The 10 Biggest Hotel and Resort Developments in Costa Rica (2025–2030)

Introduction

Costa Rica’s tourism industry is entering a new development cycle marked by ultra-luxury resorts, branded residences, and strategic infrastructure projects. International hospitality brands including Marriott, Hilton, and Ritz-Carlton are expanding their presence, particularly in Guanacaste’s Papagayo corridor, which is emerging as Central America’s premier luxury resort destination.

At the same time, infrastructure projects such as the Moxy by Marriott SJO Airport are strengthening gateway facilities for the country’s primary international entry point. The following ranking highlights the 10 most significant hotel and resort developments expected between 2025 and 2030, based on investment scale, brand strength, number of rooms or residences, and overall tourism impact.

1. Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

Project Overview

Project Name: Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Hotel Brand: Ritz-Carlton Reserve (Marriott International)
Developer: Gencom & Mohari Hospitality
Location: Peninsula Papagayo
Province: Guanacaste
Tourism Region: Guanacaste

Property Type: Ultra-luxury resort and branded residences

Key Facts

• 107 hotel rooms and suites

• 36 branded residences

• Estimated investment exceeding $130 million

• Opened in 2025

Location Context

Nearest Airport: Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR)
Distance: ~35 km / 40 minutes

Peninsula Papagayo is Costa Rica’s most established luxury tourism enclave, hosting Four Seasons and Andaz resorts.

Tourism Market Impact

The Ritz-Carlton Reserve brand operates only a handful of properties worldwide, positioning Nekajui among the most exclusive resorts in the Americas.

Transportation & Accessibility Analysis

Travelers typically arrive via Liberia International Airport, followed by private transfer or helicopter service to Papagayo.

Strategic Tourism Insight

This project strengthens Costa Rica’s strategy of high-value, low-density tourism, targeting ultra-high-net-worth travelers.

2. St. Regis Papagayo Resort & Residences

Project Overview

Project Name: St. Regis Papagayo
Hotel Brand: St. Regis (Marriott International)
Developer: Solana PA / Peninsula Papagayo development partners
Location: Gulf of Papagayo
Province: Guanacaste
Tourism Region: Guanacaste

Property Type: Luxury resort and branded residences

Key Facts

• Approximately 120 hotel rooms

• Around 140 branded residences

• Opening expected around 2027

Location Context

Nearest Airport: Liberia International Airport (LIR)
Distance: ~45 minutes

Tourism Market Impact

St. Regis adds another top-tier luxury brand to the Papagayo corridor, attracting wealthy second-home buyers and luxury travelers.

Transportation & Accessibility Analysis

Accessibility is strong due to Liberia Airport’s direct flights from the United States and Canada.

Strategic Tourism Insight

Papagayo continues evolving into a luxury resort cluster similar to Los Cabos or Punta Mita.

3. Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique

Project Overview

Project Name: Waldorf Astoria Punta Cacique
Hotel Brand: Waldorf Astoria (Hilton)
Developer: Revolution Places
Location: Punta Cacique
Province: Guanacaste
Tourism Region: Guanacaste

Property Type: Luxury resort

Key Facts

• Approximately 150 hotel rooms and suites

• Additional luxury residences

• Opening expected mid-2020s

Location Context

Nearest Airport: Liberia International Airport (LIR)
Distance: ~25 km / 30 minutes

Tourism Market Impact

The arrival of Waldorf Astoria reflects growing global investor confidence in Costa Rica’s luxury market.

Transportation & Accessibility Analysis

Punta Cacique benefits from proximity to Liberia Airport and major Guanacaste beach destinations.

Strategic Tourism Insight

The project expands the luxury tourism corridor beyond Papagayo toward Playa Hermosa and Playas del Coco.

4. Moxy by Marriott SJO Airport

Project Overview

Project Name: Moxy SJO Airport
Hotel Brand: Moxy Hotels (Marriott International)
Developer: EXPANDD Development
Location: Juan Santamaría International Airport
Province: Alajuela
Tourism Region: Central Valley

Property Type: Airport lifestyle hotel

Key Facts

• 170+ rooms

• Approximately $20 million investment

• Construction starting 2026

• Opening expected 2027

Location Context

Nearest Airport: Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)
Distance: Located directly at the airport

Tourism Market Impact

The hotel will become Central America’s first airport-connected hotel, improving traveler convenience.

Transportation & Accessibility Analysis

Guests will reach the hotel via pedestrian bridge from the terminal, eliminating airport transfers.

Strategic Tourism Insight

The development strengthens Costa Rica’s aviation gateway infrastructure.

5. One&Only Papagayo (Proposed)

Project Overview

Hotel Brand: One&Only Resorts
Location: Peninsula Papagayo area
Tourism Region: Guanacaste

Property Type: Ultra-luxury resort

Tourism Market Impact

If completed, One&Only would place Costa Rica among elite global luxury resort destinations, competing with destinations like the Maldives and Dubai.

6. Six Senses Papagayo (Planned)

Project Overview

Hotel Brand: Six Senses (IHG Hotels & Resorts)
Location: Papagayo area
Tourism Region: Guanacaste

Property Type: Eco-luxury wellness resort

Tourism Market Impact

Six Senses focuses on sustainable luxury and wellness tourism, a segment that aligns strongly with Costa Rica’s eco-tourism brand.

7. Four Seasons Resort Papagayo Expansion

Project Overview

Hotel Brand: Four Seasons
Location: Peninsula Papagayo
Tourism Region: Guanacaste

Property Type: Resort expansion and luxury residences

Tourism Market Impact

The expansion reinforces Papagayo’s role as Costa Rica’s flagship luxury resort destination.

8. Auberge Resorts Collection Residences Papagayo

Project Overview

Brand: Auberge Resorts Collection
Location: Peninsula Papagayo

Property Type: Luxury residences and boutique hospitality

Tourism Market Impact

The project targets ultra-luxury residential tourism buyers.

9. Santa Teresa Luxury Resort Developments

Project Overview

Location: Santa Teresa
Province: Puntarenas
Tourism Region: Nicoya Peninsula

Property Type: Boutique luxury hotels

Tourism Market Impact

Santa Teresa continues to attract luxury boutique investors and international digital nomads.

10. Caribbean Coast Boutique Resorts (Puerto Viejo)

Project Overview

Location: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Province: Limón
Tourism Region: Caribbean

Property Type: Eco-boutique resorts

Tourism Market Impact

The Caribbean coast is seeing gradual growth in sustainable tourism development.

Emerging Tourism Development Hotspots

Based on current investment trends, Costa Rica’s next major tourism growth zones are:

1. Papagayo–Cacique Coast (Guanacaste)
Ultra-luxury resorts and branded residences.

2. Santa Teresa (Nicoya Peninsula)
Boutique luxury hotels and digital-nomad tourism.

3. Central Valley Gateway (SJO Airport)
Airport hotels and business travel infrastructure.

4. Caribbean Coast (Limón)
Eco-tourism and sustainable boutique developments.

Strategic Tourism Insight

Costa Rica’s tourism development pattern shows a dual-market strategy:

• Luxury coastal resorts generating high visitor spending

• Gateway infrastructure and boutique eco-hotels supporting broader tourism distribution

The concentration of global luxury brands in Guanacaste suggests the region will likely remain Central America’s leading luxury tourism corridor through 2030.