The Caribbean Sea side of eastern Costa Rica offers tranquil waters and peaceful villages, such as Puerto Viejo and Cahuita. This area is popular for the coral reefs of Cahuita National Park, where tourists can scuba dive; the national park is a 15-minute drive from Puerto Viejo and Cahuita. Although they have developed into popular tourist hot spots, Puerto Viejo and Cahuita have maintained their laid-back attitudes by preventing high-rise condominiums and a cruise port from infiltrating. However, luxurious resorts are not absent in the Caribbean area, which is made evident by the Pachira Lodge. Situated in northeastern Costa Rica, this resort features spa treatments, such as massages and facial cleansing, a turtle-shaped swimming pool and upscale dining at the resort's restaurant. Not only is the lodge within walking distance of the beach, but hiking activities are only 10 minutes away at Tortuguero National Park. Guided tours of the park can be arranged by the resort.
Costa Rica's capitol city, San Jose, is the primary commercial and cultural center of the nation. Luxury in this city begins at the Gold Museum, which features exhibits of gold artifacts. This museum is in San Jose's Plaza de la Cultura, a city square that also houses the Costa Rica National Theater. Upscale shopping and dining is available at El Pueblo shopping center in the northeastern region of downtown San Jose. Another popular attraction is Pueblo Antiguo, or "Old Town." This amusement park resembles an early-20th-century Costa Rican village and offers boutique shops, as well as indigenous dancing, theatrical and music entertainment. Puerto Antiquo also has an on-site restaurant that serves local cuisine for dinner.
Luxurious accommodations in the San Jose area include the Alta Hotel and Hotel Grano de Oro. The Alta Hotel is home to the fine-dining establishment, La Luz, one of the first fusion restaurants in Costa Rica, according to Frommer's. Other amenities at this hotel include in-room massages, fitness center and a landscaped courtyard area with a mosaic-tiled swimming pool.
Meanwhile, the Hotel Grano de Oro is housed in converted mansion from the early-20th century and offers a rooftop garden terrace with two whirlpool tubs, massage services and a fine-dining restaurant. The restaurant's decor resembles a piazza in Spain mixed with tropical plants from Costa Rica; breakfast, lunch and dinner menus are available.
The Monteverde Cloud Forest in central Costa Rica is a mountainous region with opportunities for guided hiking tours and chances to see local wildlife species. Set at an elevation of 4,600 feet, this national forest also features horseback riding tours and photo opportunities on bridges that stretch over deep ravines, such as the Sky Walk suspended bridge.
A luxurious resort in the midst of this rainforest is the El Establo Resort, which has guest rooms that offer panoramic views of Monteverde. This resort features the Green Leaf Spa, which offers massage therapies, hot baths in a whirlpool tub, body treatments and facial scrubs. On-site dining is available at Las Riendas, located in a treehouse-style dining room; the establishment serves local cuisine for lunch and dinner. The hotel also offers the "Tree Top Canopy Tour," a guided tour of the Monteverde National Forest.
