The Truth About All-Inclusive Resorts in Costa Rica

When you think of all-inclusive resorts in Costa Rica, you might imagine endless cocktails by the pool, meals on demand, private beaches, and never stepping beyond the safety net of the resort’s grounds. In destinations like Mexico or the Dominican Republic, this setup can make sense—the resort often is the destination (we’re looking at you, Palmaïa in Playa del Carmen!)

But Costa Rica plays by a different set of rules. Here, adventure and natural wonders take center stage. While you’ll find plenty of lists touting the “best all-inclusive resorts in Costa Rica” (like this one from Forbes), the reality is that most of these properties aren’t fully all-inclusive—and many wouldn’t be our top picks for first-time visitors.

All-Inclusive Resorts in Costa Rica: What You Need to Know

It’s no secret that Costa Rica is a nature lover’s paradise. With lush jungles, palm-fringed beaches, and towering volcanoes, it’s a tropical haven packed with adventure for every kind of traveler. But with so much to explore, the real Costa Rican experience isn’t found within the walls of an all-inclusive resort. The magic happens outside—exploring local towns and going on amazing tours. You’ll be blown away by the adventure and wildlife, but the best part is connecting with the locals. They’re some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet!

We always encourage our travelers to support the community by eating at local restaurants, choosing tours with local guides (like these 8 hidden gem tours that we recommend), and really soaking up everything Costa Rica has to offer. That’s why many travelers find that the traditional all-inclusive model just doesn’t do justice to the experience. Instead, smaller boutique hotels—even the ones that offer meal-inclusive options—are where Costa Rica truly shines.

It’s important to clarify that when we refer to boutique hotels, we’re not talking about bed and breakfasts. We mean independent hotels that typically have 40 rooms or fewer, rather than mega-resorts with hundreds of rooms that are part of a global chain. Boutique hotels don’t mean you have to give up modern comforts!

The Difference Between All-Inclusive and Meal-Inclusive Resorts in Costa Rica

What does all-inclusive even mean? We asked ChatGPT and here’s the definition: An all-inclusive resort is a type of vacation accommodation where guests pay a single price that covers all their needs during their stay. This typically includes accommodations, meals, drinks (including alcohol), and various activities and entertainment options.

While many resorts in Costa Rica advertise themselves as all-inclusive, only a handful actually offer the full package—meals, drinks (including alcohol), and activities all included. 

For instance, out of the 12 resorts featured on Forbes’ list, only 3 truly meet this standard. All are located in the dry forest region of Guanacaste, a few hours’ drive from the rainforest, making them less ideal for first-time visitors who come to this country looking for that lush jungle experience.

In contrast, many so-called all-inclusive resorts are actually just meal-inclusive, covering meals but not alcohol or excursions. This approach often arises from necessity rather than luxury. For example, La Paloma Lodge in the Osa Peninsula (as mentioned in the Forbes article) is meal-inclusive because it is so remote that dining out isn’t an option. Most hotels in rural areas like the Osa Peninsula and Tortuguero follow this same approach.

Some of our favorite meal-inclusive properties include Aguila de Osa, Copa de Arbol, Corcovado Wilderness Lodge, Tortuga Lodge, Origins Lodge, and Pacuare Lodge, to name a few. Offering meals makes sense in these locations due to their remoteness. That said, it’s misleading to label these hotels as “all-inclusive” when that’s simply not the case.

Why You Should Look Beyond All-Inclusive Resorts in Costa Rica

We always advise our clients to think about what’s most important to them in their Costa Rica experience before planning their stay around an all-inclusive resort.

We get it—sometimes you just want to relax by the pool or beach all day with unlimited drinks. We love that for you! Options like that do exist in Costa Rica. If you’re under 25 and coming to Costa Rica for a 3 night bachelorette party, then maybe an all-inclusive is right for your group. See: The Westin, Secrets, Planet Hollywood, Dreams, etc. etc.

But honestly, it’s not what the country does best.

However, if you want to come to Costa Rica to do all the fun things like zipline, go ATVing, waterfall chasing and enjoy a nice dinner in town (and trust us, there are some fantastic restaurants—we even provide a pre-arrival restaurant guide for our travelers), then a traditional all-inclusive may not be the right fit or the best value for you.

Many people mistakenly think that staying at an all-inclusive will save them money. However, when you compare prices of these resorts in Costa Rica to similar experiences in Mexico, it’s not apples-to-apples. Consider how much time you’ll actually spend at the hotel and whether your tours include meals. Most tours provide lunch, so you’ll likely be out of the resort during that time. If you’re at an all-inclusive, you’re essentially paying for lunch at the resort and lunch on the tour. Additionally, sunset tours, like catamaran trips, often come with food and drinks included.

Think about staying somewhere that offers daily breakfast and gives you the flexibility to eat at the hotel or explore local restaurants. This way, you can enjoy amazing food—often at better prices—while also supporting the local community.

The Takeaway

As we mentioned, most (if not all) of the true all-inclusive resorts in Costa Rica are located in Guanacaste. If you look at a map, it might seem easy to take day trips to places like Arenal and Monteverde, and some resort concierge services may try to convince you this is a good deal.

It’s not. Don’t do it.

These drives can take 4 hours or more each way, meaning you’ll spend 8 hours or more in the car on narrow curvy roads. That leaves you with little to no time to actually enjoy the destination, let alone go on a tour once you arrive.

So, before choosing your hotel or resort, think carefully about what you want to experience during your trip. Consider splitting your trip between two destinations and opting for accommodations that allow you to actually experience the real Costa Rica.

Hiring a local Costa Rica trip planning expert can help you craft the perfect itinerary, ensuring you stay in an ideal location that balances luxury, adventure, and easy access to the country’s best experiences.

Ready to plan your perfect Costa Rican escape? Get in touch today, and one of our expert travel agents will contact you within 48 hours to design an itinerary tailored just for you.