Tucked within Costa Rica’s lush Guanacaste province is one of Inspirato’s member-favorite destinations: Costa Elena. Near the border of Nicaragua and perched cliffside over the waters of Jobo Bay, this resort community was designed with nature lovers in mind.
And Inspirato’s seven homes there—Orosi, Quetzal, Caracara, Oncilla, Pizote, Capuchin, Irazu—reflect that: They were all built to blend seamlessly into the lush jungle backdrop, with infinity-edge pools and sundecks that offer sweeping views of the Pacific. All seven villas come with access to resort amenities too, like beachside cabanas, a kids’ club, a spa, and more.
With Costa Elena as your home base, you’ll be perfectly poised to see all the beauty Guanacaste has to offer. Whether you’re an adventure seeker who’s ready to hit the trails or a beach bum who loves a secluded stretch of sand, this off-the-beaten-path destination pairs a luxe respite with untouched natural beauty.
Salinas Bay
Pristine Salinas Bay is about a half hour’s drive from Costa Elena—it’s also the wind- and kitesurfing capital of Costa Rica. From November to May, its 25 mph winds are constant, providing the perfect setting for watersports. If you’re interested in learning, we recommend lessons from Costa Kite, a certified kiteboarding school located right on the bay. Snorkelers will also appreciate that the bay is teeming with sea creatures like dolphins, turtles, and a variety of colorful fish. (And if you’d rather just lounge on the beach, we don’t blame you—it’s still fun to people watch and soak up the sun.)
Palo Verde National Park
A can’t-miss stop for animal lovers, Palo Verde National Park is filled to the canopy with wildlife like iguanas, crocodiles, and howler monkeys. Though it’s a two-hour drive from Costa Elena, we promise it’s worth it—it’s one of the most protected areas in the country, with more than 45,962 acres comprising grasslands, forests, lagoons, mangroves, and more. It’s also a crucial stop for thousands of migratory birds. A boat tour is one of the best ways to see all the park has to offer, with wading birds and crocodiles peeking out among the foliage.
Ziplining and whitewater rafting
Adrenaline junkies, rejoice: Not only is Costa Rica one of the best countries to get your fix, but Guanacaste has plenty of outdoorsy options to get the heart pumping, from hiking trails with volcanic vistas to mountain biking routes with stellar jungle switchbacks. Two of the most popular activities, though, are ziplining and whitewater rafting. Because Costa Elena is a bit off the beaten path, outfitters are typically an hour and a half to two hours away. But the payoff is worth it: Head to Witch’s Rock Canopy Tour to zipline and Tico Tours to whitewater raft—they offer multiple rafting tours with differing levels of difficulty.
Start planning an escape to Costa Elena with Inspirato Pass or by contacting your Care team today.
