If the journey to living the “Good Life” is paved with wellness, the Four Seasons Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo puts you on the path. Their goal is to infuse health and wellness principles and practices into every aspect of the guest experience. As with any comprehensive program, success is in the details and execution.
Start your trip on Alaska Airlines offering national service and direct nonstop service from Los Angeles to Liberia, Costa Rica, with convenient schedules and competitive fares even in First Class. With just over a 5 hour trip, the attentive and service-oriented flight brings Costa Rica close enough for even a mini vacation.
Costa Rica’s exceptional biodiversity and long-established Eco-sustainable practices makes it a bucket-list destination for today’s luxury travellers. And you can add to that a year round tropical climate and gracious citizens. (They call themselves “Ticos,” and eagerly welcome visitors.) Include the renowned hospitality of Central and South America’s only Forbes Five Star resort, the Four Seasons Costa Rica, and you’ve got the makings of a world-class wellness getaway.
The resort is ideally situated at the tip of the famed Papagayo Peninsula with it nestled enviable between both the Pacific and Gulf Coast beaches. One beach is quiet, tranquil, and serene—the quintessential isolated hideaway. The other beach is bustling with the energy of water sports, including kayaking and paddle boarding.
Wherever you choose to soak up the sun at the Four Seasons Costa Rica, the staff makes sure you are well attended, cool and comfortable. They provide “treats” on the hour, including smoothies to sip, as you mellow into wellness.
At the Four Seasons Costa Rica starting with the entry level accommodations, they are spacious (over 600 sq. ft.), comfortable and well-appointed– including an “invisible” screened-in open-air patio for optimum enjoyment of the outdoor living area. In- room toiletries are currently by Ortigia, but upcoming room renovations may include a new line of bath products. The nightly turn down service includes unexpected “surprises” that reinforce the sense of place and the commitment to wellness.
Surprises you might find could include a Chamomile Bath, a set up for your own unique body scrub, and an array of ingredients and spirits to “make-your-own ”signature muddled cocktail.
The Four Seasons Costa Rica’s five dining venues all include “Wellness Menu Selections.”These specially marked items have been created to enhance and contribute to wellness. The dishes use fresh, locally-sourced products that meet the Four Seasons standards for quality and execution. They are full flavoured, generously portioned, satisfying and delicious. Think ceviche, tartare, carpaccio, grilled fish, seafood and meats that are prepared throughout the property with the distinctive flair and finesse of each restaurant’s chef. Sol y Sombra, the Latin inspired rotisserie and fish house, offers the rich and exotic flavors of Central and South America. One of the tastiest wellness selections was a “Grilled Jumbo Prawn Salad, Green Mango, Kale, Avocado, Tomato, Passion Fruit Dressing, and Toasted Chia Seeds.”
Cena Sociale, the Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar, prepared authentic, rustic Italian dishes including a seafood linguine with ingredients fresh from the nearby waters. Caracol Steakhouse offers local selections of aged beef, fish and seafood grilled and accompanied with distinctive rubs and sauces. All the outlets offer distinctive, signature cocktails, local craft beers, healthful smoothies and an international selection of wine and spirits.
The wellness “Pura Vida for All Package”is headed by Fitness and Wellness Director, Kelli Ricco. The program is based on the Blue Zone research of Dan Buettner, who has identified five areas across the globe where wellness practices have resulted in increased quality of life and longevity. One of these five areas is in Costa Rica. It is close to the resort, centered in the village of Nicoya.
Kelli has consulted with the Blue Zone’s researcher, Dan Buettner, visited the nearby village, and incorporated the nine Blue Zone components into the Four Season’s “Pura Vida For All” program. The cornerstone of the program is an individual consultation with Kelli, who guides you in an assessment of your own wellness “Wheel of Life.” Once you have identified what is personally important, she coaches you to develop a plan to achieve your wellness goals.
The Four Seasons wellness “Pura Vida For All” program includes a myriad of activities and practices that address your individual goals. These activities include classes like “Pilates,”“Yoga,”“Meditation” and “Spinning.” Also included are water sports, cooking demos, hikes, property tours, beverage tastings and volunteer opportunities with the local communities. Each component focuses on aspects of wellness that work best in combination and are customized to fit the guest’s preferences, goals and length of stay.
In addition, the specially designed spa treatment combines aromatherapy, hot stone massage and chakra reading to balance mind, body and spirit. From the moment the massage therapist places the stones in your hands for bonding, to the tingle of stones placed between your toes, to the connection with your chakras, this is a unique, trans formative component of the program.
Since the proof is in the trying, plan on the “Pura Vida for All Package” to experience the best of the Four Seasons Costa Rica and the peninsula, while you are paving your own road to wellness and longevity.
All photos by Michael Reiss