🏨 Where Should You Stay in San José, Costa Rica?

A guide to areas of the Central Valley

One of the questions we get from guests all the time is:

“Where should we stay in San José?”

And honestly… that’s a pretty big question! 😄

There are literally thousands of accommodation options in and around San José — from large international hotels to tiny boutique hotels, vacation rentals, Airbnbs, and everything in between.

One thing that can be confusing for first-time visitors is that the airport is not actually in the city of San José. The Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) is located in Alajuela, a suburb/city just outside San José.

San José itself is about 17 km from the airport, and the drive can take around 20–30 minutes under normal conditions, but traffic, accidents, rain, events, and time of day can make that considerably longer.

So, where should you stay?

That really depends on how much time you have and what you want to do while you're in the Central Valley.

This blog post is specifically about the Hilton family of hotels in the area. There are many other wonderful places to stay — and personally, when we travel, I usually prefer smaller hotels like La Ponderosa! 😉

But during the pandemic, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and the Hilton Honors points program and its benefits worked particularly well for me during my many trips to the Central Valley. I ended up staying at several of their properties and discovered that I liked each one for very different reasons. Also a friend who works for Hilton added me to his Friends & Family list, a special employee benefit that gives employees and their friends access to discounted stays when participating hotels choose to offer them—usually on lower-occupancy dates. It’s a really nice benefit for Hilton employees, whether they’re taking a vacation, or just planning a little staycation close to home. 🏨So, here is my very personal take on the Hilton options in and around San José. AKA the Central Valley, the GAM (the greater metropolitan area), Chepe (a common nickname for a person named José) or simply LA CAPITAL (the capital city of Costa Rica).

✈️ Hampton by Hilton — Airport Hotel

Best for: Late arrivals & early departures

If you're arriving late at night or leaving very early in the morning, this is probably the simplest option.

You won't really see much of the Central Valley from here — you'll mostly just see the highway and airport  — but you'll get a comfortable room, a shower, some food, and a good night's sleep in one of these 150 rooms..

And this is not your grandma's Hampton Inn! 😆

The hotel has been updated as Hampton by Hilton, and it is very convenient for airport travelers.

👍 Why I like it:

• ✈️ Only about 1.5 km from the airport
• 🚐 Airport shuttle runs about every 15 minutes
• 🚗 Several rental car companies have pickup locations nearby
• 🍳 A 24-hour Denny's is in the same tourist complex, so you won't go hungry even if your flight is delayed
• ⏰ Under normal conditions, it's only about 5–10 minutes to the airport

My take: This is a practical airport hotel. If you're arriving at 11:00 p.m. and leaving at 6:00 a.m., don't overthink it — get some sleep and start your Costa Rican adventure the next morning! 🌴

🛍️ Hilton Garden Inn Alajuela — City Mall

Best for: Airport convenience + a little something to do

This Hilton Garden Inn is also in Alajuela, close to the airport, about the same size as Hampton and has an airport shuttle.

What makes this one interesting is that the hotel is connected to City Mall by a pedestrian bridge.

If you have a little time to kill but don't have enough time for actual sightseeing, this can be a nice option.

🛍️ The mall is useful for:

• Restaurants
• A large food court
• Snack kiosks
• Shopping
• A movie theater
• Walking around and getting some "steps" in

And during Costa Rica's rainy season, when the afternoon rain decides to make an appearance ☔, having a huge indoor mall connected to your hotel can be surprisingly handy.

The hotel itself is brand new as of 2025.

📍 Location

• 3.5 km from the airport
• Usually 10 minutes or less to the airport
• Farther from downtown San José than the hotels in Cariari or La Sabana

My take: If you have a little time but don't really have time to explore San José, this is a convenient way to stay near the airport without just sitting in an airport hotel room the whole night.

🌴 DoubleTree by Hilton — Cariari

Best for: Feeling like you're still on vacation

This one is different from the more modern city hotels.

The DoubleTree is an older property, and architecturally it feels more like a tropical resort than a modern city hotel.

It also has the most rooms of the Hilton family properties in this area, with over 200 guest rooms and suites.

