Should I Go All Inclusive OR Experience the Real Costa Rica?

This article aims to clarify common misconceptions about Costa Rica's all-inclusive resorts. While we collaborate with all these resorts and recognize their suitability for certain travelers, our priority is to provide accurate and unbiased information. For most, a trip to Costa Rica is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and our goal is to help you make the right choice from the start.

Should You Choose an All-Inclusive Resort in Costa Rica?

The suitability of an all-inclusive largely depends on your vacation expectations. For those seeking a comfortable room at a well-appointed resort with easy beach access, abundant food, drinks, and pure relaxation, an all-inclusive can be an excellent fit. However, if your desire is to truly explore Costa Rica and understand its allure, further consideration is advised.

Many travelers who initially believe an all-inclusive is right for them often discover otherwise. This realization can be challenging, especially given the strict cancellation policies prevalent at many of these resorts. Let's delve into key factors to help you make an informed decision.

Is an All-Inclusive Resort Safer Than a Non-All-Inclusive Hotel?

Costa Rica distinguishes itself from many other Latin American and Caribbean countries concerning safety. It consistently ranks among the safest nations globally for travelers, holding the top spot in Latin America year after year. For context, Costa Rica ranked 38th out of 163 countries on the Global Peace Index, significantly higher than the United States, which ranked 129th in 2022. While staying at a hotel with security is always prudent, it's unnecessary to limit your travel to an all-inclusive resort solely for safety reasons.

Will You Save Money by Staying at an All-Inclusive Resort?

This is a nuanced yet crucial question. It's important to note that most all-inclusive resorts in Costa Rica serve buffet meals, with à la carte options often requiring upgrades that can add hundreds of dollars to your cost. While most resorts permit one menu dinner per three-night stay at a themed restaurant, securing reservations can be challenging as they often cannot be made until check-in, and space is always limited.

Meal prices in Costa Rica vary depending on your dining choices. A meal at a local "soda" (small, traditional restaurant) can cost as little as $7-$10 for a "casado" (a typical Costa Rican dish of rice, beans, salad, plantains, and meat) with a natural fruit drink. Dining at hotels or resorts, however, typically ranges from $12-$25, excluding premium dishes like lobster, which are generally not found on all-inclusive buffets.

Drink prices are generally more affordable than in the United States. A national beer at a restaurant or bar usually costs between $3-$6. A shot of national liquor is typically $3-$8, and mixed drinks range from $4-$8. Prices may be higher at upscale establishments.

Price Comparison: All-Inclusive vs. Non-All-Inclusive Hotels

All-inclusive resorts in Costa Rica begin at approximately $165 per person per night for a 3-star hotel during the rainy season. Prices increase during the peak season (December-April and June-August), with rates starting around $200 per person per night.

In contrast, the average non-all-inclusive 3-star eco-lodge, hotel, or resort costs around $120-$150 per night (total, not per person) in the low season and $135-$175 in the high season. The vast majority of these include breakfast.

To illustrate, consider a day of dining outside an all-inclusive: an $8 lunch at a local soda, an $18 dinner at your hotel, $8 for a couple of sodas and bottled water, $12 for a few beers, and $12 for a couple of mixed drinks. This totals approximately $58 per adult for food and beverages (about half that for children).

Therefore, staying at a nicer 3-star non-all-inclusive hotel during the high season would cost roughly $75 per person for the hotel and $58 for food and drinks, amounting to approximately $133 per person per night. In the low season, this figure would drop to around $125 per person.

What to Expect from a Costa Rica All-Inclusive Resort

Most all-inclusive resorts are situated in northwest Guanacaste, the driest region of the country, characterized by limited wildlife, no jungles, volcanoes, rafting, or hot springs. While resort websites may feature images of these attractions, accessing them typically requires a 3-4 hour drive. The reason for their inclusion on websites is simple: these are the very experiences most people visit Costa Rica for.

The majority of all-inclusive resorts in Costa Rica are quite isolated. Margaritaville Beach Resort and Barcelo Langosta Resort are exceptions, offering walking access to a nearby town. The Westin Playa Conchal and the W Costa Rica are a 10-minute drive from town, with all other resorts being significantly more secluded.

With one exception, all Costa Rica all-inclusive resorts are multi-national, corporate-owned establishments. If you've stayed at an Occidental, Riu, Westin, Hilton, or Barcelo resort elsewhere, you'll have a clear idea of what to expect. A key differentiator in Costa Rica is maintenance; the tropical climate can rapidly degrade building materials. Large resorts, due to their scale, often undergo complete overhauls every 5-7 years rather than continuous small repairs. If your visit falls towards the end of such a cycle, the resort might appear somewhat worn. Checking recent reviews before booking is always advisable.

Approximately half of the all-inclusive resorts in Costa Rica boast direct beach access. The remaining are built on hillsides, a result of the terrain and strict coastal building regulations. Most hillside resorts provide continuous shuttle services across their property, eliminating the need to walk up hills. Exceptions with flat walks to the beach include Margaritaville Beach Resort, W Costa Rica, Barcelo Langosta Resort, Barcelo Tambor Resort, Westin Playa Conchal, Dreams Resort, Casa Conde del Mar, and the Azura Resort. The Occidental Grand Papagayo, Occidental Allegro Papagayo, Secrets Papagayo, Condovac la Costa, Planet Hollywood, and Villas Sol Resort are all located on hillsides. The Hilton Central Pacific Resort (Puntarenas) offers a flat walk to the beach, but swimming there is not recommended.

Service generally remains consistently good at Margaritaville Beach Resort, the W Costa Rica, and the Westin Playa Conchal. Barcelo Langosta Resort usually delivers good service, though it can sometimes feel overly corporate. Service at other resorts can be inconsistent, making recent reviews a valuable resource.

What's Our Motivation for Sharing This Information?

Paradoxically, our work is simpler and our earnings are higher when clients opt for all-inclusive resorts. Our income is based on wholesale prices, which are a percentage lower than retail. Simply put, the more you spend, the more we earn, and all-inclusive resorts typically cost more.

However, there's a broader perspective. You can experience an all-inclusive resort anywhere in the world. But the authentic Costa Rica experience is unique to this country, and for most, it will be far more rewarding and memorable. Ultimately, if you trust our guidance and choose to explore the real Costa Rica, you're more likely to recommend us to your friends. Beyond business, we genuinely love this country and are passionate about sharing it. Clients who take this leap of faith often become friends, a connection not typically fostered by the cookie-cutter all-inclusive model.

Our Recommendation

If your primary vacation goal is relaxation, dining, sleeping, and drinking, an all-inclusive resort is a suitable choice. However, if you desire to witness and engage with the authentic Costa Rica, an all-inclusive may not be the best fit. For those seeking a blend of adventure and wildlife alongside complete relaxation, combining both options can be an excellent compromise. Many of our clients find this approach highly satisfying.

Stepping outside your comfort zone can often lead to incredible experiences, opening your eyes to possibilities you never imagined. As the renowned Mark Twain wisely penned, "Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."