Costa Rica has never been an all-inclusive destination. What it has, instead, is a collection of world-class luxury hotels that compete with the best properties on the planet — and a landscape that demands you actually leave the resort to experience it.
When most travelers think of Caribbean or Central American resort travel, the first image is an all-inclusive: a large, gated complex where a wristband grants access to buffets, swim-up bars, and organised excursions in a sealed environment. Costa Rica has almost none of that.
It is not an accident. Costa Rica made a deliberate choice decades ago to build its tourism economy around natural diversity, ecological preservation, and high-value, low-volume travel. The result is a country where the most prestigious international hotel brands have arrived not to build conventional resort complexes, but to create properties that genuinely reflect where they are — surrounded by primary rainforest, on private bays, inside protected peninsulas, with monkeys in the trees and macaws overhead.
There are all-inclusive properties in Costa Rica, and some are excellent. But the conversation about Costa Rican luxury stays in a different register entirely: smaller room counts, deeper ecological integration, service philosophies built around genuine local culture. The brands that dominate — Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Andaz, W, JW Marriott, Los Suenos — are operating at the very top of their international portfolios here.
This guide introduces the most significant of those properties, where they are, what distinguishes them, and — critically — how Aerocaribe private charter flights integrate with each to transform not just the trip, but the arrival itself.
| Why Costa Rica Is Not a Typical All-Inclusive Destination
Costa Rica generates around $4 billion annually in tourism — and the country’s entire strategy is built around what its government calls ‘sustainable, high-value travel.’ Costa Rica was one of the first countries in the world to formally develop an eco-certification program for hotels (the CST — Certificado de Sostenibilidad Turística), and the cultural expectation for luxury properties here is deep integration with the natural environment, not isolation from it. This means that the luxury hotels that have succeeded in Costa Rica tend to be smaller, more design-conscious, more activity-focused, and more place-specific than their all-inclusive counterparts elsewhere. They are also, almost without exception, located in places where the journey to arrive is part of the experience — which is exactly where private charter travel adds its most obvious value. When Condé Nast Traveler puts a Costa Rica property on its Gold List year after year, it is rarely because of the buffet. |
Peninsula Papagayo: The Most Exclusive Address in Central America
Before the individual hotels, an important piece of geography. The single most significant development in Costa Rican luxury tourism over the past two decades is Peninsula Papagayo — a 1,400-acre privately managed resort community on the northwestern tip of Guanacaste, on the Pacific coast.
The peninsula is 70% protected land, with pristine dry tropical forest, multiple private beaches, the Arnold Palmer Signature Ocean Course, and Marina Papagayo. It currently houses three of the most prestigious hotels in Latin America: the Four Seasons, the Andaz, and — opened in February 2025 — Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, the first Reserve property in all of Central and South America.
Peninsula Papagayo is approximately 30–35 minutes by road from Liberia International Airport (LIR). By Aerocaribe private charter from San José or Tobías Bolaños, guests fly directly into LIR — flight time approximately 55 minutes — and transfer to the peninsula. It is also possible to arrange a helicopter transfer from LIR directly to the peninsula’s helipad for guests of the Four Seasons.
| Four Seasons · Hotel 1 of 7
Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo 📍 Peninsula Papagayo, Guanacaste · ✈ LIR (Liberia) · 🕐 ~55 min from SJO from SJO/LIR by Aerocaribe The gold standard of Costa Rican luxury — beachfront on two sides of the peninsula’s tip, with 23 years of refinement. |
The Four Seasons at Peninsula Papagayo opened in 2004 and remains the defining luxury reference point for Costa Rica. Located at the very tip of the peninsula, it has private beach access on both Playa Virador and Playa Blanca — facing the Pacific and Bahía Culebra respectively — making it one of the only hotels in the country with meaningful beachfront on two sides.
In November 2023, the Four Seasons completed a multi-million dollar enhancement project that added the Virador Beach Club (with Eastern Mediterranean cuisine, an infinity-edge pool, and private cabanas), a new Wellness Shala, and significant upgrades to the Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course shared with the peninsula.
What distinguishes it
- 120 rooms and suites: One of the most restrained room counts of any Four Seasons globally — a deliberate choice that keeps the property feeling genuinely intimate. Ground-floor Terraza Rooms open directly onto the tropical gardens with ocean peek.
- Two-beach peninsula position: Guests choose between Playa Virador (Pacific-facing, more surf energy) and Playa Blanca (Culebra Bay side, calmer, excellent for kayaking) depending on mood and conditions.
