Is parking available at the hotel?

Yes, free self-parking is available on-site.

What type of breakfast is offered and what are the serving hours?

Full breakfasts are available daily from 7:00 AM to 9:30 AM for a fee of approximately CRC 9875 for adults and children.

Are pets allowed at the hotel?

No pets and no service animals are allowed at this property.

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check-in is from 3:00 PM until 10:00 PM, and check-out is at 12:00 PM. Early or late check-in/check-out may be available upon request and could incur additional charges.

Is there an airport shuttle service available?

Yes, a roundtrip airport shuttle is available for a surcharge. Guests can arrange the transfer through the hotel.

What accessibility features does the hotel offer?

The hotel has limited wheelchair accessibility, including step-free entrances and wheelchair-accessible facilities in public areas. However, specific details about room accessibility are not provided.

Where is the hotel located in relation to key landmarks?

The hotel is located in Santo Tomas, within a 15-minute drive of the National Stadium of Costa Rica and Costa Rica Convention Center. It is approximately 5.6 miles from the University of Costa Rica and 6.5 miles from Sabana Park.

Does the hotel have a swimming pool?

Yes, the hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, which is seasonal. Specific operational hours are not provided.

What are the hotel policies regarding children?

Up to 2 children aged 5 years old and younger can stay for free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding.

Hotel Bougainvillea San José

What guests think

At Hotel Bougainvillea San José, travelers consistently praise the spectacular botanical gardens, friendly and attentive staff, and comfortable, clean rooms, while many also appreciate the art-filled interiors and the convenient, calm location within easy reach of the airport.

Some rooms lack air conditioning or require an upgrade fee, and a few guests found parts of the property dated or mentioned limited nearby dining and activities. Facilities include a pleasant pool, a popular restaurant and bar, and unique art and mineral displays. Expect a calm, comfortable base near the airport with attentive service.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Facilities

Standout botanical gardens with birdwatching, plus a pool, bar and well-regarded restaurant; the lobby's mineral display and on-site art add character.

Related guest reviews

10

Michelle

26 Dec 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

This is such a beautiful and peaceful place to stay, from the artwork on the walls to the artefacts on shelves wherever you look. It’s also a geologist’s dream. The staff are really friendly and attentive, esp in the hotel restaurant. And the gorgeous gardens, the pool… we spent Christmas here and it was a perfect choice for peace and beauty. I can’t recommend the Bougainvillea enough .

10

ROBERT

17 Feb 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The hotel is beautiful but the grounds are magnificent! Beautiful artwork throughout the hotel. Good bar and excellent restaurant. The hotel is away from the noise of the city but close enough for only a short drive

10

Jean

15 Dec 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

This is a fantastic hotel to get just a little out of San Jose but still be close enough in to get to the airport within 45 minutes. The gardens and birds are spectacular. For those who love birding, look for Eduardo in the gardens who knows where literally everything is. Parking here can be tight so be warned. Staff is wonderful, the beds are great and the shower has actual hot water and water pressure.

10

Janet

4 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

We love the gardens! Beautiful artwork. Nice bar, restaurant, and breakfast. Comfortable bed and linens.

10

Jacob

21 Jul 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

A very unique hotel with amazing garden paths and a nice pool.

10

Reinaldo

7 Jan 2026

·

Stayed 1 night

Beautiful location with world class gardens, superior, knowledgeable and courteous staff. Delicious food and great original art throughout hotel. Highly recommended.

10

Rita

18 Apr 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Beautiful Garden and great food!

10

Jill

25 May 2024

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Stayed 2 nights

The huge botanical garden attached to the property was gorgeous and a lovely space to walk in. The lobby and dining room is beautifully decorated, with an incredible display of local rocks and minerals. The hotel ad implied our room would have handrails in the bathroom, but it did not.

10

Mary

16 Mar 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Beautiful facilities and gardens with lots of birds.

10

Stephanie

12 Apr 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Beautiful gardens with a wide variety of birds. The lobby has a mineral museum. The front desk receptionist Brian was very friendly and knowledgeable about the local wildlife. The breakfast was delicious. The room is spacious with views of the mountains and trees.

