Just two hours from Juan Santamaria Airport or Limon, El Lugar is an enchanting retreat—a sublime sanctuary designed for both the spontaneous traveler and the lifelong seeker of discovery. Rare birdwatching unveils over 130 species aloft and amid the lush canopy, while exhilarating horseback adventures meander through a vibrant rainforest. Guests can then immerse themselves in the quiet luxury of a handcrafted casita or unwind by an infinity pool, where gentle natural breezes invite serene reflection.

Where Sustainability Meets Luxury

Think of El Lugar as a place where the past and present intertwine in a timeless space, where time seems to stand still yet hum with energy and possibilities. Every element has been carefully considered:

•  No trees were cut down
•  No terrain was leveled
•  Lightweight steel structures and helical piles preserve the natural water drainage
•  Thermodynamic water heating systems and gravity-fed water distribution, ensure the resort is as gentle on the earth as it is indulgent for its guests.

The vision was to deliver luxury without compromising the raw beauty of this untouched place. El Lugar was designed to feel as if it had been here for a century, built to last for many more.

The casitas were crafted by hand, down to the one-of-a-kind doors, screened windows, and exposed beam ceilings. The carefully chosen antiques whisper of a journey around the world.  When you step through your casita’s door, the ambiance and bright, airy energy beckons you inside to reflect, rejuvenate and experience wherever the rainforest breeze takes you.

A World-Class Equestrian Experience at El Encanto

A crown jewel of El Lugar is its extraordinary equestrian offering at El Encanto. Home to over 100 beautiful horses and set on 740 acres of protected rainforest, El Encanto invites guests to explore the rainforest on horseback.

Experience the grace of the Costarricense de Paso—Costa Rica’s elegant walking horse, whose noble lineage traces back to Carthage and the Royal Courts of Spain. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned rider, group rides and one-on-one training sessions promise an unforgettable journey through one of the world’s most biodiverse landscapes.

A Living Connection to Costa Rican Culture

Beyond its sustainable architecture and equestrian adventures, El Lugar is a vibrant community hub. The resort proudly employs over 100 local artisans and staff, preserving traditional craftsmanship while fostering cultural exchange and empowerment in the local community.

Guests will find themselves transported to a simpler time—where:

• Oxen and buggy transport your luggage
• Herds of horses roam freely
• Antique furnishings tell stories of the past
• Nature’s sights and sounds envelop you

Yet, modern comforts remain seamlessly integrated—ensuring an indulgent, yet authentic Costa Rican experience.

Future Vision: Stage 2 Expansion

With Stage 2 already in the pipeline, El Lugar is set to become a trailblazer in eco-luxury. The next phase will introduce:

•  Costa Rica’s largest conference center
• A grand restaurant with volcano views
•  Additional handcrafted casitas

This expansion will solidify El Lugar as a place where heritage, innovation, and nature converge for generations to come.

Discover your sanctuary at El Lugar and follow our journey on Facebook and Instagram.

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According to the Global Wellness Institute, the wellness market is gaining rapid ground and expected to reach $9 trillion by 2028 – data that has relevance for The Retreat Costa Rica Founder Diana Stobo, whose property has been named one of the Top Ten Spa Destinations in the World by Conde Nast Traveler.

“With increasing numbers of people looking to detox from our frenetic digitally oriented society, the demand for our wellness services is growing quickly, with guests increasingly looking for more holistic and luxurious experiences,” Stobo said. Aimed at elevating the guest experience by redefining wellness, The Retreat’s new facilities will be built to embrace the region’s verdant topography – with an interplay between the indoors and out – incorporating sustainable elements, natural yet elegant décor and locally sourced materials for cultural context, resulting in a restorative yet luxurious experience.

A celebrity chef, best-selling author and artist, Stobo masterminded the design for the new spaces, deriving inspiration from the Sanskrit word Santosha meaning “contentment” or “acceptance.” Select highlights include:

Santosha Clubhouse. A communal area to relax and unwind, the resort’s new 16,500-square-foot clubhouse will feature rich decor with ancient Indigenous relics, vintage pottery and verdant plants – all accentuated by warm oak flooring and rustic wood furnishings for an old world feel. An enormous Guanacaste tree stretches its canopy over the entire space, creating a lush and inviting ambiance. Oversized natural wicker light fixtures and textured stone walls lend a rustic motif while an 11-by 13-foot handcrafted mandala wallcovering punctuates the southern wall.

The space will house a 12.5-by-50-foot single-lane lap pool with a striking mosaic design down the center lane and a state-of-the-art gym and yoga shala – each with 1,600 square feet of open space and soaring 16-foot ceilings, accommodating up to 50 people for group classes. With serene tones and natural elements, the shala is lined with white fabric, globe lights, meditation niches, rock wall trims and backlit mirrors. A nearby gym will have eight cardio machines facing southern mountain vistas as well as a rowing machine, elliptical, stationary bikes, a whole-body weight machine and free weights.

