5 Best All-Inclusive Adults Only Resorts in Costa Rica

“Pura vida” isn’t just a saying in Costa Rica; it’s a way of life that perfectly encapsulates the laid-back luxury of the country’s best adults-only, all-inclusive resorts. Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, this Central American paradise offers a range of exclusive getaways for those seeking a child-free escape.

Although there are adults-only resorts in Costa Rica, most are family friendly resorts with adults-only sections, so we had to do some digging to find the very best all-inclusive adults-only options. While not all of our top picks are strictly all-inclusive, each resort on this list promises an indulgent, adults-only experience that embodies Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity and commitment to sustainability. From the lush rainforests to the pristine beaches, these five resorts offer a slice of tropical heaven where guests can truly embrace the “pure life.”

Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica

Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica, nestled along the pristine shores of Culebra Bay, offers an adults-only, all-inclusive experience that epitomizes luxury and romance. Located just 20 minutes from the airport and near popular beaches like Arenillas, Panama, and Hermosa, this five-star World of Hyatt resort combines the tranquility of its rustic beachfront setting with access to lively nearby towns.

Why it’s Great for Couples

With unlimited gourmet dining and drinks at its 12 bars and restaurants, including a swim-up bar, plus activities like non-motorized watersports, yoga, and mountain biking, every moment feels indulgent. Guests can elevate their stay with upgrades to the Preferred Club, enjoying suites with private plunge pools, perfect for honeymoons. Secrets Papagayo also offers couples massages, live shows, and exclusive excursions, making it one of Costa Rica’s most romantic and luxurious retreats.

• Closest Beach – Arenilla Beach (beachfront)
• Closest Town/City – Playa Hermosa (4.1 miles/6.6 km)
• All-inclusive – unlimited dining and drinks, wifi access, access to the resort’s Luxurious Pools (open from 7 AM to 7 PM), beach access, access to fitness facilities, spa access
• Activities – theme nights, non-motorized water sports, nighttime shows, live musical performances, wine and rum tastings, weekly manager’s cocktail parties, beach and pool volleyball, Giant Jenga and Connect Four games, classes (aquatic stretching, cooking)
• Available at an additional cost – scuba diving adventures and fishing, motor ATV through mountains, canopy tour

Read our full review of Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica.

Occidental Papagayo

Overlooking Culebra Bay, Occidental Papagayo offers an idyllic escape for couples seeking an adults-only, all-inclusive getaway.

Why it’s Great for Couples

This luxurious resort, located near the Papagayo Golf & Country Club, boasts stunning accommodations with traditional wood furnishings and private terraces or balconies. Indulge in a variety of international cuisine at the resort’s three restaurants and four bars, or unwind by the lagoon-style pool or on the private beach. For those seeking something more thrilling, enjoy water sports like scuba diving and kayaking, or explore the surrounding area on guided tours. With its affordable rates and exceptional amenities, Occidental Papagayo is a top choice for couples seeking a memorable and romantic vacation in Costa Rica.

• Closest Beach – Playa Buena (160 m)
• Closest Town/City – Playa Hermosa (2.24 miles/3.6 km)
• All-inclusive – Unlimited dining and drinks (dinners for à la carte restaurants must be booked from the second day of your stay), pool and gym access
• Activities – Tennis, archery, chess, volleyball, kayaking, bird/exotic animal watching
• Amenities and Activities included for Premium Level guests – Private check in, concierge service, private balcony/terrace, free wifi, free laundry service (once per stay), room service (limited hours), access to Premium Level Lounge, priority for dinners in theme restaurants, early check in at 8 AM in complimentary facilities for stays of more than 3 nights, exclusive service for special requests such as tour and excursion reservations
• Optional – spa services, laundry, medical care, fax service and conference rooms, organized tours (to Palo Verde, its national parks, the Arenal volcano, etc.), car rental and currency exchange, cycling tour

Jardin del Eden

Perched on a hill overlooking the stunning Tamarindo Beach, Jardin del Eden is an upscale adults-only retreat that blends tranquility and tropical beauty. While it’s technically not all-inclusive, breakfast and dinner are included, and guests can enjoy the open-air restaurant La Plumeria, which serves fresh, locally inspired cuisine with a Mediterranean twist.

