Planning a family getaway, a romantic vacation for two, or some much-needed solo R&R? Costa Rica offers natural beauty, adventure sports, pristine beaches, and a relaxed atmosphere. For a stress-free trip, a Costa Rica all inclusive resort is the way to go.
With dozens of all-inclusive resorts in Costa Rica, it’s not hard to find one well-suited to your travel style; you just might need to do a little research. We’ve made it easier with a round-up of the top 10 Costa Rica all inclusive resorts for all types of travelers.
Costa Rica All Inclusive Resorts Quick Picks
Best Costa Rica All Inclusive for Romance: Secrets Papagayo
Best Costa Rica All Inclusive for Families: Dreams Las Mareas
Best Eco-friendly Costa Rica All Inclusive: Playa Niceusa Rainforest Lodge
Best Costa Rica All Inclusive for Beach: Westin Reserva Conchal
Dreams Las Mareas
The family-friendly Costa Rica all inclusive Dreams Las Mareas is ideal for families looking for a luxurious and fun vacation for a set price. Every Unlimited-Luxury package comes with unlimited meals, snacks, and drinks at 15 restaurants and bars, including 2 pool bars and a swim-up bar.
Rooms are a blend of classic and modern with neutral wooden tones. Each comes with a private outdoor seating area and a fully stocked minibar that’s refreshed every day of your stay. Guests who upgrade to Preferred Club status will enjoy premium room amenities like hot tubs, swim-up entrances, and oceanfront views.
Guests get free use of equipment for non-motorized water activities like snorkeling, kayaking, and paddle-boarding. Evening entertainment programs include family-friendly live shows, parties, and movie nights. Spanish lessons are also offered for free during the day, as well as cooking and cocktail-making classes.
Secrets Papagayo
Secrets Papagayo is a beautiful adult-only all-inclusive overlooking the Pacific that’s perfect for Costa Rica honeymoons. Guest rooms have private balconies or patios, and dining options include 4 gourmet restaurants and 5 bars, although there is only 1 swim-up bar.
Guests of Secrets Papagayo get free use of non-motorized watersports equipment, culinary experiences, live shows, and parties, plus free use of mountain bikes. Amenities that cost extra include day trips, spa treatments, and romantic private dinners. Preferred Club members also have access to ultra-indulgent amenities and nicer suites with private plunge pools.
Nestled in the safe and peaceful community of Arenilla Beach, Secrets Papagayo is a short 20-minute ride from the airport. The nearby tourist town of Coco Beach offers dozens of additional dining options and bars, plus specialty shops where you can hunt for the perfect souvenir.
Occidental Tamarindo
Far from the heavily trafficked Playa Hermosa, Occidental Tamarindo is located on the shores of Langosta Tamarindo Beach in northwestern Costa Rica. It is the only all-inclusive resort in the area, making it a top choice for travelers who would rather avoid crowds, although the resort does get busy during popular travel times.
The rooms are dated but well-kept. Superior rooms come with their own balcony or terrace, an extra-large bathroom, and enough space for up to five guests. Select rooms provide unobstructed views of the beach, and the gardens provide an extra layer of privacy for ground-floor rooms. Unlimited dining and beverages can be enjoyed in the resort’s three gourmet restaurants and two bars.
There are some entertainment programs and activities for kids and adults included in the rate as well, like dance classes, aerobics, sports, and lawn games. Occidental Tamarindo is especially popular with nature enthusiasts and surfers, and off-site excursions on land or at sea can be arranged at the front desk. There is also a nearby golf course and a lovely spa on-site.
The Westin Reserva Conchal
The Westin Reserva Conchal Golf Resort & Spa is an impressive 2400-acre all-inclusive resort in Costa Rica surrounded by a tropical jungle. Reviews mention frequent wildlife sightings like iguanas and howler monkeys but add that the tree cover comes at the cost of ocean views; only a select few suites offer them.
Nevertheless, the rooms are superb, both large and stylish. The Family Club collection of suites includes amenities especially for families with children like kid-sized bathrobes and toiletries as well as a play tent filled with games like ping pong and giant chess.
The rate includes unlimited meals and drinks, a full calendar of events for kids and adults, and tons of activities like tennis and golf. The grounds also have a shopping center, a world-renowned spa, and eleven restaurants and bars to choose from.
Fiesta Resort
Fiesta Resort offers direct beach access, daily activities, parties every week, and entertainment every night, all included in the cost of your stay along with unlimited meals and drinks. While this lively resort is not officially an adult-only resort, it leans heavily on its party theme and may not be the most kid-friendly option. It’s near the town of El Roble, which doesn’t offer much in terms of tourism. The resort is well-suited to guests who want the all-inclusive experience with a few day trips here and there.
There are four swimming pools and whirlpools, two tennis courts, a soccer field that doubles as a volleyball court on the beach, an indoor game room, and a minigolf course on the resort grounds. The rooms aren’t anything special but are well-kept and clean.
