Costa Rica: Pura Vida!, Best Hotels Magazine

This expression, which literally means “Pure Life” is used daily as a greeting or expression of joy. And indeed, life does seem wholesome in this small country, a forerunner in environmental responsibility, and a dream destination for eco-lodge lovers.

The plane lands in San José,the capital located in the valley in the heart of Costa Rica. Once you step outside the airport, heat envelops you in a welcoming hug. You are in the tropics, between Capricorn and the equator, so the high temperatures are constant year-round.

Many tourists do not even step outside the airport in their rush to grab a plane to the coast. But why mess with another connection? Take the time to unpack your bags and discover, even just for a night or two,the country’s interior.

South of Costa Rica, near Quepos, Arenas del Mar is a savoury mix of elegance and sustainable development on a smaller scale. It took more than two years of work for the resort to open, with the owners doing everything possible to respect Mother Nature. Buildings and roads were built around trees.Upon arrival,hop into an electric car for an overview of some of the domain before entering the lobby. Keep your eyes open, as you just might glimpse a family of squirrel monkeys flying from branch to branch, gigantic iguanas sun-bathing or a coati nosing about at the foot of a tree.

The 38 rooms, divided amongst seven buildings, have everything you could want in terms of comfort: larges bathrooms, air conditioned bedrooms, WiFi internet access and, in some suites, larges private patios with a jacuzzi and splendid views over the Pacific. Solar panels heat the water, ionisation purifies the two pools, all of the light bulbs are low energy, all of the waste, including water, is treated or recycled, the cleaning products are biodegradable not one detail seems to have been overlooked. The resort boasts two beaches: the larger one, called Espadilla, is a surfer’s paradise, while the other, more intimate, is the ideal spot for RnR, lunching to the sound of waves,or sipping a cocktail while watching the sun set. For dinner, the open-air restaurant serves refined cuisine with extremely courteous service, boosted by a progressive social policy. The spa, overlooking the ocean,entices you to extend your stay.

During your visit, let José Pablo guide you through a tour of the Manuel Antonio National Park. Enthusiastic and passionate, he will show you white-topped capuchin monkeys, two or threetoed sloths, toucans,multi-coloured lizards, etc. His senses on the alert, he is able to tell by his nose that a family of howling monkeys has recently passed by here.The mysteries of Mother Nature!