January 28, 2008

Latin America | Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s New Eco Treats

By Nicole Cotroneo

A new clutch of green retreats promises the only footprint you'll leave behind is the one you make in the sand.

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In the northwestern clutches of Costa Rica, just below the Nicaraguan border, new eco-luxe resort Recreo puts its carbon-sensitive stamp on 70 coastal acres this month. Nestled within a tropical dry forest, the intimate retreat has direct access to some of the region’s most serene beaches. Even still, all 22 designer guesthouses come with their own private pools. And when the lodgings are completed in May (currently four houses are open, with four to follow Feb 1), each will feature three to six bedrooms, “deluxe spa-style bathrooms,” and a gadget-happy kitchen (for your personal chef, of course). Outdoors, Recreo stays true to its name (that’s Spanish for “recreation”), serving up two competition-grade tennis courts, an enclosed yoga platform and a boat for Pacific cruising. Granted, Recreo is hardly the first eco outfit in town: its southern neighbor in Guanacaste province is the award-winning Hotel Punta Islita. And never mind that this Small Luxury Hotel just spawned a sister property, El Silencio Lodge & Spa, with 16 chic suites overlooking cloud forest in the central volcano district. With a quarter of Costa Rica’s land protected as parks and preserves, there’s plenty of jungle to go around.