Costa Rica Shines in Travel + Leisure Awards 2026
Costa Rica Dominates Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2026
Updated August 28, 2026
Costa Rica delivered one of the strongest performances in Travel + Leisure’s 2026 World’s Best Awards, taking the top three positions in the Central America resort category and placing three properties among the 100 best hotels in the world.
The results highlight Costa Rica’s growing international reputation for luxury hospitality, nature-based experiences, wellness travel and distinctive destinations ranging from the Arenal Volcano region to Monteverde and Guanacaste.
Quick Answer
Costa Rica took the top three places in Travel + Leisure’s 2026 ranking of the best resorts in Central America. Nayara Tented Camp ranked first, Hotel Belmar second and Nayara Gardens third. All three also appeared in the global Top 100 hotels, giving Costa Rica significant international recognition across Arenal and Monteverde.
Key Facts
Travel + Leisure published its 2026 World’s Best Awards in July 2026.
Nayara Tented Camp ranked No. 1 among resorts in Central America.
Hotel Belmar in Monteverde ranked No. 2.
Nayara Gardens in the Arenal region ranked No. 3.
Nayara Tented Camp ranked No. 28 among the world’s Top 100 hotels.
Hotel Belmar ranked No. 33 worldwide.
Nayara Gardens ranked No. 97 worldwide.
Costa Rican properties also received recognition in the international wellness retreat category.
Costa Rica Takes the Top Three Resort Positions in Central America
Costa Rica’s strongest result came in Travel + Leisure’s ranking of the best resorts in Central America.
Nayara Tented Camp, located in the Arenal Volcano region, secured the No. 1 position. Hotel Belmar in Monteverde ranked second, while Nayara Gardens, also in the Arenal area, finished third.
The result gives Costa Rica complete control of the top three positions while highlighting two very different tourism regions.
Arenal is known for rainforest, volcano views, hot springs and adventure activities, while Monteverde is one of Costa Rica’s best-known cloud forest destinations.
Travelers planning stays in these regions can explore transportation options through the La Fortuna route hub and Monteverde route hub.
Three Costa Rica Hotels Reach the World’s Top 100
Costa Rica’s success extended beyond the regional rankings.
Nayara Tented Camp reached No. 28 in Travel + Leisure’s ranking of the world’s Top 100 hotels, while Hotel Belmar placed No. 33 and Nayara Gardens entered the list at No. 97.
Having three properties represented in the global ranking reinforces Costa Rica’s ability to compete internationally across different hospitality styles.
The recognition is also geographically significant. Two of the properties are located around Arenal, while Hotel Belmar represents Monteverde and Costa Rica’s cloud forest tourism experience.
Arenal Emerges as a Major Award-Winning Destination
The Arenal Volcano region was particularly prominent in the 2026 awards.
Nayara Tented Camp and Nayara Gardens both reached the top three in Central America and also entered the global Top 100.
The region combines upscale accommodation with rainforest landscapes, hot springs, wildlife, volcano views and outdoor activities, making it one of Costa Rica’s most established inland tourism destinations.
Travelers arriving through Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), commonly called San José Airport, or Guanacaste Airport (LIR), commonly called Liberia Airport, generally continue to Arenal by road.
Visitors can compare nationwide options through private transportation in Costa Rica.
Monteverde Gains Global Recognition
Hotel Belmar’s No. 2 regional ranking and No. 33 position worldwide give Monteverde another major international tourism distinction.
Monteverde offers a different travel experience from Costa Rica’s beach and volcano destinations. The area is known for cloud forest reserves, biodiversity, cooler mountain temperatures and nature-focused tourism.
Its location also makes transportation planning important, particularly for travelers combining Monteverde with Arenal, Guanacaste or the Central Pacific.
The Monteverde transportation route hub provides options for travelers planning connections to and from the region.
Wellness Recognition Expands Costa Rica’s Success
Costa Rica also received recognition in Travel + Leisure’s international wellness retreat category.
Surf Synergy in Jacó and Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa in the Arenal area both appeared among the recognized international wellness properties.
Their inclusion broadens Costa Rica’s 2026 awards performance beyond traditional luxury resorts.
Surf, thermal waters, rainforest environments, outdoor activities and nature-focused accommodation have become important parts of Costa Rica’s wellness tourism offering.
Guanacaste Resorts Also Earn Recognition
Costa Rica’s Pacific coast was also represented in Travel + Leisure’s Central America resort rankings.
Recognized properties included resorts in areas such as the Papagayo Peninsula and Reserva Conchal, reinforcing Guanacaste’s position as one of the country’s principal luxury beach destinations.
Guanacaste Airport (LIR), commonly called Liberia Airport, is the most convenient international gateway for many of these properties.
Travelers arriving in northern Costa Rica can review the Liberia Airport transportation route hub when planning airport transfers and onward transportation.
What the Awards Mean for Costa Rica Travelers
Travel + Leisure’s 2026 results illustrate how Costa Rica’s leading hotel experiences are distributed across several distinct tourism regions rather than concentrated in one destination.
Travelers can combine Arenal, Monteverde and Guanacaste into a multi-destination itinerary, but road distances and mountain terrain make advance transportation planning important.
The likely transportation effect is increased interest in point-to-point transfers connecting award-winning resorts with airports and other tourism regions.
Visitors planning a multi-stop vacation can also review the Costa Rica Travel Planning Guide 2026 before organizing their itinerary.
FAQs
Which Costa Rica resort ranked No. 1 in Central America in 2026?
Nayara Tented Camp in the Arenal Volcano region ranked No. 1 among resorts in Central America in Travel + Leisure’s 2026 World’s Best Awards. The property also reached No. 28 in the publication’s ranking of the world’s Top 100 hotels.
Which Costa Rica hotels made the global Top 100?
Three Costa Rican properties entered Travel + Leisure’s 2026 global Top 100 hotels: Nayara Tented Camp at No. 28, Hotel Belmar in Monteverde at No. 33 and Nayara Gardens in the Arenal Volcano region at No. 97.
Which Costa Rica destinations performed best in the awards?
Arenal delivered the strongest concentration of recognition, with Nayara Tented Camp and Nayara Gardens both reaching the regional top three and global Top 100. Monteverde also performed strongly through Hotel Belmar, while Guanacaste properties appeared throughout the Central America resort ranking.
Did Costa Rica receive wellness travel recognition?
Yes. Surf Synergy in Jacó and Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa in the Arenal region were recognized in Travel + Leisure’s international wellness retreat category, adding wellness tourism to Costa Rica’s broader 2026 awards performance.
How can travelers reach Costa Rica’s award-winning destinations?
Most travelers reach Arenal, Monteverde and Guanacaste by road after arriving at San José Airport or Guanacaste Airport. The best arrival airport depends on the itinerary, and visitors combining several destinations should plan transportation and realistic travel times in advance.
Conclusion
Costa Rica’s performance in Travel + Leisure’s 2026 World’s Best Awards extends across luxury resorts, cloud forest hotels, wellness retreats and Pacific beach destinations.
With the top three resorts in Central America and three properties among the world’s Top 100 hotels, the awards strengthen the international visibility of Arenal, Monteverde and other major Costa Rican tourism regions.
Travelers planning a multi-destination vacation can explore Costa Rica shuttle routes and transportation options before organizing airport transfers and connections between destinations.