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Cleanliness

Reviews frequently note very clean rooms and well-kept grounds. A few comments mention areas feeling dated or needing maintenance, including window cleaning.

Related guest reviews

10

Jorge

17 Apr 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Nos hemos alojado en varias oportunidades en este hotel, tienen un excelente servicio, el ambiente es muy agradable, sus amplios jardines y el cuidado del ambiente, lo hacen un sitio muy especial. Buenas habitaciones, limpias y amplias.

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10

JONATHAN

15 Feb 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Amazing gardens, great room, all very clean, excellent food, friendly staff, highly recommended!

2

Maria

30 Sept 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Poorly trained staff. The hotel is in need of urgent repairs. Window cleaning.

6

Jennifer

24 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Very friendly staff and clean hotel. Good for needing to stay near that area, but nothing to do, see or much dining options in the area.

10

Peter

20 Feb 2026

·

Stayed 2 nights

clean room great staff

10

Richard

7 Dec 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

Hotel Bougainvillea has been here for decades and knows exactly what most of its patrons want. The rooms are clean and spacious, with fans rather than A/C (which is fine at this altitude), though the showers are getting a bit old fashioned. Probably the best garden you’ll see in a Costa Rican hotel, and a reliably good restaurant which is favoured by non-residents. I always stay here when in the area.

10

Kevin

17 Feb 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Beautiful clean place with gardens that must be visited

10

catherine

19 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Very clean and comfortable rooms. Good breakfast. Friendly professional staff. Beautiful gardens.

8

Frédéric François

19 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Environnement et salle de bains à renover

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10

Jennifer

7 Feb 2026

·

Stayed 4 nights

Clean room; lovely staff; gorgeous grounds/gardens; they upgraded our room as I requested; delicious food.

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Rooms

Rooms are comfortable and often spacious, with good beds and balconies in some. Drawbacks noted include some rooms without air conditioning (or with extra charge), occasional noise, dated bathrooms, and limited in-room amenities like no fridge unless requested.

Related guest reviews

8

Christine

17 Jan 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

There wasn't a refrigerator in the room but if you ask for one, it will be provided. Not sure about microwave availability but there wasn't one in the room. It was great that there are windows that open so there was fresh air all night.

10

Richard

7 Dec 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

Hotel Bougainvillea has been here for decades and knows exactly what most of its patrons want. The rooms are clean and spacious, with fans rather than A/C (which is fine at this altitude), though the showers are getting a bit old fashioned. Probably the best garden you’ll see in a Costa Rican hotel, and a reliably good restaurant which is favoured by non-residents. I always stay here when in the area.

10

Angela

8 Jan 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

I love hotel Bouganvilla. The gardens are like being in a park or botanical garden. Beautiful. Rooms are comfortable, beds and pillows were great. There wasn’t a fridge in the room, which would have been a plus. Breakfast is plentiful and tasty. A little variety after a couple days would have been nice. But very good over all ! Service is wonderful in every area.

10

catherine

19 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Very clean and comfortable rooms. Good breakfast. Friendly professional staff. Beautiful gardens.

2

Martha Ann

16 Oct 2023

·

Stayed 6 nights

We had to pay for air-condition for the two bedroom. I would never stay there and I would not recommend this hotel

8

James

22 Jan 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

It’s an older hotel so it’s somewhat outdated. I see where some will find charm in that. It’s a nice property with a nice garden area for walking. I paid for a Mountain View and honestly it was a parking lot and a roof visible from in the room. If you went outside and leaned around the corner from the balcony you could see downtown. It was quite Misleading in my opinion.

10

Allyson

8 Mar 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

This is a very clean, comfortable, well appointed hotel with a very large & beautiful garden that is great for bird watching. The staff are friendly & professional. My only complaint would be that you can hear all the noises of plumbing or people moving around/talking during the night, and of the birds when they start calling very early in the morning. So if you are bothered by noise, bring earplugs.

