Our Dream Trip Through Costa Rica

Some vacations offer a break from mundane routine, and others recalibrate your entire rhythm. Our Elite Beach Villas holiday in Costa Rica offered the latter: Equal parts rest and exhilaration, and all parts infused with gorgeous tropical scenery and spontaneous adventures, capped off in effortless luxury. Our group split our time between two distinct yet equally captivating destinations. Six nights in the undeniably sexy surf town of Santa Teresa, followed by four nights in Tamarindo, a lively beach hub with a vibrant coastal pulse.

We stayed in two amazingly exceptional properties from Elite Beach Villas. Casa Lanui in Santa Teresa and Casa Alang Alang in Tamarindo. Each villa had its unique magic. Casa Lanui was the epitome of barefoot luxury–chicly serene, and just steps from the sand. Then, set above Tamarindo, Casa Alang Alang felt like its own private five-star resort, complete with lush gardens, sweeping ocean views, and impeccable aesthetic detailing.

From indulging in the vibrant mix of local flavours, to exploring the lush jungles and soaking in ocean breezes, every moment of our trip was shaped by the extraordinary places we called home during our journey and the unforgettable experiences that unfolded around them.

Santa Teresa: Beachfront Bohemian Bliss at Casa Lanui

After we arrived at the local airport, we made our way south toward the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. We were led through charming tropical towns, many of them centred around their small churches and soccer fields. After an occasionally rugged ride into the coastal town of Santa Teresa, we were then embraced by Casa Lanui, one of the luxury villas in Santa Teresa–effortlessly chic and warmly inviting–like meeting a familiar friend in a new part of the world.

The villa's open and airy design breathed in the lush tropical surroundings, with towering wooden doors framing stunning ocean views and the steady rhythm of waves whispering through every room. It was a sanctuary where the space stretched out just enough for all of us to wander, relax and still come together. The natural flow is shaped by its local craftsmanship, its shimmering infinity pool that looks out to sea and a long dining table that gathered our tribe for mellow, joy-filled dinners under the bohemian lanterns.

Between the house and the shoreline lay a generous stretch of native trees and filtered shade, where hammocks swayed lazily in the breeze and lounge chairs beckoned for sunset cocktails. This quiet zone, neither beach nor garden, was one of our favourite places to simply be. A secluded escape to curl up with a book, watch the surf roll in, or gather with twilight drinks in hand and feet in the sand. It was in these little moments that bliss found us. Days often began with yoga on the deck in the ocean breeze, and some melted into beachside massages beneath the palms–indulgent, grounding, and exactly what we didn't know we needed.

Still wild and unspoiled, the beach out front was free of distractions. Just open coastline and tide pools begging to be explored. For the seasoned surfers in our group, the waves were a dream: Consistent, clean, and open. The kids and I even embraced the waves ourselves with lessons right in front of our doorstep. The first day was full of dramatic wipeouts and belly laughs, but we were hooked. By the second session, we were standing up, riding waves and already plotting how to get our own boards.

When we ventured beyond the sanctuary of Casa Lanui, Santa Teresa's town centre greeted us with its tropic charm and laid-back soul. The main stretch was dusty, colourful, and inherently hip. With so many boutique gems, local artisans and barefoot travellers meandering between surf shops and smoothie bars, the town is alive with energy and people-watching to behold.

The Bakery became a beloved brunch spot where flaky croissants, rich coffee, and decadent pastries tempted our taste buds. Evenings brought us to Shambala, a beachfront restaurant at a boutique hotel–unfussy, delicious, and just steps from the surf. The kids played in the sand in front of us as we sipped cocktails and exchanged stories between bites of mahi mahi tacos. Watching the sunset paint the sky over surfers riding the evening waves was like a living postcard.

One afternoon, we traded the surf for waterfalls and followed the winding road south to Montezuma, a stunning drive that hugs the rocky coastline, framed by leaning palms and thick tropical foliage at every turn. The journey itself felt like a glimpse into another realm of Costa Rica, slow and untamed. Once there, we hiked jungle trails beneath a lush canopy that led to waterfall-fed swimming holes and heart-pounding cliff jumps that left us buzzing with adrenaline and then peacefully refreshed in the crisp, cool pools. That was the kind of day where core memories are made–a little wild, and entirely worth the adventure.

Santa Teresa carries a special kind of rhythm in that it is multiculturally dynamic, unpretentiously chic, grounded in nature, and alive with soul. And Casa Lanui, with its barefoot luxury and magnetic warmth, felt like the heart of it all. Six nights passed in a blur of salt, sun, and laughter, and although we weren't ready to leave, the next chapter of our journey was waiting just up the coast.