Why it’s Great for Couples

The resort’s 46 rooms feature private outdoor spaces, with upgraded rooms offering hot tubs and breathtaking views of Tamarindo Bay. Set within lush gardens, Jardin del Eden also boasts a lagoon-style pool, a private beachfront garden with a bar, and relaxing amenities like yoga, massages, and easy access to nearby adventures like sailing and horseback riding, making it a top choice for a romantic Costa Rican getaway.

• Closest Beach – Tamarindo Beach (850 m)
• Closest Town/City – Tamarindo (Jardin del Eden is located directly in this beach town, and is 0.87 miles/1.4 km away from the town center)
• What’s Included – Free buffet breakfast daily, complimentary three-course dinner at the hotel’s La Plumeria restaurant, free wifi, direct access to Tamarindo beach from the hotel’s private oceanfront garden, pool access
• Activities within the area (at an additional cost) – surfing, sailing, sport fishing, scuba diving, tubing, horseback riding, golf, Arenal Volcano excursion

Los Altos de Eros Boutique Resort & Spa

Nestled amidst a lush tropical rainforest within the Guanacaste mountains, Los Altos de Eros Boutique is an adults-only haven offering a truly intimate experience.

Why it’s Great for Adults

This secluded retreat features six luxurious rooms with stunning ocean views and private balconies. Indulge in delectable organic cuisine at the on-site fine-dining restaurant, or unwind at the award-winning spa with its heated hydrotherapy pool and open-air treatment rooms. With complimentary breakfast and lunch, along with the option of an all-inclusive package, Los Altos de Eros provides the perfect blend of tranquility and adventure. Discover the beauty of the Guanacaste region through activities like yoga, cooking classes, and eco-tours, all while enjoying the unparalleled serenity of this hidden gem.

• Closest Beach – Playa Avellana (6 miles/9.6 km)
• Closest Town/City – Tamarindo (9.4 miles/15.2 km)
• What’s Included – Daily breakfast, 24-hour parking, daily cleaning service, wifi, local and international calls, concierge service, access to: infinity pool, fitness center, yoga shala, infrared sauna & jungle canopy net
• What’s Included when you book a Suite Room – option for private meals (upon request), LED Smart TV in room, complimentary transportation to Tamarindo & Playa Avellana (for stays of 3 nights or more)
• Activities (available at an extra cost) – spa treatments, cooking classes, eco tours, adventure tours, cultural tours

Read our full review of Los Altos de Eros Boutique Resort & Spa.

Hotel Makanda By the Sea

Another great option if you’re looking for a resort that immerses you in the natural beauty of Costa Rica, is Hotel Makanda By the Sea. It’s an adults-only boutique resort near Manuel Antonio National Park, offering a perfect blend of luxury, nature, and romance.

Why it’s Great for Adults

Limited accessibility is the name of the game here. Nestled in the rainforest 300 feet above the Pacific, it features stylish suites and villas with private terraces, many boasting outdoor jacuzzis or plunge pools. The resort’s dazzling design combines Balinese touches, retro Hollywood glam, and lush tropical surroundings.

While it’s not all-inclusive, the on-site Arbol restaurant offers gourmet dining with stunning views, and a swim-up raw bar serves sushi in the infinity pool. Guests can enjoy yoga, spa treatments, and adventures like fishing or exploring nearby Biesanz Beach, all while being chauffeured in golf carts around the property.

• Closest Beach – Playa Biesanz (900 m)
• Closest Town/City – Manuel Antonio (1.01 miles/1.7 km)
• What’s Included – Free morning refreshments at Arbol Restaurant (fruits, juice, and Costa Rican coffee w/ unlimited refills), gym access (not 24/7), beach access
• Activities (at an additional cost) – Manuel Antonio National Park Tour, ATV tour, jet ski tour, waterfall tour, canopy/zipline tour, white water rafting, parasailing, jungle night tour, Damas Island Mangrove Boat/Kayak tour, surf lessons, catamaran tour, sport fishing, private yoga lessons, horseback riding, Los Campesinos hanging bridge and waterfall tour, chocolate and coffee tasting tour, night sub paddle tour, whale watching excursion

Resort Locations

Best Dive Locations close to the Resorts

Costa Rica offers a mix of vibrant marine life, warm waters, and dramatic underwater landscapes. From volcanic rock formations to coral reefs teeming with colorful fish, the country’s Pacific and Caribbean coasts are brimming with dive spots that cater to adventurous adults!