And there are plenty of things to do without leaving the property:

🏊 Large pool area
🍹 Outdoor palapa restaurant & bar
🎱 Pool table
🎰 Casino
💆 Spa
🏋️ Gym
🎁 Souvenir shop
🔥 Hot tub

And I have to mention the hot tub!

It is actually HOT. 😂

I don't know why it is so difficult to find a hotel or resort that keeps its hot tub hot, but this is the hottest one I've found in the Central Valley. It's open until 9:00 p.m.

⭐ Executive Lounge

Diamond members and guests staying in executive-level rooms can use the executive lounge.

There is a little happy hour from 6:00–8:00 p.m., with liquor, beer, wine and a snack.

During the day the lounge is open with coffee, soft drinks, fruit and chips available.

You can also have breakfast there in a smaller, quiet, air-conditioned setting. Personally, I kind of prefer the big outdoor palapa restaurant by the pool for breakfast, but it's nice to have options!

📍 Location

The hotel is in Cariari, part of Belén, Heredia.

• About 7 km from the airport
• Around 15 minutes from the airpot, under normal conditions
• About 14 km from downtown, San José or 11 km from La Sabana, San José

One thing I particularly like about Cariari is the microclimate. The Central Valley has lots of little microclimates, and Cariari tends to have daytime temperatures in the 80s°F, which makes the pool much more enjoyable.

It still feels a little like you're on vacation rather than just staying in the city. 🌴

🚶 What's nearby?

There is a residential neighborhood and country club golf course behind the hotel where you can get out for a nice walk.

There are also two small shopping centers basically next door, with:

• 🍽️ Restaurants
• 💇 Hair salon
• 💊 Pharmacy
• 🛒 Fresh Market grocery store

Fresh Market also has plenty of grab-and-go prepared food, which can be really convenient.

Across the highway is an indoor mall and a bowling alley, and about a mile away is EPA, Costa Rica's version of something like Home Depot or Lowe's.

A couple of practical things:

• Rooms do not have mini-fridges as standard, but you can request one.
• There are ice machines and cold purified water dispensers in the halls.
• They keep a book trade library in the lobby by the sitting area and little pond/ garden area.
• Room service is available 24 hours at this hotel. Uber Eats is available in the GAM (not 24 hrs.).
• The airport shuttle runs once per hour.
• It's also close enough to the airport that taking an Uber or taxi is easy and not expensive.

My take: If you want to be near the airport but still feel like you're staying at a resort, this is one of my favorite options.

🏡 Homewood Suites by Hilton — Cariari

Best for: Longer stays & people who LIKE a kitchen

This 9 floor building is the new kid on the block with 169 suites, opening in 2026.

Homewood Suites is designed primarily as a long-stay hotel, so the rooms are more like little apartments than traditional hotel rooms.

Every room has a kitchen and a sofa.

There are co-working areas in the lobby 💻, and just off to one side is a sun deck and pool area ☀️🏊‍♀️ that connects to an outdoor game room with foosball, air hockey, and other table games 🎯.

The gym 🏋️‍♀️ is on another floor and is actually pretty well equipped. If you don't see what you need, you can also use the gym over at the DoubleTree — you'll just need a wristband from the Homewood front desk and a keycard from the DoubleTree front desk. (More on this below 👇)

Personally, we never actually cooked anything in the kitchen 😂 — but after a long day of running errands, we ordered Uber Eats and absolutely loved having the little kitchen area to sit and eat. Having a table, real plates, glasses, and forks made takeout feel almost civilized… instead of balancing a container of food on the bed! 😆Room options include:

• Studio rooms or One-bedroom apartments
• Two beds or a king

There is also a guest laundry room, which could be incredibly useful if you're traveling around Costa Rica and need to wash clothes before continuing on to your next destination.

🍷 Wednesday evening social

If you're staying here on a Wednesday, they have an evening social with snacks and beer/wine.

After a long day, I can easily call that dinner. 😂

🏊 And here's the really cool part...

Homewood Suites is owned by the same owners as the DoubleTree and is right next door.