Tamarindo: Hillside Luxury at Casa Alang Alang

After a scenic drive northward through Costa Rica's rolling green landscapes of lush jungle and open cattle grazing pastures, we arrived in Tamarindo to find Casa Alang Alang tucked into the hillside like a secret sanctuary overlooking the bustling beachside town. With panoramic vistas that reach toward Playa Grande and the glistening bay below, the villa felt vast yet intimate. It was like our own private eco-luxury resort. Designed with a natural and refined elegance, the villa stretches across the hillside with tiered pools, lush tropical gardens, and expansive open-air spaces that blur the line between indoors and out.

Perched above the hum of town, our mornings here unfolded with a slower, more restorative rhythm. We'd wake to the scent of rich Costa Rican coffee drifting through the air while distant calls of howler monkeys echoed through the treetops. Each day began with a beautiful breakfast prepared by the villa staff–the freshest and juiciest tropical fruits, fluffy banana pancakes, and eggs made just the way we liked. Some days we chased surf and sunshine, and others, we just lingered by the pools, savoring that delicious stillness that comes with being fully present and free. Evenings glowed with golden light as we gathered on the deck with wine and music, playing cards in the media room, and later slipping away for starlit swims while the kids slept. It was a simple, luxurious rhythm. Space to connect, unwind, and just be.

Tamarindo vibrates with eclectic energy. It's a spirited beach town where visitors drift between laid-back afternoons on the waterfront and colourful strolls through sun-dappled boutiques. We had fun popping into all kinds of shops, from sifting through kitschy souvenirs to stocking up on locally made bikinis, the girls and I cooled off with gelato along the way and later dined barefoot beneath the stars. For a perfect date night or evening with friends, Pangas Beach Club served up chilled cocktails, fresh tuna tartare and serene estuary views. For family dinners, the Jardín Food Truck Park was a crowd-pleaser. Tacos, wood-fired pizzas, vegan bowls, Caribbean jerk chicken, churros, and more were all served in a lively, open-air setting with a dash of local flavour.

Adventure still called to us, and Tamarindo answered in style. One day, we glided silently through the mangrove-lined estuary of the Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge. Howler monkeys were spotted swinging through the canopy, exotic birds flitted above the water, and most impressively, even a crocodile was seen basking in the midday sun. Part of our group also fit in an ATV tour, roaring along dusty jungle trails that wound past local ranches, hidden waterfalls, and sweeping hilltop views that felt lifted from a wild, cinematic dream.

But if there was one day that felt like a dream within a dream, it was our time aboard Playgrounds.

A Day on the Water with Playgrounds

While planning our stay with Elite Beach Villas, one of their top recommendations was a private charter with Playgrounds, a catamaran experience they promised would be unforgettable. And they weren't wrong. During our four days in Tamarindo, we made sure to carve out time for a full-day escape at sea, and it turned out to be one of the most memorable highlights of the trip.

The yacht was immaculate. Sleek, modern, and impeccably outfitted: Paddleboards, a jetski, spacious loungers, and a layout that felt about as expansive and comfortable as our on-land accommodations. Captain Pete and his crew were warm, attentive, and flawlessly organized, offering five-star service with an easygoing vibe that made the whole day flow with ease and laughter.

We set off toward a secluded cove where some of us paddleboarded along the shore, others jumped into the water for a swim, and a few of us lounged on the bow, soaking in the shoreline views from the water. The jetski was the thrill of the day–skimming across turquoise swells, weaving through the rocky edges of the cove, and discovering hidden inlets you'd never reach by boat. Later, we anchored near a quiet reef where the snorkeling felt like stepping into an aquarium–crystalline water, colourful fish swimming past like confetti, and a sea turtle popping up right on cue.

Throughout the day, the crew kept us fueled with beautifully plated snacks, fresh tropical fruit, and delicious cocktails crafted with care. Lunch was served on deck. Grilled mahi-mahi and housemade ceviche, each bite bursting with bright, juicy flavor that reflected the tropical dreamscape around us. As twilight set the sky aglow, we climbed to the upper deck, champagne in hand and toasted our captain while we cruised into the sunset. We lingered there, relishing the breeze, getting lost in the beauty and absorbing the kind of magic that is impossible to plan and we are sure to never forget.

For anyone dreaming of a getaway that blends untamed natural beauty with laid-back sophistication, Costa Rica delivers in every way. Staying with Elite Beach Villas took our experience to another level. Each villa felt like a destination in itself where design, comfort, and setting converged to create a top-tier private resort-type experience. Whether you're seeking an enchanting beach getaway, adventure in the jungle, or just space to reconnect and recharge, this magical country offers it all. Elite Beach Villas makes it not only possible, but unforgettable. We left feeling rejuvenated in heart and spirit, and already dreaming about when we'll make our return.