The best gay-friendly hotels in Costa Rica have a welcoming environment and amenities for the LGBTQ community. Colors Oasis Resort is one of the top options. It’s not only gay-owned and operated but also primarily known as the premier gay hotel in Costa Rica.
If you’re looking for gay hotels in CR, you may have heard that Manuel Antonio is the ideal destination for LGBTQ people in the country. But the truth is that there are some perfect options in other areas.
Having spent half a decade travelling in and out of Costa Rica and mixing with gay locals, I’ve realized that only a few hotel establishments are reserved for LBTQ people here. Hotel staff are generally happy to have your business, no matter how you identify.
Still, you’d want to choose a hotel that meets LGBTQ needs and provides a safe and perfect environment. This is why I have gathered and reviewed ten of the best options in Costa Rica. You will learn the pros and cons of each hotel, their facilities, the cost per night, and other relevant information to help you make a good decision for your stay.
Key Takeaways
- The best gay hotels in Costa Rica are all-inclusive —Colors Oasis Resort
- The best gay hotel near a beach in Costa Rica is the Tango Mar Beachfront Hotel
- gay hotel in Costa Rica mixed with straight people — Villa Roca Hotel Manuel Antonio.
- best hotel in Costa Rica for gay couples — Casa Chameleon Las Catalinas
- best luxurious gay hotel — Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa
- best budget-friendly gay hotel in Costa Rica — Chayote Lodge
- Eco-friendly gay hotel in Costa Rica: Origins Lodge and Gaia Luxury Boutique Hotel and Reserve.
- If you need a gay hotel in the mountains, consider Hotel El Establo and Tiki Villas.
Full Review of the Best Gay Hotels in Costa Rica
You can keep reading to learn about each of these gay hotels and the kind of experience you can expect to get when you lodge there as a gay traveller in Costa Rica.
1. Colors Oasis Resort
- Address: El Triangulo, Boulevard Rorhmoser Rorhmoser, San José, 11109, Costa Rica
- Contact: +506 4033 9352
- Ideal for: Gay travellers who want to stay within a resort and have access to all-inclusive.
- Rating: 4/5 on Tripadvisor
Many gay travellers who have stayed at the Colors Oasis Resort praise the management and reception.
I recommend this hotel if you’re staying in San Jose and looking for an all-inclusive resort, either as a solo or gay couple.
With costs starting from $70 per night, the Colors Oasis Hotel offers an outdoor pool and an a la carte restaurant. Rooms here have their own wardrobe and a cable TV. There is also a private bathroom with a toilet and spa bath. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout.
What I like about this hotel
- A 3rd-floor sundeck with views of the city and mountains
- Pool-side bar with fresh pina coladas and other tropical drinks
- There are plenty of rocking chairs, nooks, and open-air verandas for getting to know other LGBTQ guests.
- They included a hot breakfast and free 24-hour coffee.
What I don’t like about this hotel
- The property could use some updates, but the outdated theme adds to its charm.
- You will need to take a taxi or Uber to restaurants, which is about a 20-minute ride downtown.
2. Tango Mar Beachfront Hotel
- Address: Quizales Beach, Tambor 76773, Provincia de Puntarenas, Paquera, 60105, Costa Rica
- Contact: +506 2683 0001
- Ideal for: Access to the beachfront, the Pacific coast, and other gay bars on the beach from your hotel.
- Rating: 4.5/5 on Tripadvisor
It’s not enough to just lodge at a hotel in Costa Rica that has good reception for gays. It’s better if the hotel is amidst lush tropical gardens and overlooks the beach. If you agree, the Tango Mar beachfront hotel should be your best pick.
It has 45 rooms, and it provides personal, friendly, relaxed, and attentive service to gay guests as well. You may find straight guests here as well, but the hotel is a popular option for LGBTQ travellers in Costa Rica.
PRO TIP:
- You’ll need Waze to get to the hotel (about a 45-minute drive).
- The sign indicating the hotel turnoff is small and easy to miss.
- You don’t need a 4×4 vehicle; the road is mostly fine until the last 2 kilometres, where it becomes rougher.
Expect to pay between $175 and $210 per night or more to stay at Tango Mar beachfront hotel.
The hotel has a golf course, tennis courts, swimming pools, stables with horses, two restaurants and bars, a meeting room, a spa, an organic garden, and natural trails.
What I like about this hotel
- Beachfront rooms are literally right on the beach.
- Up to 3 pools and lovely pool areas.
- You can even book a snorkeling or boat trip to Tortuga Island through the extensive breakfast choices.
- It’s a great area with hammocks on the beach.
What I don’t like about this hotel
- It’s a secluded hotel, so not having a car is a bad situation.
- The driveway from the main road is about a kilometre.
- The pool closes at 5:00 or 6:00
- There is no casual option for dinner
- The water is quite rough with crashing waves, but the undertow is not too bad.