Catalina Islands

The Catalina Islands, off the coast of Guanacaste, are a diver’s dream. Explore the dramatic drop-off of The Wall, teeming with vibrant fish and hidden crevices. Or, discover the vibrant coral gardens of Guacamaya, a colorful underwater oasis (perfect for beginner and advanced divers alike). And don’t miss the thrill of diving Buttonhole, a unique rock formation that creates an underwater tunnel, offering a sense of adventure and exploration.

The dive spots at Catalina Islands are great for both seasoned divers and those just starting out.

• Catalina Islands is closest to Jardin del Eden (around 12.43 miles/20 km away) and Occidental Papagayo (around 15.53 miles/25 km away).

Islas Murciélagos

Picture this: you’re floating in the open ocean, surrounded by schools of vibrant fish, when suddenly, a massive bull shark glides gracefully past. Welcome to Islas Murciélagos (otherwise known as the Bat Islands), Costa Rica’s underwater playground for the adventurous. This remote dive site is a thrill-seeker’s paradise, offering unforgettable encounters with one of the ocean’s most iconic predators. Dive into the depths of Big Scare, one of the most popular dive spots within the islands, and feel the adrenaline rush as you swim alongside majestic bull sharks. Another popular dive site is Black Rock, where you’ll be welcomed with a vibrant reef teeming with (you guessed it) bull sharks, rays, and turtles.

With its challenging conditions and unforgettable experiences, the Bat Islands are a must-visit for experienced divers.

• Islas Murciélagos is closest to Occidental Papagayo (around 25.48 miles/41 km away), and Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica (around 26.1 miles/42 km away).

Caño Island Biological Reserve

Looking for something more lowkey?

Costa Rica’s Caño Island Biological Reserve is an unsung underwater paradise. This secluded island, just off the Osa Peninsula, is a diver’s dream. With its pristine waters teeming with marine life, Caño Island offers a unique and unforgettable diving experience. Explore the dramatic pinnacles of Bajo del Diablo, where sharks and rays glide through the deep, or the vibrant coral gardens of Paraiso, home to a dazzling array of tropical fish. And don’t miss the thrill of diving the El Barco Hundido–once the sight of a shipwreck, it is now an array of rock formations teeming with marine life. Caño Island may be off the beaten path, but it’s a true paradise for divers seeking a truly authentic and unforgettable underwater adventure.

• Caño Island Biological Reserve is closest to Hotel Makanda By the Sea (around 51.57 miles/83 km away).

Cocos Island

Imagine diving into a swirling vortex of hammerhead sharks, their sleek bodies gliding through the water like underwater ballet. This isn’t a dream; it’s reality at Cocos Island, Costa Rica. This uninhabited island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a diver’s mecca. Picture yourself exploring the underwater landscapes of Bajo Alcyone, a submerged pinnacle teeming with marine life, or the dramatic cliffs of Punta Maria, where schools of tuna and jacks dance in the currents. And let’s not forget Dos Amigos, a pair of seamounts that are home to a diverse array of sharks, rays, and pelagic fish. With its thrilling encounters with big animals, Cocos Island offers an unforgettable adventure for experienced divers seeking the ultimate underwater thrill.

• Cocos Island is a bit of an outlier in that it is more than 500 km away from any of the resorts mentioned on this list, but it is closest to Hotel Makanda By the Sea (around 333 miles/536 km away).

Distance from Resorts to Dive Spots

Read all about Diving in Costa Rica.

Whether you’re seeking a romantic retreat, an eco-adventure, or simply a peaceful escape from the daily grind, these Costa Rican resorts cater to discerning adults looking for luxury and tranquility.

As you explore these havens of adult-oriented hospitality, you’ll discover why Costa Rica continues to be a top choice for travelers seeking an unforgettable, child-free vacation. So pack your bags, leave your worries behind, and prepare to immerse yourself in the natural beauty and warm hospitality that define Costa Rica’s finest adults-only resorts.