Stays in Quesada de San Carlos

I recommend Contenedores Boutique Hotel & Café to families who like design and do not need resort facilities. The small hotel is built from converted shipping containers, which children usually find fun, with air-conditioned rooms, a hot tub and an attached café for easy breakfasts. Parrilladas Piña Restaurante is a short walk away for dinner. It is compact by nature, and 19 guests rate it 9.8.

I would suggest Sweet Jungle to couples or small families who want a quiet hideaway just outside Ciudad Quesada. The small boutique property faces the jungle and keeps amenities minimal, with free Wi-Fi and parking. Parque de Ciudad Quesada and Machef Café Boutique are a short taxi ride away for meals and errands. There is no pool listed, so families who need one should look elsewhere. Fifty-five guests rate it 9.8.

I recommend Tree Houses Hotel Costa Rica to families with children old enough to enjoy sleeping above the ground. The property has seven raised treehouses in jungle grounds, with air conditioning, a complimentary hot breakfast and regular guided hikes run from the hotel. An outdoor pool covers the hours back on the ground, and Proyecto Asis wildlife sanctuary is a short taxi ride away. A 9.4 rating from 245 guests is strong.

I recommend Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel + Retreat to families who want a few nights inside the cloud forest itself. The hotel sits in a private reserve on the ridge above Ciudad Quesada, near Juan Castro Blanco National Park, with individual casitas warmed by wood-burning stoves. A shared restaurant, a small spa and a lounge complete it. It is not a base for exploring far afield, and 585 guests rate it 9.2.

Tilajari works best for families who want room to move between Arenal outings. The semi-Olympic pool and jacuzzi, the tennis courts, the gym and the sauna give teenagers and parents something to do on the property, the grounds include a butterfly garden, and the Junior Suites leave space for a family. Restaurant Katira cooks with local produce, which keeps dinner simple after a day out. The hotel books tours to the volcano and its hot springs, the Peñas Blancas river safari, a canopy line, a horse ride with a jungle walk and Don Juan Farm. It is a large resort that also hosts conferences, so do not expect a secluded rainforest mood. Guests rate it 9.2 from 1,775 reviews.

I recommend Legacy Boutique Hotel to families who want a small, relaxed guesthouse in Ciudad Quesada rather than a large resort. Rooms have balconies, and the outdoor pool and garden give children space to play between outings. Pets are welcome, which helps on a road trip, and Estadio Carlos Ugalde is three minutes' walk away for anyone coming to a match. The 9.0 rating from 146 guests backs up the friendly feel.

I recommend Hotel La Hacienda to families who want a practical, no-frills base in Ciudad Quesada. The three-star hotel is built around an outdoor pool, rooms are air-conditioned, and the on-site restaurant saves a search for dinner, with Parrilladas Piña Restaurante a short walk away for a change. It is a family-friendly stopover rather than a destination lodge. More than 420 guests rate it 8.8, a reassuring record.

I would book Hospedaje Angeluz for one thing: a central, low-cost base in Ciudad Quesada. The guesthouse is five minutes' walk from Parque de Ciudad Quesada, with basic rooms and Wi-Fi, and parking is paid. There is no pool or restaurant, so families will eat out and spend their days on excursions. The 8.6 rating from 191 guests shows it delivers on that simple promise, but it is not a place to linger.

I recommend Termales del Bosque to families who want real hot springs rather than a heated pool. The low-key hotel is built around outdoor spring-fed baths, which sets it apart from other hot-tub properties in Ciudad Quesada, and adds a spa, a simple restaurant and free breakfast. La Marina Wildlife Rescue Center is a few minutes away for a morning outing. More than 1,200 guests rate it 8.6.

I recommend Occidental El Tucano and Spa to families who want a full resort stay near Ciudad Quesada. The four-star property has an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a fitness centre, a full-service spa, a restaurant and a bar, so a whole day can pass on the grounds. La Marina Wildlife Rescue Center is a few minutes away for a wildlife outing. It is larger and busier than the town's boutique hotels, and over 2,200 guests rate it 8.4.

I recommend Hotel Torre Fuerte to families travelling with a pet, since pet-friendly options narrow quickly in Ciudad Quesada. The three-star hotel welcomes animals, rooms are air-conditioned, and a restaurant on site keeps evenings simple. Alas del Destino Butterfly Garden is a few minutes away, a gentle outing with children. It sits at the budget end of the town's range, so do not expect a spa or resort facilities.