The Retreat Costa Rica - Wellness Resort & Spa

I stayed at the Retreat for a yoga retreat, and it was phenomenal. The staff was incredible (special shout out to Alejandro at the front desk who took us on the best excursion to town). The food is super healthy and fresh, and all the accommodations were breathtakingly beautiful and comfortable. If you want a luxurious resort while in Costa Rica, stay here! Two great pools and peacocks roam the property! Heads up-- the incidental charge is quite high-- $1500-- and it's a very steep driveway to get to the property, so coordinate transit with the staff. It's about an hour away from the beach and volcanoes and from San Jose-- wonderful spot all around!

I've been to this resort now 3 times, each time for a yoga retreat by Spirit Lit Yoga. Each time leaving with a different sense of healing. The spa is incredible and my Ayurvedic treatment with Amal was awesome! The entire hotel staff is so wonderful and pleasant, and they make it a point to greet you by name. From Jorge, Luis and Emerson at the front desk to Karina, Juan, and Jonathan, they always had smiles on their faces. They truly add to the experience and are amazing humans. This is an annual trip of rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. One I won't be giving up any time soon!

Heaven on earth. I had a Truly remarkable second experience at this slice of paradise. The staff makes the experience, truly. They ALL remembered me by name and it was so special- seeing their friendly faces each day and how they remembered my preferences made it 5 ⭐

Katrina, Alejandro, Juan (ya ya), Jonathan, and the chefs. Huge shout out to them 🩵 the food is exceptional and I loved each and every meal and the flavors bursting with each bite. I would recommend the breakfast starting earlier though- as eating at 10- 1:30- 6:30 felt a bit close together and I wasn’t hungry in between meals. (But I didn’t want to miss one either 😂)

Had a life changing Abhyanga equilibrium massage with Amal- felt inches taller! If you were to receive one transformative treatment here this is for you! Very kind and respectful, and an overall beautiful experience.

The spa and beauty of the whole resort are unmatched. The attention to detail in each area is a dream come true for this gal who works day after day in the hospitality industry. The retreat showed me many ways I could incorporate this level of top notch service at my own hotel in the states.

This is a retreat. The purpose is to come here and unwind and unplug. That is what I did. Do not come here if you wish to have a fast pace, adventure, show out in outfits, luxury experience. Everyone is pretty casual and it’s meant to slow down and recoup and recenter. If you come in with any other expectations, you will miss the purpose of the retreat.

Worth every penny. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

My only only only complaint… is that after 6 days and x2 trips here the peacocks ,🦚 ( while so beautiful and magnificent) were super annoying. Each morning they were outside my door very loudly doing the mating dance and looking at themselves in my doors, making it impossible to leave. They pooped everywhere on my balcony. The staff did an excellent job per usual, cleaning it up, but I don’t think the wow factor of the peacocks is worth the annoying little factors they bring 😭🙏🏻🥲

I have been going to Costa Rica for over 25 years (since I did study abroad there in college!) I've been back many times having stayed at all kinds of locations from the family's house where I lived in Heredia, hostels, all-inclusive hotels, retreat centers (having attended and hosted) and this is one of my absolute favorite places for many reasons!! I stayed there last year for the first time and will hopefully be going back later this year.
Here are a few of my favorite things about this place"
1) Location. It is super easy and pretty quick to get to from SJO. While some of the other locations I've been to often require a second plane ride or a long bus ride, this is a quick and easy shot. Not to say the other locations don't have their own amazing draws, but if you're looking for easy off the plane and right to the resort, this is a great choice. It might not be on the beach, but the mountains are incredibly breathtaking and the whole space is so calming.
2) The food. As someone who can't eat gluten, dairy, soy, corn, peanuts (I know, YIKES!), The Retreat made it SO INCREDIBLY easy and delicious to enjoy every meal. I honestly would return for the food alone. It was always fresh, thoughtful, and they were very accommodating to all my issues. Also as a tea fan, the fact that there is a seemingly always open tea/coffee station was heaven to me.
3) The spa. It's beautiful and serene and there is a plethora of treatments available. I spoiled myself and got a treatment almost every day I was there. My favorite was the bamboo massage.
4) The service/people. This is pretty standard across Costa Rica for all I've ever experienced. The people are always so incredibly kind. The Retreat was no different. They were always very helpful, accommodating, friendly, and just genuinely seem very happy.
5) The room. The room I got was great, but the view was what really puts it over the top. Waking up to that view never gets old!!
6) The hikes. I took a non-guided short hike pretty much every day. There are options for longer hikes and options for guided ones too. The property is stunning. Go at least once.

*Note: I didn't do any of the excursions only bc I have been so many times, I've done a lot of the common ones many times.

The minimal drawbacks:
If you are looking to stay somewhere where you can walk to a bunch of other stuff, this might not be the place. In all fairness, none of the retreat centers I've stayed at thus far really have been. The ability to hike various lengths was a great option here. Also, the place is so stunning, I didn't really want to leave.