Guests can get a wristband and use many of the DoubleTree facilities, including:

• 🏊 Pool & Hot tub
• 💆 Spa & Gym
• 🍹 Bar & Restaurant
• 🎰 Casino
• 🎁 Gift shop

📍 Location

Same general location as the DoubleTree:

• About 7 km from the airport, Approximately 15 minutes under, normal conditions, Longer during peak traffic or special events
• See the DoubleTree section above for more information about the Cariari neighborhood and things you can walk to.

My take: If you're staying several nights, or simply like having your own kitchen and laundry facilities, this is a different experience from a traditional hotel.

🌳 Hilton Garden Inn San José — La Sabana

Best for: Exploring San José while staying near a huge city park

Now we're actually getting into San José proper.

This Hilton Garden Inn is located in La Sabana, one of my favorite areas of the city.

It's about:

• 📍 15 km from the airport
• 🚗 Approximately 30 minutes under normal conditions
• ⏰ Potentially much longer when traffic, accidents, events, or other incidents happen

The hotel is in a building with restaurants on the ground floor, and there are additional restaurants and a small Fresh Market grocery store directly across the street.

You enter the building and take the elevator up to the hotel lobby.

The rooms are cozy, and there are just over 100 rooms and there are some corner rooms with balconies as well as suites.

There is also a pool, although the temperatures in this part of San José are generally in the 70s°F, so personally, I find the pool most enjoyable around midday.

The hotel restaurant, Garden Grille, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the bar/lounge offers evening cocktails.

🌿 La Sabana Park

The big attraction here is La Sabana Metropolitan Park, often called the “lungs of San José.”

This huge 72-hectare green space has:

• 🌳 Wide open grassy areas
• 🚶 Walking paths
• ⚽ Sports courts and fields
• 🏞️ A lake
• 🐕 Lots of locals walking dogs
• 🏃 Joggers and people exercising

The Costa Rican National Stadium sits on the western edge of the park and hosts major soccer matches, concerts, and festivals.

On the eastern side of the park you'll find the Museum of Costa Rican Art, located inside the striking neocolonial building that originally served as the city's airport terminal in the 1950s.

The surrounding neighborhoods are a mix of modern high-rise buildings, condominiums, offices, restaurants, and homes.

Around La Sabana

• Rohrmoser — west of the park; a quieter district known for embassies and residential areas.
• Sabana Norte — north of the park; more apartments and offices.
• Sabana Sur — south of the park; more homes and local businesses.
• Paseo Colón — directly east of the park; a major commercial avenue connecting La Sabana with downtown San José.

My take: This is a good choice if you actually want to experience San José, rather than simply staying near the airport.

🏙️ Hilton San José — La Sabana

Best for: Modern luxury + National Stadium views

This is the only "Hilton" among the properties.

And it's hard to miss.

The hotel is directly across from the National Stadium, some rooms have stadium views and the lobby has a view of the stadium.

The glass building is currently Costa Rica's tallest building. The hotel occupies floors 17-31 and has around 130 rooms and suites.

When you enter, you're greeted by modern sculpture and doormen, and then you take the elevator up to the hotel's "SKY LOBBY"..

The hotel has a beautiful view from the indoor pool and gym on the 31st floor.

The rooms are mostly minimalist modern, some have balconies and suite options.

⭐ Executive Lounge

Diamond members and guests staying in executive-level rooms have access to the executive lounge.

There's a happy hour from 6:00–8:00 p.m., with a whole spread of tasty appetizers and treats, liquor options, beer, wine, sodas in glass bottles and coffee. Also, juice, coffee and snacks are available throughout the day.

The hotel restaurant serves a big buffet breakfast, room service, lunch, and dinner, and the bar offers evening cocktails. I've seen live music in the bar area too.

📍 Location

Like the Hilton Garden Inn, this hotel is about:

• 15 km from the airport
• Around 30 minutes under normal conditions
• Potentially longer depending on traffic, accidents, events, etc.

See the La Sabana section above for more information about the neighborhood.