10

Burton

20 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

We enjoyed our stay at Hotel Bougainvillea. The room was nice and comfortable, the balcony had a nice view of the front garden, the breakfast buffet was good, the hotel grounds were super, and the staff was fabulous! After breakfast we walked the grounds bird watching and admiring the diversity of plants present. The staff, especially Leta, were friendly and super helpful. We had trouble getting our reserved car from an agency upon our arrival at the airport so we needed help securing our rental vehicle the next day from the hotel. Not being a Spanish speaker, Leta offered her help for better communication with the rental car staff. Leta reduced our stress and helped make arrangements for transportation to the rental car office. Thank you Leta!

6

essam

3 Jun 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Nice place, no AC in some rooms, ask first

8

Adriel

13 Jul 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

Very nice hotel in the area and the staff was super friendly. The food that came included was also really good. The only issue I had was the difference in floor if you want to have AC or not. They gave me a second floor without AC and when I asked I was told that only the 3 floor has AC and it was extra if I wanted a room with AC. Going from Florida I don’t see why I have to pay extra to have AC. Hopefully they can fix that

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Service

Service is consistently praised as friendly, professional and accommodating, with staff arranging room changes, late room service, and practical help such as medical or rental car assistance. A few isolated complaints mention billing or training issues.

Related guest reviews

2

Maria

30 Sept 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Poorly trained staff. The hotel is in need of urgent repairs. Window cleaning.

10

Jorge

31 Oct 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Es una propiedad magnífica. Los bellos jardines que la rodean, te ponen en contacto con la naturaleza y te dan una mayor sensación de tranquilidad. La comida es variada y de excelente calidad. La atención del personal es de gran calidad, amabilidad y eficiencia.

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10

Peter

20 Feb 2026

·

Stayed 2 nights

clean room great staff

10

Charles

7 Apr 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

We had excellent advice from the front desk after a medical incident that needed attention. They called the medical services, and an EMT group arrived within 20 minutes and attended to my injury. They were courteous, detailed, and thoroughly professional, and did not charge for the visit. We were thankful for the advice, and appreciate the medical system in Costa Rica.

8

Marlon

30 Jun 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Tuve muy mala experiencia haciendo el check in, el monto que el hotel me cobro fue superior al de hoteles. Com no me resolvieron y dicen q quien se equivoco fue la empresa hoteles. Com dando un precio q no era

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10

Emily

8 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Lovely place to stay outside of the city but near enough to the airport that you can get there within half an hour. The garden was amazing (although not open at night sadly). We arrived after the restaurant was closed but the kitchen still did some room service for us which was kind. We didn't have any hot water but since travelling around Costa Rica, I think that was user error and its all to do with how much you turn the tap… We would definitely stay again.

10

Burton

20 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

We enjoyed our stay at Hotel Bougainvillea. The room was nice and comfortable, the balcony had a nice view of the front garden, the breakfast buffet was good, the hotel grounds were super, and the staff was fabulous! After breakfast we walked the grounds bird watching and admiring the diversity of plants present. The staff, especially Leta, were friendly and super helpful. We had trouble getting our reserved car from an agency upon our arrival at the airport so we needed help securing our rental vehicle the next day from the hotel. Not being a Spanish speaker, Leta offered her help for better communication with the rental car staff. Leta reduced our stress and helped make arrangements for transportation to the rental car office. Thank you Leta!

10

David

6 Feb 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Beautiful property and amazing staff!

10

Jennifer

23 Jan 2026

·

Stayed 1 night

We had a problem with the safe and after determining that it couldn’t be fixed, staff very graciously offered us another room: upgraded to a garden view. We were thrilled!!

10

Jennifer

7 Feb 2026

·

Stayed 4 nights

Clean room; lovely staff; gorgeous grounds/gardens; they upgraded our room as I requested; delicious food.

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Location

Set outside central San José near Heredia, the hotel offers a calm base within about 30-45 minutes of the airport. A few note limited nearby dining and activities.

Related guest reviews

6

Jennifer

24 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Very friendly staff and clean hotel. Good for needing to stay near that area, but nothing to do, see or much dining options in the area.

10

ROBERT

17 Feb 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The hotel is beautiful but the grounds are magnificent! Beautiful artwork throughout the hotel. Good bar and excellent restaurant. The hotel is away from the noise of the city but close enough for only a short drive

10

Per

11 Nov 2022

·

Stayed 1 night

Perfekt hotel beliggende i forhold til den internationale lufthavn, gode værelser til rimelig pris, venligt personale og fin restaurant. Men det bedste er haven, gå på opdagelse der, og for fugleentusiaster er det bare et must at gå på opdagelse der 😊😊😊

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10

Jean

15 Dec 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

This is a fantastic hotel to get just a little out of San Jose but still be close enough in to get to the airport within 45 minutes. The gardens and birds are spectacular. For those who love birding, look for Eduardo in the gardens who knows where literally everything is. Parking here can be tight so be warned. Staff is wonderful, the beds are great and the shower has actual hot water and water pressure.

10

Jorge

18 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Wonderful stay near Heredia. I can't say enough great things. The food, the staff, the beds...the garden 😱. Will be back to stay at Bougainvillea again!

10

Enrique A.

1 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Great place to stay if you’re in the area.

10

Reinaldo

7 Jan 2026

·

Stayed 1 night

Beautiful location with world class gardens, superior, knowledgeable and courteous staff. Delicious food and great original art throughout hotel. Highly recommended.

10

Michael

3 Feb 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Siempre es una experiencia agradable y revitalizadora visitar este lugar. Un oasis en SJO

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10

Emily

8 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Lovely place to stay outside of the city but near enough to the airport that you can get there within half an hour. The garden was amazing (although not open at night sadly). We arrived after the restaurant was closed but the kitchen still did some room service for us which was kind. We didn't have any hot water but since travelling around Costa Rica, I think that was user error and its all to do with how much you turn the tap… We would definitely stay again.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Dining

Food and the on-site restaurant earn strong praise, and breakfasts are generally good to plentiful. A few guests found the buffet standard or wanted more variety after several days.

Related guest reviews

10

Pedro

2 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Tiene 7nos jardines extraordinarios, el desayuno buffet muy standar nada sobresaliente

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10

Serena

2 Apr 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The hotel has very beautiful backyard, and the food served at the restaurant is also excellent.

10

Richard

19 Mar 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Beautiful botanical retreat. Great breakfast and optional meals if you want to eat in. I would highly recommend this wonderful place.

10

ROBERT

17 Feb 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The hotel is beautiful but the grounds are magnificent! Beautiful artwork throughout the hotel. Good bar and excellent restaurant. The hotel is away from the noise of the city but close enough for only a short drive

10

douglas

22 Jan 2023

·

Stayed 5 nights

Lovely gardens, outstanding dining.

10

Angela

8 Jan 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

I love hotel Bouganvilla. The gardens are like being in a park or botanical garden. Beautiful. Rooms are comfortable, beds and pillows were great. There wasn’t a fridge in the room, which would have been a plus. Breakfast is plentiful and tasty. A little variety after a couple days would have been nice. But very good over all ! Service is wonderful in every area.

10

Janet

4 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

We love the gardens! Beautiful artwork. Nice bar, restaurant, and breakfast. Comfortable bed and linens.

10

Rita

18 Apr 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Beautiful Garden and great food!

10

Maureen

24 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

This hotel is made by the wonderful gardens. I enjoyed just wandering around looking for birds. Garden staff good at pointing things out for you. Food good and breakfast plentyful. They gave us a kettle for pur morning tea. So good booked to stay at end of trip as well.

10

Jennifer

7 Feb 2026

·

Stayed 4 nights

Clean room; lovely staff; gorgeous grounds/gardens; they upgraded our room as I requested; delicious food.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
1 $161	2 $153	3 $156	4 $151	5 $158	6 $160	7 $166
8 $160	9 $161	10 $160	11 $162	12 $162	13	14 $161
15 $155	16 $160	17 $163	18 $163	19 $163	20 $163	21 $160
22 $163	23 $161	24 $163	25 $163	26 $163	27 $160	28 $165
29 $163	30 $162

Hotel Bougainvillea San José

About this property

Location

Room options

Standard Room, 2 Double Beds, Mountain View

Guest reviews of Hotel Bougainvillea San José

Who stays here?

What guests think

Property policies

Check-in instructions

Good to know

Optional extras

FAQs about Hotel Bougainvillea San José

Prices for upcoming dates

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25	26	27	28 $162	29 $158	30 $157	31 $156