Costa Rica’s vision of luxury puts the focus squarely on sustainability
Tourism with substance.
By Divya Venkataraman
It doesn’t take more than a few days in Costa Rica for the words ‘pura vida’ to become second nature. Here, it’s thrown out as a substitute for almost anything: as a greeting, a hello, a goodbye, a sign of gratitude or respect or praise. Every time I hear it, it acts as a simple, four syllable call to remain in awe: of the tremendous natural beauty of the country, and of the respect with which it’s treated by its custodians.
In a country where luxury travel has far outpaced its local neighbours — travel to Costa Rica began in earnest in the late ‘80s, where adventurers and wealthy American travellers alike were drawn to its well-protected nature reserves and pristine beaches — sustainability is still key. Here, see The Everywoman’s top picks for an ecologically minded stay in paradise.
Arenas del Mar for luxe animal encounters
In Manuel Antonio, on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, there’s a lazy stretch of coastline shaped like a wineglass. Its stem of sand is surrounded on both sides by crisp, blue ocean and at its peak is a bowl of verdant forest. Further back, on the mainland and overlooking this natural splendour, is where you’ll find Arenas del Mar, the beachside luxury resort set on the edge of the sea.
Rooms are bright and spacious, fitted with sleek and modern wooden furnishings, and set in individual villas dotted around the property for peace and immersion. But your room, as lovely as it is, will almost certainly be the least interesting part of your stay: Arenas del Mar’s lively grounds are home to howler monkeys, capuchins, tapirs and a dizzyingly bright array of birdlife, which you can explore via foot or golf cart.
As soon as you wake up, the air is thick with the sounds of its wild inhabitants. Capuchins, known for their mischievous ways, are perched by rooms and sometimes pay hotel guests a visit while they’re having breakfast on the balcony. Sloths swing by the main entrance, seeming right at home. And they are — Arenas del Mar has preserved three-quarters of its land as a biological corridor, so that its native neighbours can roam free. The property is part of Preferred Hotels’ Beyond Green portfolio, which hotels are invited to be a part of only after passing a stringent set of sustainability requirements relating to energy efficiency, packaging and positive impact on their communities.
From Arenas del Mar, the whole of Manuel Antonio National Park is your playground. Guests have get direct access to Playitas Beach, but if a pool is more your speed, there are two on the property. Both are nestled in the heart of nature. Is there anything more luxurious than a dip in the presence of birdsong? (And maybe a monkey heckler or two.)
SCP Corvocado for off-the-grid adventuring
Traditional wisdom would say that it’s all about the journey, and not about the destination. But in the case of SCP Corvocado, a 189-acre wilderness lodge set in a remote part of Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, this writer would argue that the journey is best forgotten. And thank God for the destination at the end of it.
Wild storms and buffeting winds (and the resulting metres-high waves) met us on the river crossing to this self-sustaining property near the wildlife oasis of Drake Bay (the only way to reach the hotel is by boat). Luckily, it’s worth it. Each room is set individually around the property, either in grand wooden cabins that epitomise earthy luxury (yes, there are outdoor bathtubs) or in stone cottages set in a forest clearing. Sweeping views take in the surrounds of the landscape, while the property is wound with five different walking trails that take guests past the best of the area’s nature. Organic and local cuisine is cooked on site; humble and fresh, and dishes draw on ingredients indigenous to the area.
Again, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword, but a driving force. The property is deeply involved with marine conservation, and so partners with Innoceana, an organisation dedicated to research and advocacy for marine life. Guests can accompany local scientists and researchers on data collection sessions in the nearby bay, and learn about their work in the in-house museum.
Again, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword, but a driving force. The property is deeply involved with marine conservation, and so partners with Innoceana, an organisation dedicated to research and advocacy for marine life
Finca Rosa Blanca for sky-high seclusion
High up on a coffee plantation (not far from San Jose International Airport, but for how it feels, you could be hundreds of miles away from the capital city) is the Finca Rosa Blanca Resort. Its petite size (it only has 14 rooms) belies its charm: each room is art-filled and bursting with life and conviviality. Murals, mosaics, and handwoven textiles make each space in the hotel entirely its own, blending Costa Rican symbolism with sculptural architecture (the whitewashed facade of the hotel is almost Gaudi-like). Rooms are set with panoramic windows from which to drink in views over the valley below. From this height, you get a renewed perspective on your surrounds.
Of course, coffee is one of Costa Rica’s most notable exports, and this hotel is the place to experience that side of the country in full. Explore the coffee farm on a guided tour that covers every step of the production process, from the growing of Arabica plants to the harvesting, drying, and roasting of the beans. Sip on a brew overlooking the treetops, as below, hotel staff pass each other with a nod of the head and a casual “pura vida”. Take in a full breath from the wooden deck. It’s in the air. Clean, fresh, and yes — pure.
