/
8.8

574 reviews

Azul Hotel & Retreat

Azul Hotel & Retreat

Playa Azul, Santa Cruz , Playa Azul, 63732, Costa Rica

Choose dates to view prices

Free parking

Restaurant

Beachfront

Private beach area

Outdoor swimming pool

Kids' pool

Free wifi

Room service

Azul Hotel & Retreat

Welcome to the delightful Azul Hotel & Retreat, a five-star gem nestled on the stunning shores of Playa Azul, Santa Cruz! Just a short 0.8mi from the bustling city center, this tropical paradise offers the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure for every traveler. Whether you're sipping a coconut by the beachfront or enjoying the panoramic views from your balcony, every moment here feels like a vacation postcard come to life. With prices starting at a budget-friendly rate, your dream getaway in Costa Rica is more accessible than ever!

You'll feel pampered with a plethora of luxurious amenities that cater to your every whim. Dive into the sparkling outdoor swimming pool, indulge in a soothing spa treatment (available for extra charges), or take a stroll along the pristine private beach area. Feeling adventurous? Snorkeling, horseback riding, and a variety of water sports are just waiting for you to dive into! Kids can splash and play in their own dedicated pool, while parents can unwind with room service or enjoy refreshing drinks at the on-site bar. And don’t worry about staying connected – we've got complimentary Wi-Fi to keep you in touch with friends back home.

With 574 glowing reviews, guests rave about their experiences at Azul Hotel & Retreat. The attentive staff, breathtaking location, and gorgeous garden views make this a top choice for both relaxation and exploration. Plus, with convenient on-site parking and easy access to tours, you can craft your perfect Costa Rican adventure without any hassle. So pack your bags and get ready for a vacation filled with sun, sand, and unforgettable memories – your tropical haven awaits!

After a sun-soaked day exploring the beautiful surroundings, you can indulge your taste buds at one of Azul Hotel & Retreat's exquisite dining options. At BLUE47, there's something for everyone! Its delightful ambiance makes it the ideal spot for a family meal or a romantic dinner for two. Savor the international and Latin American cuisine while surrounded by lush tropical decor that transports you right to the heart of paradise. If you’re in the mood for casual dining with a scenic view, head over to SEASIDE, where the friendly atmosphere complements the delicious offerings. Here, you can sip on a refreshing drink while gazing at the mesmerizing ocean waves – the perfect way to unwind!

For those seeking adventure beyond relaxation by the pool, the world is your oyster! The Azul Hotel & Retreat serves as a gateway to a plethora of thrilling excursions, including snorkeling and horseback riding. Picture yourself gliding through vibrant coral reefs, surrounded by a kaleidoscope of tropical fish, or exploring the lush jungles on horseback while soaking up the mesmerizing scenery. With such an abundance of activities at your fingertips, you'll be hard-pressed to run out of things to do during your stay! Ensure you keep your camera ready to capture the unforgettable moments of your Costa Rican escapade.

And when the day winds down, you'll appreciate the peaceful ambiance that adds a magical touch to your evenings. Whether you're watching the sunset from the infinity pool reserved solely for adults or enjoying the laughter of children having fun in their dedicated pool, there’s a sense of joy that makes every moment special. With all this at your disposal, Azul Hotel & Retreat is more than a place to stay; it’s a dreamy retreat where blissful memories are waiting to be created. So grab your sunglasses and let the vibrant spirit of Costa Rica envelop you – your extraordinary adventure begins here!

Closest airports

Nosara Airport

8.8mi

Tamarindo Airport

18.4mi

Punta Islita Airport

29.5mi

Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport

39.9mi

Tambor Airport

55mi

Most popular amenities

Free parking

Restaurant

Beachfront

Private beach area

Outdoor swimming pool

Kids' pool

Free wifi

Room service

Fitness center

Streaming service (like Netflix)

Beach

Air conditioning

Bar

Sun deck

Tour desk

Parking On Site

Terrace

Non-smoking rooms

Wheelchair accessible

Beach chairs/Loungers

Garden view

Garden

Extra long beds (> 6.5 ft)

