Wellness to Wonder

At The Retreat Costa Rica, the Vida Mia Spa centres its Restore, Rebalance + Renew treatments around holistic healing and energetic alignment. Set on a quartz-rich mountain, therapies combine organic ingredients with practices inspired by Ayurveda, energy work and the natural elements. Massages, body rituals and crystal-based treatments are designed to release tension, support balance and encourage deep rest. Integrated into the wider wellness experience, each treatment supports both physical renewal and emotional clarity.

The Rise & Flow program at Playa Cativo offers a gentle start to the day, guided by experienced instructors and shaped around mindful movement and breath. Sessions focus on waking the body gradually, encouraging balance, flexibility and mental clarity in a calm natural setting. Practised in the quiet of the morning, these flows help ground attention and set an unhurried rhythm for the hours ahead. Included with your stay, Rise & Flow is designed to support presence, ease and a more connected way of moving into the day.

Begin the morning with a calm paddle along the Rio Esquinas, one of Costa Rica’s most intact river systems. Gliding quietly by kayak, you move through mangroves and rainforest edges alive with birdlife, best observed in the softer light of early day. Afterwards, arrive at a quiet beach for a relaxed picnic beneath palms, with freshly prepared tapas and time to swim, rest or unwind in a hammock, balancing gentle exploration with unhurried coastal ease.

Relax while sailing with a hands-on exploration along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. Cruise the Papagayo Gulf by private catamaran before switching pace in a sheltered bay, where a guided wave runner route reveals beaches, snorkelling, caves and mangrove channels rarely reached by land. The experience slows on a quiet beach for a casual barbecue and time to swim or rest, before returning by sea as the light softens over the water.

This off-road UTV experience explores the rugged trails around the Palmares estuary, combining high-energy driving with wide coastal views. After the ride, pause for a short nature walk to take in local plant life before continuing towards the northern peninsula. The day finishes at Playa Zapotillal, a quiet stretch of sand ideal for swimming, resting and listening to the waves, an easy contrast to the morning’s momentum.

This itinerary includes transfers by private plane, giving you incredible views over this spectacular country and the luxury of exclusivity as you explore.