A volcanic landscape with a prominent geyser, rugged terrain, and distant mountains.

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Check prices for these dates

Next weekend
9 Oct - 11 Oct
In two weeks
16 Oct - 18 Oct

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Our top choices for El Carmen hotels

A man standing in a heart-shaped structure with a railing, overlooking a sunset with a beach and ocean in the background.

1. Hotel el Tucan Alajuela

Hotel el Tucan Alajuela
2.5 star property
El Carmen
7.8 out of 10, Good, (62 reviews)
"1"
United States
Theodore
The price is AED 163
AED 184 total
includes taxes & fees
7 Oct - 8 Oct
Hotel el Tucan Alajuela
A hallway with a tiled floor, dark walls, and artwork on the sides.

2. Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel

Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel
2.0 star property
El Carmen
7.8 out of 10, Good, (245 reviews)
"Good stay, friendly staff, airport shuttle"
United States
Daniel
The price is AED 69
AED 157 total
includes taxes & fees
1 Nov - 2 Nov
Alajuela Backpackers Airport Hostel
A hotel room with a bed, a TV, and large windows with curtains.

3. Hotel Alajuela

Hotel Alajuela
3.0 star property
El Carmen
5.8 out of 10, (71 reviews)
"The Cook Made one of the Best and Delicious Breakfast from my Trip. "
United States
jorge
The price is AED 117
AED 132 total
includes taxes & fees
31 Oct - 1 Nov
Hotel Alajuela
A pool area with lounge chairs and umbrellas, a bar, and a 'City Mall' sign.

4. Hilton Garden Inn San Jose Airport City Mall

Hilton Garden Inn San Jose Airport City Mall
3.5 star property
Los Molinos, 1.1 km from El Carmen
9.0 out of 10, Wonderful, (2,119 reviews)
"Great stay close to the airport"
United States
Nicole
The price is AED 395
AED 446 total
includes taxes & fees
23 Oct - 24 Oct
Hilton Garden Inn San Jose Airport City Mall
A spacious living area with a sofa, chairs, and a coffee table.

5. Fairfield by Marriott San Jose Airport Alajuela

Fairfield by Marriott San Jose Airport Alajuela
3.5 star property
1.4 km from El Carmen
9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, (1,221 reviews)
"We enjoyed our stay"
Canada
Jessica
The price is AED 371
AED 419 total
includes taxes & fees
1 Nov - 2 Nov
Fairfield by Marriott San Jose Airport Alajuela
A modern building with a covered entrance, large windows, and a sign reading "COURTYARD."

6. Courtyard by Marriott San Jose Airport Alajuela

Courtyard by Marriott San Jose Airport Alajuela
3.5 star property
1.4 km from El Carmen
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, (1,000 reviews)
"Excellent stay."
United States
Kimberly
The price is AED 434
AED 490 total
includes taxes & fees
22 Oct - 23 Oct
Courtyard by Marriott San Jose Airport Alajuela
A breakfast buffet with various fruits and cereals.

7. Holiday Inn Express San Jose Costa Rica Airport by IHG

Holiday Inn Express San Jose Costa Rica Airport by IHG
3.0 star property
2.6 km from El Carmen
9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, (1,745 reviews)
"Convenient to the airport and great place to stay. Great breakfast too!"
United States
John Ross
The price is AED 389
AED 440 total
includes taxes & fees
2 Nov - 3 Nov
Holiday Inn Express San Jose Costa Rica Airport by IHG
A modern restaurant with high ceilings, wooden tables and chairs, a central bar area, and artwork on the walls.

8. Hampton by Hilton San Jose Airport

Hampton by Hilton San Jose Airport
3.0 star property
2.5 km from El Carmen
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, (2,696 reviews)
"Great quick stay, clean and easy In and out with comfortable beds"
United States
Angel
The price is AED 419
AED 473 total
includes taxes & fees
6 Oct - 7 Oct
Hampton by Hilton San Jose Airport
A pool area with lounge chairs, potted plants, and a green wall.

9. Hotel La Guaria Inn & Suites

Hotel La Guaria Inn & Suites
2.5 star property
Arroyo, 0.4 km from El Carmen
8.2 out of 10, Very good, (756 reviews)
"Good place to have a vacation. Close to many places to visit."
United States
Alberto
The price is AED 238
AED 269 total
includes taxes & fees
8 Oct - 9 Oct
Hotel La Guaria Inn & Suites
An outdoor garden area with a pergola, various plants, and a stone pathway.

