Costa Rica’s renown as a place of relaxation, luxury, and self-care is well-earned. From its boutique beachside villas to its five star restaurants, comfort-seeking travelers looking for a getaway can find a welcome port in this idyllic tropical nation. However, that luxury doesn’t have to come at the expense of healthy living. Contrary to popular belief about journeying to tropical nations, the health-conscious have a lot to love about Costa Rica.
Many health-conscious travelers find that time in Costa Rica actually helps them with living a cleaner, more mindful life — which explains why expats from around the globe flock there to seek peace and claim their own little piece of pura vida.
But in addition to their general appreciation for the good life, Costa Rica has a lot to offer visitors looking to pursue a bit of wellness during their trip, and we’ve rounded up some excellent ideas you’re bound to love:
Costa Rica is among the foremost nations in the world in terms of sustainability and protection of its environment, and it makes sense. There is a strong appreciation for nature among the people Costa Rica, a connection to the natural world and the wild that permeates many aspects of life in the country.
You can see these influences in Nosara, also known as Costa Rica’s wellness capital, a town situated along Playa Guiones in Guanacaste Province. This small community is home to two world-famous wellness resorts, the Harmony Hotel and Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort, that continue to foster those age old connections to the abundant natural world around Nosara. Both offer sustainably produced meals, energy neutral travel alternatives, and a yoga classes throughout the day among the beaches and the forest. The Bodhi Tree even offers yoga training intensives and workshops for aspiring instructors and dedicated students.
Another alternative for vacationers who want to connect with nature is Playa Danta, a sheltered spot near the naturally terraced foothill community of Las Catalinas. Picture a moment of peace, looking out across the dawn waves from the cool sands as you move smoothly through your poses.
As we mentioned above, Costa Rica’s strong connections to its biodiverse ecosystems are prominent in many ways, both through sustainability programs and through its culture and history. And one of the best ways to stay healthy on your trip to the country is to explore these connections with a knife and fork.
For example, the diverse tropical forests of the country produces a wide variety of healthy produce, including quite a few superfoods. Look in the right place, and you can find local cuisine that is deeply rooted in these fresh, healthy ingredients. In fact, Costa Rica is home to some of the best conditions for growing a tropical superfood: the noni. Indigenous to the region and used as both food and remedy since pre-Columbian times, this pungent little fruit is said to decrease blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and lower blood sugar, alongside boosting several key enzymes.
Not a bad way to liven up your diet while you’re in the country.
Working out at your local gym is a part of the everyday rhythm, but for all that they do for mental and physical health, individual sessions are rarely memorable. But take your routine jog out into the rainforest and it can take a turn into a deeply enriching experience.
Visitors to Costa Rica can find new and creative ways to exercise, adding some variety and excitement to the usual routines of working out. Apart from interesting opportunities like doing HIIT on the beach, running up and down trails along soaring sea cliffs, or lifting weights in the forests, family-friendly activities like kayaking, surfing, or stand-up paddle boarding blend plenty of fun with excellent exercise.
Even an evening stroll along the hills of Costa Rica’s streets and villages can be fantastic for the body and soul.
Half of finding a place to relax is the journey, which can be a therapeutic exercise in itself. This is especially true in the right environment, and a pleasant nature walk in Costa Rica can bring some precious moments of disconnection from the stressors of everyday life.
Have you ever noticed how popular nature sounds are for meditation and relaxation soundtracks? Well, in Costa Rica, that soundtrack is real, the air is fresh, and there’s life all around you. Take a short stroll into the tropical hills and valleys and you’ll hear wildlife everywhere — monkeys, a quetzal, or maybe curassow birds in conversation and song. And you never know when you’ll happen to find a pleasant seat in the hills to look out, breathe in the scents of the wild world around you, and unwind.
A little bit of self care and pampering shouldn’t be overlooked for helping you stay healthy and fit. And after a long hike through the foothills or a day paddle boarding the coast, not much is better than a massage. And if you happen to be in Guanacaste, Wake Day Spa in Las Catalinas is your destination for relaxation.
Wake offers a variety of therapeutic massages, helping release the tension and stiffness associated with traveling, stress, or your new exercise routine. And in addition to their massages, which ranges from deep tissue treatment to more relaxing swedish styles, their therapists can also provide aromatic herbs and holistic masks to revitalize, exfoliate, and hydrate skin. Add a manicure and pedicure to the mix and look as good as you feel.
Perhaps best of all, Wake Day Spa offers take-out services to guests staying in town. Because as everyone knows, the only thing more relaxing than going to a massage is a massage coming to you.
Health isn’t a solitary endeavor. Studies show that people who have a connection with their community live longer, happier, healthier lives than those who don’t, and the connections between friends and families in Costa Rica’s tightly knit communities are part of the reason that the country is one of the world’s Blue Zones.
It’s for this reason that the architects behind the beach town of Las Catalinas planned each space to emphasize connections, both to loved ones and to nature. Homes are adjacent to public green spaces and squares where friends old and new meet for conversation, cocktails, or to share a meal. The urban is closely connected to the natural world, and with no cars in town getting around becomes an enjoyable social experience.
Throw in the town’s wealth of outdoor activities, which range from paddle boarding to open water swim to trail running and mountain biking to HIIT and yoga and much more, and you’ve got a town that just breathes a healthy lifestyle.
Still, no matter where you go in Costa Rica, there’s a good chance you can find a lively and friendly group of people. A few kind words go a long way here, whether it’s towards drinks on a lesser known beach, finding the best surf break in town, or finding everyone’s favorite spot for gallo pinto. After all, no one knows good living like the locals.
The one thing we all tend to regret on vacation is that we lose a bit of our routine, and often have to choose memorable life experiences at the cost of staying healthy and fit. But it doesn’t necessarily have to be this way. Between the naturally active way of life, a number of healthy dietary options, and a few exercise and self-care recommendations above, you’re set for a guilt-free Costa Rican vacation that’s truly memorable!