My take: If you like modern hotels, high-rise views, and being right across from the National Stadium, this one definitely feels different from the other Hilton properties in the area. And if you can snag a room here and tickets to an event at the stadium, it can make for a really special night—you can walk right across the street, enjoy the event, and then head back to your room without battling traffic or worrying about where you're going to park. That alone can make the hotel worth it on a big event night! 😊

🏛️ Gran Hotel — Curio Collection by Hilton

Best for: History, architecture & downtown San José

Now we're downtown!

The Gran Hotel is housed in a 1930s building that has been beautifully updated with contemporary interiors.

It is a historical-architectural monument of Costa Rica, and the location is right on the Avenida Central pedestrian boulevard.

The hotel underwent a major two-year renovation and reopened in 2018.

As part of the renovation, the number of rooms was reduced from 107 to 79, allowing the historic architecture to be combined with modern five-star amenities.

📍 Location, location, location

This is downtown San José, right in the middle of the city's cultural, historical, and architectural center.

Nearby you'll find:

• 🏛️ National Theatre
• 🏺 Gold Museum
• ☕ Cafés
• 🛍️ Shops
• 🏙️ Plaza de la Cultura

Some rooms and areas of the hotel have views of the National Theatre, which was built in 1897 and financed in part through a tax on coffee exports.

The theatre's architecture was inspired by grand European opera houses and is one of Costa Rica's most famous historic buildings.

⭐ A little hotel history

The Gran Hotel has hosted numerous international dignitaries, politicians, and celebrities, including:

• John F. Kennedy
• Harry S. Truman
• Jimmy Carter
• John Wayne
• Cantinflas
• Pelé

They even have some of the original suite furniture from JFK's suite is on display.

The hotel is also known for its rooftop dining space and piano bar, Cultura 5 Restaurant & Bar, with panoramic views over downtown San José.

And I have to mention the breakfast!

They have a huge breakfast buffet for a hotel of this size, with lots of choices. I really enjoyed it.

📍 Airport

Approximately 18 km from the airport, or around 30 minutes under normal conditions — but, as always in the Central Valley, traffic can change that considerably.

My take: If your idea of Costa Rica includes history, architecture, museums, cafés, and being right in the middle of the action, this is the hotel on this list that puts you most directly into the historic heart of San José. TIP: If you like this one, and you’re ever in Chicago, stay at Palmer House. If you’re ever in Kansas City, stay at Hotel Phillips.

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🌆 Hilton Garden Inn — Santa Ana

Best for: Santa Ana, Escazú & the western suburbs

This hotel is located just off Highway 27, the toll road that connects the capital with Costa Rica's Central Pacific coast.

It's inside the City Place complex, which has:

• 🍽️ Restaurants
• 🍸 Bars
• 🛍️ Shops
• 🎬 Studio Cinemas movie theaters

A short drive or Uber ride will take you to places such as:

• ⛳ Valle del Sol Golf Course
• 🛍️ Multiplaza Escazú
• 🍽️ Santa Ana Town Center
• 🌆 Avenida Escazú
• 🏥 CIMA Hospital
• Other parts of Santa Ana and Escazú

🌴 The hotel

The rooms are clean and simple, and some suites have a small kitchenette area with a microwave.

The pool deck is especially pleasant because Santa Ana tends to have temperatures in the low 80s°F, and there are some nice views of the surrounding hills.

💻 Hilton Honors tip

You'll see Hilton Garden advertising free Wi-Fi for Honors members.

It doesn't cost anything to become a Hilton Honors member, so if you're staying, it's worth creating an account and booking directly rather than through a third-party booking site.

📍 Airport

About 12 km from the airport, approximately 30 minutes under normal conditions, although traffic can make the trip considerably longer.

My take: This is a good option if your plans revolve around Santa Ana, Escazú, shopping, restaurants, or Highway 27 rather than downtown San José.

🌄 Alta Las palomas — Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Escazú

Best for: Boutique-hotel atmosphere & views

This one is a little different.

The Alta Hotel is part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection and can be booked through Hilton.

We actually stayed here before it became part of the SLH collection.

It's located high up on the Carretera Vieja in Escazú, but less than 4 km up the hill from Hilton Garden Inn Santa Ana (see more on that area above in that hotel's description).

❤️ Why I like it

It does not feel like a cookie-cutter hotel.

