Honeymoon Vacations in Costa Rica
After spending time exploring Costa Rica’s lush landscapes and coastal retreats for four weeks, I’ve come to see why it’s one of the world’s most romantic destinations. From secluded beaches and luxury eco-lodges to rainforest adventures and hot springs, this tropical paradise offers countless ways for couples to celebrate love. These are the places and experiences I’d recommend most for an unforgettable honeymoon in Costa Rica.
1. Los Altos Resort
Los Altos Resort is a wonderful place to stay with balconies overlooking the sea.
We drove from San José to Manuel Antonio. During the three hours drive we saw coffee plantations, hills, and glimpses of the Pacific. By the time we reached Quepos, the rainforest was closer, and the road opened up to more and more ocean views.
My plan was simple: unwind at the resort, explore Manuel Antonio National Park, and spend time between rainforest and beach. We wanted both adventure and beach relaxation on our romantic getaway.
I enjoyed the private beach below Los Altos Resort. You have to hike down a short trail through the jungle. The sand was very soft and the water warm.
The infinity pool overlooking the Pacific was unforgettable. Floating at sunset in this pool is the best place to be.
Dinner at Karola’s Restaurant, the resort’s open-air dining room, is super romantic. You can hear frogs nearby.
One thing to note...the hotel is on a hill so you get a workout just walking around, though shuttles are also available.
I think that The Preserve at Los Altos is one of the best honeymoon vacations in Costa Rica. Why? It's unique location close to Manuel Antonio National Park, luxury infinity pool with a view, elegant dining and stunning sunsets all make it very romantic.
2. Hotel Villa Caletas
Villa Caletas felt like a world of its own. Classical architecture with columns was very romantic. We arrived and admired the stonework set against the untamed rainforest. The air carried a mix of salt and hibiscus.
We drove west from San José, a little over 90 minutes along winding roads. As we climbed the hill above Jacó, the rainforest thickened, and then suddenly Hotel Villa Caletas appeared. It's situated high above the ocean which is very unique.
I enjoyed the infinity pool carved into the hillside. Iguanas sunned themselves on stone walls. The sound of cicadas echoed through the evening heat. Everything felt very natural and relaxing
The private beach, (you can catch the hotel shuttle), was incredible. Tucked into a quiet cove, it had black volcanic sand instead of the usual light sand. Few people were there, so it felt like stepping into a hidden part of the coast.
Dinner at Anfiteatro Restaurant, the hotel’s open-air terrace dining, was a perfect match for the setting. We loved eating while watching the ocean on the horizon.
A downside? The steep hills of the property meant walking was strenuous, especially in the afternoon heat.
3. The Springs Resort and Spa
We drove north from San José, a little over three hours through winding mountain roads and lush valleys that completely won me over. Clouds gathered over the highlands, and then suddenly Arenal Volcano appeared—its perfect cone rising from the rainforest. The Springs Resort and Spa sat on the hillside, overlooking the volcano with terraces that seemed to float above the jungle. The resort carried that same energy, blending luxury with untamed nature.
I enjoyed the variety of springs, some tucked into quiet groves, others opening to wide volcano views. Each pool carried its own heat and mineral scent, and moving from one to another felt like a slow journey through the landscape itself.
The natural hot spring pools were super unique. By night, tiki torches lit the paths, and the sound of frogs and cicadas filled the air. Soaking under the stars, with the volcano’s silhouette in the distance, felt timeless.
You can have dinner at Las Ventanas, the resort’s fine dining restaurant.
For me, The Springs Resort and Spa is a perfect honeymoon idea if you don't mind the longer ride from the airport.
4. Cristal Azul Hotel
Another great honeymoon idea (but with a longer, bumpier ride from the airport) is Cristal Azul Hotel...I think it's worth it, but it's a personal decision.
We drove west from San José, nearly five hours across mountains, valleys, and winding coastal roads. The journey itself was part of the adventure, passing coffee farms, rivers, and finally glimpses of the Pacific. By the time we reached San Miguel on the Nicoya Peninsula, the road narrowed, and Cristal Azul Hotel appeared, perched on a hilltop with a sweeping view of the ocean below.
