Check Out The Best Resorts In Costa Rica, Nicaragua, And Belize
Central America’s diverse landscapes, from Costa Rica’s volcanic rainforests to Nicaragua’s emerald coasts and Belize’s coral reefs, provide the perfect backdrop for luxury resorts that prioritize incredible activities, amazing culinary experiences, fun, relaxation and rejuvenation.
These amazing tropical destinations offer immersive spa experiences, blending indigenous flora, natural elements, and modern therapies, all while emphasizing sustainability. Our top rated resorts offer many onsite fun and adventurous excursions and are within proximity to many exciting activities highlighted in this article.
Check out our selected resorts, accommodations, spa highlights, activities, and guest feedback in this article. Our resort selection is based upon, spa innovation, overall amenities, location, beauty, and surrounding activities, ensuring a holistic view of these incredible resorts.
Top Activities In Costa Rica, Nicaragua, And Belize
Join National Geographic’s experts on a day trip into the vivid cultures and diverse ecosystems of Central America. Encounter Costa Rica’s incredible array of wildlife, visit a coffee plantation in Nicaragua, or kayak among the atolls of Belize’s barrier reef. Let’s dive in!
Top Costa Rica Activities
Embark on these top Costa Rica activities. Take a Costa Rican Monkey Jungle Zipline ride, enjoy an off-roading trip, to check out the many Costa Rican waterfalls, such as, La Fortuna Waterfall. Visit Arenal Volcano hot springs, take a wildlife safari by boat, hike Manuel Antonio State Park to see sloths, or indulge in a natural habitat adventure.
Top Nicaragua Activities
Hike Masaya Volcano, one of Central America’s most active volcanoes, to witness the bubbling lava lake inside the crater. Explore the Colonial City of Granada a colorful city filled with beautiful architecture.
Visit León Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the largest cathedrals in Central America. If your adventurous, Go Volcano boarding at Cerro Negro, to slide down the volcano’s steep slopes.
Discover Isla Ometepe, a unique island formed by two volcanoes in the midst of Lake Nicaragua. Visit Mombacho Volcano Natural Reserve for an unforgettable hiking experience and the opportunity to explore a cloud forest.
Visit León Viejo’s historic ruins, the first Spanish city in the region. Take a Boat tour of the Isletas de Granada to see diverse wildlife, including monkeys, and many bird species. Experience Chocoyero-El Brujo Natural Reserve, home to cascading waterfalls and lush forests, teeming with an array of exotic birds.
Visit The National Palace of Culture in Managua, a historic building, which serves as a cultural hub for art exhibits and special events. Spend Time at the Masaya Market a lively destination for shoppers and foodies alike.
Enjoy a guided visit to a local coffee plantation, or surf at one of Nicaraguas famous surf spots. Explore the Reserva Natural Cayuga, a beautiful rainforest reserve abounding with wildlife, such as, tropical birds, and monkeys. The epic birdwatching at this preserve attracts bird enthusiasts from around the world.
Top Belize Activities
Come to Belize to scuba dive the Blue Hole Natural Monument, search for jaguars in the jungles of Cockscomb, go birdwatching, fly-fish at Turneffe Atoll, take a bioluminescence boat tour in Hopkins, or horseback ride through the jungle.
The absolutely gorgeous Cayo District, invites you to hop onto a horse and explore the rainforest waterfalls, stunning views, and Central American wildlife.
Belize is a birdwatchers haven, home to over 500 avian species, such as toucans, macaws, hummingbirds, and indigo buntings. Visit Black Rock Lodge near San Ignacio to explore with some of Belize’s top birding guides.
Go tubing through a cave via inner tube, gently float through a network of caves lined with crystal rock formations, for a day of wonder filled excitement.
Top 10 Central American Luxury Resorts With Spas
Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica At Peninsula Papagayo
Location: Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica
The Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica is a Forbes Five-Star property which boasts renovated rooms, six restaurants, and an Arnold Palmer-designed golf course. Enjoy activities, such as, zip-lining, snorkeling, and wildlife tracking at Latin America’s ultimate coastal retreat. The resorts great location offers access to nature, adventure and relaxation. This premier five-star resort is perfect for adventurous travelers, those seeking relaxation, and culinary coinsurers.
