No matter what type of traveler you are, Costa Rica is bound to impress. There’s something for everyone here, whether your idea of a good time is relaxing on a sandy beach or taking part in adventures from snorkeling and diving or surfing, hiking and zip-lining. Wildlife lovers will be in heaven with a wide range of exotic species to spot, including sloths, all sorts of monkeys, jaguars, tapirs, and colorful parrots. Watch for dolphins, whales, sea turtles, rays, and tropical fish in the water, too. Wherever you are in this country, it’s all about living the good life, or pura vida.
The question isn’t whether to visit Costa Rica, it’s where to stay, and these Airbnbs provide a wide range of options for the perfect base.
Large Comfortable Home Within Walking Distance to the Beach - Santa Cruz
This three-bedroom home accommodates up to six, and it’s located less than a 10-minute walk to a tranquil locals’ beach, while Tamarindo and its many attractions can be reached within 30 minutes on foot. Every room has a Smart TV, while the living room has surround sound and Apple TV. There’s a pool with jets and nightlights, and you’ll have a grill along with a spacious, well-equipped kitchen. Other highlights include laundry facilities, Wi-Fi, and air conditioning.
Rainforest Tree House with Hot Springs - San Carlos
This might just be one of the world’s coolest treehouses. Not only will your stay be in this gorgeous handcrafted treehouse where you’ll wake up to the sounds of the howler monkeys and sights of butterflies, birds, and lush greenery, but you’ll have access to a dozen natural hot and cold springs in pools of varying temperatures. It’s all part of Bio Thermales, a 35-acre property with two treehouses, three casitas, and rainforest trails for hiking. The furniture is handmade from trees harvested on the land, and you’ll have a wrap-around balcony for relaxing while watching the wildlife. There’s also a kitchenette with all the basics, including a fridge, microwave, coffeemaker, and kitchenware.
Casa Luz - San Isidro de El General
Located in the Southern Pacific Zone, Casa Luz sits atop a mountain overlooking the Baru River Valley on an over 12-acre property in a gated community. This Airbnb is especially enchanting for waterfall lovers, as you’ll be surrounded by jungle, waterfalls, and bamboo-lined drives, along with a wide range of flora and fauna. The one-bedroom casa boasts floor-to-ceiling windows so you can watch for toucans, multiple butterfly species, and the occasional howler monkey or jungle cat. Just a short walk to a nearby river, it includes a pool, a minibar, a kitchenette with an induction burner and refrigerator, and a washer/dryer.
Glass Cabin in the Forest with 270° View, Hot Tub, and Deck - Monteverde
If you’re looking for a place that truly wows, the glass cabin features glass walls for an incredible view of the surrounding forest and the ocean. If you want to enjoy it in the fresh air, there’s a private deck that comes complete with a hot tub. Soak by day to views of the Pacific and then enjoy it under the stars. Ultra romantic, it sleeps up to two and is just over a 10-minute drive from the town center of Santa Elena and near to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, one of the top things to do in Costa Rica. You’ll also have a Celestron telescope, Alexa with Spotify, a Smart HD Projector with access to ROKU, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video, a bathroom with heated floors, and a full kitchen with a complimentary minibar that includes breakfast basics like coffee, tea, pancake mix, butter, eggs, milk, sugar, salt, and pepper.
Full Service Pod CoCo 1 at ArtVillas Costa Rica - Uvita
This rental is one of four “Coco Pods,” a private apartment that sits high above a tropical forest with abundant wildlife. You’ll be surrounded by nature while enjoying access to VIP concierge services, including a personal chef and a masseuse. It’s the perfect place to forget about the “real world” while immersed in the jungle. The property offers many shared facilities, including two swimming pools, a waterslide, a bar and restaurant, a fitness center, and a sauna.
