Located on the Pacific Coast of Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica, a distance away from the bustling tourism-heavy towns, Punta Islita is a natural heaven deeply rooted in the traditional ‘Tico’ lifestyle. Designated as one of the world’s five Blue Zones – regions where people live longer – the Pura Vida mindset is woven into the hotel experience, inviting guests to taste, smell, and live the pure life firsthand.

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The trip was hosted by the property, which did not review or approve the story.

The hotel property stretches down the hill towards the ocean where guests can relax in the shade of palm trees. But Punta Islita is not just a resort. There is a noticeable synergy between the hotel and the nearby town of the same name. It is a loving, co-dependant relationship fostered by the community that Islita has become. The majority of the hotel staff live nearby and have been a part of the Punta Islita development for generations. This calm character of the location is also beginning to bring in a new generation who flock from the big city in search of something more pure.

Pura Vida: quite literally the two words mean “pure life” but it stands for a lot more. “It’s our way of saying hello, making you feel welcome or saying goodbye in a happy way”

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Playa La Islita, you can walk down to it or take the complimentary shuttle that goes to the beach restaurant.

On the left is the Punta Islita Catholic Church constructed in the socalo style. The tree symbols on the right are seen frequently throughout the village. The moon means smile, the stars mean hotel guests, and the spiral loop means to return, so you keep coming back.

One early morning I met a hotel tour guide, Jorge, for an off-road exploration of the region. We drove weaving through hills and dusty jungle roads stopping to soak in the ocean view or let a family of pissotes pass by. A scheduled stop at Rosalita Beach allowed me to see one of nature’s most intimate moments: arribada. On this day hundreds of Kemp Ridley turtles emerge from the sea to lay eggs. Completely unaware of their surroundings the females fall into a trance. I stood there, watching them from a distance, feeling like I was invading their private moments. But as time has shown human presence is important during this ritual to help these vulnerable mothers keep vultures at bay. 

The neighbouring communities are built in a pattern: a school, a church, a football build, a bar. The town of Islita is very much the same but rejuvenated by the hotel over the years. In some ways, Islita is an extension of the property itself. There are a handful of local restaurants, a museum, and an open-air art gallery sharing the space with the school. These community properties were rebuilt by the hotel which now sustains them.

Giant turtle nesting on the beach. On the right you see local volunteers keeping an eye out for turtles’ safety, various vultures and land creatures circle the area and destroy turtle’s nests when unattended.

A day of Islita exploration will also bring you closer to the traditional Tico culture through a range of interactive experiences hosted by the locals. The pictures above illustrate the traditional liquid “mazamorra”. It is made with purple corn over an open fire.

In no time this place began to feel like home, filled with new friends and kind acquaintances. I found myself waking up at an ungodly hour with the sun. Unlike at home my days would now start with scenic yoga on the deck followed by blissful breakfasts by the pool. Macaws rifling in the trees above. A neatly arranged fruit plate followed by a “healthy coconut ice cream” – cold, crunchy, delectable, exploding with flavour one spoon at a time. Each ingredient is carefully sourced from the community or grown right here on the property.

The gastronomic concept at the hotel is described as agro-marine, following a simple kilometro-zero ingredient rule. During my visit, I got to spend time with the hotel Chef, Federico Lizano, who prides himself on their 100% sustainable menu built only on what the region has to offer. “You have to know where the ingredients come from,” he stressed pointing at a fresh bowl of tuna ceviche. “That’s why we don’t serve salmon, it’s not local to us”.

Chef, Federico Lizano and the Healthy Ice Cream bowl.

Everything is made in-house, including all breads, bakes, and dumplings.

Chef Federico moved to Islita not too long ago, leaving the hustle of a big city behind and moving closer to the “sources of good produce and a place that can provide a platform for his creativity”. His cuisine is a reflection of local tradition elevated by modern twists and techniques, expertly executed one plate at a time. 

The culinary experience is just one of the many things that bring the Blue Zone concept to life. Paired with slow living, ancestral healing, and community embrace the Pacific Coast of Nicoya Peninsula is one of its kind. It is calm and serene, rich with lush wilderness and a wealth of wildlife lurking in the shady distance. And here at the tip of it in Punta Islita, time can slow to a whisper, if you allow it.

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Book directly at hotelpuntaislita.com via marriot.com or through your favourite booking site for extra perks: booking.com | Expedia | Hotels.com | TripAdvisor

Boats at the nearby fishing village. Most fishermen go out on the water at night so during the day it is rather quiet and empty.

As a guest, you can book a cooking class at the hotel, which is a lovely way to learn more about the region. I got to learn how to make a ceviche directly from the chef.

The post Find the Pura Vida life at Punta Islita, even if just for a few days appeared first on Paths to Travel.

The new room design is the first of many changes to come but the heart of the hotel is within its people and the land it occupies, and that will never change. So read on to get a deeper insight into what vacationing in Punta Islita is like. 

This article might contain affiliate links. Read the disclaimer about affiliate links & PR gifting here.
The trip was hosted by the property, which did not review or approve the story.

Inside the Suite 

Entering this suite for the first time is an awe-inspiring experience that in time turns to pleasant joy and childish wonder. The design of the room is absolutely breathtaking – a mix of sustainable, locally accented decor and art created by regional artists, paired with clean, modern furniture with a hint of Scandinavian design. 

