Top 10 All-Inclusive Resorts in Costa Rica

*Published June 23, 2026 · Updated June 23, 2026*

Direct Answer

For 2027, the Best Overall all-inclusive resort in Costa Rica is Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica, an adults-only Hyatt property on the Papagayo Peninsula that pairs Unlimited-Luxury service with a calm Culebra Bay beach and a sub-$500 nightly rate that undercuts most luxury competitors.

The Best Value pick is Margaritaville Beach Resort Playa Flamingo, where a true all-inclusive plan starts near $172 a night on one of Guanacaste's better swimming beaches.

Costa Rica is not a wall-to-wall all-inclusive country the way Cancun or Punta Cana are. The genuine, currently-operating all-inclusive resorts cluster in dry, sunny Guanacaste within an hour of Liberia International Airport (LIR). A few properties listed elsewhere as "all-inclusive" are really optional meal-plan add-ons, so board basis is noted honestly below.

1. Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Type: Adults-only luxury all-inclusive | Price: ~$475/night | Location: Papagayo Peninsula, Culebra Bay, Guanacaste | Best for: couples & honeymoons

Secrets Papagayo sits on the protected south side of Culebra Bay, between the peninsula and the beach towns of Coco and Playa Hermosa. The Unlimited-Luxury program covers gourmet dining across four à la carte restaurants, top-shelf pours, 24-hour room service and resort activities with no wristbands.

With only 202 rooms, it stays quieter and more intimate than the mega-resorts down the coast.

The calm bay water is a real draw here. Unlike the open-Pacific surf at many Guanacaste beaches, Arenilla beach in front of the resort is sheltered enough for easy swimming and snorkeling, which makes the property a strong fit for couples who want water time without a workout.

Pros:

• Adults-only calm: No kids' clubs or splash zones, just two pools including a swim-up bar.
• Genuine all-inclusive: Food, premium liquor and room service are fully covered, not an upsell.
• Strong value at the top tier: Around $475/night is a bargain versus comparable adults-only luxury elsewhere.
• Sheltered swimming beach: Culebra Bay water is unusually calm for the Pacific coast.

Cons:

• Not on a long sandy beach: Arenilla is small and rocky in spots compared to Conchal or Flamingo.
• Peninsula isolation: Off-property dining and nightlife require a drive.

Verdict: The best balance of price, true all-inclusive value and adults-only calm in Costa Rica for 2027.

2. Margaritaville Beach Resort Playa Flamingo 💎 BEST VALUE

Type: Family-friendly all-inclusive | Price: from ~$172/night | Location: Playa Flamingo, Guanacaste | Best for: families & budget travelers

Margaritaville Playa Flamingo delivers the lowest genuine all-inclusive entry price of any resort on this list. The optional all-inclusive plan covers meals, snacks and house drinks across the on-site venues, and the resort overlooks one of Guanacaste's nicer white-sand swimming beaches.

The Jimmy Buffett-themed vibe is relaxed and family-forward without being a chaotic party scene.

A scheduling note for 2026 planning: the resort is temporarily closed October 7-15, 2026 for pool and outlet upgrades, then reopens with refreshed facilities heading into the 2027 high season.

Pros:

• Lowest true all-inclusive rate: Plans open near $172/night, far below the luxury pack.
• Excellent beach: Playa Flamingo is among the best swimming beaches in the region.
• Family-friendly programming: Pools, casual dining and a low-key island theme suit kids.
• Recently upgraded: 2026 maintenance refreshed pools and dining outlets.

Cons:

• All-inclusive is an add-on: The base rate is room-only; you must select the plan.
• House-brand drinks: Premium liquor is not part of the standard package.

Verdict: The clear value champion, especially for families who want a real beach without a luxury price.

3. The Westin Reserva Conchal

Type: Family all-inclusive resort | Price: ~$598/night or 73,000 Bonvoy points | Location: Playa Conchal, Guanacaste | Best for: families & golfers

The Westin Reserva Conchal is the largest full-service all-inclusive in the Marriott portfolio in Costa Rica, with around 406 rooms, a championship golf course, a sprawling lagoon pool and roughly a dozen dining venues. It fronts Playa Conchal, famous for crushed-shell sand and clear water.

The scale means lots of activity options and a well-run kids club.

The Bonvoy redemption value is a genuine perk for points collectors, and the resort's all-inclusive plan is comprehensive rather than a thin meal-plan add-on.

Pros:

• Iconic beach: Playa Conchal's shell sand is among the most photogenic in the country.
• Points play: Bookable for ~73,000 Bonvoy points per night.
• Twelve dining venues: One of the widest restaurant selections on this list.
• On-site golf: A championship course sits right at the property.

Cons:

• Premium price: ~$598/night is on the higher end for a family resort.
• Big-resort scale: 400-plus rooms can feel busy in peak weeks.

Verdict: The top choice for Bonvoy loyalists and families who want a marquee beach plus golf.

