10 Best Eco Resorts in Costa Rica: Sustainable Stays

Costa Rica has a special way of slowing you down—in the best possible sense. From misty cloud forests to wild Pacific beaches, it’s a country that has made sustainability not just a trend, but a way of life. While traveling here, I became increasingly intentional about where I stayed. I didn’t want luxury that came at the cost of nature or local communities—I wanted places that genuinely give back. This quest led me to discover the best eco resorts in Costa Rica.

The good news? Costa Rica does this exceptionally well.

Below are 10 sustainable eco resorts in Costa Rica that go beyond eco-friendly buzzwords. These are places that support local communities, protect biodiversity, and still offer deeply nourishing experiences for travelers who care about their impact.

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Why Stay at Costa Rica’s Eco Resorts?

Choosing the right eco resorts in Costa Rica means your vacation supports:
🌳 Direct funding for rainforest conservation
👩‍🌾 Fair wages and employment for local communities
💧 Renewable energy and water stewardship
🐾 Protection for endangered wildlife
🧠 Meaningful cultural and educational exchanges

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Top Eco Resorts in Costa Rica That Give Back

This curated list highlights the premier eco resorts in Costa Rica where luxury meets responsibility. Each property has been selected for its authentic commitment to environmental and social stewardship.

1. Lapa Rios Lodge – Osa Peninsula

Located near Corcovado National Park, Lapa Rios Lodge is often described as one of the pioneers of ecotourism in Costa Rica—and for good reason. This lodge employs people almost exclusively from nearby communities and invests heavily in conservation and education programs. A portion of every stay supports rainforest protection and local schools. Over the years, they have received many awards for social and environmental excellence. Staying here feels less like being a tourist and more like being a respectful guest in one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. It’s a benchmark for eco resorts in Costa Rica.

• Area: Osa Peninsula
• Highlights: Protects primary rainforest, creates stable local employment, award-winning model
• Perfect for: Eco-conscious adventurers and wildlife enthusiasts

2. Pacuare Lodge – Pacuare River

Reaching Pacuare Lodge by rafting down the river already sets the tone for something special. This off-grid lodge runs almost entirely on renewable energy and supports several nearby indigenous Cabécar communities. They fund education, healthcare access, and women-led cooperatives, while also preserving thousands of acres of rainforest. It’s luxury, yes—but grounded and conscious. It represents the adventurous spirit of true eco resorts in Costa Rica.

• Area: Pacuare River
• Highlights: Strong partnerships with indigenous communities, river conservation, off-grid luxury
• Perfect for: Adventure seekers and culturally mindful travelers

3. Finca Rosa Blanca – Heredia

If you love coffee (and who doesn’t?), Finca Rosa Blanca is a dream. This boutique eco-hotel is also a biodynamic coffee plantation that employs local farmers at fair wages and supports organic agriculture. They actively educate guests about sustainable farming, water conservation, and Costa Rica’s coffee culture. I appreciated how learning was woven naturally into the stay—not forced, just available. Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation Resort is one of the “National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World,” showcasing how agricultural eco resorts in Costa Rica can thrive.

• Area: Heredia
• Highlights: Ethical agriculture, coffee education, National Geographic recognition
• Perfect for: Foodies, coffee lovers, and cultural learners

4. Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge – Golfo Dulce

Accessible only by boat, Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge feels like a hidden sanctuary between rainforest and sea. The lodge employs local residents and supports conservation initiatives in the Golfo Dulce region, one of the world’s rare tropical fjords. They also run environmental education programs for nearby communities and schools, helping build long-term stewardship of the land. It’s among the most secluded eco resorts in Costa Rica.

• Area: Golfo Dulce
• Highlights: Marine conservation, community education, boat-access only seclusion
• Perfect for: Nature purists and those seeking off-the-grid tranquility

5. Rancho Margot – Arenal

Rancho Margot is one of the most inspiring places I’ve come across. It’s a completely self-sustaining eco-lodge and farm that produces its own energy, food, and fertilizer. They offer apprenticeships and educational programs for locals and international volunteers, focusing on regenerative agriculture and sustainable living practices that can actually be replicated elsewhere. This is what sets apart the most impactful eco resorts in Costa Rica.