3. Villa Roca Hotel Manuel Antonio
- Address: CR3W+9G8 4 km Carretera al Parque Nacional, Provincia de Puntarenas, Quepos, Costa Rica
- Contact: +506 2777 1349
- Ideal for: Gay travellers who don’t mind staying in a hotel mixed with straight people but still a welcoming environment.
- Rating: 4.5/5 on Tripadvisor
Villa Roca Hotel, with a price starting from $203 per night, is 3 km from Manuel Antonio National Park. It’s eco-friendly and adults-only.
Sadly, the hotel is no longer exclusively for LGBT people as it used to be in the past. The buzz is no longer there. But it’s still a welcoming environment for gay travellers in Costa Rica.
What I loved most about this hotel is how lush rainforests, home to monkeys, iguanas, and vibrant birds, surround it.
What I like about this hotel
- Excellent service.
- As a gay single traveller, it’s easier here to make new friends
- The breakfast is filling and satisfying.
- The staff can help arrange trips, tours, etc., to see the various wildlife in the area.
- For what they offer, the prices are comparable to those of other resorts in Manuel Antonio.
What I don’t like about this hotel
- It’s not as gay-oriented as before but still welcoming. Expect to see female couples and a straight couple swimming naked in the pool.
4. Casa Chameleon, Las Catalinas
- Address: Playa Danta, Potrero, Provincia de Guanacaste, Las Catalinas, Costa Rica
- Contact: +506 2103 1200
- Ideal for: Romantic environment and somewhat luxurious for gay couples, especially to spend a honeymoon.
- Rating: 5/5 on Tripadvisor
If you’re a gay couple staying in the Guanacaste area of Costa Rica and willing to splurge on accommodation, perhaps for a honeymoon, look no further than Casa Chameleon Hotel at Las Catalinas.
They have 21 private villas with the most spectacular views of the Guanacaste coast and personal saltwater infinity plunge pools.
Your private patio and eternity plunge pool (with waterfall) will be so romantic, and you can wake up to the sound of the ocean, birds, and howler monkeys.
Staying at Casa Chameleon Las Catalinas costs $895 per night.
What I like about this hotel
- Beautiful view
- Las Catalinas is a gorgeous little beach spot.
What I don’t like about this hotel
- It’s expensive
- It is a little isolated (aside from the little town of Las Catalinas, you need a car/taxi to get around.)
- Not a lot to do around
5. Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa
- Address: Noreste de Centro de la Fortuna de San Carlos, 13 Km, Provincia de Alajuela, Nuevo Arenal, Costa Rica
- Contact: +1 855-822-2266
- Ideal for: Those who have the money to splurge on a super luxurious gay hotel in Costa Rica.
- Rating: 5/5 on Tripadvisor
Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa is one of the most expensive resorts in Costa Rica, but it is amicable for gay travellers. If you have the money to splurge, you can come here.
It costs around $530 per night for starters, which may appear cheap compared to other gay resorts. But when you consider that most of the facilities are paid for to use in the resort itself, that’s when you realize it’s indeed a luxury destination.
They have hot springs, a spa, and luxurious rooms.
What I like about this hotel
- Overall landscaping and physical condition/surroundings
- The view over the main pool of the Arenal volcano is breathtaking!
- Included breakfast buffet
- Hot Springs at adjacent property
- Safe for gay travellers.
What I don’t like about this hotel
- There is no patio or balcony in the room.
- Lack of things to do on the property. You have to take a shuttle to the hot springs or spa.
6. Chayote Lodge
- Address: Llano Bonito 141, Provincia de Alajuela, Naranjo, Costa Rica
- Contact: +506 4001 6923
- Ideal for: Gay travellers in Costa Rica on a tight budget.
- Rating: 5/5 on Tripadvisor
The accommodation at Chayote Lodge is 1600 m above sea level. Each room has substantial patio windows and a balcony overlooking San Jose, the Central Valley, and four volcanoes beyond.
You have great views here, but ultimately, the cost is cheap, making it ideal for gay travelers on a tight budget.
Even with the low cost, the rooms are spacious, well-equipped, and warm enough despite the cool mountain temperatures.
The lodge menu isn’t extensive, but all of the food we had was superb quality.
You can even go on a tour with Jose to a local coffee plantation, have lunch at Naranjo market, and visit the Botanical Gardens (a plant & birding extravaganza).
There’s nothing really extra about this option. Still, it remains an excellent base for gay travellers to spend two nights in the coffee plantations immediately after arriving in San Jose.
What I like about this hotel
- Cheap
- The property is beautiful — perched on a hillside with stunning views down the valley.
- Each unit is spacious, attractive, and spotless
- A unique hanging balcony with great views
What I don’t like about this hotel
- None so far
7. Origins Lodge
- Address: 200 South From Pueblo Nuevo School Pueblo Nuevo, Canalete, Provincia de Alajuela, Upala, Costa Rica
- Contact: +506 4001 5356
- Ideal for: Gay travelers in Costa Rica who value eco-friendly efforts of hotel establishments and a green environment.