The Santosha Lofts. Each spanning 945 square feet, the expansive new Santosha Lofts are designed to face the expansive western views – embracing feng shui principles to optimize the wellness experience. Capturing the resort’s nurturing and gentle environment, these airy spaces have a simple and peaceful design motif with a soft cream, warm taupe and bold white palette designed to calm the mind and relax the body.

Natural elements such as wicker light fixtures, natural teak wood furnishings and handcrafted stone wall accents further the resort’s theme of “quiet luxury in nature.” An abundance of muted recessed lighting continues a mood of relaxation, restoration and luxury complementing the lush natural surroundings.

Each loft has a large bathroom with an old world door hand carved by local artisans, ample recessed lighting in the showers, open closets and under the counter and an over-the-tub chandelier. The open closet, glass shower and oversized window overlooking the Nicoya Peninsula and Pacific Ocean manifest the indoor-outdoor feel, evoking harmony with nature.

Stobo’s signature artwork accents the rooms while local craftsmen have created decorative root carvings and old world pillars to showcase a 12” selenite crystal in each room – installed to promote peace and calm and ignite mental clarity.

Dining for all Tastes. Atop the clubhouse will be three new distinct dining experiences: Mystique, La Diosa and Richard’s Kitchen. With sweeping views, the resort’s signature restaurant, Mystique, spans 1,000 square feet and seats 42 with booths and two- and four-top round marble tables. Large trees and plants hang overhead while a massive iron fireplace creates a warm and welcoming feel. Helmed by two-star Michelin Chef Richard Neat, the restaurant will feature a French-inspired tasting and wine pairing menu, including an array of Neat’s trail-blazing signature dishes.

Seating 36 and offering signature small plates and artisanal cocktails, La Diosa is a 1,250-square-foot relaxed lounge terrace replete with a plush sitting area of couches, lounge chairs and coffee tables situated to take in the surrounding jungle. The sunken living room falls into the mountain facing west and provides a direct sunset view. Wooden floors, soft rattan lighting and tabletop fire pits create a cozy, inviting space surrounded by trees and plants, allowing guests to relax in nature while enjoying casual dining. The smaller Richard’s Kitchen seats 32 and provides a 700-square-foot poolside open kitchen to grab a morning cappuccino, an after-workout juice or a smoothie a la carte.

Other resort highlights include a farm-to-table organic restaurant, an organic coffee plantation, two saltwater pools, a yoga studio, a meditation deck, organic gardens, river swings, jungle and river paths and sweeping views of the Gulf of Nicoya.

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Now with 19 bungalows and suites, the boutique property redefines barefoot luxury with a blend of upscale comfort, bespoke Costa Rican hospitality, and sophisticated tranquility.
Each of the four new 800-square-foot Ninta Garden View Bungalows features an intimate setting to unwind, complete with a king bed, private terrace, plunge pool, indoor-outdoor shower, and cozy hammock. The accommodations authentically combine beach chic design elements and natural wood accents with modern amenities like climate controls, smart TVs, Wi-Fi and a minibar. Nature lovers will especially enjoy the villas’ floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open to the terrace lined with lush greenery.
The newly opened Numú Wellness Center invites guests on a holistic healing journey in an open-air space within the gardens. Relaxing treatments surrounded by nature offer a peaceful and therapeutic setting full of the rainforest’s sounds, scents, and colors.
A full range of wellness programs are available including spa treatments, exercise and yoga classes, and a transcendental wellness experience. Inspired by the local environment, the spa integrates eco-friendly practices and locally made ingredients by women-owned businesses for its reflexology massages, signature aromatherapy treatments, body wraps and customized treatments, all designed to enhance guests’ health and harmony.
“We’re delighted to expand our property’s accommodations and wellness offerings so that even more travelers can discover the charms of our coastal retreat,” said Harry Hartman, Owner and General Manager at Hotel Nantipa – A Tico Beach Experience.
“Our goal is to provide a boutique, personalized atmosphere with our own authentic unique flavor, and these new additions are the perfect complement to our guest experience.”
Hotel Nantipa is committed to preserving and celebrating the natural Costa Rican environment throughout the property. The hotel is designed with reclaimed wood, a state-of-the-art waste-water treatment plant, energy sensors and solar water heaters.
At the beachfront restaurant, Manzú, guests can get a taste of local flavors in gourmet dishes and tropical cocktails, all while enjoying sweeping views of the ocean and stunning sunsets. In addition, guests can participate in the hotel’s sustainability initiatives like Pack for a Purpose and 10-minute beach clean ups.
Beyond the property, guests can immerse themselves in the rich Costa Rican culture and wildlife. The town of Santa Teresa features shopping and dining, and an array of recreational activities are available nearby from world-class surfing, yoga, paddleboarding and scuba diving to whale watching, fishing excursions, horseback riding and hiking at Montezuma Waterfall, Cabo Blanco National Park and Curú Reserve.
For more information about Nantipa – A Tico Beach Experience, please visit www.nantipa.com.

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