Hotel Punta Islita, Nicoya Peninsula

Overlooking a rugged bay on Nicoya Peninsula, Punta Islita is a picturesque beachfront resort set on a tiered hillside, and it's eco-luxury at its finest. It’s set among verdant green rainforest looking onto the stunning beaches of Guanacaste, full of biodiverse land, surf sites, dry tropical forest, and hundreds of birds species.

Rooms are all rugged luxury with open-plan suites featuring tropical and Spanish touches in fabrics and murals, and all feature spectacular views of ocean coves or forest. They range from junior suites with a private plunge pool to villas reminiscent of a private beach home with a terrace, gardens and pool. 

Dining options lie in two exquisite restaurants, both with wonderful ocean cove views and seafood specialties. The Pacifico Restaurant offers vibrant dining in a palm ceiling setting with ocean cove views – start with a cocktail before sampling exciting flavours from traditional Costa Rican fare, all created using fresh, local and sustainable ingredients. Or, the more casual Coco's Beach Club offers private cabanas, perfect for a poolside lunch or relaxed dinner in the ocean breeze, offering brick oven pizza, salads and a catch of the day. For a romantic evening, enjoy a meal in a private table in beachside lantern-lit gardens, or head to the viewpoint high above the coastline.

The wonderful setting in the green Costa Rican hills is perfectly explored with endless adventurous activities, from zip-lining through the forest canopy, either in the breeze of the day's heat or even at night over a moonlight-bathed forest. Or, head out horse riding, hiking, or kayaking among the leafy hills and sugar-white shores. Wildlife is of course renowned here, and birdwatching and sea turtle watching can all be arranged from the hotel.