The 10 best hotels in Costa Rica for gay travellers

Equally as enchanting is the Casa Chameleon Las Catalinas, a series of villas based on a hill overlooking the Guanacaste coast. Each chic villa comes kitted out for the most romantic of getaways, fronted by shared saltwater infinity pool, fire pits and impressive sunset views. Like many of the all-inclusive resorts Costa Rica has to offer, Casa Chameleon is big on sustainability, using solar energy to heat the pool and conducting monthly beach clean-ups. Rise early for yoga on the elevated yoga deck or opt for an in-room massage before biking to the laidback village of Las Catalinas and kayaking in the bay. However, you choose to spend the day, return to the resort at the sound of the gong for pre-dinner cocktails at the Moroccan-styled restaurant.

An exclusive offering for gay and lesbian travellers is the progressive Hotel Villa Roca, an idyllic spot just outside Quepos. The fact that the hotel caters to the gay community is just one in a million reasons to stay here. Other reasons include the hillside vistas over the Pacific Ocean and a rainforest backdrop primed for wildlife watching and trekking adventures. Complimentary breakfasts are best enjoyed alongside the villa’s panoramic deck, and while a day spent by the pool and hot tub is surely a must, a number of excursions also await. Wander through Quepos Town or take a 3-kilometre road trip out to Manuel Antonio National Park, a site boasting exotic islands and a nature reserve to rival the Galapagos.

Oxygen Jungle Villas is one for the adults-only, offering an intimate jungle-side escape in a tranquil Uvita location. Of the 12 Balinese-style suites here, each comes completely sculpted in glass, making guests feel like they’re sharing their canopy bed with the wild. Wake early to the close sound of howler monkeys, seizing the day with a hiking, whale watching or diving exhibition, followed by a spa treatment or relaxing dip in the infinity pool in the company of Javanese gods and goddesses and ocean views. With more time to explore, rent a 4X4 for surfing in Dominical and snorkelling in Marino Ballena National Park before dining in Ojochal one evening. Those who don’t want to leave the hotel however are in luck, thanks to fusion restaurant 02 which serves up fresh local produce over candlelight, to be washed down with their signature hierbabuena cocktail poolside.

Not just another eco-retreat, Pacuare Lodge stands out for its remote rainforest location, accessed most conveniently by raft (!), near Siquirres 100 kilometres east of San Jose. Guests of Pacuare can throw away their gadgets for the week as the rooms here are electricity-free. Instead, focus your soul with shaman-inspired spa treatments and outdoor adventures such as hiking, ziplining and white-water rafting down the Río Pacuare. Back on home turf, enjoy sightings of toucans, oropendolas and monkeys in the canopies overhead, while the fitness centre, organic restaurant and bar come can keep you amused with minimal carbon footprint, thanks to solar heating, natural spring water and organic produce from the family garden.

Similar to the gay-exclusive Hotel Villa Roca yet closer to urbanity on the border to San Jose within Boulevard Rohrmoser, Colours Oasis Resort caters to queer travellers who want an easy escape into the wild. Just one of two gay-only resorts in Costa Rica, Colours Oasis combines inclusivity with modest luxury, complete with a private terrace sundeck and solar-heated pool. Guests have access to the fitness centre and spa, eating at the on-site restaurant or at a number of other eateries just 5 minutes down the road. Though in reach of all the city’s wonders, you’ll also be in a perfect position for day-tripping in La Sabana Park, visiting beaches, volcanoes and waterfalls in amongst Costa Rica’s fabulous natural surrounds.

Whether you want a resort vacation, wildlife safari, city break, luxury cruise, wellness retreat, honeymoon, once-in-a-lifetime adventure or weekend escape, the trip curation experts at Mr Hudson make travel planning a breeze. Find out how we can handle the finer details of vacationing in style.