Costa Rica
Luxury Holidays

According to the Happy Planet Index, Costa Rica is the happiest country in the world. It’s also the most biodiverse – with 850 bird species, five active volcanoes, 12 microclimates, and one of the five original blue zones (where inhabitants commonly live for over 100 years). So, it makes sense that Costa Rica luxury holidays sit at the top of many people’s bucket lists. From the nautical sights of Nosara, where crocodiles, wild cats and coatis happily cohabit, to the verdant volcanic valley of Bijagua, beauty abounds in every corner of this peaceful paradise. Swap your alarm clock for the sound of early morning monkey chatter on the tiny Isla Jesusita. Doze under its star studded skies on a luxury glamping adventure, surrounded by exotic flora – and maybe the odd nosy opossum – or watch the captivating constellations from the comfort of a panoramic bungalow overlooking the Tenorio and Miravalles volcanoes.

Luxury is synonymous with seclusion, which makes Rio Pacuare an absolute must. If you’re after a taste of adventure, follow its winding waterways, flanked by deep gorges and untouched verdant rainforest, on an exhilarating kayak or rafting adventure. Or, if peace and pampering is more your thing, unwind in one of its beguiling lodges – which are designed to only be accessible from the river – and enjoy fine dining in the region’s towering treetops. And if ‘long walks on the beach at sunset’ are your love language, Costa Rica luxury holidays have you covered. Beyond the docile districts of Loma and Sardinal, sweeping shores of cerulean seas lined with palm trees will be sure to fulfil the fantasy – as well as make you question whether you’ve accidentally walked onto a film set. Hatching sea turtles (from August to November) are sure to be the real star, but if you can’t quite steal yourself away from the salubrious tranquillity of Paco Seco beach, a few nights in its castaway retreat, nestled in the fruitful mangroves beyond the shore, are sure to satisfy.

The country’s 500,000 animal species are unlikely to let you forget about them during your Costa Rica luxury holidays either. Get a keel billed toucan’s perspective atop Arenal National Park’s suspended walkways, become stupefied by the rainforest floor’s solidified lava flows, and watch in amazement as spider monkeys, racoons and three-toed sloths swoop above your head. If freshwater calls, cool off in one of the parks’ inviting lagoons and waterfalls. You may even be joined by a thirsty, red-eyed leaf frog or an inquisitive hummingbird.

Best Time for Costa Rica Luxury Holidays

With two distinct seasons (wet and dry), you’ll want to make sure that the weather matches your mood board (and suitcase contents) for Costa Rica luxury holidays. In general, Costa Rica’s dry season runs from April to November, with toasty temperatures between 30°C and 35°C. Yet there are exceptions to this rule; the dry season is most pronounced on the Pacific coast and shorter on the Caribbean side, while December and January can be rainy (despite technically falling during the dry season). The wet season takes place from April to November, with sunny mornings preceding heavy rainstorms in the afternoon. And (of course) there are also variations to this rule; the eastern part of the country sometimes experiences a dry period during September and October, while July and August also see less rainfall. If you’re a committed sun-seeker, then your best bet is to plan a luxury holiday to Costa Rica during the dry season, when you won’t need to worry about raincoats or umbrellas. But if you’re willing to put up with a few showers, the country is at its most verdant and lush during the wet season, so this is the best time to visit for fully appreciating the diverse plant life and abundant landscapes.