If you’re looking for eco-friendly hotels in Costa Rica you’ll have an easy time doing so! Many hotels are certified by the governments Certification of Sustainable Tourism. Many of these hotels and resorts are designed to merge with the rainforest while using green energy and water conservation to reduce consumption. It’s an immersive experience that combines sustainability and luxury, which I’m excited to share with you.
What is an eco-friendly hotel?
Before we dive into some of the best eco-friendly hotels in Costa Rica, we have to have an understanding of what makes a hotel eco-friendly.
In Costa Rica specifically, there is a certification that hotels receive from the government, the Certification of Sustainable Tourism. It’s a certification with stringent requirements, ensuring that companies aren’t greenwashing and are committed to reducing their emissions, consumption, and negative impact on local communities.
The Costa Rican Tourism Board awards five leaves as the highest certification level given to a company for their work in sustainability. So look out for the number of leaves a hotel receives!
Beyond just Costa Rica, here are a few key practices to look for when you’re searching for an eco-friendly hotel.
- Renewable Energy (Solar panels, hydro-electricity)
- Water & Waste Management (Greywater recycling, composting, biodegradable products)
- Local Sourcing & Community Support
- Habitat & Wildlife Preservation
The Best Eco-Friendly Hotels in Costa Rica
If you’re interested in any of these hotels please reach out to me to receive exclusive deals and perks!
Email: chynna.pickens@fora.travel
Luxury Eco-Friendly Hotels
The Four Seasons Costa Rica is among the country’s best luxury resorts, with a sleek infinity pool overlooking the Pacific Coast, numerous dining options, adventurous nature experiences, wellness offerings and much more. This resort is certified for its sustainable tourism and reports on how it uplifts Costa Rican locals while also reducing its impact on people and the environment.
Opt for the spectacular Nayara Tented Camp for safari-style tents, or Nayara Springs, a rainforest escape with luxe private villas, both of which sit near the regal Arenal Volcano. Your stay at either property (consistently ranked among the world’s best resorts) features private plunge pools fed by mineral hot springs, outdoor showers and breathtaking views of the diverse flora and fauna.
Not only has the hotel protected the existing nature in the area they have also replanted native flora in areas that were previously used as a cattle ranch. This eco-friendly hotel in Costa Rica has brought back wildlife populations and created a beautiful environment for guests to enjoy.
Travel Advisor Perks: Book through me and you’ll have access onsite food credit and early checkin/late checkout!
This beloved luxury hotel on the gorgeous Papagayo Peninsula boasts three beaches, a golf course, four swimming pools, a 24-hour fitness center, a kids’ club and a wide array of nature adventures, including snorkeling.
This eco-friendly hotel in Costa Rica works to reduce its carbon foot print annually and provides public reporting alongside the Four Seasons.
Travel Advisor Perks: Book through me and you’ll have access onsite food credit and early checkin/late checkout!
With its coffee farm, organic gardens, and dedication to conservation, this serene casita resort exemplifies the best eco-friendly hotels in Costa Rica. The property features bird-song-filled acres of untamed tropical forest and a breathtaking wellbeing center. A dedication to holistic wellbeing permeates throughout, from the meticulously-sourced local cuisine to the thoughtful, soothing design. Plus, the staff are quite possibly some of the loveliest people you’ll ever meet.
Travel Advisor Perks: Book through me and you’ll have access onsite food credit and early checkin/late checkout!
This luxurious, eco-friendly hotel on the banks of the thunderous Pacuare River features indigenous, Cabécar-inspired architecture, access to a lush rainforest, and farm-to-table cuisine. Guests arrive via a white-water rafting adventure before settling into one of 20 secluded villas, each with a spring-fed private plunge pool. (This helps position it among the eco-friendly hotels in Costa Rica.)
This hotel focuses on “Positive Impact travel as a tool to facilitate an exchange of ideas and perspectives – and preserve culture, history, biodiversity and heritage. The economic benefit generated can also finance solutions to some of the world’s most complex societal and environmental challenges” (source).
Each of the eight luxury suites at this adults-only, boutique hotel high in the Uvita rainforest boasts panoramic views of the surrounding jungle and Pacific Ocean. Enjoy seven beautiful beaches along the blissfully untouched Whale Coast, known for its migrating humpback whales.
This resort exclusively hires staff from Costa Rica and sources most food locally as well. Funding from guests also supports the development of improved infrastructure at a local school.
This luxurious beachfront getaway in Santa Teresa, on the Nicoya Peninsula, features lush villas and bungalows with a stylish design and a sustainable ethos, plus access to some of the country’s best beaches. But this is not your typical beach resort: the Nicoya Peninsula is also among one of the world’s famed Blue Zones, a UNESCO designation signifying the uniquely long and healthy lives of an area’s local population.
Hotel Nantipa, one of the best eco-friendly hotels in Costa Rica, reports on its efficiency, waste reduction efforts, and more. This hotels also encourages beach clean up amongst its guests to keep its sandy shores pristine!
This five-star Costa Rican stay is perched among the mountainous rainforest of the country’s north, with views of the nearby Tenorio Volcano. Here, you can kayak in Rio Niño, hike among waterfalls, soak in a fire-heated hot tub on your private terrace and indulge in the property’s fantastic restaurant, which serves elevated dishes celebrating local ingredients, many of which are grown in the on-site organic garden.
Origins organic bath products are crafted on-site using the Ylang-Ylang trees from our property. Developed over months of dedicated research and hands-on training with the Julima Holistic Cosmetology Center, the collection includes shampoo, conditioner, bath gel, body lotion, and face soap, all available in refillable bottles.
This spa-like sanctuary in the canopy of the Guanacaste region lies on a vast nature reserve abundant with natural hot springs. The stylish property also offers numerous activities, including zip-lining, mountain biking, hiking and ample wellness experiences.
Rio Perdido has been awarded Elite Level certification, the highest level possible, in the Sustainable Tourism Certificate program (CST). The program is a result of the public and private sector’s collaborative efforts to recognize tourism companies for their sustainable tourism practices.
This all-inclusive lodge on the Osa Peninsula is set amidst a tropical rainforest reserve overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Explore the nearby Corcovado National Park, among the most biologically diverse places on Earth (and home to adorable sloths), take in the stunning ocean views or lounge in your bungalow’s hammock before heading to the main lodge for a delicious meal highlighting local, organic ingredients.
This eco-friendly hotel in Costa Rica supports local communities by coordinating visits to a family farm in the Piro Community, where guests learn about the household’s history and way of life while sharing stories, home-brewed Costa Rican coffee, and traditional snacks.
Choosing Eco-Friendly Hotels in Costa Rica Supports “Pura Vida” and Conservation
By choosing to stay at eco-friendly hotels in Costa Rica that focus on the conservation of nature and local communities, you have a positive contribution on the country during your vacation. It is easy to plan a luxurious trip only thinking about your own comfort but to consider your impact on others is important as well!
There’s other ways. to reduce impact outside of just your hotel choice so be sure to check out my page on Sustainable Travel.
FAQs
How can I verify a hotel’s CST rating?
Review the hotel or resorts website and check that it includes the “leaves” that show that it does have the sustainable tourism certification. Many hotels include it in separate sustainable reporting PDFs so be sure to download those!
Is “glamping” truly eco-friendly?
Yes, however the most eco-friendly thing you can do is consume less and leave no trace! This can be done in many different ways and I believe glamping is included in that.
What does “off-grid” mean for a hotel?
An “off-grid” hotel is typically located in very remote areas meaning that it is nearly impossible to connect to public utility lines. This allows for guests to disconnect from their usual life and embrace nature!