- Kids For All Seasons: One of the best children’s programs in Central America — surfing, nature walks, cooking classes, sustainability education. The Four Seasons here is genuinely family-friendly without sacrificing the adult atmosphere.
- Jean-Michel Cousteau Ambassadors of the Environment: The signature activity program for the peninsula, offering marine biology-led experiences, sea turtle monitoring, rainforest hikes, and ocean conservation education.
Aerocaribe connection
Fly from SJO or SYQ to Liberia (LIR): approximately 55 minutes. The Four Seasons can arrange private vehicle transfers from LIR to the peninsula (30–35 min), or for guests arriving by helicopter, the resort has helipad access. Aerocaribe can coordinate departure timing to align with Four Seasons transfer windows.
| Ritz-Carlton Reserve · Hotel 2 of 7
Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve 📍 Peninsula Papagayo, Guanacaste · ✈ LIR (Liberia) · 🕐 ~55 min from SJO from SJO/LIR by Aerocaribe Opened February 2025. The first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in all of Central and South America — and the most significant new hotel opening in Costa Rica in over a decade. |
The word ‘nekajui’ comes from the Chorotega language — the indigenous people of Guanacaste — and means ‘lush garden.’ It is an apt name for what is, by any measure, the most ambitious luxury hotel opening Costa Rica has seen. As the eighth Ritz-Carlton Reserve property in the world, and the first in the Western Hemisphere outside Puerto Rico, Nekajui sits alongside sister properties in Bali, the Maldives, Kyoto, and Dorado Beach as properties in the Ritz-Carlton portfolio that operate at an entirely different level than the standard brand.
Located on a dramatic oceanfront bluff above Playa Pochote — one of the peninsula’s quieter bays, known for bioluminescent waters at night — the property opened to guests on March 1, 2025.
What distinguishes it
- 107 rooms, suites, and three luxury treetop tents: One of the smallest room counts in the Ritz-Carlton portfolio globally. Every room faces the ocean. The three treetop tents are the most unusual accommodation in Costa Rica’s luxury market — canopied platforms in the forest canopy with private plunge pools.
- 550+ piece art collection: Nearly 125 original works by over 30 Latin American artists, curated specifically for the property. The hotel’s public spaces function as a gallery of contemporary regional art.
- Nimbu Spa & Wellness: 27,000 square feet of spa and wellness space. The spa’s name means ‘water’ in Chorotega. Hydrotherapy pools, eight ocean-facing treatment cabanas, a wellness philosophy rooted in Nicoya Blue Zone longevity practices.
- Chef Diego Muñoz at Puna: Internationally acclaimed Peruvian chef Diego Muñoz leads the signature restaurant Puna, with a six-seat omakase counter (Paruro) for an even more exclusive tasting experience.
- Bioluminescent bay access: Playa Pochote’s bioluminescent waters are available for evening kayak and paddleboard experiences — a genuinely rare natural phenomenon, guided by the hotel’s naturalist team.
Aerocaribe connection
Same LIR approach as the Four Seasons — approximately 55 minutes from San José. Nekajui does not operate its own shuttle from the airport; guests typically use private vehicles or the Relaxury transfer service. Aerocaribe can coordinate charter arrival timing with the property’s concierge.
| Andaz (Hyatt) · Hotel 3 of 7
Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo 📍 Peninsula Papagayo, Guanacaste · ✈ LIR (Liberia) · 🕐 ~55 min from SJO from SJO/LIR by Aerocaribe The most design-forward property on the peninsula — playful, contemporary, biodiversity-integrated, and recently expanded with new residential villas. |
Where the Four Seasons opts for refined classicism and Nekajui for ultra-intimate luxury, the Andaz at Peninsula Papagayo has always stood apart for its character. Designed by Costa Rican architect Ronald Zürcher — whose design language draws directly from the peninsula’s wildlife, jungle patterns, and coastal geometry — the property is immediately identifiable as a place that has been designed for exactly where it is.
In 2024, the Andaz expanded significantly with 25 new one-to-three-bedroom residential villas on an exclusive hillside overlooking Culebra Bay, plus a newly redesigned signature restaurant (Ostra) and a new beach club, Casa de Playa, on Playa Nacascolo.
What distinguishes it
- 152 rooms plus 25 new residential villas: Villas include in-villa coffee programs, chef-curated market baskets, a dedicated Residence Concierge, and an afternoon aperitivo service. Two- and three-bedroom penthouses have rooftop terraces with outdoor living rooms.
