Costa Rica Spa Guide: From a Wellness-Focused Retreat to an Oceanfront Sanctuary, Discover the 8 Best Spas in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a sought-after wellness destination and a hub of healthy living. [Photo credit: Christian Garcia]
Home to the Nicoya Peninsula, one of five Blue Zones—regions of the world that are known to support longevity and vitality and boast an unusually high number of centenarian residents—Costa Rica is a sought-after wellness destination that visitors find themselves wishing to return to time and again.
It’s no wonder the country is known as a hub of healthy living: there are a wealth of active pursuits to enjoy, from surfing and hiking to white water rafting and horseback riding; organic produce is plentiful including fresh fruits and vegetables, chocolate, and coffee; and it’s a pioneer in sustainability practices as it produces nearly 93 percent of its electricity from renewable resources and 30 percent of its territory is protected natural land.
Embrace the “pura vida” way of life by visiting one of Costa Rica’s top wellness resorts where spa treatments often incorporate the country’s rich natural ingredients and cultural traditions, and bespoke offerings include experiences like private yoga instruction, thermal hot springs bathing, and organic cuisine.
In our Costa Rica spa guide, we’ve rounded up the country’s premier wellness destinations and best spas. Read on to discover our top picks for the ultimate relaxation getaway and discover the best deals on flights to Costa Rica.
Guanacaste and the Northern Pacific
Onda Spa at Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo
Peninsula Papagayo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica; (+506) 2690-1234
From its perch above Culebra Bay, Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo boasts stunning views of the ocean and surrounding foliage that sets the tone for a relaxing wellness-focused retreat. The 152-room property, which includes 21 luxury suites and 25 newly-built Andaz Residences, provides guests with access to three secluded beaches, four pools, an Arnold Palmer-designed golf course, fully-equipped gym with fitness classes and an outdoor workout deck, four restaurants, a host of experiences and excursions, and the lavish Onda Spa.
With nine treatment suites, three outdoor treatment suites and a couple’s suite, there is plenty of room to luxuriate in a specialty service drawing inspiration from Costa Rica’s natural bounty at the 11,000-square-foot spa. The 90-minute Reminiscence of the Pacific body treatment, for example, pays homage to the ocean, starting with a mineral salt and coconut scrub followed by a nourishing microalgae mask wrap, and finishing with an application of fresh marine body lotion.
Along with body treatments, the spa also offers massage, facials, manicures, pedicures, and waxing services, as well as wellness experiences like yoga, reiki, and a sound bath suspended in an anti-gravity hammock. For an ultra-relaxing experience, book some additional relaxation time in the spa suite, which includes outdoor and indoor showers, an ocean-view balcony, herbal tea, and a snack.
The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo
26 Km al Norte del Doit Centre Liberia, Peninsula Papagayo, 5000 Carrillo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica; (+506) 2696-0000
Situated in an enviable location on a narrow spit of land on the Peninsula Papagayo with the Culebra Bay on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other, Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo is the epitome of luxury, whether you opt to stay in a spacious guest room or suite or splurge on a private residence.
Adrenaline seekers and nature lovers alike with appreciate the resort’s many available experiences to choose from including an aerial adventure zip line tour, birdwatching walk, private surfing lessons, and an outrigger canoe paddle through the mangroves. You can also work out in the fully-equipped fitness center or open-air fitness pavilion overlooking the ocean or relax at the beach club or a poolside cabana.
No visit to the Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo would be complete without experiencing the lavish Four Seasons Spa, which offers numerous treatments inspired by the surrounding seas and rainforest. Exfoliate with a Costa Rican coffee or coconut scrub; relieve tension with the Signature Rainforest Massage; treat yourself to a tailored facial with Biologique Recherche products; partake in one of three indulgent hammam journeys; or beautify with a spa manicure or pedicure.
In addition, take advantage of the resort’s Visiting Practitioners program, which allows guests to participate in a variety of workshops led by wellness experts from around the world.
The Northern Zone: La Fortuna and Monteverde
The Spa at Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa
13 kms northwest of La Fortuna, Provincia de Alajuela, Nuevo Arenal; + 1 (855) Tabacon; + (506) 2519-1999; +(506) 2479-2000
There are many hot springs resorts open to the public near the town of La Fortuna, but Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa is the original and it remains one of the most respected in the area. Located in the shadow of Arenal Volcano, the luxurious, eco-friendly, 105-room Tabacón sits on 900 acres of pristine rainforest reserve.
