An all-inclusive package removes the hustle of worrying about accommodation, transport, meals, and drinks. You can squeeze in some local adventure tours. If you plan on visiting the areas around San Jose, an all-inclusive resort will be the ideal option.
When Tim and I travel on vacation to Costa Rica, we always choose an all-inclusive accommodation package. These resorts are amazing and I enjoy spending time in the spa or the wellness centre. There are few all-inclusive resorts near San Jose airport.
Key Takeaways From This Article
An inclusive resort means that food, drinks, entertainment, several activities, and accommodation are all under one charge. However, I recommend double-checking what the Resort classifies as all-inclusive. I also recommend checking the reviews before booking the all-inclusive Resort. Here are my key takeaways on Costa Rica’s all-inclusive resorts near San Jose.
- Unfortunately, most of the resorts I mentioned in this article do not offer free shuttles to and from the airport. You will usually have to arrange for private shuttles.
- All the resorts have on-site restaurants, with a few having bars. They all have outdoor pools, and The Retreat Resort has a reading room.
- It’s also important to note the activities that all-inclusive resorts offer. Depending on the duration of your vacation, you can make arrangements to visit more tourist attractions.
Best All-Inclusive Resorts Near San Jose Airport
Most all-inclusive resorts are in the suburbs or highlands near San Jose. When searching for the best all-inclusive resort, choose one near many tourist attractions. Check to see if they host trips, as they will be cheaper than for a tour company.
1. Fiesta Resort Central Pacific
The resort is an hour’s drive from San Jose airport. Fiesta Resort is on a vast volcanic sand beach near Palo Verde National Park. Unfortunately, the resort does not offer free shuttles, and if you do not rent a car at the airport, you might have to arrange a private shuttle.
Fiesta Resort Central Pacific has 408 guest rooms and suites. Every room or suite has air conditioning and private balconies with a garden, pool or ocean view. Amenities in the rooms and suites include safety deposit boxes, free Wi-Fi, laundry services and daily housekeeping.
Fiesta Resort has the following facilities:.
- Tennis court and gym
- Heliconia Spa has treatment bungalows and a hydro massage tub. It offers body massages, facials, body wraps, and treatments.
- Tour desk that can plan tours to the various tourist attractions in Costa Rica.
- Five conference rooms: The conference rooms have a seating capacity of 450 people and audio-visual equipment.
- Teens and Kids Club: The Resort arranges supervision for activities for kids between the ages of 4 and 12 and teens club activities for ages 13 to 17.
The all-inclusive package includes meals and drinks at four onsite restaurants and seven bars at the resort. You can enjoy the hot afternoons in any of the four outdoor swimming pools and whirlpools.
2. The Retreat Costa Rica: Wellness Resort & Spa
The Retreat Resort is on top of Crystal Mountain in Atenas, Alajuela Province, 40 minutes from San Jose Airport. The Pacific Ocean and a rainforest surround the resort, which Diana Robo, a health and wellness coach, founded in 2016. Due to this, the resort offers several wellness packages.
The Retreat Costa Rica has 18 rooms, each named after a plant within the resort. Each room has a hot tub and a private bathroom with a waterfall shower. There are no TVs or phones so as not to disturb the tranquility of the surroundings. The resort has two pools, one near the restaurant and the other near the lobby.
The restaurant, Sol Terrace, offers exciting cuisine. The chef determines the meal for the day using fresh ingredients from the onsite garden. Near the restaurant and the pool is a reading room with various books, comfortable seats, and games. You can serve yourself coffee or tea as you read.
The table below shows several activities the Retreat Resort arranges for its guests.
| Activities at/near The Retreat Costa Rica: Wellness Resort & Spa | |
| Yoga classes | Mocktail classes |
| Wellness cooking classes | Surfing in Playa Jaco |
| Tea tastings | Visiting Arenal Volcano |
| A visit to the artisan market | Organic coffee farm tours |
| Nature hikes around the property. | Bird watching |
3. The Best Western Jacó Beach All-Inclusive Resort
Playa Jaco is 90 minutes from San Jose Airport, the closest beach to San Jose. The Best Western Jacó Beach All-Inclusive Resort is at the town center on Pastor Diaz Avenue. Jaco town is along the Pacific Coast in Costa Rica. The Resort offers transfers from the San Jose airport at a fee.
Best Western Jaco Beach Resort has 125 tropically designed and comfortable rooms. The most attractive features are the floor-to-ceiling windows and the beachfront views. Several amenities make the rooms even more comfortable.
- Flat-screen televisions with cable
- Free Wi-Fi
- Private bathrooms with walk-in showers
At the Best Western Jaco Beach Resort, you have three dining options. The El Puerto Restaurant serves meals, and the Lobby and El Muelle Bar serve snacks. The bar offers wines, beer, fruit smoothies, and cocktails. Snacks at the bar include comfort foods such as burgers, hot dogs, and nachos.
Apart from the beach, the Best Western Jaco Beach Resort is near Carara National Park, which is 25 minutes away. Manuel Antonio National Park is a 90-minute drive from the resort. Along Pastor Diaz Avenue, there are several entertainment joints and shops for souvenirs. Playa Hermosa is 5 kilometers south of Jaco Beach and is popular with surfers worldwide.
4.Villas Sol Beach Resort 
It is two hours from San Jose Airport to Villas Sol Beach Resort, near a rainforest, and offers magnificent views of the Gulf of Papagayo. You can choose between a comfortable and spacious room and a villa. Some rooms and villas have private terraces or balconies with partial or full sea views.
The Villas Sol Beach Resort has one onsite restaurant and three bars. Bahía Restaurant serves a Costa Rican breakfast with fresh fruits every morning. The restaurant also offers themed dinner nights. Near the main pool is the Wet Bar for cocktails and drinks, while the Gaviota’s Bar offers the best cocktails.
Tenorio Volcano and Llanos del Cortes Waterfall are some of the tourist attractions near the Villas Sol Beach Resort. You can also go snorkeling and observe marine life at Playa Conchal, Hermosa, Tamarindo, and Brasilito.
Apart from exploring the all-inclusive resorts near San Jose airport, you should also check out the Best San Jose Costa Rica Airport Lounges for a more comfortable and relaxing layover while in San Jose.
Conclusion
I love all-inclusive resorts because there are no hidden costs. You pay everything upfront, and you can enjoy your vacation stress-free. However, I recommend confirming with the Resort what they consider inclusive before booking.
Which of the above-mentioned all-inclusive resorts have you stayed in? Please share your experience.
About Michelle Schmidt
Born in California, Michelle traveled extensively through the USA and Europe before moving to South Florida during the pandemic. Her career in Marketing has taken her all across the world. Her favorite country is France but she'll never turn down a beach vacation!