- Casa de Playa beach club (Playa Nacascolo): The Andaz and Four Seasons share exclusive access to Playa Nacascolo — one of the most beautiful beaches on the peninsula, accessible by complimentary boat transfer from the resort marina. The new Casa de Playa brings a dedicated bar and dining to the beach.
- Blue Zones wellness partnership: The Andaz has partnered with the evidence-based Blue Zones organization (the Nicoya Peninsula is one of only five Blue Zones in the world) for immersive wellness retreats combining movement, mindfulness, and longevity-focused nutrition.
- Pet-friendly (genuinely): The Andaz is one of the few Peninsula Papagayo hotels with a robust pet policy — two dogs up to 75 lbs combined, with dedicated bedding, food, and a deep-clean fee. Popular with families traveling with dogs.
Aerocaribe connection
LIR approach, 35 minutes to the resort. The Andaz is the closest of the three Peninsula Papagayo hotels to Liberia Airport. Guests can book direct transfers through the hotel or arrange through Aerocaribe as part of a full charter package.
Beyond Peninsula Papagayo: Luxury Across Costa Rica
Peninsula Papagayo may be the most concentrated luxury destination in the country, but Costa Rica’s branded luxury portfolio extends significantly further — along the Nicoya Peninsula coast, into the Central Pacific, and even up into the volcanic highlands.
| W Hotels (Marriott) · Hotel 4 of 7
W Costa Rica — Reserva Conchal 📍 Playa Conchal, Guanacaste · ✈ LIR (Liberia) · 🕐 ~55 min from SJO + 45-min transfer from SJO/LIR by Aerocaribe The W brand’s Costa Rica expression: contemporary design, curated nightlife energy, and a rare position on one of the Pacific coast’s most famous shell-sand beaches. |
Playa Conchal is famous for one thing: its sand is made almost entirely of crushed shells rather than silica, giving it a distinctive pinkish-white color and extraordinary clarity in the water offshore. The W Reserva Conchal occupies a large property adjacent to the beach, within the Westin Golf Resort community, with its own beach access and an all-inclusive option that sets it apart from most other W properties globally.
Unlike the Peninsula Papagayo hotels — which operate on a full-service, à la carte basis — the W Reserva Conchal offers both standard room-only rates and an all-inclusive package. It is one of the very few instances in Costa Rica where a genuinely world-class brand operates in an all-inclusive format, and it does so without compromising the design identity that defines the W brand globally.
What distinguishes it
- All-inclusive available (rare for W globally): The W Reserva Conchal all-inclusive package includes all meals, premium beverages, and a selection of activities. This makes it the most accessible entry point for travelers wanting the W experience without per-item billing.
- WET pool deck and beach club: The signature W pool environment — DJ-driven, design-forward, multiple pool options — extends to the beach. One of the liveliest pool scenes at any Costa Rica luxury property.
- 18-hole Robert Trent Jones Jr. golf course: Within the adjacent Reserva Conchal development. One of the top courses in Central America.
- Proximity to Tamarindo and Flamingo: Playa Conchal sits between Flamingo (fishing, marina) and Tamarindo (nightlife, surf). Day trips by road are easy, and Tamarindo airport (TNO) is 20 minutes away for guests arriving by charter.
Aerocaribe connection
Guests flying charter to Tamarindo (TNO) are 20 minutes by road from Reserva Conchal — a significantly shorter transfer than the LIR option (approximately 45–60 minutes). Aerocaribe flies to Tamarindo from SJO in approximately 45 minutes. An excellent option for guests combining Conchal with Santa Teresa or Punta Islita in the same trip.
| JW Marriott · Hotel 5 of 7
JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa 📍 Hacienda Pinilla, Guanacaste · ✈ LIR (Liberia) or Tamarindo (TNO) · 🕐 ~55 min from SJO to LIR from SJO/LIR by Aerocaribe The hacienda resort: 310 rooms on a private beach, an equestrian center, three golf courses within reach, and the full JW service philosophy. |
The JW Marriott Guanacaste was the property that, when it opened in 2008, signaled that Guanacaste’s transformation into a serious international luxury destination was underway. Set within the Hacienda Pinilla residential development south of Tamarindo, the resort has 310 rooms on Playa Matapalo — one of Guanacaste’s finest beaches — with a hacienda-influenced design that grounds it firmly in the region’s agricultural and colonial heritage.
