Sunfinder Vacations

What to expect: Guests enter a multi-tiered lobby with open-air gardens rising up between elegantly appointed piazzas. There, they are greeted by a hotel concierge and served complimentary cocktails. The hotel is a delight to walk through; lush foliage and sunlight blend with architectural elements to create a relaxed, natural ambience.

Amenity highlights: Doubletree Cariari by Hilton San Jose provides a complimentary shuttle to and from the airport upon advance notice, and a concierge desk, travel agency, and car rental agency are all on site to help with vacation planning. A casino with gaming tables and slot machines is open from afternoon till late. Each morning, the hotel provides a generous complimentary breakfast buffet with tropical fruit, freshly squeezed fruit juices, and a variety of hot dishes.

What to expect: Traditional and contemporary fine arts grace the lobby, halls, and guestrooms of this elegant, resort-style hotel. Wood-carved statues pose on pedestals and colorful canvases command the walls. Many are available for purchase. The hotel attracts families, couples, vacationers, and business travelers--and, with what they bill as the largest convention center in Costa Rica, they attract many conventioneers as well.

Amenity highlights: Three restaurants, a bar with live nightly entertainment, a casino, on-site shops, and a lovely freeform pool with swim-up bar provide ample opportunities for relaxation and fun. Tennis courts, squash courts, and a fitness center with spa tub and saunas offer recreational options, and property-wide wireless Internet access (surcharge) keeps you connected.

What to expect: Located on a 30-acre coffee plantation, Costa Rica Marriott Hotel San Jose combines Colonial-style architecture with resort-style amenities and dedicated service. Within 3 km (2 mi) of San Jose’s International Airport and many major corporate headquarters, the hotel is ideal for business travelers or those wishing to stay outside the city center.

Amenity highlights: The Marriott offers 15 meeting rooms, a staffed business center, and wireless Internet access (surcharge) in public areas. Resort-style amenities include a driving range (surcharge), three tennis courts, and two pools. Dining choices include a fine-dining restaurant featuring gourmet Spanish cuisine and live flamenco music. Scheduled airport shuttle service is complimentary.

This hilltop hotel offers a peaceful sanctuary in the jungle, along with stunning views of Costa Rica's Central Pacific Coast. The panorama is visible from two restaurants, a pool, and a 150-seat Greek amphitheater, complete with classical statuary and Ionic columns. The hotel's staff can also arrange sea kayaking excursions, tours of the rainforest canopy, and eco-treks to local biological reserves and wildlife refuges.

Located on Costa Rica’s scenic Northern Pacific coast, this beachfront resort is surrounded by tropical forests and volcanic cliffs that descend to sand beaches and small coves. The resort is 8 km (5 mi) from Playas del Coco, largest village in the Guanacaste province and home to shopping, dining, and nightlife. The village is also a jumping-off point for sport fishing, scuba diving, and surfing.

Gorgeous ocean vistas, forested hills, and views of manicured golf greens greet guests as they ascend the driveway on their way to reception. The resort’s expansive grounds and range of amenities attract both couples seeking romantic getaways and families who appreciate the many activities available to children. Royal Service suites, for adults only, have their own freshwater pool, while the main pool is open to everybody.

What to expect: The hotel offers resort-style amenities in an urban setting. Guests can dine in two restaurants, receive a massage or beauty treatment in the spa, or try their luck in a casino with table games and video slot machines. International guests appreciate the hotel's currency exchange service and multilingual staff.

Amenity highlights: Guests begin their day with a complimentary breakfast buffet featuring hot dishes, tropical fruit, Costa Rican coffee, and freshly squeezed fruit juices. A two-story health club, billed as one of Central America’s best, has state-of-the-art equipment, and a staffed business center offers secretarial services. Complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport can be arranged with 24-hour advance notice.