Classic Costa Rica

Overview

Finca Rosa Blanca is the sort of place that’s difficult to leave once you’ve settled in. Mornings are spent sipping fresh Costa Rican coffee, grown right here on the plantation, overlooking the lush forest that surrounds the lodge, while by night you can gaze out to see the twinkling lights of San Jose in the distance, listening to the sounds of the Costa Rican wilderness around you.

The architecture of this lodge is immediately striking, with its round turrets and vaulted ceilings clad with solid wood, and inside the decor brings a little bit of the jungle indoors with hand-painted murals and leafy lounge areas. Activities abound here: soak in the indoor pool or the patio hot tub, take a tour of the plantation, go whitewater rafting or explore the enchanting cloud forests beyond the lodge’s doors.

When you return to the lodge after a day’s exploring, there’s excellent farm-to-table food on offer in the restaurant, and more of that fresh Costa Rican coffee to finish off a fine meal.

Overview

This traditional and elaborate mansion in the city’s downtown district is surprisingly cosy, but naturally classy and luxurious.

Grano de Oro is a grand and tropical Victorian casona, very familial in feel with its heavily embellished interiors strewn with antiques, faded family photos, original art pieces, dark woods, deep carpets and stone tiles.

Lit by the warm glow of wall lanterns, its forty rooms are well equipped with TVs and internet. Choose a standard room for comfort and a more modern style. Both the views and decor improve with the category rank. The Vista de Oro suite is wonderfully decorated in period ceramic floor tiles, wood panelling, with rich rugs and throws. The Garden Suite is similarly adorned but also has its own private garden and patio.

On the ground floor is the restaurant with half its tables set in the hotel’s charming atrium circling a Spanish-tiled fountain surrounded by stained glass windows and the shuttered corridor balconies spilling over with vivid green plant life. The chef is French, the menu extensive, and its tables are often frequented by locals as well as guests. At night the rooftop terrace is a great place to relax, have a drink or try out the Jacuzzi.

Set in the heart of San Jose in the Barrio don Bosco neighbourhood, this is a delightful hotel; a great place for exploring the city or stopping over on your way further into Costa Rica or flying out.

Overview

Nayara Gardens, the original property in the hilltop trio that also consists of Nayara Springs and Nayara Tented Camp, is a fitting choice for those looking for a private getaway in Arenal. Situated in the green valleys at the foot of the spectacular Arenal Volcano are Nayara Gardens’ 50 spacious and private casitas (bungalows) and villas.

Large screened windows open up allowing for plenty of natural light. The decor is a call to the wildlife of Costa Rica with lashings of tropical orange and the greens of encroaching foliage, along with dark wood furniture. Boasting expansive garden decks, the casitas are further adorned with hammocks or Jacuzzis where you can unwind to the melodies of the rainforest, making this property an ideal hideaway for those after a romantic retreat.

For the utmost luxury, enjoy a stay in the uniquely designed Rainforest Pool Villa. Here light drips in from almost every angle due to the villa’s octagonal layout, and the lush rainforest seems within touching distance from the wraparound balcony. Relax in the cooling waters of your own private plunge pool as you gaze out across to the Arenal Volcano.

When you aren’t indulging yourself in the luxuries of your casita, head down to any of the four restaurants in order to savour rich Costa Rican flavours. Nayara Gardens also hosts a plethora of experiences which you can embark on with a private guide. Whip across the top of the rainforest canopy on a zipline or rappel down the side of one of Arenal’s waterfalls.

Alternatively, make your way to the property’s spa for a massage, coffee scrub or a volcanic mud bath. Perched atop a cliff and overlooking the forest, it’s the ideal place to unwind and rejuvenate.

Overview

Tabacon is a beautiful and serene luxury hotel, located at the foot of the majestic Arenal Volcano. It is set within 900 acres of lush, tropical grounds through which Costa’s Rica’s largest network of hot springs flows.

This rainforest retreat is tucked away on a winding road that climbs up from the small village of La Fortuna. There are 103 rooms and suites that look out over the rainforest and gardens. Decor is contemporary and elegant and feature artwork and furnishings from Costa Rican artists.

The River Tabacon feeds into waterfalls and warm pools lined with soft, black sand and guests staying at Tabacon will enjoy full use of the thermal mineral springs. The water is heated by the volcano and the temperature in the pools ranges between 72 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Head upstream and you’ll find the Shangri-La Gardens, an adult-only hideaway with six pools, cocoon-shaped cabanas and bar. The open-air spa offers a range of rejuvenating treatments, made all the more relaxing by the idyllic surroundings and sounds of the rainforest.

