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Between the canopy of the tropical jungle teeming with wildlife and miles of pristine beaches, Costa Rica is an ideal place for a dose of surfing and sunshine – and a place worth spending more than a few days to fully explore its stunning limits. From unbeatable surf breaks and the charm of the small town of Nosara to hot springs, botanical gardens, and trout farms in Chirripó, there are plenty of landscapes to intrigue you and consider making your temporary home when searching for an Airbnb in Costa Rica.
Whether you prefer chic beachfront bungalows or charming mountain lodges away from it all, the 14 Airbnbs below offer plenty of travel inspiration for your next trip. As a bonus, all of these rentals are managed by Superhosts, each with a rating of 4.8 or higher, a record of zero cancellations, and a response rate of at least 90%, meaning they’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Ready to live the pura vida lifestyle? Here are our top picks for the best Airbnbs in Costa Rica.
While I haven’t stayed in all of the featured Airbnbs, these villas are reviewed based on my on-site visits, Superhost status, amenities, location, previous guest reviews, and decor.
Santa Teresa House with Playa Hermosa View
Although a stay in Santa Teresa is often marked by time spent in the lively bars and restaurants of the area, this luxury home offers a tranquil retreat away from it all. Located on a lush hill overlooking the famous surf beach of the area, Playa Hermosa, the two-story, two-bedroom house is set on a secluded one-hectare property and features a fully equipped kitchen and a spacious outdoor terrace with a plunge pool. There’s also an outdoor dining table and a small wooden terrace perfect for morning meditation and yoga.
Monteverde One-Bedroom Mountain House
Want to feel like you’re floating in the treetops of a cloud forest? This open-concept cabin near Monteverde gives you the chance to do just that. Located near some of the region’s top attractions, from popular zip lines to the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, this one-bedroom house is one of three standalone homes on the property. Elevated on stilts with unparalleled views of the lush jungle canopy of the area, the house’s wide windows allow natural light to flood in, while its spacious living area and built-in fireplace make it a particularly cozy spot for cool mountain evenings.
Santa Teresa Beach House in Puntarenas
Big city amenities and laid-back jungle living come together in this luxury villa, nestled between the ocean and the rainforest of Santa Teresa. Located along the bustling beach road of the town, this four-bedroom house is just steps away from the beach, as well as a myriad of cafes, shops, and restaurants lining the main road of the area. There’s air conditioning throughout, each room has king-size beds, and the spacious A-frame common area is inviting: the living room opens onto a vast wooden terrace where lounge chairs line a saltwater pool overlooking the ocean.
Three-Bedroom Near Beach in Playa Avellanas
A fancy country club living amidst the jungle? This three-bedroom house has got the works, including access to an 18-hole golf course and tennis courts. Located in Hacienda Pinilla, a private beachfront community with extensive mountain biking trails and a private beach club, this two-story home offers three bedrooms (two with king-size beds and one with a queen-size bed) and is only 15 minutes from the popular beach town of Tamarindo and the popular surf beaches of Langosta and Playa Grande.
Costa Rican Villa in Guanacaste
Situated between the legendary Playa Guiones beach and the Ostional Wildlife Refuge, where sea turtles hatch by the thousands on a black sand beach, this two-bedroom villa on Playa Pelada has everything you need for a relaxing coastal vacation. Perfect for a group of friends or a small family – one bedroom has a queen bed while the other has two double beds – this modern home offers plenty of entertaining spaces, from a large outdoor barbecue with funky blue and white tiles to a plunge pool with a cascading waterfall.
Mal Pais Two-Bedroom with Jungle View
Just a 10-minute walk from the windswept beaches of Mal Pais, this two-bedroom apartment with jungle views offers a tranquil retreat while still being within reach of Santa Teresa’s best bars and restaurants. Located in a family-friendly neighborhood with several units and a gate providing access via security code, this minimalist home features great outdoor amenities – pool, hot tub, terrace – as well as two spacious bedrooms with king-size beds.
