Open Travel Guide
Luxury travel in Puntarenas

Luxury Travel in Puntarenas 2026

Puntarenas at the top end: the properties, tables, and experiences that justify their prices — and those that don't.

Puntarenas has 5+ luxury hotels and experiences covered in this guide, led by Makanda by the Sea, Gaia Hotel & Reserve and Arenas del Mar. Each entry below includes the practical details — what it costs, when to go, and how to plan around it.

Puntarenas is Costa Rica's largest province, stretching along most of the country's Pacific coastline from the Gulf of Nicoya south to the Panama border. It serves as the gateway to surf towns, national parks such as Manuel Antonio and Corcovado, and island reserves reached by ferry from Puntarenas city.

Luxury hotels

Five-star and palace properties.

Luxury

Makanda by the Sea

Luxury

Gaia Hotel & Reserve

Luxury

Arenas del Mar

Luxury

Villa Caletas

Luxury

Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort

Exclusive experiences

Bespoke and once-in-a-lifetime activities.

Experience

Private Sport Fishing Charter

Costa Rica's offshore Pacific waters are legendary for sport fishing — sailfish, marlin (blue, black, striped), mahi-mahi, tuna, and wahoo. Los Sueños Marina is the departure point for world-class charters with professional captains and mate teams.

Experience

Private Helicopter Transfer San José to Manuel Antonio

Skip the 3-hour drive entirely with a private helicopter transfer from San José or the airport directly to Manuel Antonio. 25-minute flight with spectacular views over the Central Valley, mountain ranges, and Pacific coast.

Experience

Private Catamaran Charter — Sunset Cruise

A private catamaran charter for sunset cruising along the Manuel Antonio coast or around the Gulf of Nicoya islands. Includes gourmet catering, premium wines, snorkeling stops, and personal crew. Dolphins and whales are often encountered.

Experience

Private Corcovado Expeditions — Multi-Day

An exclusive multi-day expedition into Corcovado's interior with a certified master naturalist guide, private camp setup or lodge accommodation, chef-prepared meals in the field, and access to routes beyond standard day-tour areas. The pinnacle of Costa Rica wildlife experiences.

Experience

Wellness Retreat — Surf and Yoga Santa Teresa

Boutique wellness retreats in Santa Teresa combine morning yoga overlooking the Pacific, afternoon surf lessons with certified instructors, spa treatments using local botanicals, and farm-to-table plant-based cuisine.

Experience

Private Wine Dinner — Villa Caletas

A curated 5-course wine dinner at Villa Caletas's El Mirador Restaurant, arranged privately on the amphitheatre terrace with the Pacific sunset as backdrop. A sommelier-guided pairing of South American wines with fresh Pacific seafood.