The 9 Best Luxury Wellness Resorts in Costa Rica

Mountains at Hacienda AltaGracia. Image courtesy of Fora Media Library.

Costa Rica is the rare place that makes wellness feel less like a checklist and more like a side effect. You land. You exhale. Your shoulders drop somewhere between passport control and the first view of green that looks like it has never known stress.

It helps that Costa Rica is under five hours from the East Coast, which makes it one of the easiest “I just need to feel better” trips you can take without negotiating jet lag like a hostage situation. From November through March, the weather is reliably hot and sunny. The people are warm in a way that feels sincere, not performative. And the wellness options are so varied that you can design a trip that looks like sunrise yoga, surfing until your arms give out, or a deep soak in volcanic hot springs while quietly questioning why you ever answered emails after 7 pm.

Costa Rica does not insist on transformation. It simply makes it easier.

Why Costa Rica Works for Wellness (Without Trying Too Hard)

Costa Rica’s wellness culture is not precious. You can meditate in the jungle, hike through cloud forest, surf in warm water, soak in mineral-rich hot springs, eat fresh food that tastes like it grew up loved, and still be asleep early without feeling like you failed at something.

There is yoga everywhere, but there are also long walks, forest bathing, afternoon swims, and plenty of room to do absolutely nothing without guilt. Wellness here looks like moving your body because it feels good, resting because your nervous system asked nicely, and being outside so much that your phone becomes optional.

Alta Gracia

The Spa at Hacienda AltaGracia. Image courtesy of Fora Media Library.

Best for deep rest, solo travel - if you need silence, couples, quiet luxury

Set in the rolling foothills of southern Costa Rica, it feels expansive and intentionally quiet. The spa experience is deeply personalized and unhurried, with treatments rooted in local botanicals and thoughtful touch rather than trend-driven menus. Yoga here is grounding. Meals are nourishing without being performative. Days unfold naturally into walks, spa time, and long dinners that don’t need an agenda.

This is where I send people who say they’re tired, but what they really mean is depleted.

A note on getting there: Alta Gracia is intentionally remote, and that’s a big part of why it works so well. Most guests fly into San José. From there, it’s about a three to three-and-a-half-hour drive through scenic countryside, best done with a private transfer arranged by the hotel.

There’s also a quieter, more elegant option. You can take a small regional flight from San José to San Isidro de El General, which takes about 45 minutes. From there, it’s another 45 to 60 minutes by car to the resort. For the right traveler, this turns the journey into part of the experience and lets you arrive already feeling removed from everyday noise.

Once you’re there, there’s very little reason to leave. That’s the point.

Nayara Gardens and Nayara Tented Camp

Best for romance, nature immersion, luxury hot springs

Nayara has very strong opinions about soaking, and they are right. Hot spring pools are woven throughout the property, so wellness becomes part of the rhythm of the day rather than a scheduled activity. Steam rises at dusk. Wildlife wanders through casually. No one seems to be in a rush.

Nayara Gardens feels lush, classic, and welcoming. It’s a beautiful option for families or couples who want ease and comfort with a strong nature component.

Nayara Tented Camp is more immersive and more cocooned. Elevated tented suites feel private and romantic, many with outdoor soaking tubs and rainforest views. This is the version you choose when you want to feel wrapped in nature but still care deeply about linens.

If we were planning our next family jungle trip, this would absolutely be one of the top contenders.

Four Seasons Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo

Best for families, couples, wellness plus beach time

The Four Seasons Papagayo is one of those places that genuinely works for everyone. We’ve stayed here, and it’s easy to see why it’s such a strong choice for families who still want real wellness.

The spa incorporates indigenous healing traditions alongside modern treatments, but nothing feels heavy or overly serious. You can do yoga in the morning, spa in the afternoon, spend the rest of the day at the pool or beach, and still feel like you took care of yourself without making wellness the entire point of the trip.

If you want more detail, I’ve written a full review of our stay that goes deeper into rooms, dining, and what it’s actually like with kids.

Nekajui

The adults only spa pool at Nekajui with breathtaking views.

Best for dramatic views, design lovers, elevated spa experiences

Nekajui is visually striking in a way that stops you mid-thought. Perched high above the Pacific, the architecture and landscape work together to create a sense of awe without tipping into spectacle.

We’ve stayed here as well, and the spa experience is one of the most immersive in Costa Rica. Treatments feel ceremonial and intentional, with a real emphasis on ritual, movement, and presence. Wellness here has substance, not just atmosphere.

It’s especially strong for families with older kids or adults who appreciate space, design, and a sense of occasion.

Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa

Best for hot springs, slowing down, elemental wellness

Tabacón is the hot springs benchmark in Costa Rica. Naturally heated mineral water flows directly from the Arenal Volcano into winding rivers and pools surrounded by dense jungle.

The spa treatments are excellent, but the real magic is the soaking. Early morning, when the steam rises quietly. Late afternoon, when the light softens. Again the next day, because you can.

If we were choosing between jungle wellness experiences for a future family trip, Tabacón would absolutely be in the running.

Rio Perdido

A Bungalow at Rio Perdido. Image courtesy of Fora Media Library.

Best for active wellness, outdoor lovers, solo trips

Rio Perdido is for people who feel best when they’ve moved their bodies. Canyon hikes, suspension bridges, open-air yoga, and thermal pools create days that feel active without being exhausting.

This is not a lying-down-all-day place, but it’s deeply satisfying. You sleep well. You eat well. You feel quietly accomplished without having to prove anything. This is for someone who enjoys luxury that feels a bit rustic at the same time.

The Retreat Costa Rica

Best for intentional resets, solo travel, burnout recovery

The Retreat is purpose-built for wellness, with a gentle daily rhythm of yoga, meditation, spa treatments, and thoughtfully prepared meals that support rather than restrict.

This is a strong choice if you want structure without intensity and a reset that feels kind. It’s especially well suited to solo travelers or anyone coming out of a demanding season.

Nantipa

Best for beach lovers, surf culture, casual wellness

Sunset by the pool at Nantipa. Image courtesy of Fora Media Library.

Nantipa blends surf culture with boutique luxury in a way that feels effortless. Wellness here looks like sunrise yoga, long beach walks, surf sessions, and spa treatments that fit naturally into the day.

If we were planning our next family beach-forward wellness trip, Nantipa would be at the top of the list alongside Nayara Gardens. Relaxed, youthful, and unfussy in the best way.

The Takeaway

Costa Rica doesn’t ask you to reinvent your life. It just makes it easier to feel good inside it.

Whether you want hot springs, jungle yoga, ocean air, or a place where your body and brain can finally relax at the same time, Costa Rica delivers with warmth, ease, and very good lighting.

If you want help choosing the right wellness escape, or deciding which of these resorts makes sense for your family right now, this is exactly the kind of planning I love to do.