On the pool deck, guests will find four pool bars serving snacks, cold beer, and fresh cocktails. For dinner, head to Calypso Restaurant for a huge and varied buffet. A la carte options include Latin-inspired dishes and fresh seafood at Macarela or Macondo.
Azura Beach Resort
An adult-only Costa Rica resort, Azura Beach Resort is located on one of the country’s safest and cleanest beaches, Samara Beach, and just a few minutes from town. Other easily accessible attractions are the Wener Sauter Bio Reserve, Belen Waterfall, and Barrigona Beach.
Guests of Azura Beach Resort have access to a 24-hour fitness facility, two refreshing swimming pools, and unlimited meals, snacks, and drinks at six restaurants and bars. Treatments at Morpho’s Spa and excursions like private tours and fishing trips are available at an additional cost.
The most impressive suite at Azura, the honeymoon suite, features a separate living room, a two-person soaking tub, and a large private balcony overlooking the gardens and the beach. Other luxury rooms come with swim-up entrances and private plunge pools. With only 75 rooms, guests will feel posh no matter what room they are in.
Margaritaville Beach Resort Playa Flamingo
Set across from a beautiful beach (and very close to the famous Sugar Beach) is Margaritaville Beach Resort at Playa Flamingo. Centrally located and a Costa Rican staple since 2018, this fun, laid-back resort perfectly embodies the Caribbean attitude, and even has its own yacht that guests can charter or rent privately. One popular nearby destination is Las Baulas National Marine Park, where visitors can see turtles nesting.
Three beach-themed international restaurants serve classics made with a Costa Rican flair. Three meals per day are included in the rate along with unlimited house drinks, free popcorn and drinks at the on-site movie theater, bikes, and up to two hours of boogie board use per day on Flamingo Beach.
Choose from a variety of rooms and suites perfect for couples or families. The decor is beachy and bright and offers views of the gardens, beach, or pools.
Family accommodation includes a large studio with a kitchenette, a two-bedroom Junior Suite with 3 patios and lush tropical surroundings, and a Junior Suite with two twin bunk beds.
Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge
Accessible only by boat, Playa Niceusa Rainforest Lodge is a sustainable eco-resort in the Golfo Dulce region, located off the Osa Peninsula. Guests can lounge on the shores of a private beach in awe of the distant mountains and the dolphins frolicking nearby.
Packages range from 3 – 7 nights and are custom-designed with couples, families, friends, and solo travelers in mind. Come during the green season and witness the spectacular sight of humpback whales making their annual migration across the Pacific.
Treehouse accommodations are open concept, with large screenless windows and mosquito-net-covered beds to keep the pests away. The jungle decor includes open-air showers and wrap-around terraces. The Jaguar and Mango houses each have two stories with multiple bedrooms for families or groups of friends.
Croc’s Resort & Casino
Croc’s Resort & Casino on Jaco Beach has stylish accommodations for families, couples, and guests traveling solo. All-inclusive rates cover meals in four unique restaurants, each one featuring dishes made with locally sourced ingredients.
The resort’s biggest draw is the Vegas-style casino. Central to the resort, the casino is open to guests and the public, with slot machines operating every day from morning until late, while table games run from Tuesday to Sunday. Within the casino, there is also a sports bar, a lounge, and a disco.
The on-site tour book lists more than 20 off-site adventures, all of which can be arranged at the front desk. Popular offerings include charters to visit the Isla Tortuga, surfing lessons, canyoning, and sailing.
El Mangroove
El Mangroove is a Marriott Bonvoy destination nestled among other high-end all-inclusive resorts in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. It’s only steps from Playa Panama, but despite its proximity to the water, most of the rooms offer views of the resort grounds. The Presidential Suite on the ground floor is an exception. It not only comes with oceanfront access but a private plunge pool, as well.
There is a main lane pool that runs the length of the resort’s grounds, plus a shallow kids’ pool and an indoor spa pool. El Mangroove offers packages that vary by traveler type; getaways for adventure seekers include free tours and use of select equipment, couples will receive a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine among other things, and those seeking to relax and recharge will enjoy unlimited spa treatments.
Now that you’ve read our list of 10 Costa Rica all inclusive resorts for all types of travelers, which appeals to you? Let us know in the comments. And if you haven’t found the perfect place for you, check out Top 15 Costa Rica All Inclusive Family Resorts, Top 10 Costa Rica Adult-Only All Inclusive Resorts, and 15 Costa Rica Resorts for a Romantic Honeymoon.
He is an expert travel advisor and enthusiast. He has traveled extensively in the USA, Central America, South America, and Europe. He has visited every Sandals Resort and is one of a select few Diamond Elite members of the Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club.
Dan graduated from Johnson & Wales University with an associate degree in Culinary Arts. Later he graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in International Studies with a focus on people and culture.