The JW Marriott is larger and more conventionally resort-like than the Peninsula Papagayo properties, but it offers a particular value proposition: multiple beaches within easy reach, an 18-hole golf course at Hacienda Pinilla, an equestrian center (one of the few at a Costa Rica luxury hotel), and a full spa and multiple restaurants within the property.
What distinguishes it
- 310 rooms with balconies, all facing ocean or garden: One of the largest room counts in Costa Rica luxury. Suites include plunge pools and marble bathrooms. The infinity pool with Pacific views is one of the best in the country.
- Equestrian center at Hacienda Pinilla: Horseback riding through the hacienda’s 4,500 acres, with trails through forest and along the coastline. Rare at this level of property in Costa Rica.
- Playa Matapalo and four adjacent beaches: The Hacienda Pinilla complex has multiple beach access points. Playa Avellanas (world-class surf) and Playa Negra are within easy reach.
- Turtle nesting: Playa Langosta and Playa Grande (15–20 min away) are significant leatherback and Pacific green turtle nesting sites, accessible via evening tours organized through the hotel.
Aerocaribe connection
Tamarindo Airport (TNO) is 20 minutes from Hacienda Pinilla — faster than the LIR route for guests specifically targeting the JW Marriott. Aerocaribe flies to Tamarindo from SJO in approximately 45 minutes. For larger groups, the King Air C90 carries up to 7 passengers and is the most comfortable option for this route.
| Marriott · Hotel 6 of 7
Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort 📍 Playa Herradura, Central Pacific · ✈ XQP (Quepos) or SJO direct transfer · 🕐 ~20 min from SJO by road + transfer from SJO/LIR by Aerocaribe The Central Pacific’s flagship resort: a full marina, world-class sport fishing, a championship golf course, and the rainforest at the back of the property. |
Los Sueños Marriott occupies a different position in the Costa Rica luxury map from the Guanacaste properties. On the Central Pacific coast at Playa Herradura — approximately 90 minutes south of San José by road — it is the only major international branded resort within easy striking distance of both the capital and Manuel Antonio National Park.
The property opened in 1999 as Costa Rica’s first true resort-scale luxury development, and remains the country’s premier sport fishing destination. Marina Los Suenos is a world-class facility with over 200 slips, direct Pacific access, and annual sport fishing tournaments that draw international competitors.
What distinguishes it
- Marina Los Sueños: One of the top sport fishing marinas in Central America. Sailfish, marlin, wahoo, yellowfin tuna. Half-day and full-day charters from the marina. Best December through April for sailfish.
- La Iguana Golf Course: An 18-hole course designed through secondary rainforest. Sloths, monkeys, and parrots are regular course companions.
- Central Pacific position: Uniquely positioned between San José (road or charter) and Manuel Antonio (1.5 hrs south). Can be combined with a Manuel Antonio park day without a long transfer.
- Cascadas Pool complex: The resort’s pool area, designed around a tropical water garden with waterfall features. Multiple pools including an adults-preferred section.
Aerocaribe connection
Los Suenos is close enough to San José that road transfers are viable — 90 minutes in good traffic. However, Aerocaribe can fly to Quepos (XQP) in 20 minutes, with a 30-minute transfer north to Los Suenos. The real value for this property is multi-destination: guests starting at Los Suenos and continuing to Manuel Antonio, Osa Peninsula, or Guanacaste can cover the entire Central and North Pacific coast by charter without backtracking to San José.
| Nayara Hotels · Hotel 7 of 7
Nayara Springs / Nayara Gardens / Nayara Tented Camp 📍 La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano, Alajuela · ✈ FON (La Fortuna/Arenal) · 🕐 ~25 min from SJO by charter from SJO/LIR by Aerocaribe The volcanic exception: Costa Rica’s most celebrated luxury hotel portfolio, set at the base of Arenal Volcano — not on the Pacific coast, but worth every word. |
Not every luxury entry in Costa Rica is on the beach. The Nayara Hotels collection — Nayara Springs, Nayara Gardens, and the newer Nayara Tented Camp — occupies a private 22-acre cloud forest property at the base of Arenal Volcano, and has been recognized by Travel + Leisure as one of the best hotel collections in the world multiple years running.
The appeal is entirely different from the coastal properties. Arenal Volcano — active, steaming, photogenic — is visible from much of the property. The rainforest is dense and wildlife-rich. And Nayara Springs, the flagship adults-only property, is built around a concept that almost doesn’t exist elsewhere: every villa has its own natural volcanic hot spring plunge pool, fed directly from the thermal springs of the Arenal volcanic system.