San Miguel felt wild and untouched, an endless beach below, jungle canopy alive with the calls of howler monkeys, and skies that stretched into forever. The hotel blended into that landscape, more retreat than resort, its open-air spaces inviting the outside in.
I enjoyed the infinity pool, cut into the hillside with the ocean beyond. Hummingbirds darted through the gardens, and the only sound was the surf below. It felt like a private corner of the world.
Dining on the open-air terrace (meals were included with our stay) was unforgettable. At night, the stars spilled across the sky, brighter than I’d ever seen. The meal itself—fresh-caught fish with lime and herbs, served with plantains—tasted as immediate as the place itself.
5. Cariblue Beach and Jungle Resort
We drove south from Limón, about an hour along the Caribbean coast, where the road hugged beaches and dipped into jungle. By the time we reached Puerto Viejo, reggae drifted from roadside cafés, and the air carried both salt and the sweetness of tropical flowers. Cariblue Beach & Jungle Resort sat nestled between the ocean and rainforest, a retreat where the sounds of waves and birdsong blended into one rhythm.
My plan was to split time between the beach and the jungle. We wanted to walk barefoot along the sand, listen for toucans in the trees, and let the laid-back Caribbean pace take over on our romantic getaway.
Puerto Viejo felt colorful and untamed, bright murals, palm-lined beaches, and the constant pull of the surf. The resort reflected that same spirit, with wooden bungalows scattered among gardens alive with orchids and hummingbirds.
I stepped out of my room, the sound of howler monkeys rolling through the canopy, and thought, “Here, the line between indoors and outdoors doesn’t really exist.”
I enjoyed walking the path down to Playa Cocles, where the waves crashed wild and steady. Surfers dotted the water, while locals strolled with dogs along the shore. Returning to the pool shaded by jungle trees, I felt suspended between two worlds—ocean and rainforest.
The open-air breakfast (included with your stay) was my favorite. I had gallo pinto with fried plantains and fresh papaya juice. The rice and beans were smoky and satisfying, the fruit sweet and bright, and the air carried the scent of hibiscus and salt. Eating while the jungle woke around me made it feel alive in every direction.
You can enjoy honeymoon dinners at the resort’s SoleLuna restaurant. They serve Italian-Caribbean fusion.
A downside? The Caribbean humidity clung to everything. Even indoors, clothes felt damp, and the jungle sounds at night were loud enough to wake me more than once. It was authentic, but it took adjusting.
6. Rafiki Safari Lodge
We drove south from San José, a little over three hours into the mountains and valleys of the Central Pacific. The paved road gave way to gravel, winding deeper into the Savegre Valley until we reached the lodge, hidden among rainforest hills. Canvas tents stood on raised decks, blending the feeling of safari with the sounds of the jungle.
The Savegre felt alive and untouched with rivers tumbling white through boulders, orchids clinging to trees, and scarlet macaws flashing in the canopy. Rafiki Safari Lodge carried that same energy, balancing rustic charm with thoughtful comforts.
I enjoyed rafting on the Savegre River, which the lodge organized. Returning afterward to a hammock on the deck was heaven.
Meals were served at the open-air restaurant overlooking the valley. Every meal felt fresh, as if it had come directly from the land around us.
The natural pool at the lodge, fed by spring water was exceptional. I watched as butterflies hovered at the water’s edge. It felt like sharing the pool with the nature all around us.
The lodge’s remote location meant no quick runs into town. Once you arrived, you stayed. It was part of the magic and I thought it was an amazing hidden gem, but it required being ready for the seclusion.
Conclusion
Costa Rica gave us new ways to stay with each other. In every jungle path, hot spring, and quiet beach, we found pieces of ourselves we didn’t even know we’d lost. Some days were wild. Some were still.
From cloud-forest verandas to riverside hammocks, each place reminded us to listen, to the birds, the breeze, and each other. I would plan my own honeymoon to Costa Rica if I was getting married again.
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
5. If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, buy the America the Beautiful Pass.