The Spa at Four Seasons offers tailored treatments inspired by the surrounding seas and rainforests, with cacao infused treatments, volcanic mud wraps, and tropical facials.
Signature offerings include the “Pura Vida Glow Facial,” which utilizes local coffee and coconut for exfoliation, hot stone massages, and couples’ treatments with ocean views.
The spa facilities feature a hydrotherapy circuit, relaxation area, and beauty services. Guests rave about the “tranquil ambiance and expert therapists,” noting how the spa treatments “rejuvenate body and soul.”
Rancho Santana, Nicaragua
Location: Tola-Rivas, Nicaragua
Rancho Santana in Nicaragua spans 2,700 acres of nature, with five pristine beaches, and numerous sparkling pools. The resort features ocean-view villas, condos, and garden view casitas. The 5 farm-to-table dining options, in villa chefs, horseback riding on the beach, and activities, like world class surfing, hiking, and turtle watching make this resort top tier.
Nayara Tented Camp, Costa Rica
Location: Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica
Named Travel And Leisure’s World Best Resort in Central America for Four Consecutive Years Nayara Tented Camp is an absolutely gorgeous sustainable luxury glamping retreat.
The Tented Camp offers a unique blend of natural elements and luxury. Each spacious tent boasts it’s own private pool, fed by Arenal volcano mineral hot-springs, providing the perfect opportunity to relax in your own tropical oasis.
The world class dining at Nayara Tented Camp includes Ayla Restaurant, Asia-Luna Restaurant, 3 beautiful bars and unique tasting experiences. Guests love the “impeccable service,” and “the picturesque natural beauty.”
The open-air Unwind Spa, tucked into rainforest pockets, provides massages, volcanic mud wraps, aromatherapy, hot stone treatments, hydrotherapy, reflexology, scrubs, and Thai massages. Private cabanas with plunge pools offer volcano views. Guests call the treatments “amazing!”
Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection, Costa Rica
Location: Pérez Zeledón, Costa Rica
The Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection, Costa Rica makes the most of the incredible natural surroundings and uses every opportunity to bring the outside in. The all-inclusive hospitality style includes meals, non-alcoholic beverages, daily adventure programs, wellness programs, and shared charter flights to and from SJO for two. This may be one of the most beautiful resorts I’ve ever seen. This stunning resort is set on 150 acres of pristine nature, includes a coffee farm, a private airstrip, and offers horseback riding, and zip-lining.
The Casa De Agua Spa features signature treatments, such as, Swedish massages, lymph drainage, dry brushing, hot stone therapy, cupping, and deep tissue massage. Enjoy your services in riverfront treatment rooms and bask in the hydrotherapy pools.
Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa, Costa Rica
Location: La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa is the only resort in this beautiful, private reserve, with a naturally flowing thermal river. Located at the base of the majestic Arenal Volcano, where several unique streams of hot mineral water run.
Outdoor bungalows offer massage therapy, facials, beauty touches, and hot spring experiences. Spa treatments are provided in outdoor bungalows amidst the rainforest. The scents of the forest add to your spa experience, along with the soothing sounds of wildlife, and melody of the running hot springs. You’re welcome to enjoy the fitness center, thermal hot tub, and hydromassage pool. Guests call this spa a “wellness haven,” with “rainforest massages.”
Lapa Rios Lodge, Costa Rica
Location: Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
Lapa Rios Lodge , located on a 1,000 acres of Central America’s last remaining tropical lowland rainforest reserve, is named Forbes best eco-lodge resort in Costa Rica. At this jungle destination, the real luxury is the opportunity to encounter iconic frogs and macaws, endangered monkeys, and over 300 bird species. Guests love this resorts “authentic eco-luxury.”
The open-air Lap Rios Spa features jungle-view massages, Aloe vera body wraps, and “Rainforest Renewal,” treatments with local fruit. Guests describe this spa as “pure tranquility,” with one reviewer noting the “wonderful massages in the purest environment.”
Mukul, Auberge Resorts Collection, Nicaragua
Location: Guacalito de la Isla, Nicaragua
Mukul, Auberge Resorts Collection, Nicaragua consists of 12 villas and 23 bohios with private plunge pools, and is touted as a place of “absolute luxury,” on Nicaragua’s Emerald Coast.
Choose between surfing, lounging on the beach, hikes, or indulging in a spa day. This Nicaraguan luxury resort offers boundless opportunities for relaxation and adventure.
