Spa & Wellness Escape to Costa Rica

Flying into San José, you’ll be taken straight to El Silencio, an eco-luxury spa retreat in the Central Volcanic Valley. Spread across 500 acres of pristine tropical cloud forest, the lodge is ideal for a restorative wellness break - with the area’s volcanic rock laden with healing minerals for rejuvenating treatments and the rustle of the trees and the trickle of the creek the only sounds to distract you.

Find your inner Zen on the yoga deck, shrouded by tropical forest, unwind with a massage in the hotel’s signature conical room, which aims to channel the energy of the encircling wilderness, or visit the Arenal Volcano and take a dip in its therapeutic hot springs – definitely worth the day trip. If you’d like to start off with something special, go carbon neutral and plant a tree to counteract your recent air miles or get the blood really flowing by whitewater rafting down the Sarapiqui River.

From the north of the country, you’ll fly south to breathe in Costa Rica’s fresh mountain air and strong coffee, with three nights at the former coffee plantation turned equestrian paradise, Hacienda AltaGracia. With the misty Perez Zeledon mountains as a backdrop, a stay at this five-star luxury estate is full of stunning views across the lush vegetation, over the San Isidro valley and towards the green peaks.

Your days here will revolve around the stables and the spa, whether you just want to watch the horses frolicking in the field and try the coconut hand and foot reflexology or go full pelt and canter through the stunning landscape like a real Costa Rican cowboy and end with a Rider’s Sport Massage – the perfect antidote after a day in the saddle.

You can take up many of the country’s famed activities by ziplining through the rainforest treetops, going in search of incredible wildlife, such as fast-moving hummingbirds and monkeys, or mountain biking along the hacienda’s unpaved trails to discover hidden waterfalls and quiet rivers where you can break for lunch.

Getting back to the wellness side, the hacienda also has a massive indoor pool for when the tropical rains hit and a scenic infinity pool well-placed for the sunsets. If you are looking for peace of mind, head to the meditation rancho for some deep thinking or don’t think about anything as you sip on cocktails from your own private terrace.

For the next four nights, you’ll rest along Costa Rica’s beautiful Pacific coastline, staying in the indulgent Kura Design Villas, located in a secluded hamlet of Uvita. Enjoy dreamy sunsets and long leisurely walks along pristine beaches, which remain largely untouched by tourism. If you’re seeking solitude, then you’ve certainly found it - the beaches along the Costanera Sur are gorgeous and surprisingly deserted.

Wake up early to catch the spectacular sight of migrating humpback whales at Marino Ballena National Park, where the ocean is also home to pods of playful dolphins, nesting sea turtles, plus hundreds of seabirds and reptiles species. Take a boat to Cano Island Biological Reserve, one of the best diving and snorkelling spots in the country, and dive deep to see white-tipped reef sharks, sting rays, moral eels, parrot fish and barracudas. 

Back at the hotel, we recommend you spend your time flitting between the infinity pool, the wine bar, the Sky Lounge and the rejuvenating spa.

Flying back to the Central Valley, you’ll be transferred to the architecturally fascinating Finca Rosa Blanca, where each room is an artwork in itself, with hand-painted murals, beds made out of coffee wood and rooms strewn with masks collected from around the world. Once you’ve gotten over the Gaudi-esque interiors, cast your eyes towards the horizon and you’ll be rewarded with superb views of the nearby volcanoes and coffee plantations.

If you want to explore what you see, go on a tour of the famous Café Britt plantation to learn about the roasting process, visit the butterfly farm to have kaleidoscopic wings flutter past you or hike to the magical cloud forest located at the summit of Barva Volcano.

As it’s your final night, indulge once more in a spa treatment – we love the coffee and chocolate body scrub, made with organic coffee from the plantation, to detox, exfoliate and revitalise your skin.