4. Dreams Las Mareas Costa Rica

Type: Family all-inclusive | Price: ~$367/night or 21,000 points | Location: Playa Jobo, far-north Guanacaste | Best for: families wanting space

Dreams Las Mareas anchors the northwest corner of Guanacaste near the Nicaragua border, overlooking wild Playa Jobo. With 447 junior suites, five restaurants, a waterslide pool and the Explorers Club kids program, it is built for multi-generational trips. The all-inclusive plan covers unlimited dining and drinks plus around-the-clock room service.

The trade-off is distance: it is the farthest drive from Liberia of any resort here, roughly 90 minutes, which buys you a quieter, less developed stretch of coast.

Pros:

• Strong family value: ~$367/night with full all-inclusive and a kids club.
• Spacious junior suites: All 447 rooms are suite-style.
• Points-bookable: Available for ~21,000 Hyatt points.
• Uncrowded setting: Far-north location means fewer day-trippers.

Cons:

• Long airport transfer: ~90 minutes from LIR, the longest on this list.
• Remote dining: Few off-property options nearby.

Verdict: The best big-resort family pick if you value space and quiet over proximity to the airport.

5. Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo

Type: Luxury boutique resort (meal packages) | Price: ~$586/night or 25,000 points | Location: Peninsula Papagayo, Guanacaste | Best for: design-minded luxury travelers

The Andaz Peninsula Papagayo is the design and service standout in the region, with a 9.4 guest rating, jungle-backed cove access, dual pools and three restaurants. It is not a wristband all-inclusive by default; instead it offers optional meal packages layered onto a high-end resort experience, so confirm the plan when booking.

The architecture and the protected coves are the reasons to choose it. This is a polished, contemporary Hyatt flagship rather than a buffet-and-pool factory.

Pros:

• Top-rated service: A 9.4 guest score leads the Papagayo field.
• Striking design: Indoor-outdoor architecture set into the jungle.
• Private coves: Quiet beach access most resorts cannot match.
• Points-bookable: ~25,000 Hyatt points per night.

Cons:

• Not true all-inclusive: Food and drink are meal-package add-ons, not bundled.
• Premium pricing: ~$586/night before meal plans.

Verdict: Pick it for design and service if you are comfortable adding a meal package rather than a classic all-inclusive band.

6. El Mangroove, Autograph Collection

Type: Boutique luxury (all-inclusive optional) | Price: ~$290/person/night all-inclusive | Location: Playa Panama, Gulf of Papagayo | Best for: stylish couples

El Mangroove is a 9.0-rated Marriott Autograph Collection boutique on calm Playa Panama. It is only all-inclusive if you book or upgrade to that rate, which then bundles breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and in-room dining at roughly $290 per person per night. The base experience is a sleek, low-rise beachfront hotel with a long infinity pool and an excellent spa.

This is the choice for travelers who want a small, stylish property over a big resort, with the flexibility to add full-board only if it suits the trip.

Pros:

• Boutique scale: Far smaller and quieter than the mega-resorts.
• Calm bay beach: Playa Panama is swimmable and protected.
• Flexible board: Take the room-only rate or upgrade to all-inclusive.
• Strong spa and pool: A standout wellness and pool experience.

Cons:

• Per-person pricing: ~$290/person/night adds up fast for two.
• All-inclusive is opt-in: Not included in the standard rate.

Verdict: Best boutique-luxury option for couples who want style and an optional all-inclusive upgrade.

7. Riu Palace Costa Rica

Type: Large 24-hour all-inclusive | Price: from ~$246/night | Location: Playa Matapalo, Guanacaste | Best for: high-volume value seekers

The Riu Palace Costa Rica on Matapalo Beach is part of the largest resort complex in the country, sitting beside the Riu Guanacaste with over 1,200 combined rooms. It runs a classic 24-hour all-inclusive with multiple restaurants, pools and nightly entertainment, starting from about $246/night.

Plan around the calendar: the Palace is scheduled for a full renovation from August 31, 2026, reopening March 13, 2027, after which it returns as a freshly refurbished property for the high season.

Pros:

• Aggressive pricing: From ~$246/night for full 24-hour all-inclusive.
• Big-resort amenities: Multiple pools, restaurants and entertainment.
• Soon-to-be renovated: Reopens March 2027 fully refreshed.
• Reliable brand standards: Riu's all-inclusive model is consistent and predictable.

Cons:

• Closed for much of 2026-27: Renovation runs Aug 2026 to Mar 2027.
• Large and busy: The complex caters to high volume, not intimacy.

Verdict: A dependable high-volume value play once it reopens refreshed in March 2027.

8. Planet Hollywood Costa Rica

Type: Themed family all-inclusive | Price: ~$350-450/night | Location: Papagayo Peninsula, Guanacaste | Best for: families wanting entertainment

Planet Hollywood Costa Rica brings a lively, movie-memorabilia theme to the Papagayo Peninsula with an 8.2 guest rating. The all-inclusive covers multiple dining venues, pools, a kids and teens program and high-energy entertainment, making it a fit for families who want activity over serenity.

The themed concept is polarizing, but for travelers who enjoyed Planet Hollywood properties elsewhere, the Costa Rica edition delivers a familiar, entertainment-forward all-inclusive on a beautiful peninsula.

