Condo-Style Living in One of the World’s Most Ecologically Diverse Locations

Volcanoes, beaches, cloud forests, and the sea overflow with a variety of flora and fauna in Costa Rica, which covers only 0.3% of the planet’s surface but is filled with more than 5% of all life forms on earth. Travelers can experience this ecological diversity without ever leaving the Vista Bahia Beach Resort—its on-property hikes visit a hilltop where a troop of howler monkeys sleeps and tide pools where volcanic rock traps sea slugs and fish at low tide. Rentable kayaks bring snorkelers to the secluded Blanca beach, where divers recently spotted several whales.

In the 34-room hotel, which was built just four years ago, condo-style rooms feature a full kitchen, a dining area, and a separate bedroom. An onsite restaurant serves local and American cuisine in an open-air environment, and at the bar, you can cool off with a smoothie or a beer. Swimmers of all skill levels can unwind at the pool or take the trail down to Playitas beach’s tranquil waters. For great snorkeling, grab a kayak and paddle out to Playa Blanca and Playa Jicaro; if you’re feeling tired, the water-taxi service can drop you off, pick you up, and sing you a lullaby instead.

The resort, which sits on a small volcanic peninsula, is surrounded by trails equipped with bridges and viewing platforms for navigating the land and spying brightly colored tropical birds, Brazilian aardvarks, and monkeys. The wildlife is most active in the early morning and just before sunset, but all day long, hikers can gaze upon the three volcanoes in the distance and the surrounding dry tropical forest.

Guanacaste, Costa Rica: Exotic Beaches and World-Class Surfing

White boats bob in the clear blue of the Golfo de Papagayo, seeming to invite visitors to dive in or snorkel, kayak, and sail alongside them. The area is well-known for its skimboarding, and surfers can catch some waves 30 minutes from the resort. The hotel arranges water and land tours, including mangrove kayaking tours and trips to Arenal volcano, the country’s most active volcano, located three hours away.

Though the hotel itself is secluded, a few minutes’ drive lands you in the beach community of Coco. Here, you’ll find restaurants ranging from sushi places to steak houses, shops overflowing with trinkets, and bars where dancing gets started early and continues late into the night.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.