10 Top-Rated Hotels in Santa Cruz, Province of Guanacaste

August 14, 2022 Russell Mellin

Santa Cruz sizzles with culture and energy. The historic city is considered an epicenter of Costa Rican folklore, and is a magnet for those interested in experiencing traditional food, music, dance and festivals. The month of July is especially busy with local festivals, and Santa Cruz’s notorious annual rodeo takes place in January.
Restaurants in Santa Cruz

1. Playa Lagarto Eco-Development

1.5 Km Desde Playa Lagarto, Santa Cruz 50301 Costa Rica
Excellent
81%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 16 reviews

Playa Lagarto Eco-Development

Great Job to Jessica and her staff

Reviewed By 3392peek

Our host Guy and Trudy Millette were great, Easy to get in contact with and helpful when we needed them. Jessica and her staff were also great, always available when we needed questions answered. The house is very comfortable with everything we needed to cook or BBQ. We were up in the mountain right in the jungle and had Howler monkeys camp out just adjacent to the patio, funny little creatures to watch but well worth the trip. Although you can get up there in a car, some local folks do, I'd recommend and Guy did a 4X4, makes the ride a bit easier. Thanks Guy, Trudy and Jessica and staff.

2. Hotel y Restaurante El Marino

El Marino Avenida 9, Santa Cruz 50301 Costa Rica
Hotel y Restaurante El Marino

3. Hotel Playa Negra

Playa Negra Paraíso, Santa Cruz 5150 Costa Rica
Excellent
47%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
4%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 176 reviews

Hotel Playa Negra

Finding an ideal quaint hotel in Santa Cruz does not have to be difficult. Welcome to Hotel Playa Negra, a nice option for travelers like you. Rooms at Hotel Playa Negra provide air conditioning, and getting online is easy, with free wifi available. In addition, Hotel Playa Negra offers a pool and an on-site restaurant, which will help make your Santa Cruz trip additionally gratifying. And, as an added convenience, there is free parking available to guests. Travelers looking for a place to eat close to Hotel Playa Negra can head to Chiringuito Playa Callejones (0.9 mi), which is within walking distance. Hotel Playa Negra puts the best of Santa Cruz at your fingertips, making your stay both relaxing and enjoyable.

Lovely beachfront cabanas

Reviewed By ginappsreid

We stayed 4 nights in a suite bungalow. The grounds and location are beautiful and the room is spacious with lots of windows with mosquito netting so we could sleep without a/c. Rooms are a little rundown but bed was comfortable. Service was good - they were very responsive over email before we arrived. Breakfast was nice but would have been nice to have a couple more choices. The restaurant is nice, right on the beach and the staff are friendly. We had the bbq dinner on friday. It was a nice idea but meat was bland and not very good quality. Cant really complain as price was reasonable. Buffet salad bar starter was nice. Also happy hour had a good atmosphere but we could have done with some snacks. Restaurant wasn’t serving food that afternoon and we were starving. It’s a nice place to stay as it’s right on the beach and the beach is great for surfing.

4. Playa Lagarto Eco-Development

1.5 Km Desde Playa Lagarto, Santa Cruz 50301 Costa Rica
Excellent
81%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 16 reviews

Playa Lagarto Eco-Development

Great Job to Jessica and her staff

Reviewed By 3392peek

Our host Guy and Trudy Millette were great, Easy to get in contact with and helpful when we needed them. Jessica and her staff were also great, always available when we needed questions answered. The house is very comfortable with everything we needed to cook or BBQ. We were up in the mountain right in the jungle and had Howler monkeys camp out just adjacent to the patio, funny little creatures to watch but well worth the trip. Although you can get up there in a car, some local folks do, I'd recommend and Guy did a 4X4, makes the ride a bit easier. Thanks Guy, Trudy and Jessica and staff.

5. Hotel Diria

Calle Central, Santa Cruz 50301 Costa Rica
Excellent
67%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
8%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 12 reviews

Hotel Diria

Welcome to Hotel Diriá Located in the heart of Costa Rica's folkloric City, Santa Cruz, whether you are looking for nature, culture, adventure, or a peaceful stay, we are the perfect place for you! Our purpose of rescuing back our culture and our centric location from beaches and national parks, makes Hotel Diriá is the best place to stay for an authentic experience, comfort and pleasant stay.

Basic Hotel 6 style hotel but pools well maintained

Reviewed By billmayes

Don't confuse this Hotel Daria in Santa Cruz with the Hotel Daria in Tamarindo. Santa Crus in not a beach town, and this hotel is on its last legs. It was clean but very basic. Beds no more than functional. We has to ask for towels, there were none in the room. They said the restaurant was open until noon but when we went for breakfast at 10 they said they just closed. Two small bars of soap and not other toiletries, no real problem but priced as a 3 star. Grounds are not maintained. Obviously once was a nice hotel, but now just a place to sleep. The area is good in that you are less than an hour from many beaches. Costa Rica is wonderful, but this hotel is just a place to hang your hat for a night. The staff are very friendly and helpful and they made the stay ok. the pools are nice and well maintained. One is designed for children. 1/2 meter deep throughout and so great for young children. If you need a place for a night, this might work for you.

