Hotels in Costa Rica

Sandwiched between an ocean cove and a forest, the hilltop Punta Islita earns a perfect Location score for its "splendid isolation." Its villas descend toward the beach and alternate between roofs of thatch or red shingle; each room has large windows and local handicrafts. Hotel-run photo safaris frequently spot howler monkeys along with multitudes of bird species. A nine-hole executive golf course was slated to open in December 2006.

47 rooms

Amenities: Beach, Golf, Pool, Spa, Tennis, Water sports