Pura Vida Retreat & Spa

Easy to get to via Uber, which is easy to book from the airport or nearby town of Alajuela. It's about 20m drive, uphill, from town. Ubers here are quite affordable and abundant. You can also schedule Uber in advance via the app. Excellent wifi reception. I was pleasantly surprised at being able to work in one of multiple delightful locations throughout the grounds. Beautiful, peaceful, green place! The rooms were so-so compared to the photos: the website photographer should win many awards ;-) We stayed in late February and were pleasantly surprised that we didn't encounter a single mosquito the whole week! No roaches or any other unpleasant bugs. If you're sensitive to morning light and noise (loud birds start at around 6am) bring ear plugs (or ask the front desk for some) and eye mask. Bed was comfortable enough, and the pillows are decent. They already have extra blanket in the room. Hair dryer available upon request. Bring a bathing suit for the delightful pool and hot tub! Food was good the whole week. They always had dairy-free and gluten-free options. And can accommodate additional dietary needs if you request in advance. The staff were all very nice and helpful. A peaceful place to spend a few days!

We had an incredible stay at Pura Vida Retreat & Spa. The grounds and gardens are serene, lush, and deeply peaceful, with a beautiful view over the valley. Our nervous systems let out a collective exhale during the week we spent here. The food deserves a special mention - exceptionally tasty, nourishing, and thoughtfully prepared. We were a little worried about maintaining a healthy lifestyle while traveling, but those concerns quickly disappeared. Three times a day, the kitchen team served healthy, fresh, delicate, and wholesome meals. You can request gluten-free and other dietary options. We would happily return for the food alone. We also truly enjoyed yoga with Tamara - she is a sweetheart, with a creative, effective teaching style. I treated myself to massages with both Jenny and Rodrigo, each offering their own unique and wonderful approach. Jenny has a nurturing, deeply healing presence while still being very effective at releasing tension. Rodrigo is a fascia specialist and skillfully unraveled several long-standing imbalances in my body. A big shoutout to José and Martia, who sprinkled daily joy throughout our stay and were incredibly helpful with suggestions and arrangements. While the area around the site is quite secluded, we highly recommend a walk through the coffee plantation across the road. The tours organized through the Pura Vida also offer excellent opportunities to explore Costa Rica’s stunning natural beauty.

We had an absolutely fantastic stay at Pura Vida. We loved every bit of it—from the scenic views over the valley and the beautiful surrounding nature to the delicious, nourishing meals and the extremely helpful, cheerful staff. José’s warm spirit at the reception and Tamara’s creative yoga classes were two of our daily highlights. We very much look forward to returning to Pura Vida soon!

Words cannot truly express how wonderful Pura Vida retreat and spa is. The staff is so attentive and accommodating and caring. Every request was met with love- and I had a lot of requests with my dietary restrictions etc. The place is beautiful. My room was comfortable with a beautiful view. The body workers were incredible. I could go on and on. Tremendous appreciation and gratitude to Eduardo, Jose, Katya, Ceci, Alan, Kimberly, George, and so many more people who made my stay so comfortable. Pura Vida!

One warning for those not used to insects is that if you stay in a tent, be prepared to encounter spiders, grasshoppers, crickets, even cockroaches, and many other insects in the common bathroom at night. You are in a tropical country that’s a biodiversity hotspot after all :) A nice getaway from the city, this resort was quiet (other than the chirping of birds and insects, and the rustling of leaves and lush vegetation), peaceful, and calm. If you stay in a tent, you’ll find yourself falling asleep to the gentle tapping of the rain (if you go during their rainy season) and waking up with the magical sound of birds. The spa treatments were luxurious, at least the one I had that was a whole body exfoliation and polishing + facial that was called “Head to Toe.” The staff were also super friendly and helpful, and being able to speak Spanish, at least a little bit, goes a long way. The front desk staff are fluently in English tho.