The gym could use some help. Now, in all fairness, I am a fitness and yoga instructor and know my way around a gym, so my standards are pretty high. I also realize most people aren't coming here for the gym, but I like to have access to one to keep up my training. This gym isn't terrible at all. They just could update the equipment a bit more. It feels like a random assortment of things kind of thrown in there. The treadmills were working, but some of the other equipment seemed to be down.

**second note: I didn't take any of the yoga classes since I can practice on my own. I heard others talk about them and they seemed very happy though!

I needed a stress free easy get away where I could find peace, relaxation, solace and health based programming. Retreat delivered. I never slept so well in my life. I enjoyed the anti inflammatory vegetarian meals. At dinner meat options were available. The spa treatments were the best I’ve ever had. The location, if you love nature and mountains you will not be disappointed. I stayed in a delux room, which had an amazing view and peacocks visited me each morning, there are slight quirks in the rooms but who stays in the room all day when there are so many places to lounge? Upon arrival I was greeted directly by at least 5 staff members and even the Chefs. This made me feel very special after a long day of traveling. The Concierge managers especially Luis V. and Jorge V. are VERY AMAZING and I will always think of them when I remember this trip. Jorge has this charismatic infectious energy and Luis is very calm, intellectual and thoughtful. I was able to meet Chef Sergio and Chef Ms. Niery ( not sure how to spell her name), they both make you really feel at home and willing to talk about all the meals and special requests. I participated in 2 guided hikes and also had an Ayurvedic treatment with Amal from India ( great guy)! I wish my trip was longer and I’ll definitely recommend the Retreat to all my friends. Only thing I would advise for future improvement is to install a lap lane pool for those who want to swim as exercise and add an infrared sauna. As a solo female traveler, I felt extremely safe.

Staying at The Retreat has been nothing short of a dream vacation. The food? Absolutely incredible! Every meal was a delightful surprise, crafted with care and bursting with flavors. The best part? All meals are included, and the chefs are open to customizing anything to suit your taste buds. Some of the best food I’ve had anywhere (and I travel twice a month at least). Alejandro, Katerina, Juan Jose and others were so amazing. Such great caring service.

The service is top-notch. Every staff member goes above and beyond to make you feel welcome. Special shoutout to Amal M., who provided me with exceptional Ayurvedic treatments at the spa. Three sessions in, and I felt like a new person!

The room we stayed in was a feast for the eyes—modern design, sophisticated comfort, and oh, those incredible views! It’s hard to tear yourself away from the window.

Now, let’s talk comfort. While the overall experience was heavenly, the bed and pillows could use a comfort upgrade. That’s the only thing I’d change about this otherwise perfect stay.

For those who love to stay active, the natural terrain offers a great deal of walking with some challenging steep inclines. Your daily step count will thank you! And let’s not forget the pools—simply amazing, a perfect way to relax after a good workout or spa treatment.

The cherry on top was the private transport to and from the airport. It’s these little touches that make a world of difference.

In a nutshell, if you’re considering a trip to Costa Rica, do yourself a favor and book a stay at The Retreat. You won’t regret it—just maybe bring your favorite pillow!

When I arrived at the hotel I was greeted with a warm towel and a glass of fresh juice with purple flower accents. The staff is very service oriented, they are always putting the guest first accommodating your needs. It's amazing they can remember all of our names. The staff goes above and beyond in all departments of the resort. The spa has a large menu of treatments. I enjoyed 3 different treatments that were relaxing and rejuvenating. The meals were fresh, healthy, very flavorful, and nicely presented. They provide several course so you never leave the table hungry. The rooms are spacious, clean, plush modern and contemporary, with a breath taking view from the balcony. The owners are very friendly and are on property daily. I was going to list specific staff that provided outstanding service but realized I couldn't just list a few when each was as good as the next. The facility offers, yoga, hikes and other local excursions. This truly was one of my best vacations (and I travel often). I will definitely return in the future and I highly recommend this resort for your next get away

The place is beautiful. If you want quiet and a nice staff, along with an amazing view, then this is the place. Peaceful. Calm. And I was greeted with roaming peacocks and other wildlife. I did a solo retreat and met other solo folks, so you do not have to be a couple to enjoy this place. Just loved it!

Oh, and the staff is very accommodating. I appreciate them arranging for someone to escort me around the city within a couple of hours of my request. It was a great afternoon with Allan showing me around.

This has been one of my very favorite vacations yet! The location and atmosphere is absolutely gorgeous and so relaxing. The spa services are the best I've ever had and the food is absolutely delicious. The yoga instructor, Katie Alice, was incredible and the staff gives a white-glove service from arrival to departure. I would 10/10 recommend!

This gorgeous place is heaven on earth! There is a beautiful view everywhere you turn. The attention from everyone was outstanding! The Spa treatments where the best we’ve ever had. Keyla and Amal are just amazing.
The food, where can we begin? It was just delicious, every plate was a piece of art, and the flavors unbelievable.
Sergio, the main chef is so attentive, he was so nice to make a meal plan that worked out amazing, according to my needs.
Katie was so great with the wonderful yoga classes! Loved them.

