YES—there are several all-inclusives in Costa Rica, but I’ll ONLY tell you about them with one caveat:

That you’ll explore some traditional hotel options, too. ;)

Most people, when they think of “all-inclusive resorts,” think “crème de la crème,” but here are four reasons why you might want to consider a little bit of both:

Costa Rica is not dangerous. It's not a place where you can't "leave the resort." (Like when we went to Jamaica and were advised not to.) It's not a place where you have to shut yourself inside a very large, flamingo-themed cement wall. It's like a tropical Vermont—minus the maple syrup! This is a place where you absolutely should rent a car and bomb around and enjoy the world: it’s great for exploring on your own. In fact, that’s one of the best parts of visiting Costa Rica! When you come here, the entire country is the experience. From the landscape to the lookout points to the monkeys to the toucans to the towns to the people to the food to the tiny little sodas you should stop and eat at, along your journey—and so much more.
Costa Rica is a world-class tourist destination, which means that some of the best hotels in some of the most magnificent locations aren’t all-inclusive.
The all-inclusives are all huddled only in one specific location in the country, in the north west area of Guanacaste/Papagayo…and while it’s gorgeous up there, you’re missing out on A LOT of what makes Costa Rica, well…Costa Rica. For example, monkeys are in the south. Sloths are in the south. Rainforest beaches are in the south. The north west region, in contrast, is dry & arid, with wide-open plains, so you’ll be missing out on much of the cool Central American jungle vibe.
Furthermore, the Guanacaste/Papagayo region where the all-inclusives are located is a decent distance from anything else, so once you’re up there, you’re looking at a good 6-hour drive down toward the south. (That said, you can also take a domestic flight with Sansa.)

Okay so all that said, where ARE the all-inclusives located?!?!

A map, Dear Watson!

This is the Guanacaste/Papagayo region, also known for Tamarindo Beach. It’s in the north west region of Costa Rica, on the Pacific side.

There are several all-inclusives here now, most of which are relatively new since this isn’t a thing Costa Rica was known for!

So you can have your pick—just promise me you’ll get off the resort as well. ❤️ There might not be any maple syrup, but there’s definitely the adventure of a lifetime waiting for you on the other side.

Plus, who needs maple syrup when they’re sugar cane? I MEAN…