6. Angeles Ecolodge Hotel & Hacienda

Santa Cruz Hacienda La Norma Río Seco, Santa Cruz 50303 Costa Rica
Excellent
71%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
14%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 21 reviews

Angeles Ecolodge Hotel & Hacienda

Angels Ecolodge is a great lodging option for those who love nature and the beach. Located in the middle of the Tropical Forest in Guanacaste, you can first hand experience meeting all kinds of animals and vegetation and enjoy the beach just a few minutes away. We have 10 comfortable bungalows in harmony with nature and make you feel at peace. Each bungalow has a private bathroom, fridge, air conditioning, a beautiful balcony. We also offer pool, jacuzzi, walking tracks, and a delicious restaurant or a fully equipped kitchen for you to cook your own meals. We are just some minutes driving from Junquillal beach, Playa Negra or Playa Avellanas, we are also 20 minutes away from Tamarindo. You can enjoy many activities in the area like snorkling, surfing, golfing, fishing and much more. Tamarindo area is very well known for its variety of activities, all of which you can enjoy there, and come back to your quiet peaceful bungalow after.

Has a lot of potential but poor execution

Reviewed By Holy_Innocent

As long as you don't mind being about 15+ min. drive away from one of 2 beaches in the area, the setting is quite nice in the forest with 10 cabins spread out along narrow (and somewhat dangerous) raised trail. They have nice birds in a large cage and howling monkeys which you could see fairly close. The swimming pool is nice although it can be hard to find shade at times being fully exposed to the sun. The problem is with the smallish cabins with terrible mattress, NO INTERNET service except in the lobby area, and a fairly far walk between lobby and cabins (and depending which one of course). They did have some nice, soothing music playing from the lobby which trickled through the groomed forested property. It was especially troubling and frustrating on arrival and trying to check-in with a family suite of 2 bedrooms and shared 1 washroom, which was twice the price of a single room cabin, that they wanted to charge more for 4 pax ... but the hotel was empty and no other business ... so why were they arguing and giving us a hard time when we were the only business (especially the defiant mother or grandmother) ... we already paid the price equal to 2 double cabins, but still wanted to charge more for 4 people in a family cabin with only 1 washroom. Made no sense and wasted so much time arguing about what we booked and offers to refund our money. To top it off, even though we arrived BEFORE 2 pm, they already charged the full price to my credit card earlier that day ... even though the web site clearly states no pre-payment required. We wanted to spread the charge over 2 credit cards ... but it was too late. Could have even wanted to pay cash, but too late. They claimed it was their perogative over and over again, even though they advertise differently. If we hadn't showed up by 10 pm, I could understand processing the payment then in case we didn't show up at all. This is not the way to handle tourists and your customers. A real shame. Would never stay again for the unfriendly service, lack of internet and frumpy beds.

7. Rupia Manzu

Calle Rio Verde, Rio Seco Guanacaste, Santa Cruz 50303 Costa Rica
Excellent
75%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 4 reviews

Rupia Manzu

Rupia Manzu is a familiar place near to the most popular surf beaches in Santa Cruz, in the tranquility of Río Seco. We have 3 types of accommodation: room in the house, glamping y camp zone. Bathroom and communal areas are shared. Behind the property passes the Nandamojo river, one of the few in Guanacaste that does not dry in the summer. Come stay with us and enjoy the good vibes and the magic this place offers. Find us on Facebook and Instagram as Rupia Manzu.

Un lugar perfecto para acampar

Reviewed By melsb97

Fuimos a Rupia y nos trataron excelente. Desde el momento de la bienvenida fueron sumamente cálidos. La comida estuvo delicioso y las instalaciones se prestan para acampar en tienda propia o alquilar uno de los glamping del lugar.

8. Hotel Calle de Alcala

Santa Cruz 00011 Costa Rica
Excellent
0%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
42%
Poor
25%
Terrible
8%
Overall Ratings

3 based on 12 reviews

Hotel Calle de Alcala

Hotel Calle de Alcala is an excellent choice for travelers visiting Santa Cruz, offering a budget friendly environment alongside many helpful amenities designed to enhance your stay. Rooms at Hotel Calle de Alcala offer air conditioning providing exceptional comfort and convenience, and guests can go online with free wifi. A 24 hour front desk, room service, and outdoor furniture are some of the conveniences offered at this small hotel. A pool and a poolside bar will also help to make your stay even more special. If you are driving to Hotel Calle de Alcala, free parking is available. Travelers looking for Spanish restaurants can head to Bar La Carreta. Plus, during your trip, don't forget to check out a park, such as Parque Bernabela Ramos. Enjoy your stay in Santa Cruz!

Good hotel, and Santa Cruz a good town, for first stop in Costa Rica before going to your beach condp for the week.

Reviewed By tombridi

Good location, good hospitality, secure parking, clean rooms. Produce market, super Mega groceries and beverages, bakery, local restaurants, bank are all nearby. Pool bar was very comfortable for drinks and snack food.

9. Pura Vista Hills

Las Mesas, 27 de Abril, Santa Cruz 50303 Costa Rica
Pura Vista Hills

10. Playa, Montana & Sol

San Jose de Pinilla, Altos de Pinilla Calle Camaron, Santa Cruz 50301 Costa Rica
Playa, Montana & Sol

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