Why do visitors flock to Costa Rica? Because of its people and their inspiring connection to the biodiverse landscape. And the accommodations aren’t half bad, either.
Within hours of arrival, it’s possible to drive from a sandy beach to a tropical jungle, to a cloud forest or mountain range. Since the accommodations vary as much as the landscapes, here are a few unique places to stay in Costa Rica you won’t soon forget, each created in harmony with the environment.
This secluded eco-lodge in Golfito is surrounded by 380 acres of private rainforest. Perched 1060ft above sea level, Cielo Lodge has six luxury canopy suites and expansive views of Golfito Bay, the Osa Peninsula and beyond.
Jungle resorts can often be stiflingly hot, yet Cielo’s higher elevation brings less humidity, fewer insects and more ocean breezes. If you want to get further afield, take advantage of different wildlife and cultural excursions such as forest bathing, a nighttime frog walk and a visit to the Boruca community. This indigenous village 2 hours away offers tours of artists’ workshops, with the possibility of purchasing masks or textiles.
For those wishing to stay put, there’s an open-air restaurant with fresh food procured from local purveyors, and a second-story bar to watch the setting sun as monkeys swing from the trees. Within hiking distance are two waterfalls with natural swimming pools. For the less intrepid, the infinity-edge saltwater pool will certainly suffice.
The village of San Gerardo de Rivas in the Talamanca Mountains attracts bird-watchers, hikers and nature lovers due to its proximity to the Cloudbridge Nature Reserve and the Chirripo National Park.
While there are rustic accommodations in town, I chose a clean, modern Airbnb in an impressive three-story glass, wood and steel home with a private deck overlooking the Chirripó Pacífico River and the owner’s tropical garden.
From this location, I could walk to several attractions in under a mile: Cloudbridge; the Thermal Hot Springs; the Jardines Secretos to see exotic orchids and plants; and the Chirripó trailhead, about a half mile from the center of town.
Be sure to eat lunch at Truchero Los Cocolisos, the family-run trout farm next door, whose wooden tables are encircled by tropical foliage and colorful rainbow eucalyptus trees. After selecting your fish from the pond, it will get cleaned, placed in a bucket, hoisted up to a second-floor kitchen, cooked and served with slaw, rice and fries.
A recent addition to the Art Villas Resort, these five elegant, egg-shaped pods look futuristic but feel like small nests cradled by the lush jungle vegetation surrounding them.
This glamping spot is connected by a series of footbridges and
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One of the best parts of travel is staying in incredible hotels full of personality, local charm and a true sense of place. In Japan, Accor just opened the Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto, a stunning and luxurious hotel with all those qualities — and then some.
Wandering through the lush gardens of Hawaii’s Sensei Lāna'i Four Seasons feels otherworldly; giant banyan trees tangle and twist together, mānewanewa (Hawaiian mint) and nāʻū (gardenia) scent the air, birds-of-paradise plants reach staggering heights, and the air hums with the sounds of busy pollinators. This lushness is even more striking given the arid landscape of the surrounding Lāna'i, an island that contrasts sharply with the rest of Hawaii: Over decades, industries such as ranching and pineapple farming have left lasting marks on Lāna'i's terrain. The island was once home to a plantation that produced 75% of the world's pineapples. And ranching, which began around 1854 and lasted around 100 years, brought grazing animals that significantly altered the native landscape. The gardens at Sensei Lāna'i, however, are a testament to thoughtful reforestation, with plants chosen to preserve biodiversity and create a flourishing, peaceful haven.
As the countdown to New Year’s Eve begins, Park Hyatt Sydney invites guests to celebrate in unparalleled luxury against the stunning backdrop of Sydney’s Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Known for its exceptional location and elegance, Park Hyatt Sydney offers an unforgettable start to 2025 with its exclusive accommodation packages.
There are different approaches to spa holidays, I realise as I arrive at the hot spring wellness complex of Terme Snovik. Most people are dressed in pretty summer clothes, looking clean and relaxed.
Tourists are flocking to Costa Rica, with visitors trying to get a taste of the Blue Zone lifestyle that promises better-than-average health and longevity.
Wellness travel is booming, and hotels large and small are wooing guests with state-of-the-art spas, fitness centers, classes and retreats. Here are some of the latest properties, where wellness goes beyond facials and yoga to sleep tracking, local rituals and even medical services like getting an echocardiogram. Whether you want to sink into a hot spring in Japan or receive a massageon a train as it rolls toward a Malaysian jungle, these getaways strive to transport you in more ways than one.
I was seated across from a tall Spaniard dressed in black jeans and a checkered shirt. We'd "met" a few nights before on a dating app, and I was doing my best to keep the conversation flowing. It wasn't.
Embedded in a lush slope of jungle, my villa peered over the glimmering bay below, the whole scene animated by butterflies, bird songs, and the treetop rustling of monkeys. As I floated in my private plunge pool, reminding myself to take it all in, I reflexively grabbed my phone to check the weather app. I placed it back down on the towel, scolding myself for the lapse in mindfulness. Within seconds I grabbed my phone to check it again before remembering I just did.