10 Dominical Costa Rica Hotels For Your Bucket List
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If you are planning to visit the sleepy surfer haven of Dominical, Costa Rica, you’ll probably wonder where to stay in Dominical. Especially if you are visiting with kids, you will want to know the vibe of all the different hotels in the area.
I’ve got you covered with this list of Dominical, Costa Rica hotels- and there’s something for every budget! Keep in mind that you will not find as many beachfront accommodations in Dominical- you will find more hotels up in the jungle with amazing views of the coast.
Dominical was hit extremely hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and many hotels were shuttered. Please support these hotels and keep the beach town of Dominical thriving.
Wondering how to choose a hotel in Costa Rica for your family? Check out our Hotels in Costa Rica guide.
Lapazul Botique Hotel
Up in the jungle-clad hills of Dominical sits the luxurious Lapazul Boutique Hotel, welcoming guests with skyline ocean views, spacious, elegantly designed suites, and a high-end gourmet restaurant to make them feel at home.
If you’re an affluent traveler who enjoys the nicer things in life, this would be the perfect place to treat yourself to an unforgettable and rejuvenating getaway. This hotel has more of an adult vibe, and is also a retreat center, making it relatively busy at times when there is a retreat going on.
Whether you seek exciting adventures or peaceful reflections, you’ll find a plethora of activities here that will stimulate your body and soul. You can spend your days hiking, ziplining, horseback riding, or simply lounging by the gorgeous infinity pool sipping a Costa Rican cocktail and soaking up the sun like a true vacationer. And if you’re up for some pampering, the hotel’s spa is at your service.
Book Lapazul Boutique Hotel Now
Hotel Punta Gabriela
Another luxury accommodation that will get you enjoying a high level of privacy, unmatched comfort, and magnificent scenery is the sumptuous villas of Punta Gabriela.
Nestled along the jungly coastline of Dominical, the property boasts stunning gardens, a gourmet kitchen, an outdoor pool, a BBQ area, and posh suites designed for modern living.
The pool here is relatively small, however, so it is not the ideal place for kids. The hotel also prioritizes large groups- this would be a great place to come with multiple families at the same time, or for a wedding or retreat.
You can make arrangements for all the activities or excursions you want including fishing, surfing, whale watching, or exploring national parks. Come prepared for a helicopter tour too – there’s even a heliport on the rooftop of the building to make those aerial adventures convenient and seamless!
MAVI Surf Hotel
Looking for a Dominical hotel that won’t break the bank? Start with the low-key, beachfront MAVI Surf Hotel. With 8 clean, spacious, fully equipped rooms each featuring air conditioning, internet, a kitchen area, a private bathroom, and a private balcony, this moderately-priced accommodation offers a cozy atmosphere for cost-conscious travelers.
While it is perceived as a place for surfers, the family-owned property offers plenty of activities for non-surfers and families, too including rafting, yoga, waterfall rappelling, horseback riding, and trips to nearby national parks, to name a few.
After sweaty sightseeing and animal watching, take a dip in the lovely outdoor pool that has a dedicated section for kids so everyone can have a good time. This is my top pick for where to stay in Dominical.
Hacienda Baru Lodge
Located right at the entrance of a Wildlife Refuge, Hacienda Baru combines comfortable lodging with wildlife and eco-tourism adventures so that guests can have it all. Here, you will find good-sized rooms and cottages, a swimming pool, and a restaurant for mid-range prices. This is a very traditional Costa Rican hotel- traditional Costa Rican food is served including a full Costa Rican breakfast, and this is locally owned and operated.
Within the lush greenery surrounding the property, you will find a beautiful butterfly and orchid garden with diverse species of butterflies, a bird-watching tower, and well-maintained, easy-to-follow trails where you can do lots of animal sightings including sloths, monkeys, toucans, and other wildlife.
But here’s the best part; you don’t even need to go to the trails to see animals – the furry and feathery Refuge’s residents are constantly overflowing into the property!
There is a lot to do on this property, making it a great place for families with kids to make their home base in the area.
Villas Rio Mar
Located amidst lush forests and tropical gardens and within walking distance of the magnificent Playa Dominical, Villas Rio Mar eco-hotel is yet another fantastic spot that will offer you great value for money.
The well-appointed bungalows spreading across the tropical garden feature a private bathroom, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and a private terrace with a hammock.
For half the price of a luxury hotel, you will enjoy a swimming pool, bar & restaurant, spa, and tennis court among other conveniences to make your stay comfortable. They have a great breakfast buffet complete with gallo pinto.
Fun activities like surfing, kayaking, fishing, hiking, canopy tours, mountain biking, and trips to Manuel Antonio National Park and Marino Ballena National Parks can be arranged with the help of their in-house tour agency.
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Farm Of Life
For health and wellness enthusiasts, Farm of Life is the perfect place to reconnect with nature and your inner authentic self. The affordable, mid-priced property offers hilltop lodging with modern amenities and spectacular ocean, pool, or mountain views in a calm and healthy environment to help you heal and revive your body and soul.
Take your wellness journey to the next level with yoga and plant medicine, explore the beaches, and visit the waterfalls. Later, enjoy yummy, organic meals prepared with fresh, greenhouse-harvested ingredients or make your own in the beautiful communal kitchen. You’ll find some amazing vegan food here!
Tropical Sands Dominical Eco Inn
If you want something that really doesn’t empty your wallet, look no further than the Tropical Sands Dominical Eco Inn. The little budget-friendly oasis amid tropical gardens offers casual air-conditioned rooms and fan cabins with a private bathroom, Wi-Fi, and a kitchenette.
Being only one minute away from the beach and within walking distance of restaurants, bars & breweries, and yoga studios, this is a great spot for watersports lovers and adventurists looking to experience all the laid-back town of Dominical has to offer. It’s also a fantastic base for launching zip-lining tours as well as trips to the Nauyaca Waterfall, Manuel Antonio National Park, and whale watching in Uvita.
Book Tropical Sands Eco Inn Now
Cool Vibes Beach Hostel
Traveling on an even much tighter budget? Try Cool Vibes Hostel. The low-key accommodation that places you within a two-minute walk from Playa Dominical features simply furnished female-only and mixed-gender dorms, a TV lounge, an outdoor pool, and a shared kitchen.
From the hostel, you can visit all the nearby attractions including Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary, Nauyaca and La Poza Azul Waterfalls and try oodles of fun-filled activities including whitewater rafting, scuba diving, and whale watching. The communal kitchen has everything you need to whip up a hearty breakfast to fuel you up for all of these adventures.
Book Cool Vibes Beach Hostel Now
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Christa Jimenez
Welcome! I’m Christa, a Spanish teacher married to a handsome Costa Rican and mother of two bilingual daughters. We’ve spent over 25 years living in and traveling to Costa Rica with our daughters, and this website is my love letter to all things Costa Rica- and to bilingual parenting too. You can read my full story here. Thanks for stopping by!
