Central & South America Costa Rica Best Hotels in San Jose, Costa Rica By Mariette Williams Updated on 12/21/22 Fact checked by Erin Medlicott Fact checked by Erin Medlicott LinkedIn Twitter New York University Rutgers University Erin Medlicott is a fact checker and researcher with a background in lifestyle and finance. Prior to her work at TripSavvy, she did financial research for the American Express Departures Magazine as well as the Wall Street Journal. She earned a TripSavvy's fact-checking Share Pin Email Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. Costa Rica’s capital, San José, is a cosmopolitan city filled with top-notch museums, galleries, shops, and restaurants. Travelers can spend their time exploring the vibrant city or enjoying nearby outdoor activities like zip-lining over a rainforest, river rafting, touring a coffee plantation, or hiking through one of Costa Rica’s national parks. Whether you’re on a family trip or a solo sojourn, the country’s biggest city has a diverse selection of hotels with a range of amenities. To plan for your next trip to San José, check out the best hotels in the city. Best San Jose, Costa Rica Hotels of 2023 Best Overall: Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belen Best for Families: InterContinental Costa Rica at Multiplaza Mall Best Luxury: Gran Hotel Costa Rica, Curio Collection by Hilton Best Boutique: Hotel Grano de Oro Best for Sightseeing: Hotel Presidente Best for Solo Travelers: Selina San José Best for Relaxation: AC Hotel San José Escazu Best Budget: Adventure Inn Best Hotels in San Jose, Costa Rica View All Best Hotels in San Jose, Costa Rica Our Top Picks Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belen InterContinental Costa Rica at Multiplaza Mall Gran Hotel Costa Rica, Curio Collection by Hilton Hotel Grano de Oro Hotel Presidente Selina San José AC Hotel San José Escazu Adventure Inn See More (5) Final Verdict Compare the Best Hotels in San Jose, Costa Rica Methodology Best Overall : Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belen Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belen See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It The Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belen has tons of resort amenities, recently renovated guest rooms, and convenient access to San José’s outdoor attractions. Notable Amenities Children’s playground, two outdoor pools, driving range Pros and Cons Pros 15 minutes from downtown San José Mountain views Complimentary airport shuttle Cons Pool areas can get crowded quickly Hotel Overview Set on a 30-acre coffee plantation, the Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belen is a resort oasis on San José’s northwestern edge. The sprawling property has 299 rooms that have recently been renovated with polished wood floors, comfy cream-colored furniture, and oversize artwork above the beds. Guests have four dining venues to choose from, including Hacienda Kitchen, which has an all-day menu of authentic Costa Rican dishes, and La Castilla, a lounge with a beautiful outdoor terrace for sunset cocktails. Even the resort’s Kuö Spa is unique; select services use volcanic ash and coffee from the resort’s plantation. The hotel also offers convenient access to many area attractions worth exploring, including La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park, Poás Volcano, and Braulio Carrillo National Park. Best for Families : InterContinental Costa Rica at Multiplaza Mall Courtesy of Intercontinental Costa Rica At Multiplaza Mall See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It With several sparkling pools, babysitting services, and access to entertainment, InterContinental Costa Rica at Multiplaza Mall is a great selection for traveling families. Notable Amenities Babysitting services, soundproof windows in rooms, four restaurants Pros and Cons Pros Close to shopping and entertainment Fitness center and aerobics instructor Large suites with living rooms available Cons Many guest rooms don’t have great views Hotel Overview InterContinental Costa Rica at Multiplaza Mall has plenty to offer traveling families. The guest rooms and suites have king-size beds with Egyptian cotton sheets and pillow-top mattresses, soundproof windows, and large closets for storage. There are also four restaurants on-site with lots of options for the whole family, from Italian at Pimento and seafood at Nau Sushi Lounge to a build-your-own pizza station at The Market. Room service is also available, which is convenient for families traveling with small kids. Outside, there are three heated outdoor pools, including a dedicated children’s pool, and the hotel is connected to Multiplaza Mall, which has retail stores, two movie theaters, and a supermarket. Best Luxury : Gran Hotel Costa Rica, Curio Collection by Hilton See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Gran Hotel Costa Rica is located in a historic 1930s-era building that’s been gorgeously renovated. Notable Amenities Room service, connecting rooms available, soundproofed rooms Pros and Cons Pros Convenient downtown location Updated guest rooms A historical and architectural heritage site Cons Only one restaurant on-site Hotel Overview For travelers who want to spend their vacation in an upscale setting near San José’s downtown attractions, the Gran Hotel Costa Rica is an ideal choice. Its rooms have been completely updated with a neutral palette; white tufted headboards, soft white carpeting, and sculpted furniture give each room a sophisticated look. The hotel’s sole restaurant, Cultura5, serves international dishes and has fifth-story views of the city center. The property also has a convenient location for San José’s cultural attractions. Situated on the pedestrianized Avenida Central, it’s just steps from museums, stores, restaurants, and San José’s National Theater. Best Boutique : Hotel Grano de Oro Julian Trejos/Courtesy of Hotel Grano de Oro See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Hotel Grano de Oro is a small, elegantly outfitted boutique hotel with several great amenities. Notable Amenities Rooftop garden and hot tubs, extensive wine cellar, massage services Pros and Cons Pros 20-minute walk to San José’s main attractions Friendly staff Several rooms have private patios Cons No fitness center Hotel Overview Formerly a Victorian mansion, Hotel Grano de Oro feels like staying in a private home. The 35 elegant guest rooms are uniquely designed with ornate wood paneling, wrought iron bed frames, and hardwood floors. The Vista de Oro