Costa Rica has become a highly popular vacation destination in Central America. The country is bordered on two sides by the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The majority of the country is covered in tropical rainforests full of wildlife including monkeys and brightly colored birds of numerous species. More people come here on vacation due to the mild climate and array of activities and attractions, including beautiful beaches and popular dive resorts. Water lovers can enjoy some of the best surfing at Playa Negra beach or charter a boat and go deep sea fishing or snorkeling. Adventure seekers love the zip lining through the jungle canopy or hiking along the miles of scenic trails. No matter what you choose to do on your vacation, don’t spend your time cooking and cleaning. Read on to enjoy staying at one of these vacation rentals in Costa Rica with a chef.
Good to know:
The official tourism website of Costa Rica offers great tips for travelers. Check them out if you’re planning to enjoy outdoor adventures and practice responsible tourism while visiting the country. Also, make sure to check the weather forecast before visiting and book tours from authorized travel agencies.
You can download the bus itinerary or rent a car for a smooth experience in the country.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) host status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and access to an in-house chef. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on October 28, 2025.
Your options at a glance
| Vacation Rental | Best Feature | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unique, upscale villa with spa access; Peninsula Papagayo | Daily bartender and butler service | from USD 12115 |
| Beachfront villa with a pool; Puerto Carrillo | Infinity pool with bay views | from USD 840 |
| Casa Royal; Potrero | Waterfront balcony with large dining table | from USD 823 |
| Beachfront villa with pool; Jacó | Beachfront garden | from USD 340 |
| Private retreat with forest views; Puntarenas | Ocean and rainforest views | from USD 175 |
| Beautiful home with pool near the beach; Tamarindo | Indoor-outdoor living area with ocean views | from USD 5160 |
| Beach house with heated outdoor pool; Playa Flamingo | Pool patio with great views | from USD 539 |
| Villa Don Vito; Tamarindo | Pool area with a tropical vibe | from USD 1500 |
| Luxury casa with an infinity pool; Puerto Carrillo | Sunset views from the oceanfront infinity pool | from USD 786 |
| Elegant mansion with pool; Tamarindo | Poolside palapa hut with seating | from USD 1394 |
1. Unique, upscale villa with spa access; Peninsula Papagayo (from USD 71405)
This unique, luxury villa is located on the Papagayo Peninsula. The home is designed in a bow and arrow shape, with the house being the bow and the entry ramp and bridge as the arrow. The home features a living/lounge area, theater and spa room, gym, kitchen, dining room, two studies, six bedrooms, and 10 bathrooms. I’m sure the attention to detail and amenities will astound you. To give you an idea, the master bedroom has it’s own sunken Zen garden with outdoor shower off the ensuite bathroom. During your stay, you have full access to the Four Season golf course, tennis courts, restaurants, and spa facilities.
Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica, Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica
60.5 km (37.6 mi) from Parque Nacional Barra HondaAccommodates: 12
2. Beachfront villa with a pool; Puerto Carrillo (from USD 1345)
Experience the wonders of indoor-outdoor living in this beachfront villa in Costa Rica. Enjoy scrumptious meals with the private chef or request a massage to relax fully. The property offers stunning ocean views with an infinity pool that overlooks the beach for a tranquil swim in the comfort of home. Guests can stay indoors, watch a movie on the 72-inch HDTV, or venture out to the beach for a picnic or an invigorating swim.
It also features a fully equipped kitchen and a dedicated workspace for the remote worker or the vacationing businessperson. Stay fit even on vacation with the exercise equipment available in the villa. If you wish to relax, I’d suggest just lounging around and reading a book on the hammock.
What guests are saying about the chef service:
“…While the scenery was gorgeous, Sonia was the highlight of our trip. As four couples who travel together, we typically enjoy cooking meals while enjoying a glass of wine and the camaraderie. But after that first dinner, we gave up all thoughts of cooking for ourselves and cancelled all tentative reservations to eat out except for one night – and let Sonia spoil us with her wonderful dinners and breakfasts! We even hired Sonia one afternoon to give us a “cooking class” and show us how to make our favorite appetizers…” by Denise (Charlottesville, Virginia)
Puerto Carrillo, Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica
37.43 km (23.3 mi) from Parque Nacional Barra HondaSuperhost
Accommodates: 14
Top guest reviews
Host:
to top it of sonia is the best host everbeautiful villa and land great host and staffthe hosts are a delight and were so accommodating to our needscosta ricans are warm kind and lovely peoplethe daily breakfast prepared by their caretaker and chef sonia we great a great start to each dayLocation:
the location is breathtaking and feels really remoteeasy access super close to the carrillo beachmonkey's birds of every kind and iguana await your visit to this special placethe location is great for all sorts of activities and the house is comfortable and welcominglocation is perfect for those who are looking for some quiet and relax vacationCleanliness:
the house itself is very clean and spaciousmy stay at this property was amazing the house is even more beautiful in person very spacious and cleanRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
the master bedroom has an amazing large balcony which overlooks the poolmost days we just stayed in all day long enjoying the view and the infinity pooldo yourself a favor ask for a sunrise breakfast at least oncewe love the pool we love the ocean view from every whereand the facility is the nicest we’ve seen in costa rica
3. Casa Royal; Potrero (from USD 4821)
As the name suggests, you will feel like royalty in this Airbnb in Costa Rica with a chef, so you don’t have to worry about cooking on vacation! This home in Playa Potrero has the beach a few steps away and also features a beautiful swimming pool. Enjoy the garden and sea view from the private balcony while you have your morning coffee, and let the sound of the waves lull you to sleep at night.
The property also features a fully equipped kitchen, a backyard, and a grill for a fun cookout on a good night.
What guests are saying about the chef service:
“…Also, we absolutely loved the cook, Rita, that was set up for us by the host. Her food was to die for, especially the chicken with mushroom sauce, and her buttery fish (dorado) was the best fish I’ve ever eaten. We loved the gallo pinto and omelettes for breakfast…” by Jen (Colorado Springs, Colorado)
Potrero, Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica
53.19 km (33.1 mi) from Parque Nacional Barra HondaAccommodates: 14
Top guest reviews
Host:
the hosts were very nice and communication was fast and easy on whatsappRead more reviewsLocation:
we were extremely happy with this location and the house itselfwe especially loved the restaurants/markets within walking distance such as hemmingway's and la forketta
4. Beachfront villa with pool; Jacó (from USD 2751)
This party villa with a chef in Costa Rica is located outside one of the most popular tourist towns in Costa Rica, Jaco. The spacious home has six bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, a living/party area, a modern kitchen, and a huge dining area on the front porch that overlooks the ocean. Outside, enjoy the playroom with foosball and ping pong tables located near the pool and barbecue area. Then this beachfront property also has a chef and maid, so you don’t have to worry about cleaning or cooking during your stay. In the lower backyard, there is a long tire swing and both a volleyball and tetherball court. You don’t have to worry about anything but enjoying yourself during your stay.
What guests are saying about the chef service:
“…If you have any thoughts about whether or not to have the chef cook… go for it. Gabriella and her daughter were amazing. Every meal was outstanding!! Kudos to them!!…” by Alicia (Alpha, New Jersey)
Jaco, Provincia de Puntarenas, Costa Rica
102.05 km (63.5 mi) from Parque Nacional Barra HondaAccommodates: 16
Top guest reviews
Host:
gary our host was fantasticgary is a wonderful hostgary is the perfect hostgary and his family were great hostsour host family was greatLocation:
this location is absolutely beautifulthe location was greatthe location of the house is perfectthe location of gary’s house was fantasticwe all loved the place and locationCleanliness:
the house is clean and comfortablealso gary keeps a crystal clear clean pool that we enjoyed dailythe clean and inviting swimming pool was a big hit as was the ping-pong tableshe kept the house very clean and cooked dinner for us three nightsit was clean and comfortable for our large family (14 adults)Read more reviewsAmenities & Room:
fans are available to help move the air in rooms without acespecially the atv tour which was a fan favorite among usthe pool is nice with a grill situated nearbyalso with the three bathrooms we all felt like we had our own space and privacyit's also worth noting that the wi-fi worked great in the house and on the back porch
5. Private retreat with forest views; Puntarenas (from USD 847)
Another Costa Rica rental with a chef, this private villa lies along the coast in the town of Puntarenas. The house sits atop a hill so you have stunning views of the ocean and the rainforest. The villa features a spacious living area, a fully stocked kitchen, including a cook, a dining room, two bedrooms, and two and a half bathrooms. I’d love to make the most of the infinity pool and gazebo with a grill and stove top outdoors. The subdivision where the villa is located gives you access to two private beaches and a private pier for fishing. Along with the maid service and cook, massages, manicures, and pedicures can also be scheduled and done at the villa.
What guests are saying about the chef service:
“…The addition of the newly opened Aroma del Mar restaurant was fantastic! Michael, the chef, was the nicest guy and an amazing cook! We ate there quite a few times and thoroughly enjoyed it…” by Sherie (Saint Charles, Illinois)
Puntarenas, Costa Rica
53.38 km (33.2 mi) from Parque Nacional Barra HondaAccommodates: 4
Top guest reviews
Host:
the staff was super helpfulraj is a great host who communicates quickly and clearlyraj was a good communicator and the local hosts and managers were responsive and welcomingthe staff at roma del mar are super helpful in planning our trip to crstaff at roma del mar are very responsive to any of your needsLocation:
raj’s place is in a beautiful remote locationmy husband & i absolutely loved the location of this houseit is immaculate and the perfect location to get away from it allgreat central location for us we drove to montezuma playa samara monteverde and visited tortuga islandthe house is a gorgeous location looking at the gulf of nicoyaCleanliness:
this place is beautiful and really cleanvery clean safe and you can’t beat the viewthe view is gorgeous the house is clean it is pretty much paradiseRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
the spectacular view fantastic pool and deck area and all the amenities that we needednature is everywhere and breezes were perfect by the poolthe backyard area pool and view are wonderfula great villa with a beautiful view and a private poolbtw great wifi signal (not that you will need it)
6. Beautiful home with pool near the beach; Tamarindo (from USD 5052)
If you’re looking for a Costa Rica villa rental with a chef, then you’ll love this stunning home that is located just a few steps from the beach and the town of Tamarindo. The home features a large living/play area, fully stocked modern kitchen, dining room, five bedrooms, and six bathrooms. Each bedroom has its own bathroom and there is a half bath on the ground floor. Outside is a large terrace with sun loungers and a pool. Enjoy your stay in luxury with a maid and cook included, along with grocery shopping for you, which is an additional fee.
Tamarindo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
52.81 km (32.9 mi) from Parque Nacional Barra HondaAccommodates: 14
7. Beach house with heated outdoor pool; Playa Flamingo (from USD 2017)
Enjoy shared beach access and lovely water views in this beach house. I think the best place to take in the views is the private heated pool located outdoors. The lush greenery all around adds to the beauty of the place.
Inside, a TV with Netflix awaits binge-watchers. You’ll also have a Bluetooth sound system to play your favorite tunes. When hungry, just request the gourmet chef to prepare something delicious for you. Don’t worry, there’s exercise equipment provided to help you shed those extra calories!
What guests are saying about the chef service:
“…We used the private chef for a couple meals and he was THE BEST! He catered to all our food preferences and allergies and both meals we had him cook were amazing…” by Laura (Boise, Idaho)
Playa Flamingo, Provincia de Guanacaste, Costa Rica
54.22 km (33.7 mi) from Parque Nacional Barra HondaAccommodates: 10
Top guest reviews
Host:
also fresia’s travel / activity recommendations were extremely helpfulLocation:
the house is beautiful and about a 10 min walk to the beachits in a great location has an amazing view and is super close to the beachCleanliness:
the house was very clean and well stocked and had everything we could have wantedRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
the pool is super nice and the view from the top deck is unbeatable
8. Romantic getaway castle best for couples; Espíritu Santo (from USD 1950)
The Castle is the ideal romantic getaway for two, or can accommodate large groups for weddings or company retreats. No matter what size group you come with, you still get the full use of the private property and staff. The castle has two multi-room suites, eight bedrooms, a large kitchen with a chef and sous chef, living room, and dining room. Outside, enjoy the covered patio area by the pool and let your private bartender serve you tropical cocktails while you relax.
What guests are saying about the chef service:
“…Ana helped us plan fun activities: rain forest walk, ziplining, crocodile tour, sport fishing (the excellent chef prepared ceviche and filets from the yellow fin tuna we landed), the monkey house, etc., and a dazzling firework display on the Fourth of July…” by Google reviewer, Mark Ostler
Espíritu Santo, Provincia de Puntarenas, Costa Rica
78.49 km (48.8 mi) from Parque Nacional Barra HondaAccommodates: 16
9. Villa Don Vito; Tamarindo
This unique and elegant villa located in Tamarindo is unlike any vacation rental you have seen. Designed by an artist, everything inside is made to make you feel as if you are outside. From the sky and cloud painted ceiling to the painted hibiscus floors, you will be immersed in the beauty of nature without leaving the villa. The home features an entertainment area, dining area, modern kitchen, eight bedrooms, and nine bathrooms. If you do venture outdoors, you will find a covered patio area next to a tropical garden with its own waterfalls and pool. The villa can accommodate up to 21 guests making it ideal for weddings and company retreats.
What guests are saying about the chef service:
“…Breakfasts are prepared by the villa staff, and they are able to make a variety of dishes which are all delicious. (Be sure and book Chef Fabien Mandrea to prepare lunches and dinners - he comes highly recommended by the villa!)…” - by Google reviewer, Rebecca Garland
Villa Don Vito
Address: Avenida Central 10°17'44.9''N I 85°50'13.0''W
52.5 km (32.7 mi) from Parque Nacional Barra Honda
10. Luxury casa with an infinity pool; Puerto Carrillo
Vacation in luxury in this all-inclusive villa with a private chef in Costa Rica. The spacious casa is located in Puerto Carrillo. The house features two identical wings, each containing a master bedroom and a standard bedroom with full bathrooms. You will have a large dining room with a table that seats 12 and a smaller breakfast nook right off the full, modern kitchen. I’m sure you’d want to cook in the spacious kitchen, but if you wish to relax, just request the private chef to whip something up. There are two lounge areas, one of them ideal for watching TV or reading one of the many books. The second features a wet bar with a refrigerator and a wine rack that opens onto the patio and pool area.
What guests are saying about the chef service:
“…Ana and Freddy (staff) are truly professional!! They prepared every meal, and OH can Ana cook!!! In addition to maintaining the property and cooking, Ana knows everybody and everything going on in the area. Preparing for excursions, booking excursions and arranging transportation was taken care of instantly…” by Teddy W.
Puerto Carrillo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
37.23 km (23.2 mi) from Parque Nacional Barra Honda
Top guest reviews
Host:
friendly and professional staffshe is a delightful hostshe was very helpful in recommending activities and attractionsana is very friendly and efficientall the people in town were very friendly and welcomingLocation:
this was a great location for a low-key relaxing vacationhowever we've made an exception in this case because this place is so wonderfulinteresting to walk through the rainforest and learn about butterflies trees bats and termitesCleanliness:
the property is immaculate and the house is sparkly clean and well maintainedfirst off the house was amazing as was the extreme cleanliness of itthe home was clean and well kept with breath taking views as the pictures indicateRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
the kitchen had everything one would need and the air conditioning units kept us all comfortable at nightbreathtaking views fabulous infinity pool comfortable and beautifully appointed roomsthe pool isn’t heated and we didn’t get in it nearly as much as we would have likedhaving the private pool and such an incredible view make this a dream vacationfrom the pool (consistently between 85-88 degrees ) to the rooms to ana and her fabulous cooking and personality
11. Elegant mansion with pool; Tamarindo
Located in the town of Tamarindo, I think this elegant mansion is ideal for weddings, family reunions, or company retreats. The eight-bedroom, ten-bathroom Costa Rica vacation rental encompasses two stories. On the bottom floor is a large communal area with a kitchen, living/lounge space, and a dining room that seats up to 30. The upper floor has the bedrooms, with bathrooms, and another communal living space. Outside in the garden, enjoy the relaxing sun deck and pool. There’s a housekeeper who cleans the property daily and a chef who can prepare your meals daily too. The mansion is located within one of the largest gated communities in the area so you have a golf course, tennis courts, canopy tours, and great surfing spots all within a short distance.
What guests are saying about the chef service:
“…Didier the chef was amazing! Each meal was delicious and he accommodated easily for our gluten free person…” by Eileen B.
Tamarindo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
51.78 km (32.2 mi) from Parque Nacional Barra Honda
Top guest reviews
Host:
eugene and his wife were excellent house managers and very helpfulthey are so kind and professionalrating details:the property manager was very helpfulrating details:the property manager was very helpfulrating details:the property manager was very helpfulLocation:
i was very happy with the locationi was very happy with the locationi was more than happy with the locationthe villa is such a special place for a family vacationCleanliness:
the place was clean and well maintainedthe house was spotless the pool was great and the rooms were cleaned each daythe 8 spacious and comfortable bedrooms included their own bathroom sitting room beach towels bathrobes and mini-refrigeratorRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
wifi was reliable and located in every room and never had a problem connectingvery comfortable for our group of 22
12. Villa Manzu; Peninsula Papagayo
A lovely Costa Rica Airbnb with a chef, this huge estate sits among the lush grounds of the Peninsula Papagayo in Guanacaste Province. I’m sure the 5 beautiful acres (2 hectares), which are covered with fruit trees, gardens, and numerous seating areas, will impress nature lovers. Inside the estate, you will find a large party room with a bar, lounge area with a theater room, full kitchen, eight bedrooms, and 12 bathrooms. Being located on a private peninsula, you also have access to surf boards, kayaks, paddle boards, and fishing equipment. A driver is available to take you to town, if you decide you ever want to leave your own private paradise.
61.01 km (38.0 mi) from Parque Nacional Barra Honda
Vacation in style
When you are on vacation in a paradise-like Costa Rica, don’t spend your time doing mundane tasks. Check out the different islands and best places to visit. Then enjoy relaxing in style while your private staff takes care of the cooking and cleaning. After all, you can do those things when you get home. Don’t forget to browse our list of the best Costa Rica villa rentals with chefs, for a more convenient holiday ahead.
Frequently asked questions about vacation rentals in Costa Rica with a chef
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