Costa Rica has always had the bones — towering rainforest, volcanic backdrops, coastlines that don't quit. What's changed is the caliber of stays that have grown up around all of it. Forget the dated eco-lodge aesthetic. The properties making waves right now are doing something more interesting: pairing serious design sensibility with genuine immersion in the landscape. Open architecture. Hardwoods that earn their place. Pools that blur into the horizon. We stayed at two of them, and they couldn't be more different — which is exactly the point.

Oxygen Jungle Villas

Uvita, Costa Rica

Perched high in a private nature reserve above the Pacific, Oxygen Jungle Villas is the kind of place that makes you question why you ever stayed anywhere else. Twelve adults-only villas — eight with ocean views, four looking into pure jungle — feature floor-to-ceiling glass on all sides, king four-poster beds, and private terraces where toucans and hummingbirds make regular appearances. The design philosophy is minimalist without being cold: contemporary furnishings that step aside and let the panorama do the talking.

The infinity pool, lined in green stone and hovering above the Pacific, is the undisputed centerpiece — Condé Nast called a dip in it an act of meditation, and they weren't wrong. Beyond the pool, the on-site restaurant Yaⱽdé pays homage to Costa Rica's indigenous roots through local organic ingredients and ancient cooking techniques, while the Diⱽ Shum Spa — set alongside a misty river inside a private jungle reserve — offers river spa treatments you genuinely cannot find anywhere else in the country.

For adventures beyond the property, the location is almost unfairly good: Marino Ballena National Park and its iconic Whale's Tail are practically in your backyard, and Corcovado — ranked the number one national park in the world — is a guided day trip away.

The vibe: Understated elegance. Where the jungle meets the sea, and nothing feels like it's trying too hard.Book at: oxygenjunglevillas.com

Amor Arenal

Arenal, Costa Rica

If Oxygen is the coast, Amor Arenal is the volcano — and the contrast is everything. Tucked into the untouched tropical forest flanking Arenal Volcano, this boutique lodge established in 2019 leans fully into the drama of its setting. Canyon Casitas are built from precious tropical hardwoods, with vaulted ceilings, panoramic windows, and direct sightlines to the volcano. Every room comes with a suspended outdoor deck and a heated whirlpool — arguably the most cinematic spot in the country to sit with a glass of wine as mist rolls off the canopy.

The open architecture throughout the property makes the rainforest feel like a collaborator rather than just a backdrop. On-site, there are spring water dipping pools, a Rainforest Spa, and a Latin cuisine menu with a vibrant, locally-driven approach to gastronomy. The team also offers curated Cultural Food Journeys — a detail that separates Amor Arenal from the crowd and signals something genuine: this property actually cares about the place it's in.

It's adult-friendly (guests must be 13+), which keeps the energy intentional. Two consecutive Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice "Best of the Best" awards don't hurt either.

The vibe: Romantic, immersive, and architecturally bold. For the traveler who wants the rainforest to feel like a luxury.Book at: amorarenal.com

‍

‍