Looking for a Luxury Vacation?
Luxury Travel
Costa Rica is well known for its incredible wildlife, biodiversity and pristine beaches, but some may think they have to sacrifice luxury for a glimpse of the jungle. No so! You can have it all! Fine dining, pampering spa treatments, attractively designed rooms with breathtaking views and still have an adventure in the jungle. There are luxury hotels and resorts but there is a growing trend toward the use of “green” and eco-friendly materials and practices with the idea to interact with nature not hide from it.
Car rental agencies offer a range of top-end vehicles, such as the Toyota Prado and Nissan Pathfinder for traveling in comfort and style.
Our suggested locations for a luxury vacation in Costa Rica:
Arenal
The sumptuous surroundings of Arenal Volcano are the ideal place to soak away modern-day stress in thermally heated hot springs with a view of the three thousand year old cone shaped volcano. The best resorts offer natural healing pools of varied temperatures, swimming pools, and swim-up bar for freshly made fruit juices or alcoholic beverages — all within carefully tended tropical gardens. Local spas provide relaxing treatments with volcanic mud or chocolate for the ultimate pampering.
Suspended bridges, sky tram or even zipline allow the visitor to experience the lush vegetation, animals and birds of the area without a sweaty hike through the rainforest. Fishing and watersports enthusiasts should head to Lake Arenal for windsurfing and stand-up paddleboarding, or try a gentle boat ride on the lake’s waters to view a magical sunset.
Arenal is a three hour drive from either international airport.
Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio remains popular worldwide for travellers due to its trinity of white sands, clear waters and rain forest. Walk beautiful trails watching white-faced monkeys swing from the trees, learn about colourful tropical plants, surf or stand up paddle board or just lay back relax and enjoy a day at the beach. Explore the jungle and stroll along miles of beaches then head back to your boutique hotel to watch the sunset from a cliff top bar with a cocktail. Cliff top hotels overlooking the ocean and national park with breathtaking panoramas offer accommodation for a more discerning guest.
Activities abound in this dynamic location, but what could be more indulgent than a sunset cruise on a catamaran to enjoy a sundowner cocktail from an onboard jacuzzi at a colorful day’s end. Dolphins and whales may even be spotted in the surrounding waters. For more active water activity, consider jet ski hire to explore the tiny islands nearby and snorkel in Biesanz Bay to look for schools of parrotfish, angelfish and starfish.
Get away from the crowds with an ATV tour through forests and local villages to find hidden waterfalls and pools to cool off.
Manuel Antonio is a three hour drive from San Jose and almost six from Liberia.
Papagayo Gulf
For those who prefer an all-inclusive vacation, the Papagayo Gulf in Guanacaste is the location for world-class luxury resorts in Costa Rica with Culebra Bay being the most exclusive area. The Papagayo Gulf coastline features a string of little coves and inlets with white sand beaches lined with palm trees to shade beachgoers from the sun and calm emerald-green waters. Fly directly into the International Airport in Liberia to drive on well-paved roads to your destination in less than an hour. All offer top quality accommodation, gourmet cuisine, luxurious pools & Jacuzzis, and on-site spa treatments and of course, beach access. Catering to upscale clients, the area offers amenities such as beach clubs, golf course and a marina.
Sports fishing enthusiasts can head to Playa del Coco and hop on board with an experienced captain to the best local spots for a chance to catch mahi-mahi, tuna, jack, mackerel and marlin.
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