Number of guests: 10
Bed and bath: 5 bedrooms, 5.5 baths
Why we love it: Infinity saltwater pool, proximity to the beach, weekly wellness programming
I stayed at this villa, called Pandora, in the spring, and it was the perfect home base for one of the most effortless trips I’ve ever taken. One of five villas in the Rayo Verde complex, Pandora may also be the most architecturally striking—coral-tinted concrete walls, intricate carved woodwork, and double-height living spaces—the kind of pink-walled, light-drenched architecture that feels deliberately, confidently feminine. Large sliding glass doors can connect the kitchen and living areas with the jungle and pool, or seal shut when AC is warranted. The beach is within a minute’s walk.
Rayo Verde’s shared palapa hosts a weekly calendar of mat Pilates, yoga, and sound healing, with an ice plunge and sauna also on-site. The staff pre-stocks the kitchen based on your grocery list before you arrive, housekeeping cycles through multiple times a day (you won’t wash a single dish), and security and concierge staff are on hand throughout. When you’re ready to get in the water, local surf instructor Pablo Sandoval meets guests on the beach daily to teach them how to navigate the break at Playa Hermosa.
Town: Santa Teresa
Things to do nearby: Playa Hermosa, Carara National Park, Río Tárcoles