Spa
The beachfront palapa-style rooms offer coconut oil massages, clay detoxes, “Nica Salt Scrubs,” and a hammam. Guests love the “oceanfront serenity.”
Origins Luxury Lodges, Costa Rica
Location: Pueblo Nuevo, Bijagua, Alajuela,
Costa Rica
Origins Lodge, is located on a 600-acre beautiful nature reserve with serene villas and volcano views. This resort offers bird-watching tours and is ideally located between the gorgeous Tenorio and Miravalles volcanoes. Partake in plant tours, hike to the Rio Celeste waterfall, horseback ride through the jungle, indulge in a memorable bird watching tour, fish in the lagoon, take a chocolate making class at a cacao farm, or glide down the soothing rapids in Tenorio National Park.
Spa
Indulge in various treatments including massages and authentic watsu water therapy.
Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort, Belize
Location: Hopkins Village, Belize
Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort is nestled between the serene Maya Mountains and the blue Caribbean Sea. Hamanasi, an all inclusive resort, provides the opportunity to explore Belize’s land and sea. Located on the beach south of Hopkins, Hamanasi sits on the Caribbean beachfront and is surrounded by tropical gardens. Highlights include the beachfront treehouse rooms and the first rate dive excursions.
Enjoy a variety of luxurious treatments, such as, Belizean-inspired massages, and coconut scrubs, in your room or in a beachside palapa. All treatments utilize handcrafted, locally sourced ingredients. Guests love the “cultural touch,” and “restorative waterfront massages.”
Hotel Belmar, Costa Rica
Location: Monteverde, Costa Rica
The Hotel Belmar a carbon-neutral hotel and a “nature lover’s paradise,” offers specially curated hotel activities. Activities like spring water pond swimming, horseback riding, canopy dining, a sustainable farm visit, mocktail classes, bird quest, and organic coffee tasting are incredible memory makers. You’re sure to enjoy this beautiful resort, one of Travel+Leisures top hotels in Central America, according to the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.
The spa offers coffee scrubs, aromatherapy massages, “Cloud Forest Bliss” treatments, a sauna, and holistic options like post-hike recovery sessions. Facilities include a juice bar, the hotel’s spring water pool and soaking jet pool. Guests rave about the “nature-inspired calm,” and the “spa like cottage feel.”
2025 Resort Trends And Considerations In Latin America
In 2025, Central American resorts and spas focus on local ingredients like cacao and coffee, sustainability, meaningful activities, unique offerings, impeccable service, nature immersion, and open-air treatments. TripAdvisor reviews rave about these resorts personalized service and unique happenings. Peak season for travel to Latin America is December through April and usually requires early bookings.
Takeaways On Top Resorts And Spas In Central America
Our top 10 Central America resorts, from The Four Seasons’ ocean-inspired therapies to Rancho Santana’s hillside massages, exemplify Central America’s luxury resort scene. Where nature inspires you, activities abound, and culinary delights are savored. These incredible resorts seamlessly blend luxury, relaxation, and adventure. Book one of these top resorts now!
Our Top 10 Central America Resorts were selected based on:
- Spa Excellence: Range of treatments, facilities, and unique integrations of local flora in a natural environment.
- TripAdvisor Reviews: Ratings of 4.5+ stars from 2025 data, focusing on guest comments about spas and service.
- Luxury and Location: High-end accommodations, proximity to natural wonders, and adventure options.
- Sustainability: Commitment to eco-friendly operations, a growing priority in Central American tourism.
Marneys Tidbits publishes fun and insightful articles pertaining to wellness, beauty, gardening, home design, recipes, restaurants, and travel. Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, and Facebook for even more tidbits!
References
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- Condé Nast Traveler. (2024, October 1). Top resorts in Central America: Readers’ Choice Awards. https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/top-resorts-in-central-america-readers-choice-awards
- Travel + Leisure. (2025, July 9). Our readers’ favorite resorts in Central America of 2025. https://www.travelandleisure.com/worlds-best-awards-2025-resorts-central-america-11739285
- Tidbits, M. (2025, July 10).11 Best Luxury Resorts With Spas In Central America. MarneysTidbits.com
- TripAdvisor. (2025). Hotel reviews for Central America resorts. https://www.tripadvisor.com