Making it unique among the local hot springs attractions, the hot springs waters actually flow naturally through the property into serene river pools with cascading waterfalls, complemented by several hot springs swimming pools, a swim-up bar, and cabanas. While guest day passes to the hot springs are available for purchase, hotel guests get exclusive access to the adults-only Shangri La Gardens hot springs hideaway, in addition to all of the other pools. The hot springs are only one part of the wellness experience at Tabacón, however.
The Spa at Tabacón offers an array of relaxing, rejuvenating treatments incorporating locally-sourced ingredients like coffee, chocolate, pineapple, avocado, tamarind, and volcanic mud in 11 palm-thatched, open-air bungalows set amidst lush rainforest landscaping. Choose from body wraps and exfoliations, massage, facials, men’s treatments, express treatments, manicures and pedicures, and holistic wellness treatments like Ayurvedic massage and sound healing.
Among the top experiences: Honey Temptation, an 80-minute treatment encompassing a full-body massage with a mixture of olive, honey, and oranges followed by an open-air thermo-mineral water shower. Post-treatment, enjoy a dip in the outdoor hydromassage experience pool or the thermal spring-fed whirlpool tub under a palm-thatched palapa, where you’ll be treated to complimentary tea and snacks.
Sukha Spa at Nayara Resorts, Costa Rica
G836+X9 La Fortuna, Alajuela Province, Costa Rica; +(506) 2479-1600; +1 (844) 865-2002
Luxurious eco-resort Nayara Resorts near La Fortuna actually encompasses three distinct properties tucked into a 4,500-acre nature preserve—Nayara Tented Camp, Nayara Gardens, and Nayara Springs—each offering a unique lodging experience.
Nayara Tented Camp’s safari-inspired canvas tents include freestanding tubs, outdoor terraces with private plunge pools fed by thermal waters, and stunning views of Arenal Volcano; family-friendly Nayara Gardens was recently completely remodeled, and now features individual casitas with private decks and plunge pools, plus a rainforest education center; and Nayara Springs is an adults-only sanctuary of villas with private plunge pools and outdoor showers.
A network of pathways through the lush landscaping—a sloth habitat—connects the properties, which share 10 restaurants and bars, as well as a number of hot springs pools. On the wellness front, recently-opened Sukha Spa offers a wide range of treatments incorporating local ingredients provided in open-air thatched-roof pavilions.
Think: exfoliating body scrubs with organic Costa Rican coffee or cocoa beans, a volcanic mud massage, a soothing thermal water facial, and a spa manicure and pedicure. Additional wellness offerings include private yoga instruction, sound therapy, and a cacao ceremony—and guests can also book one of the regularly offered multi-day wellness retreats featuring bespoke itineraries.
The Spa at Hotel Belmar
857Q+2J Monteverde, Provincia de Puntarenas; +(506) 8953-6084
Situated in Costa Rica’s misty, wondrous Monteverde cloud forest highlands, family-owned luxury eco-lodge Hotel Belmar is designed to foster closer connections to nature, mindful serenity, and holistic wellness. It’s easy to appreciate the property’s beautiful setting, whether wandering the trails through the surrounding forest or practicing yoga on the expansive deck perched above the spring water pond.
The hotel’s eateries prioritize sustainability with new menus that take a hyper-local approach to sourcing ingredients including utilizing produce from the onsite carbon-neutral farm with many plant-based dishes offered. Options abound on the beverage front as well: enjoy a superfood smoothie at the juice bar and tearoom; take a mocktail mixology class; or sample craft beers brewed onsite with local spring water.
For the ultimate relaxing experience, book a restorative massage treatment at Hotel Belmar’s spa including Swedish, deep tissue, hot stone, and couples massage (you can also add a mini facial or foot scrub). Post-treatment, enjoy a dip in the glass-enclosed jet pool gazebo while taking in the views of the lush surroundings through the panoramic windows.
Central Valley and Highlands
Vida Mia Spa at The Retreat Costa Rica Wellness Resort and Spa
Barrio Jesús de Atenas, Alajuela Province, Costa Rica; +(506) 2106-3900; +(833) 760-4242
While The Retreat Costa Rica Wellness Resort & Spa may be located just 40 minutes from Costa Rica’s busy San Jose International Airport, its beautiful setting perched on a 60-acre quartz mountain overlooking the Pacific Ocean in the Central Valley region makes it feel a million miles away instead.
Founded in 2016 by celebrity chef, bestselling author, and health and wellness life coach Diana Stobo, The Retreat Costa Rica is a boutique wellness sanctuary designed to provide guests 16 and older with a fully immersive experience.
