guided tours, this hotel has everything you'll need to make the most of your time in Monteverde Cloud Forest.

Unique Container-hotel, El Faro Beach Hotel, Manuel Antonio
Unique Container-hotel, El Faro Beach Hotel, Manuel Antonio

4. El Faro Beach Hotel

El Faro is the first and only container hotel in all of Costa Rica, seamlessly blending the uniqueness of authentic shipping containers with all the modern amenities youd expect in a luxury hotel.

Find your happy place and get lost in thought while gazing out on the waters from the shipping containers, which used to travel the worlds oceans delivering toys to our worlds children.

It is located on the edge of the Manuel Antonio National Park. This hotel gives a whole new meaning to the luxury and fright shipping.

Pacuare Lodge along the Pacuare River perfect for white water rafting
Pacuare Lodge along the Pacuare River perfect for white water rafting

5. Pacuare Lodge

Recognized as one of National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World is the unparalleled Pacuare Lodge.

Located in Siquirres along the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, this eco hotel features twenty luxury suites along a remote river, letting guests connect with nature while still feeling pampered.

Would you go off the grid if you knew you did not have to give up luxury?

When you book a stay at Pacuare Lodge, you get the best of both worlds: a remote location along the Pacuare River in Siquirres, paired with accommodations and amenities you would expect at a top-class hotel.

Rancho Humo a Boutique Eco-lodge located on a Private Reserve
Rancho Humo a Boutique Eco-lodge located on a Private Reserve

6. Rancho Humo near Nicoya, Guanacaste

Costa Rica is known for its commitment to conservation and environmental protection, and because of those efforts, places like Rancho Humo can exist. Rancho Humo a boutique eco-lodge located on a private reserve in Guanacaste and features ten intimate rooms and suites, each with a gorgeous view of the wetlands the surround it. Dine on property and explore the grounds in this tropical paradise.

Here, guests will experience several ecosystems and all the wildlife those ecosystems have to offer. The natural surroundings of this safari lodge make it a great choice for those looking to disconnect from the developed world, and also for those looking to test and improve their photography skills.

View at Aguila de Osa Inn
View of Pacific Ocean at Aguila de Osa Inn

7. Aguila de Osa Inn on the Osa Peninsula

Head to this lodge if you’re looking to stay in a rainforest setting that offers a diverse environment, adventure, luxury, and eco-tourism. Sounds like a tall order, but Aguila de Osa Inn can deliver.

The hotel is on a bluff that offers guests breathtaking panoramic views that include both the Drake Bay and the Corcovado National Park. This is a great place to head to if you want indescribably beautiful scenery with private, luxurious accommodations.

Natural Hot Springs at The Springs Resort & Spa
Natural Hot Springs at The Springs Resort & Spa

8. Natural Hot Springs at The Springs Resort & Spa - Arenal Volcano

The Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna de San Carlos is the epitome of unique luxury in paradise. With its gorgeous hot springs, 15 outdoor pools, on-site child care and full-service spa, what more could you want in a vacation destination?

Book your next getaway at The Springs Resort and Spa in La Fortuna de San Carlos, near Costa Rica's famous Arenal Volcano. Relax and rejuvenate in the property's many hot springs and the Club Rio Outdoor Center and Nature Preserve.

Los Sueños Marriott from air, Playa Herradura
Los Sueños Marriott from air, Playa Herradura

9. Los Sueños Marriott Ocean Golf Resort in Playa Herradura

Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort in Playa Herradura, Costa Rica. This luxurious tropical destination is sure to excite your senses and relax your mind. Whether you spend your time golfing, exploring the local area or being pampered at the spa, you will love Los Sueños Marriott Ocean.

The course isn’t just any course, either, it’s a champion golf course which was designed by top-tier architect Ted Robinson.

The beach paradise property features a network of pools, swim-up bars and islands surrounded by gardens.

Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation & Inn
Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation & Inn

10. Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation & Inn

Immerse yourself in the unique culture and flavor of Costa Rica when you stay at Finca Rosa Blanca Plantation & Inn.

Located in beautiful Santa Barbara de Heredia, this unique well-appointed property has been featured in national magazines. See for yourself what makes this resort such an exceptional choice for your Costa Rican vacation.