It's modern and comfortable, but still has a distinctly Central American architectural style, with handcrafted furnishings and plenty of character.

The rooms have private balconies, which was one of the main reasons we chose to stay there. We very much enjoyed, every day of our stay, the room service breakfast on the balcony in our PJs.

There is also a restaurant and bar, LA LUZ, onsite that is lovely for a special dinner.

Because of its elevation, evenings can also get a little chilly.

This can be nice if you have someone to snuggle. ❤️ .

📍 Airport

About 15 km from the airport, roughly 30 minutes under normal conditions, depending on traffic.

My take: If you prefer a smaller, more intimate hotel then this one has just over 20 rooms. If you are looking for a place with character, balconies, a boutique feel and a different kind of experience then this one might be for you.

🗺️ So… Where Should You Stay?

To summarize there isn't one single “San José hotel area.”

The Central Valley is spread out, and where you stay can make a big difference depending on your plans.

✈️ Just need a bed near the airport?

HAMPTON BY HILTON SAN JOSE AIRPORT

🛍️ Want to be near the airport + have a mall to explore?

Hilton Garden Inn San Jose Airport City Mall

🌴 Want to feel like you're still on vacation?

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cariari San Jose - Costa Rica

🏡 Staying several nights or want a kitchen?

Homewood Suites by Hilton Cariari San Jose

🌳 Want a city neighborhood + huge park?

Hilton San Jose La Sabana

🏙️ Want a modern high-rise with stadium views?

Hilton San Jose La Sabana

🏛️ Want historic downtown San José?

Gran Hotel Costa Rica, Curio Collection by Hilton

🌆 Spending time in Santa Ana or Escazú?

Hilton Garden Inn Santa Ana San Jose

🌄 Want something smaller and more boutique?

Alta Las Palomas, an SLH Hotel

And remember: traffic matters! 🚗💨

A hotel that looks “only 15 km away” on a map can take considerably longer during rush hour, in heavy rain, or when there is an accident or major event.

That's one of the reasons I recommend choosing your hotel based not just on the airport distance, but on what you're actually planning to do while you're here.

After all, Costa Rica has a lot more to offer than the airport and a hotel room. 😉🌴

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p.s.🌺 THE NEW 2026 HOTEL I HAVEN’T EXPERIENCED YET

Montara Hotel, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

This one is brand new for 2026, so I haven't personally stayed here yet — but it definitely looks interesting enough to put on the list!

📍 About 20 km from SJO Airport, this hotel is located in Heredia, not San José.

According to Hilton, the hotel offers panoramic views, a full-service spa, a heated indoor pool, and two signature restaurants inspired by Costa Rica's rich flavors. 🌴🍽️

🌺 A Little About Heredia

Heredia is known as “The City of Flowers” — Ciudad de las Flores — thanks to its pretty parks, gardens, and lush surroundings.

A few other things that make Heredia interesting:

☕ Coffee Country
The rich volcanic soil around Heredia is ideal for growing coffee, and the surrounding area is part of Costa Rica's famous coffee-growing region. ☕ The Britt Coffee Tour is in Heredia, and I went once with my mom. Even if you're not usually a “tour person,” I think this one is really cool—it’s fun, interesting, and gives you a chance to experience a little bit of Costa Rica’s famous coffee culture. 🇨🇷☕

🏰 El Fortín
Right in the middle of the city is El Fortín, the distinctive brick defense tower built in 1876. It's one of Heredia's most recognizable landmarks.

🎓 Education
Heredia is home to the National University of Costa Rica (UNA), so there is a large student population and a lively university atmosphere.

💻 Business & Tech
Heredia has also become an important business and technology hub, with modern office parks, multinational companies, and technology centers bringing a lot of jobs and activity to the area.

🤔 My take — so far...

I haven't stayed here yet, so I can't give you my usual review! 😂 But if you're looking for something new, upscale, and a little different from the traditional San José hotel options, this MONTARA hotel with just under 100 rooms could be worth considering — especially if you want to explore Heredia and the northern part of the Central Valley.. It is less than 20 minutes from my gynecologist office so I might be checking it out soon! 😉