There are two restaurants offering a mix of Costa Rican and international cuisine, as well as four bars.

Overview

Set in Costa Rica’s Arenal Volcano National Park, Nayara Tented Camp is one of the only luxury tented camps in Central America and the sister property to the nearby Nayara Springs and Nayara Gardens. The immediate proximity to the surrounding rainforest and impressive views of the volcano make a stay here a one-of-a-kind experience.

There are a total of 29 luxuriously appointed tents within the camp, each blending harmoniously with nature. The camp is also designed with families in mind, featuring six family tents. These include an outdoor living space which is complemented by an oversized plunge pool. Dive into the cooling water, invigorated by the natural hot springs’ embrace, and let your worries melt away in its serene waves.

Nayara Tented Camp is also home to the signature Nayara tent, a tranquil oasis on stilts complete with a private pool,  along with two residences. With panoramic views of the volcano, the residences have plenty of indoor and outdoor entertainment space.

Savour modern Mediterranean dishes with a Middle Eastern touch at Ayla restaurant, located in an elegant tent with incredible views of the infinity pool, the rainforest and the majestic Arenal Volcano. Afterwards, enjoy traditional cocktails and spirits at Henry’s Bar next door.

Admire the breathtaking forest view from the terrace or seek out the additional plunge pools, which are surrounded by dense forest and fed by the same mineral hot springs. There are a plethora of experiences to embark on during your stay, such as whitewater rafting, canyoning, ziplining, canopy tours, volcano hikes or just spot the sloths that call this area home.

Overview

Amor Arenal offers a luxurious, nature-immersed experience in the heart of Costa Rica, harmonising with the tropical forest of the Arenal Volcano and celebrating the sights, sounds, flavours and scents of the region.

The open layout rooms feature bold architecture with vaulted ceilings and panoramic windows that invite the dense forest inside. Each room boasts a suspended outdoor deck with a heated whirlpool and hardwood Adirondack loungers, perfect for soaking in the tropical forest jungle of Arenal Volcano.

Daily complimentary yoga high above the forest canopy and invigorating exercise sessions with cardio machines are just part of the resort’s offering of a holistic approach to well-being. The mineral springs, a hallmark of Costa Rica’s La Fortuna region, offer restorative natural elements and the resort harnesses these waters to offer three pools. The waters of the swim-up bar with in-water bar stools invite you to enjoy refreshing cocktails. The main cool-water mineralised pool is shrouded by the forest canopy with glimpses of Arenal Volcano. The lounging pool, a smaller retreat surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, is perfect for reading, napping and enjoying meaningful moments of relaxation and connection to nature.

Overview

Sitting in 11 acres of its own private nature reserve and bookended by the stunning Playa Espadilla and Playitas beach, Arenas del Mar is a superb hotel for enjoying the delights of Manuel Antonio National Park which is within walking distance.

The rooms, of which there are 38, are all well equipped with private balconies looking out onto the Pacific Ocean and surrounding coastal islands. As a leader in the trend of sustainable hotels in this country, Arenas del Mar prides itself on its eco-conscious practices and ethos and the service is both friendly and efficient.

The two restaurants at the hotel place a strong emphasis on fresh, wholesome and local food. The menus showcase gourmet Costa Rican cuisine and responsibly-caught seafood. There are also delicious vegetarian and vegan options available.

There are a number of tours and activities to choose from so you can really take advantage of all that the area has to offer (and it offers a lot) or simply relax on the hotel’s private beach, at the poolside or indulge in a spa treatment or two.

Overview

Describing itself as “a jungle getaway for discerning adults”, Makanda certainly delivers on luxury, uninterrupted seclusion and romance. Recent renovations have extended its accommodation offering and incorporated more natural materials like marble and wood into the design, and added bespoke artworks as features.

The 27 rooms and suites are fully immersed in a haven of southern Pacific rainforest between the fishing port of Quepos and the Manuel Antonio National Park. The décor is stylish, modern and typically tropical with the odd indigenous piece of art so as not to completely displace you from your rich flora surroundings and native appreciation.

All the accommodation is spaciously designed with lots of amenities, sea views, and terraces so that all you’ll need is right there in your room. Communal spaces are cosier, giving this hideaway a tranquil character. The villas are all individually decorated and are an even more secluded option with their own kitchens and mini Japanese gardens, perfect for honeymooners or couples.

Enjoy uncomplicated dishes featuring fresh local ingredients at Arbol Restaurant. Old recipes and familiar tastes are celebrated and reimagined. With amazing ocean views, the restaurant has been designed to make the most of its jungle setting.