Free toiletries

Balcony

Rooms

Ocean View Villa in Azul Hotel & Retreat

Show 9 photos

Villa, Ocean View

1 King Size Bed

2 Sofa Beds

1505 sqft

Garden view

Private Bathroom

Balcony

Terrace

x4

+

More details

Show 20 photos

Superior, King Size, Ocean View, Sofa, Terrace

1 King Size Bed

1 Sofa Bed

Terrace

More details

Superior Garden View in Azul Hotel & Retreat

Show 6 photos

Superior, King Size, Garden View

1 King Size Bed

755 sqft

Garden view

Private Bathroom

Balcony

Terrace

x3

+

More details

Superior Ocean View in Azul Hotel & Retreat

Show 6 photos

Superior, Ocean View

1 King Size Bed

755 sqft

Private Bathroom

Balcony

Terrace

Minibar

x3

+

More details

Garden Deluxe in Azul Hotel & Retreat

Show 5 photos

Deluxe, Garden View

1 Queen Size Bed

270 sqft

Garden view

Private Bathroom

Balcony

Minibar

+

More details

Superior Double Bed Garden View in Azul Hotel & Retreat

Show 5 photos

Superior, 2 Double Beds, Garden View

2 Double Beds

755 sqft

Garden view

Private Bathroom

Balcony

Terrace

x4

+

More details

Garden Premium in Azul Hotel & Retreat

Show 3 photos

Premium, King Size, Garden View

1 King Size Bed

755 sqft

Garden view

Private Bathroom

Balcony

Terrace

x3

+

More details

Show 17 photos

Superior, Garden View

More details

Show 15 photos

Junior Suite, Garden View

More details

Show 26 photos

Luxury Villa, 1 Bedroom

More details

Superior, King Size, Ocean View, Sofa, Balcony

1 King Size Bed

1 Sofa Bed

Balcony

More details

Premier, Sea View

More details

Guest reviews

8.8

574 reviews

Categories of assessments

Cleanliness

Comfort

Location

Facilities

Staff

Value for money

WiFi quality

Breakfast

Featured reviews:

🇺🇸

Billy

9.1

February 2023

Eat more ceviche! The rooms are great, the restaurant is good, and the pool is clean and in good condition. Best of all was the ocean view from our room (upstairs, on the south side). The photos on the website and the travel apps are very representative.

Reminder to travelers who haven't been in the boonies of Central America - the highway from Junquillal is mostly dirt and gravel. Put up with it, or find another place. The hotel infrastructure is showing its age, and needs some attention: broken sidewalks, inoperable ceiling fans in public areas. Room bathroom has sewer smells occasionally. Room wifi is spotty at best; public area wifi is good. Claro has little coverage here; use Kobli instead.

🇨🇷

Irene

9.1

May 2023

Beach front location, great installations and service. Amazing gardens and lots of lounging options. It’s the perfect place to relax if you’re not looking to go anywhere. Dinner and breakfast are really good

The road needs improvement. Pool bar needs more staff

🇨🇷

Jose

8.2

December 2024

I enjoyed every meal. The staff was very accommodating when I asked for small changes based on my diet and preferences. The hotel occupation was low and that allowed the staff to be extra attentive and obliging. Everyone was in a great mood, considering the region had been impacted by major weather events over the two weeks prior to my stay. They recommended local activities, such as volunteering to protect the olive ridley sea turtles that were hatching in Ostional, and tour options nearby. I did go to Ostional and highly recommend the experience.

Pricing! All the minibar items are unreasonably expensive. In addition, the snacks options are not great (too small, junk food, etc.).

🇺🇸

Andrea

10

April 2023

Hotel Azul Ocean Club is like an oasis! The villas are beautiful, comfortable and well equipped. The black sand beach is stunning and feels private with very few people. The staff is friendly and helpful. The food is excellent! The pool is beautiful.

The ONLY thing not great about this hotel are the roads to get there. This hotel is ideal for people paradise I recommend stopping at a market to get everything you need as you won’t want to venture back out once you check in.

🇨🇦

Wendy

8.2

February 2023

The staff was exceptional. they were very friendly and accommodating. our room was wonderful with a living room, outdoor and indoor shower, hammock on the deck, and a partial ocean view. It was exactly as pictured on the website. The food was also incredible and competitively priced. We stayed for 6 days and every meal was delicious.