A comfortable king-size bed is located on the left side of the room, looking out directly onto the ocean-view terrace. To the side of the bed are a small sitting area and one of the two TVs. I made a point to keep the curtains open so that the morning sun can gently wake me from a deep restful sleep. A daily Disney moment if you must. There is a spacious sitting area at the front of the room with a circular round table, all looking out at your private terrace. Late at night, you can see the stars sitting on this very couch. With a view like that, I did not turn on the TV once.

The rooms and family villas are nestled down a hill with the lobby standing crown at the top. This casita is at the top as well and offers a private, unobstructed view of the ocean. On the terrace are two sunbeds, a very cozy round wicker couch, and a lovely private plunge pool framed by a green plant wall. The terrace itself is very spacious with enough room for dining, lounging, or even exercising. I quite enjoyed doing morning yoga by the pool with the rising sun.

Here is a moody drone* video of the terrace and the pool for some context in motion.

Now that we have looked at the bedroom and the patio, I really feel the need to say:

“But wait, there is more!”

The second half of this 915-square-foot suite is dedicated to bathroom amenities and a walk-in closet. Wooden barn doors separate the bathroom from the bedroom. In this room is a double vanity, facing a picture window that looks out into the wilderness, tropical leaves occasionally knocking on the glass. This room alone can be a hangout spot with plenty of sitting space and a powder station. A step towards the window will take you to the soaker tub and a double shower, all facing the ocean with floor-to-sealing patio doors. It is almost as if you are showering in the jungle to the sounds of ocean waves crushing against the shore. A private spa experience at its best.

Note: There are two other new room categories that have a very similar design: Superior Suite King, a one-bedroom suite with a terrace, and Superior larger Suite King, a one-bedroom suite with a terrace. These units do not have a private plunge pool but the terrace is absolutely stunning and also very private. 

The Vibe & Activities 

The property runs down a hill, at the foot of which is a field of greenery and a public beach. A quick shuttle will take you up and down the hill directly to the beach and The Aura Beach Club. Here by the ocean, the guests have access to another pool (with a swim-up bar), a range of shaded sitting areas, cabanas, and seaside dining. 

The main lobby and restaurants are directly at the top with a grand view of an infinity pool. Most of the fun things happen up here on the hill. The resort offers a healthy range of complimentary eco-activities across Islita including:

• Wildlife and nature hikes as well as turtle excursions
• A guided tour of the nearby villages and beaches
• Complimentary access to Chef cooking classes and learn how to make mazamorra, mixology classes, and candle + keychain-making art classes
• Ability to see a bounty of nature including dolphins, whales, deer, and monkeys

For an additional fee, guests can also schedule various active adventures like horseback riding, canopy zip-lining, kayaking, jet skiing, surfing, and even trips with local fishermen. The activity desk, located near the concierge, is open daily.

All that being said, however, I would strongly recommend leaving your itinerary airy so you can enjoy the property to its fullest. 

Dining & Entertainment 

There are two restaurants on the property:

• Alma, open for breakfast and dinner
• The Aura Beach Club, open for lunch

Punta Islita’s kitchen is based on a strict agro-marine gastronomic concept featuring a zero-km menu. All ingredients are extremely fresh, gathered from the on-property organic garden or neighbouring farms and fishermen. Chef Federico Flores has an innovative palette, respecting the culinary traditions and ethnic diversity of the region while taking inspiration from Guanacaste’s natural diversity.

Note: Read more about Punta Islita’s gastronomic culture and concept in Find the Pura Vida life at Punta Islita, even if just for a few days.

Every last Thursday of the month Alma hosts a one-of-a-kind menu for nature hour. It is a special evening celebration during which the guests get to dine in candlelight while enjoying live music. Punta Islita also has a regular lineup of programming open to the public, including cultural events like Mascarades.

Wellness & Fitness 

Nanku Wellbeing Center is inspired by the Chorotega ancestors, the Blue Zone, and thalassotherapy. Centuries-old healing traditions experienced by the people of Nicoya come to the forefront at this resort spa. The range of offerings includes facials, body treatments, and massages all using natural, regional ingredients. One of their signature Ancestral Healing treatments is a two-hour wellness experience that includes a chocolate scrub, a full body massage, and a full body soak. It is a truly rejuvenating treatment for your body and soul. 

Sustainability Notes 

Here in the Blue Zone sustainability is not a trend it is an ancient lifestyle and that outlook on life, blended with a focus on community, is present everywhere in the resort.  From the day the hotel broke ground it has been working in complete synergy with its local communities, prompting eco-sustainable initiatives. These initiatives include wildlife conservation, reforestation, a seed-planting program, sustainable farming practices, and a zero-waste management program.

For Punta Islita, cultural sustainability and community engagement are essential tools for supporting neighbouring communities, creating employment opportunities, and art programs. The hotel owners, Enjoy Group, have also rebuilt the local school and are offering complimentary education in the region. 

Hotel Punta Islita, Marriot Autograph Collection
Book directly at hotelpuntaislita.com via marriot.com or your favourite booking site for extra perks: booking.com | Expedia | Hotels.com | TripAdvisor | Make sure to collect your Marriot Bonvoy points during this stay

Honeymoon Suite starts at $487 USD per night, Standard room rate begins at $295 USD per night.
160, Guanacaste Province, Punta Islita, 50201, Costa Rica
Toll Free: 1-866-446-4053 | reservations@hotelpuntaislita.com

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You can combine your stay at Punta Islita with a stay at El Mangroove to maximize the range of your experience. 

The post Enjoy the peaceful coastal Costa Rica at Hotel Punta Islita appeared first on Paths to Travel.