We have never felt this kind of personal treatment ever before and we’ve traveled!

We recommend this place 100%

I wish there was a higher rating than 5 stars on here. The Retreat was one of the best wellness experiences I’ve ever had (and I travel to many wellness retreats around the world). It was the most restorative, relaxing, stress free and luxurious experience. The food is out of this world, the staff are so attentive and kind and warm, the front desk is so helpful, the facilities are world class and the spa treatments are the best I’ve had. When the staff found out about my health issues they upgraded my room to give me a view of the mountains in a more quiet part of the hotel. They leave healthy treats on the bed at night. They check in on you and remember your specific needs. They totally tailor packages to suit your requirements and they go above and beyond. I honestly can’t recommend The Retreat enough. I cannot think of a single flaw. It’s just heaven on earth and it’s brought me back to life. I’m definitely coming back. Worth every cent

I celebrated my birthday at the retreat Costa Rica!
The whole experience was amazing and very memorable.
My only regret is that I didn't stay longer I will definitely be back.
The food , yoga classes and massage service were some of the highlights for me. The staff was also very kind and helpful the customer service was exceptional. I felt very relaxed and safe at the resort.

Absolutely loved the location. It was my first time in Costa Rica. I needed a getaway and that's what I got. I honestly was concerned about the food since its a complete 180 of what I usually eat. But... the meals were perfect. They were filling and in some cases I felt like I overate.

The treatments were also amazing. I got a few massages in and started feeling like a different person.

Also, definitely lost some weight from my 10-day stay from walking up and down the hill just to get to the reception area, restaurant, spa, etc.

I love the local excursion where we went to a local grandma to make corn tortillas and have a common Costa Rican Meal. Props to Sergio for hosting the excursion.

Long story short, if you are looking for a unique 5-star experience and concentrate on your health and well-being, this is the place to try.

Incredible place! My husband and I had the most amazing time at The Retreat! The food was absolutely incredible and the staff went above and beyond to ensure our experience and stay was the best! We honestly cannot wait to come back to The Retreat and will recommend this place to all of our family and friends. What a perfect vacation after 2-years spent in quarantine due to COVID. This truly was our favourite holiday and the sunsets are magnificent!! Sending love to the staff and looking forward to seeing you again soon!!

Excellent food - hard to find similar quality anywhere around, spectacular views into greenery, yoga classes with Renee were one of the best I have ever had, nice hikes in the surrounding forest, really interesting guests. Next time I would rather choose one of the loft rooms. I will gladly come back.

As a solo traveler, this was ana amazing experience! The staff was very professional, friendly, and constantly assured that everything was ok. The Yoga is perfect for all levels. The spa has an amazing menu and very talented therapists. The resort itself is beautiful with amazing views! A great way to disconnect, take a break, self-reflect. Highly recommend!!!

The Retreat is my second home in Costa Rica. The staff is over the top in terms of kindness and helpfulness. Naturally the gorgeous location, excellent amenities, nutricious meals and effective treatments and a fine eye for every detail, make this place soulful. Want to mention the daily yoga sessions were so wonderful and educational. Above all I met some delighful and inspirational people who will be friends for life. Any chance I get, I will be visiting and enjoying this Heaven on Earth retreat. Thank you to all!

I've just returned from an incredible experience at The Retreat. Go for the food, the views, the spa, the yoga. All of it. The food was some of the best I've ever had in my life and I've worked in the restaurant industry for over a decade. You will not find better views anywhere, and the spa is out of this world. The staff go out of their way to make you feel welcome and relaxed but not in an over the top way. Just genuine sincerity and care. I dream of the day I can return!

My husband and I recently visited this resort August 2018. There aren’t enough words to describe how wonderful this trip was. The resort is beautiful and has an “at-home” feeling to it. The landscape is perfect, sitting at the top of the mountain with beautiful scenery and a peaceful environment. The staff is all so friendly; they are caring and loving people who have the right attitude towards life. The staff felt more like family and friends. The food was amazing, fresh and organic. So don’t expect bacon and sausage for breakfast nor pizza for dinner. All the meals are cooked to order and most of the ingredients come from the resort’s own farm. The things I would note, we did visit during their tropical season with lots of rain, and where there’s water/humidity, there’s bugs due to a natural environment too so bring your bug spray! The beds are very firm and the pillows are soft, so if that’s how you typically sleep it will work well for you. There’s so much more I can say, but my raving and rating should get the point across. We will certainly revisit this place again!

Incredible experience. I have been there 2 times already and the place is magical. It's a small hotel, but very beautiful. But what makes it stand out is definitely their staff. Everybody is incredibly helpful, friendly, and right there when you need anything. The food is amazing, and the whole experience including the yoga classes is A+. I want to keep visiting them as much as my free time and wallet permits, it is one of those places you can certainly disconnect from everything and just enjoy life.