Curated Costa Rica: A journey of wellness, wonder, and culinary excellence
Immerse yourself in elegance and comfort amid the wildness of Costa Rica’s lush rainforests and Pacific beaches.
By Nicholas Gill | October 1, 2025
Costa Rica’s lush tropical forests and pristine beaches set the stage for transformative journeys where sophistication meets adventure in Central America. Begin your days with sunrise meditation and nourishing cuisine inspired by local ingredients, then venture into the wild with guided hikes, waterfall swims, and coastal adventures. At day’s end, unwind with a world-class cocktail or exclusive spa treatment that honors nature’s rhythms. Here are our recommendations for the best things to do in Costa Rica to restore balance, awaken your senses, and embrace the “pura vida” lifestyle in the heart of paradise.
Elevated experiences
With a rich diversity of landscapes, national parks, and Pacific Coast proximity, the Guanacaste region is a nature lover’s dream, and Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique is ideally located for exploring the beautiful country. Your concierge can arrange bespoke experiences in Rincón de la Vieja National Park, which range from bathing in waterfalls and volcanic hot springs to hiking through the tropical dry forest, spotting monkeys and coati as you go past steaming fumaroles and bubbling mud pots. At the resort, a network of multi-tiered turquoise pools cascades down to the sheltered beach of Playa Penca, laden with native plants and offering year-round swimming, kayaking, and paddle boarding. The resort's location between the pristine Playas del Coco and Playa Hermosa beaches offers ample opportunities to explore the marine environment via guided tours, private surf lessons, and whale watching excursions, as well as scuba diving around the Gulf of Papagayo.
Distinguished dining
While ecotourism is a highlight of any Costa Rica visit, the cuisine is just as enticing. Guanacaste stands out as one of Latin America’s richest regional cuisines with its vibrant network of small farms and artisan fishing communities. Get a taste of cultural heritage through ancestral ingredients like heirloom purple corn and black mangrove clams that find their way into a variety of regional recipes. Begin your day with Costa Rican specialty coffees at Buena Nota Café. The resort’s bespoke coffee program, led by Costa Rica’s Barista Champion Ricardo Azofeifa, features roasts — including the signature Chirripó blend — sourced from renowned Costa Rican coffee regions. For hearty fare kissed by a flame, indulge in dishes such as caramelized plantains and burrata-like cuajada cheese alongside wagyu beef touched with artisanal Chorotega salt at Tico-Tica’s open-fire kitchen. Don’t miss out on the resort’s restaurant, La Finca, for modern interpretations of Costa Rican cooking, such as charcoal-grilled octopus and handcrafted cocktails infused with fruits and herbs from the Costa Rican rainforest.
Wellness and relaxation
Beyond lush tropical landscapes and serene ocean views, Guanacaste offers a one-of-a-kind setting for deep relaxation, rejuvenation, and personal renewal. At Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique, the lavish 17,000-square-foot (1,579-square-meter) Waldorf Astoria Spa is the foundation of the resort’s wellness program, home to plush indoor and outdoor relaxation lounges, a movement studio, salon, saunas, and an outdoor yoga area. Let the wellness specialists guide you through a curated journey of self-discovery with holistic therapies, fitness regimens, and world-class wellness treatments infused with rainforest botanicals that channel local Indigenous Chorotega wisdom. Make special note of the Mariola Ritual, based on Costa Rica’s ancient healing traditions, which begins with an herbal cleansing and body scrub, followed by a nourishing and restorative Mariola honey wrap, and finally a calming massage.
Nicholas Gill
A longtime food and travel writer and photographer specializing in Latin America, James Beard award-nominated Nicholas Gill splits his time between New York and Lima, Peru. The author of Frommer’s Guide to Costa Rica and several cookbooks, Gill writes for The New York Times, The Guardian, Food & Wine, Saveur, and countless other publications.
Find your stay
Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique
Set on the secluded Playa Penca, our resort is 17 miles from Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport. We're within 38 miles of eco-adventure parks, wildlife tours, and Rincón de la Vieja Volcano. Our rooms, suites, and villas offer breathtaking views and personalized service. Enjoy distinct culinary concepts, a multi-level pool, spa, and fitness center.
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