The road to the property is incredibly rough- gravel roads pitted and bumpy.

🇨🇦

Maddy

9.1

January 2024

Loved the room, the view, the hotel amenities and the lovely friendly staff. There were lots of games, including table tennis, pool large chess, weekly yoga and massage available. It was a fabulous location once you got there❤️

We did not love the food prices or most of the food choices/ taste. Fortunately we were able to find some fantastic local restaurants close by. We also did not like the unfinished roads with some huge potholes going on for about 20/30 mins to get to the hotel. However the hotel was really lovely as stated above.

🇨🇷

Chris

8.2

May 2024

Staff was really nice, always willing to assist, makes us feel comfortable at any moment :) The rooms were very large and quite spacious, a really comfortable bed and I loved the balcony with beautiful beach view and a large hammock perfect for a nap. The food is delicious, pretty tasty!!Best part is that it is prepared instantly by a talented chef. Amazing Clean Pool, cozy wet Bar!

If you guys are Nationals (Ticos) be prepared to pay $7 for one single beer and if you are Cuba lover you’ll pay $12 for a small glass drink. The shower was broken and hot water never came out. The AC is right above the bed and hits directly to your face all night. It seems that they like to mow the grass every day at any hour!! that noise is annoying for those who are in the pool and for those who are resting. The beach is not as it is shown in the photos, this is a black sand beach and quite dangerous due to the sea currents.

🇺🇸

Sharon

9.1

March 2023

We booked the full Villa which was very comfortable. The pool was clean and perfect temperature although could use some tile repair. Restaurant was really good - staff warm & friendly. Beach great for walking. Some mention of rip tides although we didn't see any indication.

It is quite a long (1 1/2 hr) drive from Liberia airport and the last third on bumpy sometimes dusty gravel roads. There are no other restaurants or stores within walking distance so we did not leave the resort as we had not rented a car. Ride to/from the Liberia airport to the hotel is about $160 USD one way. We wanted a quiet, uncrowded relaxing experience and this was just right for us.

🇸🇰

Porfirio

10

January 2025

Hotel Azul is definitely worth the trip to Playa Azul for its excellet amenities and gastronomy. To make the experience even better, we visited Playa San Juanillo featuring two calm bays separated by a narrow strip of sand. The crystal-clear waters and serene ambiance make it a perfect spot for swimming and snorkeling.

🇺🇸

Jeremy

10

February 2023

absolutely gorgeous beachfront, swim up bars, pools, beautiful grounds, friendly staff,modern gym, private beach, great food and great chill music by the pool to go along with delicious pina coladas.

NA

Points of Interest Around Azul Hotel & Retreat

Airports

Nosara Airport

8.8mi

Tamarindo Airport

18.4mi

Punta Islita Airport

29.5mi

Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport

39.9mi

Tambor Airport

55mi

Restaurants

BLUE47

Cuisines

  • International
  • Latin American

Ambiances

  • Family Friendly
  • Traditional
  • Modern
  • Romantic

SEASIDE

Cuisines

  • International
  • Latin American

Ambiances

  • Family Friendly
  • Traditional
  • Modern

Pools

Location

  • Outdoor

Features

  • Infinity
  • Shallow end
  • With plunge

Age restrictions

  • Adults only

Availability

  • All season

Location

  • Outdoor

Features

  • Infinity
  • Shallow end
  • With plunge

Age restrictions

  • Kids only

Availability

  • All season

Amenities of Azul Hotel & Retreat

Free parking

Restaurant

Beachfront

Private beach area

Outdoor swimming pool

Kids' pool

Free wifi

Room service

Fitness center

Streaming service (like Netflix)

Beach

Air conditioning

Bar

Sun deck

Tour desk

Parking On Site

Terrace

Non-smoking rooms

Wheelchair accessible

Beach chairs/Loungers

Garden view

Garden

Extra long beds (> 6.5 ft)

Free toiletries

Balcony

Stay rules - Azul Hotel & Retreat

  • Check-in / Check-out

  • Pets

  • Internet

  • Age restrictions

  • Curfew

  • Parking

  • Children and beds

  • Cards accepted at this property