10. Alajuela City Hotel & Guest House

Alajuela City Hotel & Guest House
2.5 star property
Corazón de Jesús, 0.5 km from El Carmen
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, (609 reviews)
"Great place to stay near airport"
Mexico
Jason
The price is AED 87
AED 123 total
includes taxes & fees
9 Oct - 10 Oct
Alajuela City Hotel & Guest House
A narrow, tiled corridor with hanging plants and a wicker chair.

11. Gardens House, Airport Juan Santamaría, Alajuela, San Jose

Gardens House, Airport Juan Santamaría, Alajuela, San Jose
2.0 star property
Bajo Cornizal, 0.9 km from El Carmen
9.8 out of 10, Exceptional, (255 reviews)
"This is the second time over stayed here and it's a safe family friendly establishment. The family puts a lot of love into their space and make it easy for guests. It's been a perfect place to stay near the airport for me during my visits."
United States
Brittany
The price is AED 132
AED 149 total
includes taxes & fees
8 Oct - 9 Oct
Gardens House, Airport Juan Santamaría, Alajuela, San Jose
A dining table with a plate of food, a glass of water, and a cup.

12. Hotel Mango

Hotel Mango
3.0 star property
2.7 km from El Carmen
9.0 out of 10, Wonderful, (1,514 reviews)
"Near airport and excellent rates."
United States
Robert
The price is AED 296
AED 334 total
includes taxes & fees
7 Oct - 8 Oct
Hotel Mango
A corridor with a wall-mounted light fixture, a potted plant, and a view into a dining area with tables and chairs.

13. Hotel Bamboo Aeropuerto

Hotel Bamboo Aeropuerto
3.0 star property
La Agonía, 0.9 km from El Carmen
9.6 out of 10, Exceptional, (611 reviews)
"This was a great place to spend the night before heading to the airport. The host was very kind, the breakfast was delicious, and the room and patio were lovely. There was also a secure parking lot with a gate."
United States
Laura
The price is AED 306
AED 346 total
includes taxes & fees
11 Oct - 12 Oct
Hotel Bamboo Aeropuerto
A terracotta pot with a green plant on a wooden table in a room with a dining area and a staircase.

14. Las Carmelas, Airport Juan Santamaría, Alajuela, San José

Las Carmelas, Airport Juan Santamaría, Alajuela, San José
3.0 star property
Bajo Cornizal, 0.9 km from El Carmen
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, (71 reviews)
"Randall was very kind and helpful!! We stayed here overnight before our next flight out and it was the perfect stop!!"
Canada
Travis
The price is AED 87
AED 99 total
includes taxes & fees
7 Oct - 8 Oct
Las Carmelas, Airport Juan Santamaría, Alajuela, San José
A nighttime outdoor pool area with multiple dining tables and umbrellas, surrounded by palm trees and a pool.

15. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, San Jose Aeropuerto, Costa Rica

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, San Jose Aeropuerto, Costa Rica
3.5 star property
7.9 km from El Carmen
8.4 out of 10, Very good, (3,443 reviews)
"Nice beds & Airport shuttle was good to have."
United States
Evarista F
The price is AED 311
AED 352 total
includes taxes & fees
9 Oct - 10 Oct
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, San Jose Aeropuerto, Costa Rica
A patio area with outdoor seating and a small building with a sloped roof.

16. Villa San Ignacio

Villa San Ignacio
3.5 star property
4.2 km from El Carmen
9.6 out of 10, Exceptional, (819 reviews)
"Place was nice, food at the restaurant was very tasty"
United States
CURTIS
The price is AED 236
AED 267 total
includes taxes & fees
7 Oct - 8 Oct
Villa San Ignacio
A spacious lobby with a central spiral staircase, modern furniture, and large windows offering views of the outdoors.

17. AC Hotel San Jose Airport Belen

AC Hotel San Jose Airport Belen
3.5 star property
5 km from El Carmen
9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, (520 reviews)
"Clean rooms great staff and good breakfast"
Canada
Jean Pierre
The price is AED 558
AED 631 total
includes taxes & fees
11 Oct - 12 Oct
AC Hotel San Jose Airport Belen
A pathway lined with greenery and a white structure, leading to a building entrance.