Suite is furnished with antiques, and the property will appeal to guests who appreciate classic style and historic details. The hotel’s main dining venue, Restaurante Grano de Oro, has a French Mediterranean and tropical fusion menu, an extensive wine cellar with around 2,000 bottles of wine, and indoor and outdoor seating. The hotel also offers massage services, either in your room or in one of the spa treatment rooms. To help you explore the rest of the San José region, the concierge is happy to arrange day trips to the nearby rainforest and volcano. Best for Sightseeing : Hotel Presidente See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Located amid San José’s best cultural attractions, Hotel Presidente is a great choice for travelers who want to explore the city. Notable Amenities Rooftop restaurant, room service, complimentary breakfast Pros and Cons Pros Steps from San José’s cultural attractions 25 minutes from the San José airport Stylish lobby Cons Can get noisy at night Hotel Overview If you’re in San José to check out the city’s many museums, art galleries, and restaurants, Hotel Presidente is a hip venue with a convenient downtown location. With all of the city’s best sights, like the National Museum and the Plaza de la Cultura, within walking distance, there’s no need to rent a car or even worry about public transportation. The hotel’s 80 rooms have neutral tile flooring, matching wood or brown wicker headboards and end tables, and handy workstations. Up on the rooftop, the intimate garden restaurant, Azotea Calle 7, has red brick flooring and white cast-iron bistro dining sets and is a great setting for evening cocktails and small bites. Best for Solo Travelers : Selina San José See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It The artsy Selina San José is a haven for backpackers and solo travelers, offering shared and private accommodations and a full calendar of social events. Notable Amenities On-site bar, movie room, rooftop deck Pros and Cons Pros Organized social events Coworking space Casual, laid-back atmosphere Cons Often loud late into the night Hotel Overview Costa Rica is a popular destination for solo travelers, and Selina San José offers them shared and private accommodations with an artsy flair. The shared rooms have bunk beds and a communal bathroom, but for those who want more privacy, there are suites that come with private sitting areas and bathrooms. The hotel also offers lots of different ways for travelers to connect with other guests. It regularly hosts happy hours, paint-and-sip events, karaoke nights, and cooking classes. Guests can choose to make their own meals in the communal kitchen or eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the on-site restaurant. Best for Relaxation : AC Hotel San José Escazu See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Though it’s close to the city’s attractions, the AC Hotel San José Escazu provides a relaxing sanctuary for travelers. Notable Amenities Two restaurants, library, soundproofed rooms Pros and Cons Pros Modern, clean design Upgraded suites have sitting rooms Close to major attractions Cons No pool Hotel Overview Though the AC Hotel San José Escazu is next to the Avenida Escazú shopping center and a short drive from attractions like the Museum of Costa Rican Art, at the end of a long day, travelers may most appreciate retreating to the hotel’s soothing guest rooms. Each has gleaming wood floors, dark walls, and comfortable beds with plush linens. The bathrooms have rainfall showers, and the upgraded suites have freestanding tubs, kitchenettes, and sitting rooms with couches and ottomans. There are two restaurants for travelers to choose from: AC Kitchen serves mostly European dishes and has a great breakfast buffet, and AC Lounge is a Spanish-influenced bar offering tapas, cocktails, wines, and ales. Best Budget : Adventure Inn See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Adventure Inn is located midway between the San José airport and downtown and has several amenities at a great price. Notable Amenities Hot tubs, complimentary breakfast, complimentary airport shuttle Pros and Cons Pros Only 10 minutes from the airport Restaurant uses only locally sourced ingredients Family owned Cons Pool area is small and could use more lounge seating Hotel Overview Adventure Inn is a great choice for budget-minded travelers. The hotel has several perks, like complimentary rides from the airport and a complimentary hearty breakfast each morning. The 34 homey guest rooms have hand-painted murals on the wall, and suites come with essentials like minifridges and microwaves, plus hot tubs. The hotel’s restaurant, The Moon Glow Bar & Grill, serves local Costa Rican dishes that are made from scratch with fresh, locally grown ingredients. Outside, there’s a cozy solar-heated pool and hot tub. Many guests become repeat lodgers, and past visitors rave about the hotel staff’s warm hospitality. Final Verdict San José makes for a great vacation. It’s filled with museums, restaurants, galleries, and stores, and the buzzing city is also a gateway to Costa Rica’s wonderful natural attractions, like rainforests and volcanoes. All of the hotels and resorts on our list have unique features, though the Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belen earned the top spot thanks to its top-notch amenities and convenient location relative to San José’s attractions. Compare the Best Hotels in San Jose, Costa Rica Property Resort Fee Room Rates Free Wi-Fi Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belen Best Overall None $$ Yes InterContinental Costa Rica at Multiplaza Mall Best for Families None $$ Yes Gran Hotel Costa Rica, Curio Collection by Hilton Best Luxury None $$ Yes Hotel Grano de Oro Best Boutique None $$ Yes Hotel Presidente Best for Sightseeing None $ Yes Selina San José Best for Solo Travelers None $ Yes AC Hotel San José Escazu Best for Relaxation None $ Yes Adventure Inn Best Budget None $ Yes Methodology The best hotels in San José were selected based on a few different criteria. For each category, we looked at the hotels’ key features, like the guest rooms, restaurants, and pools. We also looked at special amenities like complimentary breakfasts and free airport shuttles. Location was important, too. Though all of the hotels are located in or around San José, some are closer to downtown attractions. Finally, we considered past reviews on third-party sites like Tripadvisor. Getty Images / Flashpop Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies