Best villas in Costa Rica for groups of 10 to 20
Updated: 2 days ago
A group of 10 to 20 people needs more than a beautiful house. The right villa for your retreat has enough separate beds, shared spaces where everyone can eat and gather, and a location that works with the itinerary you have in mind.
In the Costa Retreats villa collection, the strongest options for groups of this size are Compass House, Villa Solreva and El Chante in Tamarindo for 16 to 18 guests, and Carolina del Mar, Villa Marrakech, Alma Tropical and Estrella del Mar for groups of 10 to 12.
This guide compares those villas and explains what to check before you book a property for your group.
What makes a villa work for 10 to 20 guests?
Start with how the group will live together, not with the photographs. A villa can look spacious and still be difficult for a retreat if the rooms, kitchen or common areas do not fit the program.
Beds and bedrooms: Ask for a room-by-room bed layout. “Sleeps 12” does not necessarily mean 12 separate beds.
Shared spaces: Check that the whole group can sit down for meals together and has somewhere to gather in the evening.
Activity space: If you plan yoga, workshops or meetings, confirm a covered area large enough for everyone.
Kitchen and service: A private chef needs a kitchen that can cook for the full group, three meals a day if required.
Location: Compare the distance to beaches, restaurants and planned activities, and ask whether daily transport is needed.
These details matter more as the group grows. A small layout problem for six guests can become a daily frustration for 16.
Villas for groups of 16 to 18 guests
Compass House
Location: Tamarindo
Sleeps: 18
Highlights: Pacific views, an infinity pool, a hot tub and a private gym
Compass House is the largest villa in our current collection. The private gym and hot tub add options for active and wellness-focused groups, and the ocean views give everyone a natural place to gather.
Villa Solreva
Location: Tamarindo
Sleeps: 16+
Highlights: A new mountainside villa with an infinity pool terrace, two fire pits, and views of mountains, river and jungle
Villa Solreva suits groups who prefer a nature-focused setting with plenty of outdoor space for evenings together.
El Chante
Location: Tamarindo
Sleeps: 16+
Highlights: A private resort-style estate with independent bungalows, panoramic ocean views and an infinity pool
El Chante works well when guests value a little more privacy. Independent bungalows give people their own space, while the group still shares the pool and common areas.
Villas for groups of 10 to 12 guests
Carolina del Mar
Location: Playa Langosta
Sleeps: 12
Highlights: A Spanish colonial beachfront estate with an infinity pool, ocean views and direct beach access
Carolina del Mar is a strong choice when easy beach access matters to the whole group.
Villa Marrakech
Location: Playa Langosta
Sleeps: 12
Highlights: A Moroccan-inspired beachfront villa with an infinity pool, ocean views and direct access to the sand
Villa Marrakech gives a beachfront stay a distinctive design and a pool terrace for shared afternoons.
Alma Tropical
Location: Santa Teresa (Playa Carmen)
Sleeps: 12
Highlights: Four independent studios around an open-air communal area and a private pool, five minutes’ walk from the beach
Alma Tropical suits groups who want to stay in Santa Teresa and like the balance of private studios and a shared communal space.
Estrella del Mar
Location: Playa Langosta
Sleeps: 10
Highlights: A private villa in a gated community, with a pool, a swim-up bar and a rooftop sunset terrace
Estrella del Mar fits a group of up to 10 guests who want a social pool area and a rooftop for sunset gatherings.
The villas on our website are a selection. Costa Retreats can also look for other properties across Costa Rica that fit your group, dates and program.
Tamarindo, Playa Langosta or Santa Teresa?
Most of the villas above are in Tamarindo and nearby Playa Langosta, with Alma Tropical in Santa Teresa. The area shapes the daily experience as much as the house itself.
Tamarindo combines beaches, restaurants, nightlife and surfing, which suits groups with varied interests. Santa Teresa offers a more relaxed setting built around surfing, sunsets and the beach.
How group size affects the cost
A larger villa usually costs more per night, but many expenses are shared. A private chef, a driver, a yoga instructor or a boat charter becomes more manageable when divided between 12, 15 or 20 people.
That is one reason groups of approximately 10 to 20 guests can work particularly well for a private retreat. Read more about what determines the cost of a Costa Rica retreat.
Questions to ask before booking a group villa
How many separate beds are there, and which rooms share a bathroom?
Can the whole group eat together at one table?
Is there a covered space for yoga, workshops or meetings?
Can the kitchen support a private chef cooking for the full group?
How far is the villa from the beaches and activities we want?
Is there parking for transfer vehicles?
What are the deposit, payment and cancellation terms?
Ask the same questions about every option you consider, so you compare villas on how they work for your group, not only on how they look.
Frequently asked questions
Which Costa Rica villas can host a group of up to 20?
In our current collection, Compass House sleeps 18, and Villa Solreva and El Chante each sleep 16 or more. For a larger group, ask about the exact bed layout and whether additional nearby accommodation is needed.
What is the best area in Costa Rica for a group villa?
Tamarindo and Playa Langosta suit groups that want beaches, restaurants and activities nearby. Santa Teresa suits groups looking for a relaxed beach and surf setting. The right choice depends on your group’s priorities and travel route.
Does “sleeps 12” mean 12 separate beds?
Not necessarily. Ask for a room-by-room bed layout to see how many guests will share beds or rooms.
Can a private chef cook for a large group in a villa?
Yes, if the kitchen and dining space suit the full group and the meal plan. Confirm both before booking.
Find the right villa for your group
Share your dates, group size, preferred area, budget and the kind of retreat you are planning.
Costa Retreats can suggest suitable villas and coordinate the chef, transportation, wellness and activities around your stay.