18. La Riviera Hotel B&B

La Riviera Hotel B&B
3.0 star property
4.5 km from El Carmen
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, (1,001 reviews)
"Great location, great food."
United States
Arthur
The price is AED 363
AED 410 total
includes taxes & fees
12 Oct - 13 Oct
La Riviera Hotel B&B
A modern, elongated building with a flat roof, surrounded by dense greenery.

19. Hotel Pibi Boreal

Hotel Pibi Boreal
3.0 star property
3.8 km from El Carmen
9.8 out of 10, Exceptional, (463 reviews)
"Excellent attention, and the room and property were fantastic. Great beds and shower. You get exactly what is seen and described by the advertisement."
United States
Camielle
The price is AED 429
AED 485 total
includes taxes & fees
6 Oct - 7 Oct
Hotel Pibi Boreal
A resort with a swimming pool, lounge chairs, and a staircase leading to a second floor.

20. Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belen

Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belen
4.5 star property
5.4 km from El Carmen
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, (1,003 reviews)
"Exceptional service"
United States
Jeffrey
The price is AED 562
AED 635 total
includes taxes & fees
17 Oct - 18 Oct
Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belen
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
View all properties

Where to stay in El Carmen

Find the best El Carmen areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most.
A panoramic view of a city with a prominent stadium, dense residential areas, and distant mountains under a partly cloudy sky.

La California

Check out the restaurants, shopping, and museums while spending some time in La California. Though there might not be many attractions in the neighborhood, you won't need to go far to find top spots like National Museum of Costa Rica or National Theater of Costa Rica.

A cityscape with a prominent modern skyscraper, a mix of residential and commercial buildings, and a mountainous backdrop.

Barrio Escalante

Barrio Escalante might not have many top sights, but San Pedro Mall and National Museum of Costa Rica are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

A cityscape with a prominent bridge, high-rise buildings, and a mountainous backdrop.

La Sabana

If you're spending some time in La Sabana, Sabana Park and National Stadium of Costa Rica are top sights worth seeing.

A cityscape with high-rise buildings, a river, and a mountain in the background.

Hospital

If you're spending some time in Hospital, Central Park and Melico Salazar Theatre are top sights worth seeing.

A historic building with arched windows and a balcony, surrounded by well-maintained hedges.

Carmen

If you're spending some time in Carmen, Estación del Ferrocarril de Costa Rica and National Center of Art and Culture are top sights worth seeing.

Top El Carmen Hotel Reviews

Barceló San José

Barceló San José

8/10 Good
"The resort/hotel is well kept. The staff are so helpful and accommodating. One thing that was a plus to myself and my husband was the rental property they have on the premises."
Sabine 4-night trip
Posted 2 hours ago
Barceló San José

Frequently asked questions

What is El Carmen like?
Travelers to the El Carmen neighborhood in Alajuela will be sure to enjoy their stay.
What's the best accommodation in Carmen?
Based on our traveler data, Hotel Pacandé is one of the top choices for your stay in Carmen. This B&B offers free breakfast and free WiFi.
How many hotels will I find in El Carmen?
Expedia has 22 hotels and other accommodations in El Carmen to choose from, making this an ideal home base for exploring the greater Alajuela area.
If I need to cancel my hotel reservation in El Carmen, will I receive a refund?
Yes, you'll find most hotel room reservations are refundable provided that you cancel prior to the hotel's cancellation deadline, which is usually within 24-48 hours of check in. If your reservation is non-refundable, you may still be able to cancel and be given a refund within a 24-hour period of booking. Add your dates and click on "Search", then you can use the "fully refundable" filter to review the best deals available in El Carmen.
Where can I learn more about changing or cancelling my trip to El Carmen?
For more information about changing or cancelling your trip to El Carmen, go to https://www.expedia.com/service/.
What is there to do around this Alajuela neighborhood?
Spend some time exploring the natural setting of El Carmen with a visit to Juan Santamaría Park and Central Park. When you're sightseeing in Alajuela, Central Market Alajuela and Juan Santamaria Historical Museum are also worth a stop.