On property, you’ll find 18 bespoke TV- and phone-free rooms, Vida Mia Healing Center and Spa, two farm-to-table organic restaurants, an organic coffee plantation, two saltwater pools, a yoga studio, meditation room and deck, and organic gardens—not to mention river swings and many pathways through the surrounding forest.
Spa Profile: Vida Mia Healing Center and Spa at The Retreat Costa Rica
In the 8,000-square-foot Vida Mia Healing Center and Spa, each spacious treatment room connects to nature, offering expansive mountain views. There are more than 80 therapeutic services to choose from including massages, “farm-to-spa” body rituals, infrared sauna therapy, a crystal healing facial, and Ayurvedic treatments—all featuring scrubs, tinctures, oil infusions, and creams that are hand made with medicinal herbs and ingredients from The Retreat’s organic garden.
Guests can also book a one-on-one expert-led yoga sessions. Post-treatment, enjoy the relaxation room, café and tea bar, hot tub, and cold-water cascade. For guests seeking a curated wellness experience, The Retreat offers a number of packages—from Fitness Reboot and Fat Burning to Authentic Ayurdeva Spa—designed to address specific goals related to physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual renewal.
Nicoya Peninsula
The Spa at The Gilded Iguana
Playa Guiones Del mini Super 100 Mts al Sur a Mano Izquierda, Provincia de Guanacaste, Nosara, 50206; +(506) 2215-6950; +1 (888) 844-8262
Set among immaculately landscaped grounds drawing a plethora of colorful butterflies, located just a few minutes’ walk from renowned surfing beach Playa Guiones, The Gilded Iguana’s alluring brand of laidback luxury lures guests who favor staying at bespoke boutique properties over larger resorts. There is no shortage of amenities at the Gilded Iguana, however.
The Surf Club is the destination for surf instruction, board rentals, lockers, and beach towels, as well as a juice bar; the athletic center is outfitted with top-of-the line fitness equipment and a cold plunge pool; a mountain biking center offers two-hour guided tours and rentals; the pool bar offers expertly crafted cocktails and local brews and creative mocktails; and the restaurant provides guests with daily complimentary breakfast including access to the bread bar and fresh tropical fruit plates, as well as sumptuous lunch and dinner service featuring local ingredients. There’s even a coworking space and a kids’ club onsite, with half- and full-day programming and daily movie nights.
If a spa treatment is what you’re after, The Gilded Iguana can also meet your needs on the relaxation front and its spa is also open to non-hotel guests. Treatment rooms open to nature and offer services including massages specially designed with surfers’ needs in mind, as well as facials and waxing—all utilizing organic, locally made ingredients. But why not go for the ultimate indulgence? The immersive Jungle Experience pampers with exfoliation, a body wrap, a mini facial, and a deep tissue or Swedish massage.
Southern Inlands
THE WELL at Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection
Santa Teresa de Cajón, Pérez Zeledón, San José 11908; +(506) 2105-3000; (855) 812-2212
Surrounded by the Talamanca Mountains in the remote Southern Inlands region, Hacienda AltaGracia, an Auberge Resorts Collection property, is a luxurious wellness-centric retreat featuring 50 casitas set on 180 acres of tropical forest. Stays at Hacienda AltaGracia are inclusive of all meals and non-alcoholic beverages plus movement classes, access to resort amenities, a calendar of daily activities, and complimentary shared charter flights (for two) to and from San Jose.
At THE WELL at Hacienda AltaGracia—which features eight treatment rooms, a hydrotherapy tub, thermal suite and a healing garden—guests can choose from a robust menu of treatments including facials, body rituals, massage, Celluma light therapy, Reiki, and more.
Beauty Boss: Vivianne Garcia-Tunon, Auberge Resorts Collection’s Global Vice President of Wellbeing
The resort’s onsite integrative health coach and movement specialist can help guests navigate the options to create a bespoke experience. Regardless of what you book, all treatments at The Well begin with a purifying ritual at the Casa de Agua that includes an herbal exfoliation and application of local clay.
Among the unique offerings: Maderoterapia (or wood therapy); a holistic Central American massage technique utilizing wooden tools; and The River Bath, which starts with an in-river aura cleansing followed by a local coffee scrub exfoliation and herbal bath.
[Photos courtesy of spas and hotels]
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Lotus Abrams is a San Francisco Bay Area-based writer who has written articles on topics ranging from beauty and interior design to business and tech in her multiple-decade career. Her work has been published in Marin Magazine, Nailpro, Beauty Launchpad, Brit+Co, PUNCH, SoCal Design, SPACES, American Salon, Chicago Agent, and more. Follow her on Instagram: @lotusabrams_writes.