Punta Islita
Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
At a Glance
On a hilltop overlooking a private beach below, amidst beautifully landscaped gardens and breathtaking ocean views
Voted #5 resort in Central & South America by Conde Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards 2015
Ideal for honeymooners looking for that extra bit of privacy and also great accommodations for families in their two bedroom villas with private pools
Affordable 2 bedroom villas ideal for families
Remote boutique hotel and ideal for guests looking for seclusion
Enjoy the views and beach right on your doorstep
Punta Islita places huge importance on the local community and more than 3% of its turnover goes towards the community
You can be as relaxed or as active as you like here. Plenty of excursions can be organised nearby such as zip wiring, kayaking, surf lessons, golf etc
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Best time to Visit
Good time to visit
Average time to visit
The summer season (November to April), also called the 'dry' season, doesn't necessarily mean no rain- but there should be less of it. The 'green' season (May to November) can still be a good time to visit- you can avoid the tourist bustle and lodging is slightly cheaper. During this time, however, rivers start to swell and dirt roads get muddy, making travel more challenging.
Insider's View
Great deep sea fishing from the hotel
The raw botanicals are my personal favourite and the ylang ylang shampoo is the best!
Make sure to ask for extra salt at the restaurant, they bring you a nice wooden dish with different salts including sea salt, chilli salt and maracuja salt.
Call us on to start planning your holiday to Punta Islita or take a look at our itineraries to Costa Rica
Description
Tucked away down rugged roads that wind through lush foliage on the Nicoya Peninsula, Punta Islita is a near secret hideaway of deserted beaches, white sandy coves and pristine wilderness. With nothing to disturb the tranquillity but the colourful birds calling from the trees, waves crashing against rocky outcrops, and the whisper of the shifting sands, this is the spot for perfect relaxation.
Should you be able to drag yourself from the beach, a wealth of activity awaits, with kayaking through the mangroves, ziplining, hiking, horse riding and surfing all on hand to open up this staggeringly beautiful landscape.
Accommodation
The 14 light-filled Deluxe Rooms have uplifting white walls and wide picture windows overlooking the gulf below. They aren't massively spacious, but there are two queensize beds, a good shower in a spacious bathroom, and a separate sink area by the ample wardrobe. The design is simple and modern with delicate Costa Rican touches: mosaic tile details around the shower area, and pretty pictures made from shells by the local community on the walls. Sewing kits come in cute hand-sewn pouches. Although the beds are vaguely Flintstone-esque in their rustic style, the whole place is impeccably maintained and exudes a warm welcome. Your terrace has two comfortable chairs for enjoying an evening drink, with a candle for atmosphere and a hammock for a lazy siesta.
The eight casitas are more Costa Rican in style, with even more space than the suites, and these have a private unheated plunge pool outside. One has a bedroom with a separate wooden deck, and there’s one two-bedroom casita.
The 26 villas are ideal for families, with two bedrooms and two bathrooms (with tubs), plus a bigger pool outside and an extra toilet room. The villas are more modern in style - reminiscent of a North American condo - with basic cooking facilities (a hob, a fridge and a microwave).
Childcare
Children are welcome at the hotel, and babysitting can be arranged upon request, but there are no specific facilities or interconnecting rooms. Please note that the hotel is not however suitable for young children.
Facilities
Facilities at Punta Islita include an infinity swimming pool, lap pool and swim-up bar, golf, palm thatched alfresco restaurant, tennis courts, gym and wellness spa.
Activities
Seasonal activities at the resort include sea turtle expeditions and river and mangrove kayaking. Signature experiences include surfing, sport fishing, horse riding, bird watching, hiking, and zip line adventure.
Reviews
Jenny Weidemann (Staff)
Very charming hotel situated on top of the hill with amazing ocean views. Here I could really feel the connection to the local community and their passion for conservation shows as they are partners of the Ara Project Now you can see these amazing birds fly right over your head. The attention to detail was what stood out for me the most- fresh hibiscus flowers all over the room and cute details in the bathroom -handmade bags decorated with shells for the cotton pads instead of single use plastic. They have a schedule with daily activities that are included in the price and also show their close relationship to the local community. Bird watching, the monkey hike, local arts and crafts and candle making. Rooms are more rustic and authentic but you really feel like you are in Costa Rica and support an amazing little community.
(Press)
Set on a high bluff between two mountain ridges that meet the sea, this is one of the most exclusive and romantic luxury resorts in Costa Rica. The rooms here are done in a Santa Fe style, with red Mexican floor tiles, neo-Navajo-print bedspreads, and adobe-colored walls offset with sky-blue doors and trim. Each room has a king-size bed and a private patio with a hammock; a few of these also have a Jacuzzi. The suites come with a separate sitting room and a private two-person plunge pool or Jacuzzi; the villas have two or three bedrooms, their own private swimming pools, and full kitchens. The beach below the hotel is a small crescent of gray-white sand with a calm, protected section at the northern end. It's about a 10-minute hike, but the hotel will shuttle you up and back if you don't feel like walking. There's a rancho bar and grill down there for when you get hungry or thirsty, and a lap pool for when the waves are too rough.
Punta Islita is very involved with the local community, and has sponsored a wide-ranging art program that brings in prominent Costa Rican artists to teach the local residents art and craft skills, while often creating large public works in the process.
Experiences
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Catamaran Sail with Snorkelling
Silently glide in a catamaran along Costa Rica's Pacific Coast past exotic bays, golden beaches and tropical jungles, spotting dolphins, sea turtles and whales before dropping anchor in a quiet bay to go snorkelling or kayaking in the pristine warm waters.
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Ostional Sea Turtle Excursion
If visiting between September and November, make sure to visit Ostional Beach where tens of thousands of sea turtles return each year to lay their eggs.
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Visit the SIBU Sanctuary and Wildlife Refuge
Take a visit to Costa Rica's wonderful SIBU Wildlife Sanctuary and Refuge for injured and orphaned animals. Here you will find rehabilitated howler monkeys, capuchin monkeys, coatis, racoons, opossums and porcupines, along with other small mammals.
Location & directions
Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
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