• Area: Arenal
• Highlights: 100% self-sustaining, education-driven sustainability, hands-on workshops
• Perfect for: Learners, volunteers, and hands-on sustainability enthusiasts

6. Selva Bananito Lodge – Caribbean Lowlands

Family-run and deeply rooted in conservation, Selva Bananito Lodge protects over 800 hectares of rainforest. The lodge funds local schools, employs people from nearby villages, and actively works on reforestation and wildlife monitoring. There’s a quiet integrity here—you can tell sustainability isn’t a marketing angle, it’s personal. This authenticity is the hallmark of the best eco resorts in Costa Rica.

• Area: Caribbean Lowlands
• Highlights: Long-term land conservation, family-run integrity, reforestation projects
• Perfect for: Travelers seeking authentic, family-owned eco-tourism

7. Blue Spirit Retreat – Nosara

Known globally for yoga and wellness retreats, Blue Spirit Retreat also plays an important role locally. They employ staff from surrounding communities and support local schools, permaculture projects, and social initiatives in Nosara. Their approach to sustainability includes not only environmental care but also mental, emotional, and community well-being. It is located in one of the world’s Blue Zones—an area where people live the longest and report the highest levels of well-being, making it a unique model among wellness-focused eco resorts in Costa Rica.

• Area: Nosara
• Highlights: Holistic sustainability (people & planet), Blue Zone location, wellness focus
• Perfect for: Wellness seekers, yogis, and those valuing community health

8. El Silencio Lodge & Spa – Bajos del Toro

Tucked into a cloud forest, El Silencio Lodge & Spa focuses heavily on reforestation and local sourcing. They work with nearby farmers, artisans, and guides, keeping tourism revenue circulating within the region. They also run tree-planting programs that guests can participate in, which adds a meaningful layer to the experience. For those looking for cloud forest eco resorts in Costa Rica, this is a top choice.

• Area: Bajos del Toro
• Highlights: Reforestation programs, support of rural economies, immersive cloud forest setting
• Perfect for: Romantics, spa lovers, and those wanting to leave a positive footprint

9. Kura Boutique Hotel – Uvita

Kura is proof that high-end design and sustainability can coexist. The adults-only Kura Boutique Hotel supports local artists, employs community members, and contributes to conservation efforts in the Marino Ballena region. What stood out to me was their quiet commitment—no greenwashing, just consistent, thoughtful choices. It’s a leading example of modern, design-forward eco resorts in Costa Rica.

• Area: Uvita
• Highlights: Stunning design, support for local artists, regional conservation
• Perfect for: Design lovers, couples, and travelers seeking stylish sustainability

10. SCP Corcovado Wilderness Lodge – Osa Peninsula

Another gem near Corcovado National Park, SCP Corcovado Wilderness Lodge actively supports conservation research and employs local naturalist guides. Their work helps protect endangered species while providing sustainable income alternatives to activities like logging or hunting. Staying here feels like directly contributing to the protection of one of the planet’s most precious ecosystems. It completes our list of exceptional eco resorts in Costa Rica that prioritize wildlife.

• Area: Osa Peninsula
• Highlights: Wildlife conservation, research support, sustainable livelihood creation
• Perfect for: Wildlife researchers, conservation-minded travelers, and nature purists

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FAQs About Eco Resorts in Costa Rica

Final Tips for Your Sustainable Stay

– Engage with the community: Book tours with local guides and buy from local artisans.
– Respect the environment: Stay on trails, avoid single-use plastics, and follow lodge guidelines.
– Ask questions: Eco resorts in Costa Rica proud of their impact are happy to share their stories and projects.
– Travel mindfully: Consider longer stays in one place to deepen your connection and reduce travel footprint.

Travel is never neutral. Where we spend our money directly shapes local economies, ecosystems, and futures. In Costa Rica, choosing a resort that gives back means your stay helps fund education, conservation, and dignified work—rather than extract value from the land. What I love most is that these eco resorts in Costa Rica don’t ask you to sacrifice comfort or beauty for ethics. Instead, they show that true luxury is alignment—with nature, with people, and with the values we want to live by.

If you’re planning a trip to Costa Rica and want it to feel meaningful long after you’ve returned home, these eco resorts in Costa Rica are a powerful place to start.