Bright Loft in San José
Whether you’re visiting the city of San José for a week or just need a quick overnight stay before heading to the international airport the next morning, this Costa Rican Airbnb, located in a gated community, offers an ideal retreat. Situated in the wooded hills between Santa Ana and Ciudad Colón, the open-concept space offers floor-to-ceiling views of the lush greenery of the area, including a spacious balcony with mountain and volcano views.
Remote Manor in San Juanillo
Looking for a secluded jungle mansion to disconnect from the natural world? Not only is this luxury vacation home surrounded by 86 acres of private nature reserve, but it also features a saltwater pool and a shaded river where the region’s wildlife comes to drink, from deer to ocelots. While this two-bedroom house is located in a gated 300-acre community called Finca Los Sueños and has two treehouses on-site, you won’t see or hear any of your neighbors except for howler monkeys swinging through the treetops. When it’s time to rejoin the world, you’re just a five-minute drive from the fishing village of San Juanillo or a 15-minute drive from the beach bars and restaurants of Nosara.
Cliffside Villa in Tamarindo
Even though this sprawling cliff-top villa is about 20 minutes from the beach, it still packs a punch with its laid-back coastal aesthetic – and thanks to its own infinity pool and hammock nooks for afternoon relaxation, this home is worthy of a stay for the ocean views alone. Located on a secluded mountaintop, it overlooks the lush Las Baulas National Marine Park and hundreds of acres of protected mangroves in front of a coastline of white sand. It also offers plenty of space for a group of friends or family to spread out comfortably, with three bedrooms located in the main house and two additional private bungalows located nearby.
Chirripó Mountain Lodge
Book that 4×4 SUV and hit the road to this mountain lodge in Chirripó. Not only is this one-bedroom house nestled in nature with extensive outdoor terraces for wildlife watching, but it also features its own sauna to warm up after sunset. Just a 10-minute drive from the entrance to Chirripó National Park, this cabin is a gateway to exploring the cloud forest of the region, full of hot springs, botanical gardens, and trout farms.
Remote Surf Retreat in Puntarenas
Live out your surf dreams in this two-bedroom house in Pavones, a 10-minute drive from one of the longest left breaks in the world. Due to its remote location – toucans, macaws, and monkeys will likely be your only visitors – Pavones is known to have poor Wi-Fi. But not this house. It’s particularly suitable for remote workers who want to wake up early to catch a few waves before attending Zoom meetings for the day. Another bonus: the master bedroom has an indoor hot tub with a skylight for stargazing while you soak.
Airy One-Bedroom with Baru River Valley View
This is mountaintop living at its finest. This one-bedroom casita on a hill overlooks the stunning Baru River Valley in Costa Rica and sits on a sprawling 12-acre property in a gated community where waterfalls are abundant and roads are lined with bamboo forests. Built with sustainable materials sourced locally, the floor-to-ceiling windows of this well-designed home offer unobstructed views of the natural world. Toucans and jungle cats might make appearances.
Open-Air Treehouse in Puntarenas
This two-story treehouse is a yogi’s dream. About 15 minutes south of Pavones in Punta Banco – a biological hotspot known for its thriving populations of species like white-faced capuchin monkeys and brown-throated sloths – this secluded open-air bungalow will immerse you in nature. Offering indoor-outdoor living at its best, the first floor of this unique spot includes a bedroom outfitted with a comfortable bamboo mattress and an outdoor waterfall-style shower, while the upper level features a fully equipped kitchen and a yoga terrace with a hammock.
Remote-Control Two-Bedroom Dairy Farm
How about a homestay on a dairy farm? This modern, spacious two-bedroom house in San Cayetano de Venecia is surrounded by kilometers of rolling pastures where cows graze all day. The ultra-fast Wi-Fi of this getaway provides a perfect spot for remote workers, while its numerous indoor and outdoor dining and living spaces – complete with a pool and a swinging daybed – make it an excellent rental for friend and family party gatherings. It’s also a great base for exploring Arenal Volcano, just 45 minutes away.