Pros:

• Family entertainment: Robust kids, teen and evening programming.
• Multiple restaurants: Varied dining included in the rate.
• Peninsula location: Shares the desirable Papagayo coastline.
• Recognizable brand: Consistent themed all-inclusive experience.

Cons:

• Theme is divisive: The memorabilia concept is not for quiet-seekers.
• Mid-pack ratings: An 8.2 score trails the peninsula's luxury leaders.

Verdict: A solid family choice when entertainment and theming matter more than understated luxury.

9. Azura Beach Resort

Type: Adults-only boutique all-inclusive | Price: ~$420/night | Location: Playa Samara, Nicoya Peninsula | Best for: couples seeking a small adults-only stay

Azura Beach Resort trades the Guanacaste crowds for the laid-back surf town of Playa Samara on the Nicoya Peninsula. With 75 adults-only suites, a boho-chic aesthetic, a single quality restaurant and a spa, it is the most intimate full all-inclusive on this list at roughly $420/night.

Samara's gentle, reef-protected bay is genuinely swimmable, and the town's walkable beach scene gives Azura a more local, less resort-bubble feel than the big peninsula properties.

Pros:

• Truly small: Just 75 suites keep it personal and quiet.
• Adults-only: No kids, with a relaxed boho design.
• Swimmable bay: Samara's reef-protected water is calm.
• Walkable town: Local restaurants and beach life steps away.

Cons:

• Single restaurant: Dining variety is limited versus mega-resorts.
• Longer transfer: Samara is a 2-plus-hour drive from Liberia.

Verdict: The best small, adults-only all-inclusive for couples who want a genuine town vibe.

10. Rio Perdido

Type: Adventure & thermal all-inclusive | Price: ~$420/night | Location: Bagaces, inland Guanacaste | Best for: active travelers & wellness seekers

Rio Perdido is the wild card: an inland Guanacaste eco-resort built around natural thermal river pools, canyon zip-lining, mountain biking and yoga, with organic cuisine drawn from an on-site farm. Wellness and adventure packages can be structured as all-inclusive, and the setting trades beach for geothermal canyon.

It is the answer for travelers who want a Costa Rica all-inclusive that leans into nature and activity rather than a swim-up bar. Pair it with a beach stay for a full two-coast trip.

Pros:

• Natural thermal pools: Geothermal river bathing on-site.
• Adventure built in: Zip-lining, biking and hiking from the door.
• Farm-to-table dining: Organic cuisine from the resort's own farm.
• Wellness focus: Yoga and spa programming throughout.

Cons:

• No beach: Inland canyon setting, not coastal.
• Activity-first: Less of a lie-by-the-pool resort.

Verdict: The standout all-inclusive for active and wellness travelers who want nature over sand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Costa Rica a true all-inclusive destination like Mexico or the Dominican Republic? Not entirely. Genuine all-inclusive resorts are concentrated in Guanacaste, and several luxury properties like Andaz Papagayo and El Mangroove offer all-inclusive only as an optional meal-plan upgrade rather than the default rate.

Which resort is best for couples in 2027? Secrets Papagayo for full luxury all-inclusive value, or Azura Beach Resort if you prefer a small, intimate adults-only property in a walkable surf town.

What is the cheapest real all-inclusive in Costa Rica? Margaritaville Playa Flamingo starts near $172/night and Riu Palace from about $246/night, making them the two most affordable genuine all-inclusive options.

Are any major resorts closing for renovation in 2026 or 2027? Yes. Riu Palace Costa Rica closes August 31, 2026 and reopens March 13, 2027, and Margaritaville Flamingo closes briefly October 7-15, 2026 for upgrades.

How far are these resorts from the airport? Most Guanacaste resorts are 30-60 minutes from Liberia International (LIR); Dreams Las Mareas is about 90 minutes, and Azura at Playa Samara is 2-plus hours.

Can I book any of these with hotel points? Yes. Secrets Papagayo (~25,000), Andaz Papagayo (~25,000) and Dreams Las Mareas (~21,000) are Hyatt-bookable, and the Westin Reserva Conchal runs about 73,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Related on PULSE

• Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Mexico — compare Cancun and Riviera Maya value against Costa Rica's Guanacaste coast.
• Best Beach Towns in Costa Rica — pair your resort with Tamarindo, Samara or Playa Hermosa.
• Pulse Tools: Trip Budget Calculator — estimate nightly all-inclusive cost per traveler before you book.

Bottom Line

Costa Rica rewards travelers who understand its all-inclusive map. The real value lives in Guanacaste, where Secrets Papagayo wins overall on the strength of adults-only Unlimited-Luxury under $500, and Margaritaville Playa Flamingo delivers the best price-to-beach ratio from $172.

Families should weigh the Westin Reserva Conchal and Dreams Las Mareas, while couples chasing design or intimacy will prefer Andaz Papagayo, El Mangroove or Azura Beach. Watch the 2026-2027 renovation calendar at Riu Palace and Margaritaville, and confirm board basis at the boutique properties where all-inclusive is an upgrade, not a default.