Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique Secures Spot on Esquire’s Global "Best New Hotels" List

The Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique is the only Costa Rican property to make Esquire's prestigious list of the 43 best new hotels in the world for 2026.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 13, 2026, 9:23 AM EDT

Source: The Tico Times

Rare Regional Distinction

The selection of Punta Cacique places it in an elite regional cohort. In the Latin American and Caribbean theater, the Esquire list was notably lean, featuring only two properties in Mexico and one each in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. The magazine's editors specifically lauded the resort’s architectural integration with the steep, verdant hills of the Pacific coast, noting that the layout ensures an ocean view for every one of its 188 guest rooms.

Design and Culinary Philosophy

Beyond its physical setting near Playa Penca, the resort was praised for its deep connection to Costa Rican heritage. Esquire highlighted the property’s food and beverage program, which prioritizes:

Indigenous Gastronomy: Menus crafted around regional ingredients and ancestral cooking techniques.

Cultural Spirits: A beverage program featuring local spirits and world-class Costa Rican coffee.