A new all-inclusive JW Marriott in Costa Rica
JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa opened on September 30, 2026. Marriott formally announced the opening on October 6, describing it as the first all-inclusive resort in the JW Marriott brand worldwide. The property occupies the former Dreams Las Mareas site in northern Guanacaste.
That location matters when planning your holiday. This is the JW Marriott in Playa El Jobo, near La Cruz and the Santa Elena Gulf area. It is a different property from JW Marriott Guanacaste Beach Resort at Hacienda Pinilla, near Tamarindo. Use the full hotel name when arranging transport or excursions.
Hotel facts: Marriott resort overview, Marriott opening announcement and property owner portfolio.
Rooms, dining and time at the resort
The opening announcement describes 415 rooms and suites and 17 pools. Room choices include terraces and selected swim-out options; those features are not identical across every category. Compare the exact room description before booking, especially if pool access is a priority.
Griffin Club is a premium option with category-specific benefits, which can include dedicated lounge and pool access, a reserved beach area and dining assistance. Do not assume those benefits are part of every reservation.
Dining ranges from Costa Rican dishes at Casado to Japanese-inspired food at Namuyaki and Italian cooking at Luciano. Families can also explore the resort’s children’s club, water slide and pools, while the spa and fitness facilities offer other ways to spend time between outings.
For your excursion calendar, leave room to enjoy the property itself. A local outing and one carefully chosen water activity can provide variety without filling every day with transport.
Explore the official room options, Griffin Club details, dining guide and resort experiences.
What does all-inclusive cover?
Marriott describes the typical rate as including accommodation, meals and snacks, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, entertainment, nonmotorized water activities, children’s activities, taxes and service charges or gratuities. Your booked package and its terms determine the precise inclusions.
Budget separately where needed for spa treatments, motorized water sports, transport, tours and premium items. Independent excursions arranged with Exploring Costa Rica Pura Vida are separate from your hotel booking: ask for a quote and a clear list of what is included.
Check your reservation against the hotel’s current all-inclusive information.
Getting to Playa El Jobo and planning pickup
The hotel identifies Liberia / Guanacaste Airport (LIR) as the closest airport and states that it does not operate an airport shuttle. Arrange onward transport before arrival and share the full Costa Elena property name with your transport provider.
For an excursion enquiry, send your travel dates, number of adults and children, interests and any mobility considerations. We will need to confirm whether pickup can be arranged for the chosen tour, where you will meet, and the quoted price. Availability and logistics depend on the activity and date.
Ask for the total hotel-to-hotel time, not only the activity duration. Waterfall or inland adventures can take a substantial part of the day; choose them with travel time, your group’s energy and the return plan in mind.
Arrival details: Marriott trip-planning information.
Excursions to consider from JW Marriott Costa Elena
Start with the experiences around La Cruz and El Jobo, then decide whether a longer outing is worth adding. These are independent tour enquiries, not hotel-operated activities or guaranteed inclusions.
El Jobo local tours
Explore the existing local-tour options for a day focused on the El Jobo area. Tell us whether your group prefers local culture, wildlife or a more active outing so we can discuss a suitable plan.
Explore El Jobo tours →Snorkeling and scuba diving
Choose snorkeling for time at the surface or ask about diving in the Santa Elena Gulf area. The right option depends on experience, age requirements, sea conditions and the departure point.
View scuba diving →Sport fishing
For a group that wants to fish, start with the fishing format rather than choosing a boat solely by trip length. Ask about the departure location, equipment, conditions and total time away from the resort.
Explore fishing trips →Sunset cruise
An evening on the water can complement a relaxed resort stay. Confirm the sailing location and return arrangements before planning dinner around it; a hotel beachfront does not automatically mean a tour departs there.
See sunset cruise options →A private, custom day
Share what matters most: beaches, a local lunch, wildlife, photography or a slower pace. We can discuss an itinerary and quote the arrangements instead of assuming every activity fits the same day.
Plan a custom excursion →Prefer a surface-level marine experience? Read our snorkeling tour details and ask which departure works for your stay.
Places to explore around La Cruz
Playa Rajada, Bahía Salinas, Cuajiniquil and La Cruz offer starting points for exploring the surrounding region. For protected-area interests, look into Bahía Junquillal National Wildlife Refuge and Santa Rosa National Park. These are destination ideas to discuss, not a promise that every place is included in an existing tour.
Choose one main focus for the day: beach time, marine life, a local experience or a nature visit. Before settling on a route, check access, opening arrangements, weather and any reservations needed. Our La Cruz tour guide can help you compare the site’s existing options.
Regional information: Costa Rica Tourism Board’s La Cruz guide, Bahía Junquillal guide and Guanacaste visitor guide.
JW Marriott Costa Elena: frequently asked questions
Is JW Marriott Costa Elena open?
Yes. The hotel lists September 30, 2026 as its opening date. Marriott’s formal opening announcement followed on October 6, 2026.
Is it the former Dreams Las Mareas?
Yes. The property was converted from Dreams Las Mareas to JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa. Use the new name when confirming your reservation and travel arrangements.
Is Costa Elena the same hotel as JW Marriott Guanacaste?
No. Costa Elena is in Playa El Jobo, La Cruz. JW Marriott Guanacaste Beach Resort is at Hacienda Pinilla near Tamarindo. For that property, use our JW Marriott Guanacaste tour guide.
Is the resort suitable for families?
The resort welcomes all ages and lists children’s activities, a family club and a water slide. Confirm age requirements and supervision arrangements directly with the hotel; excursion requirements are separate.
Are outside tours included in the all-inclusive rate?
Do not assume they are. Excursions arranged through us are quoted separately, with inclusions and pickup details agreed for your chosen plan.
Can you arrange a tour pickup at the hotel?
Ask us about your preferred activity and date. We confirm pickup feasibility, meeting arrangements and any transport charges as part of the enquiry rather than promising every departure serves the resort.
Are you affiliated with Marriott or the resort?
No. Exploring Costa Rica Pura Vida is an independent excursion provider. Contact the hotel directly for room reservations, resort services and questions about your accommodation package.
Plan a day beyond the resort
Tell Andres when you are staying at JW Marriott Costa Elena, who is travelling and what you would most like to experience. Ask for options, pickup details and a quote that fits your group.
About this guide
Hotel information checked October 17, 2026 against the official sources linked above. Hotel amenities, inclusions and operating details can change; confirm your booked terms directly with Marriott. Excursion availability and arrangements are confirmed separately when you enquire.