0316csa

A gazebo at Recreo is surrounded by tropical vegetation

For eco-travelers seeking luxury, Recreo in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, may be the answer.

Upon arrival at Liberia International Airport (LIR), guests are picked up in Land Rovers and chauffeured to the property. One of the property’s two dedicated concierges meet guests at the airport to discuss details of the trip with them as well as address any questions or concerns they may have as they go to the property.

Once there, guests are ensconced in one of 24 luxury villas, which feature private pools, outdoor decks and patio areas. Rooms can be booked via Recreo’s website or through Booking Manager Christina Watson.

The villas—each of which comes with a dedicated chef, maid and personal concierge—range in size from three to five bedrooms and have state-of-the-art amenities, including free wireless Internet and satellite TV. For groups traveling together, the five-bedroom Villa 19 is the largest, while Villas 2, 10 and 11 have four bedrooms each. All villas boast excellent views of the surrounding jungle, mountains or ocean, but Villas 2, 3, 5 and 7 provide the best views of the sunset. Recreo’s Mountaintop Cantina has panoramic vistas. Five additional villas, including a one-suite bungalow, are currently under construction.

Prior to arrival, the refrigerator and bar are stocked with any groceries and top-shelf liquors requested by your clients, or they can choose to leave the stocking to the experts. Personal chefs specialize in Costa Rica’s flavorful Tico cuisine.

costarica

A private pool by the gazebo


Using electric golf carts, guests can zip down to Playa Rajada, a vast, solitary beach situated just steps from the property, where they can take advantage of several activities, including an outing on the resort’s boat with a local captain.

Though the spa’s single treatment room, which is adjacent to the state-of-the-art fitness center and airy yoga pavilion, is enticing, most guests opt for in-villa treatments or alfresco services that are performed either alongside the villa pools or from the summit of the Mountaintop Cantina. The most popular therapists are Kirsten Schutz, Lucy Cordier and Carolina Gell. Treatments can be set up prior to guests’ arrival via the booking manager, but the personal concierge can easily book treatments onsite.

When booking a trip, agents should provide up to a year-and-a-half notice for the holidays. Also, keep in mind that high season runs from November 15 to December 15 and January 6 to April 25. Rates range from $3,828 per week for the one-suite bungalow in the low season to $19,000 per week for the five-bedroom villa during the holidays. Meals, alcohol and access to all of Recreo’s amenities and activities are included. The general manager is Kristine Rodriguez.