The 9 Best Wellness Retreats in Costa Rica

You’ll find the Harmony Hotel on the Nicoya Peninsula in the village of Nosara: a renowned destination for surfing, yoga and wildlife conservation. Here the focus is on cultivating a connection with nature, rather than traditional spa treatments. That said, the hotel’s Healing Center does offer massages, facials, acupuncture, yoga, saunas and more.

Need to know: Music can play a pivotal role in emotional and mental wellness, and the Harmony Hotel capitalises on this potential with a state-of-the-art private recording studio that you can rent by the day.

El Silencio Lodge & Spa is one of our favourite wellness hotels in Costa Rica’s central cloud forests – known not just for their misty vistas but also their immense biodiversity. The lodge is right in the middle of the rainforest, offering deluxe suites and villas that invite you to fully unwind. At the Esencia Spa you can enjoy natural treatments and soothing beauty rituals.

Need to know: In addition to the spa, the two-level Samana Wellness Center provides a place for holistic therapies and movement sessions, from yoga and cold plunges to sound healing and drum circles.

Nayara Gardens promises unparalleled privacy and exceptional luxury, making it the perfect spot for a romantic honeymoon or couple’s trip. The spa features open-air pavilions where you can indulge in treatments like a volcanic mud massage or a traditional cacao ceremony, complementing local practices and natural materials with cutting-edge techniques.

Need to know: Although we love Nayara Gardens for couples, it’s also a fantastic choice for families – especially those who want to combine wellness with outdoor adventures in the surrounding valleys of Arenal.

A few hours north of the Osa Peninsula in the central valley highlands, an award-winning resort awaits. Hacienda AltaGracia is the epitome of a luxury wellness retreat in Costa Rica, offering everything from thermal spa treatments in its luminous Casa de Agua and outdoor River Bath to mindful movement and meditation sessions.

Need to know: Hacienda AltaGracia is a firm favourite among our travel designers; Lizzie, who visited during the green season, fell in love with its immersive approach to wellness.

Located less than an hour’s drive west of San José, The Retreat Costa Rica is a boutique property set on the side of a crystal quartz mountain. The only thing more impressive than its sweeping views is its long list of targeted wellness programmes, which focus on specific goals such as rest, emotional healing, fitness and cleansing; custom packages are also available.

Need to know: Open in April 2025, Santosha Luxury Lofts for an even greater sense of seclusion and immersion in the wilderness. Each loft offers a private terrace and picture windows with panoramic views.

Two remote river canyons, a sacred thermal gorge and a distinctive dwarf forest: these natural phenomena form the setting for Río Perdido Hotel & Thermal River. Located in the Guanacaste Province, just slightly southwest of Río Celeste, this unique wellness retreat boasts mineral hot springs, cold natural pools, cliffside yoga platforms and a few dozen serene bungalows. 

Need to know: Río Perdido promotes a holistic version of wellness that encourages each guest to explore the world around them and take on new challenges in addition to rest and relaxation.

The Arenal Volcano is more than just a stunning backdrop for Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa; it’s a core part of the hotel’s wellness programme, which places special emphasis on the hot springs around it. Spa treatments here highlight locally sourced products like volcanic clay and Costa Rican coffee and incorporate the soothing colours, aromas and sounds of the rainforest.

Need to know: In addition to extensive thermal pools and waterfalls, you can enjoy the secluded Shangri-La Gardens, an adults-only section of the hot springs open exclusively to guests of Tabacón.

Hacienda Montezuma isn’t just a wellness retreat, but also an authentic working farm. It covers around a thousand hectares of the Guanacaste Province, creating a rural oasis that’s ideal for exclusive stays. This is a place to get deeply acquainted with the land, whether through hiking, horse riding or contributing to the hotel’s reforestation efforts and wildlife conservation projects.

Need to know: Our travel designer Jen recently visited Hacienda Montezuma and found it to be a phenomenal choice for families, friend groups and anyone looking to experience the ‘blue zone wellness’ that this part of Costa Rica has become world-famous for.

Inspired by some of the best wellness retreats in Bali, Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort promises a tranquil escape on Costa Rica’s Guanacaste Coast. As suggested by its name, the resort is particularly well-suited to both experienced and aspiring yogis, with a full schedule of classes each day. You can also book a private session customised to your own objectives and needs.

Need to know: In addition to yoga, Bodhi Tree offers massages, facials, body wraps, alternative therapies and private consultations with an Ayurvedic practitioner. Its proximity to the sea also means you can sign up for surf lessons or guided surf tours – there are waves all year round.