What distinguishes it
- Nayara Springs (adults-only): 50 private villas each with a natural volcanic hot spring pool, outdoor rain shower, and canopied rainforest terrace. Consistently ranked among the top 10 hotels in Latin America by Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure.
- Nayara Gardens: The family-inclusive companion property — more spacious casitas with garden pools, shared pools, and family-format services. Connected to Nayara Springs’ dining and wellness.
- Nayara Tented Camp: The newest and most adventurous property — safari-style luxury tents on elevated platforms deep in the forest, with private jacuzzis and a dedicated dining experience.
- The volcanic experience: Cano Negro wetland boat tours, white-water rafting on the Toro and Sarapiquí rivers, zip-lining over the forest canopy, and guided night hikes to observe the volcano’s glow. The Nayara properties are the gateway to the single most activity-dense region in Costa Rica.
Aerocaribe connection
La Fortuna/Arenal Airport (FON) is approximately 25 minutes from Nayara by road. Aerocaribe flies from SJO to FON in approximately 35 minutes — one of the most dramatic domestic approaches in Costa Rica, flying along the volcanic ridge with Arenal appearing ahead. This is one of the routes where the charter flight adds an experience that road travel simply cannot replicate.
Quick Reference: 7 Properties, 7 Charter Routes
| Hotel | Brand | Nearest Airport | Charter Time from SJO | Best For |
| Four Seasons Papagayo | Four Seasons | LIR (Liberia) | ~55 min | Families, classic luxury, two-beach access |
| Nekajui Reserve | Ritz-Carlton Reserve | LIR (Liberia) | ~55 min | Ultra-exclusive, art & wellness, couples |
| Andaz Papagayo | Hyatt | LIR (Liberia) | ~55 min | Design-forward, villas, Blue Zones wellness |
| W Reserva Conchal | W / Marriott | TNO (Tamarindo) | ~45 min | All-inclusive option, lively pool scene |
| JW Marriott Guanacaste | JW Marriott | TNO (Tamarindo) | ~45 min | Hacienda feel, equestrian, surf beaches |
| Los Suenos Marriott | Marriott | XQP (Quepos) | ~20 min + transfer | Sport fishing, Central Pacific base |
| Nayara Springs/Gardens | Nayara Hotels | FON (La Fortuna) | ~35 min | Volcanic hot springs, cloud forest, adults-only |
Combining Properties: The Luxury Circuit by Charter
One of the most compelling arguments for using Aerocaribe for a luxury multi-property Costa Rica trip is the itinerary architecture it unlocks. By road, moving between Papagayo, the Central Pacific, and the Arenal volcanic zone requires full days of driving. By charter, these same transitions are 30-55 minutes.
| Sample 10-Night Luxury Circuit
Night 1–2: Arrive SJO → Charter to LIR → Papagayo (Four Seasons, Andaz, or Nekajui). Beach immersion, Arnold Palmer golf, peninsula activities. Night 3–4: Charter LIR → FON (35 min). Nayara Springs or Nayara Tented Camp. Arenal volcano, hot springs, rainforest. Night 5–6: Charter FON → XQP (45 min). Los Suenos Marriott. Sport fishing, Manuel Antonio park day. Night 7–8: Charter XQP → LIR (45 min). Return to Papagayo or continue to JW Marriott / W Conchal for the Nicoya Peninsula stretch. Night 9–10: Final nights at chosen Papagayo property. Departure by charter from LIR to SJO for international connection. Total driving: approximately zero. Total charter flight time: under 3 hours across the entire trip. |
For tailor-made itinerary design combining Aerocaribe charters with lodges at these properties, Aerocaribe works alongside
For tailor-made itinerary design combining Aerocaribe charters with these properties, Aerocaribe works alongside Swiss Tropical Tourism — a specialist luxury travel agency that can design the ground logistics, lodge bookings, and activities to complement each charter leg.
| Fly to Your Luxury Hotel with Aerocaribe
Aerocaribe flies to all seven hotels in this guide — Liberia, Tamarindo, Quepos, and La Fortuna. We depart on your schedule from any airport in Costa Rica and can build multi-stop itineraries that connect properties seamlessly. Contact us to design your luxury circuit. 📧 reservations@aerocaribecr.com 📞 (506) 2231-0608 ✈ Fly Higher. Fly Different. |