- Rating: 5/5 on Tripadvisor
Origins Lodge is a small lodge in the Alajuela area with all the luxuries and incredible views. The best part is the hospitality, especially for gay couples.
You will love the wood-fired private hot tub on the balcony, which is a complete indulgence every day.
The property is in the middle of the mountains in Upala, Alajuela, overlooking the lake and volcanoes of Nicaragua. So it’s a super-eco-friendly environment. In addition to hotel stays, they offer horse rides and wildlife-seeing tours.
8. Gaia Luxury Boutique Hotel and Reserve
- Address: Manuel Antonio Km. 2.7, Provincia de Puntarenas, Quepos, Costa Rica
- Contact: +506 2777-9797
- Ideal for: Gay travelers in Costa Rica who value eco-friendliness, a green and lush environment, and access to wildlife during their stay.
- Website
- Rating: 5/5 on Tripadvisor
Gaia in Manuel Antonio Beach is also surrounded by rainforest and wildlife.
The luxury hotel, with a cost starting from $265 per night, has a luxury spa, gym, pool, and one-day tours.
During your stay, you may even learn about the Gaia Scarlet Macaw Project and witness the re-introduction of these glorious birds back in Manuel Antonio.
You will feel comfortable here as a gay couple and won’t experience any negativity. During my visit, there were perhaps a few more gay guests, but it didn’t feel specifically gay.
What I like about this hotel
- It’s not a gay hotel, but exceptionally gay-friendly and unique for a honeymoon.
- Beautiful, lush forest is right on the property, with a private guided tour included
- Huge rooms
- Nice pool
- Very timely shuttle service
What I don’t like about this hotel
- Restaurant menus are limited
- The hotel is not close to many other food options, though there are restaurants at the beach, accessible by shuttle.
9. Hotel El Establo
- Address: Puntarenas Province, Monteverde, Costa Rica
- Contact: +506 2645 5110
- Ideal for: Gay travelers in Costa Rica who prefer to stay in hotels in hilly areas, which provide hiking opportunities.
- Rating: 3.5/5 on Tripadvisor
Costing from $180 per night, Hotel El Establo in Monteverde also has a good reception for gay travellers.
You will love this hotel if you want an accommodation option on the mountain that allows you to experience trails and all that stuff.
It has a fantastic view, heated indoor pools, a spa, restaurants, café-bars, and special events centre.
You will also find souvenir shops, tennis courts, basketball courts, mini-soccer courts, and hiking trails.
The hotel offers canopy tours to guests for a fee as well.
What I like about this hotel
- It is a good location because it’s just a 10-minute drive to Monteverde Cloud Forest.
- There are lots of restaurants nearby
- Clean, spacious rooms
- Fast shuttle service (dial 0# to reserve.)
- Pretty grounds and cute animals
What I don’t like about this hotel
- There is not much to do onsite if it rains, which it often does
- The desk closes at 10 pm. It would have been better if it had been 24 hours.
10. Tiki Villas
- Address: 12 km South of Dominical, Provincia de Puntarenas, Dominical, 60504, Costa Rica
- Contact: +506 4070 9207
- Ideal for: Gay travellers in Costa Rica who prefer to stay in hotels in hilly areas, which provide hiking opportunities.
- Rating: 5/5 on Tripadvisor
If, as a gay traveller in Costa Rica, all you need is a hotel that allows you a jungle and beach getaway, TikiVillas is the perfect option. Expect to pay $271 per night in this beachfront hotel.
It’s a “Balinese Style” Eco Lodge that receives many gay guests, even though it’s not categorically an LGBTQ-oriented hotel.
What I like about this hotel
- Beautiful views from the balcony & pool
- Breakfast is a steal at $7 per person. It includes a fresh fruit platter, coffee, juice, and the choice of a complete breakfast with cooked-to-order eggs.
- The location is a short, easy drive off the main highway.
What I don’t like about this hotel
- The hotel’s massage staff are third parties, so the hotel takes no responsibility if something goes awry.
To create more fun memories with your gay friends you should also consider checking out our round up of gay friendly beaches in Costa Rica.
Final Verdict
It will be difficult to select just one hotel as the best gay-friendly among all the recommendations I’ve provided in this post.
This is because each is unique in its own way. Ultimately, you’ll have to choose which suits your budget and the kind of environment or facilities you wish to enjoy during your stay.
But if you ask me, as long as the hotel provides a safe environment for whatever you identify with, a beautiful setting and view, a beauty salon or spa, natural decoration, fine cuisine, romantic suites, your concierge, and is within your budget, it’s perfect.
This is why Colors Oasis Resort ultimately remains my favorite in terms of LGBTQ-oriented accommodation options in the whole of Costa Rica.
I do hope you find this guide helpful.
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!