6,500-Square-Foot, 6-Bedroom Luxury Villa on Dominical Beach - Dominical
If you’re looking for a large space for a family reunion, a trip with friends, or anything else, this villa offers 6,500 square feet of space with six bedrooms, accommodating as many as 14. It sits just 100 feet above the surf right on Dominical Beach, providing breathtaking ocean views while the sounds of the crashing waves can be heard from every room. Among the very long list of highlights is a big, deep pool with an infinity edge that looks like it melts into the sea for one continuous span of tropical blue. The outdoor space is impressive, with a dining table that seats 12, an outdoor grill, and a furnished sitting area. You’ll also have everything you could ever need inside, including a large kitchen and laundry room with two washers and two dryers.
Cloud Forest Sanctuary - Monteverde
Described as a “little paradise” in Monteverde, this rental offers a secluded stay in the cloud forest, yet it’s within walking distance to shopping and dining. A one-bedroom home for four made with local wood and glass, it gets lots of natural light while boasting fabulous views. You’ll have a wrap-around deck where you can relax while enjoying the sounds of the toucans and the howler monkeys, an outdoor fireplace, a full kitchen, Wi-Fi, and a washing machine.
SOLA VISTA Casa Sol with 360° Ocean & Jungle View! - Punta Banco
SOLA VISTA has been described as a “yogi, surfer, and wildlife lover’s paradise.” Here you’ll enjoy ocean and jungle views while waking up to the birds’ songs, the howler monkeys’ cries, and the waves’ sounds. It’s just three minutes on foot to a beach known for great surfing and perfectly situated for incredible wildlife encounters. Part of the Sola Vista Eco Lodge, you’ll have access to an outdoor waterfall shower and an observation/yoga deck for practicing your poses, relaxing in a hammock, or watching the surfers. You’ll stay in one of two bungalows, both of which accommodate up to two guests and include a full kitchen, a deck with a 360-degree view of the jungle and ocean, and a bedroom with a high-end queen-size bed.
Treehouse Near Manuel Antonio with Pool - Quepos
This treehouse is tucked into the rainforest near famous Costa Rican beaches and Manuel Antonio National Park. From the porch, you can watch the myriad of birds, monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and more. There’s a hammock if you prefer to lounge there while keeping an eye out for the wildlife too. It has a king-size bed, high-speed Wi-Fi, a hot shower, and kitchen items like a gas stove, refrigerator, coffeemaker, blender, pots, pans, dishware, glasses, and silverware. Access to a shared pool with a sundeck is included too.
Casa Mambo Tamarindo Surf House - Tamarindo
Casa Mambo is one of the top Airbnbs for surfers in Costa Rica and the perfect place to get into the quintessential Costa Rican lifestyle, just a short walk from Tamarindo Beach if you want to learn to surf. Advanced surfers can hop on a shuttle to Playa Langosta instead. It offers some fabulous outdoor spaces for relaxation, including hammocks, and it even includes an outdoor kitchen where, if you wake up early enough, you can watch the sunrise while making breakfast.
Villa at Boutique Working Coffee Ranch - Concepcion de San Isidro
If you want to experience authentic farm living in Costa Rica, this villa sits on a working 8-acre coffee ranch in the San Jose Valley, providing a peaceful oasis with panoramic views of Irazu Volcano, the Tres Marias Mountains in Braulio Carrillo National Park, a river, and the city lights of San Jose after dark. A studio for two, it includes a small refrigerator, microwave, coffee bar, bathroom, and a comfy queen-size bed. There’s a two-acre meditation garden to stroll through, and your host, who has lived in the country for over 25 years, will provide expert advice to help you make the most of your trip.
Montezuma Heights 'Colibri' Cottage - Montezuma
Look forward to awe-inspiring views of the ocean from this one-bedroom cottage. You’ll have a private balcony right on the cliff that’s surrounded by trees inhabited by monkeys and birds. As the host notes, it makes you “feel like an eagle above the ocean.” You’ll be close enough to the waves that you can let them lull you to sleep while enjoying your own pool, decks for sunbathing, hammocks, and a space for alfresco dining. It sleeps up to three and includes all the essentials too, like a full kitchen and Wi-Fi.
