There's no escaping the happy fact that you're nestled deep in the rainforest at this Central Pacific hideaway: just gaze up into the banana trees to see curious, white-faced capuchin monkeys staring right back at you. Mimic the laidback form of slinky sloths clinging to the canopy overhead by enjoying the many (human) creature comforts at Arenas del Mar. Relaxation is practically mandatory in breezy, tiled rooms with comfy couches and ceiling fans, and in luxurious suites with private hot tubs and outdoor terraces.

Private nature trails weave through the resort's 11 sprawling acres, leading to the luxuriant Brisas Spa and to two pools where guests can bob around and sip a horchata, a typical Costa Rican drink made with milk, rice, cinnamon, and peanuts. Venture a bit further along the jungle paths to two postcard-worthy white-sand beaches, Playitas and Playa Espadilla. Playitas lies on the north side of Arenas del Mar, a white ribbon of sand punctuated by Punta

There's no escaping the happy fact that you're nestled deep in the rainforest at this Central Pacific hideaway: just gaze up into the banana trees to see curious, white-faced capuchin monkeys staring right back at you. Mimic the laidback form of slinky sloths clinging to the canopy overhead by enjoying the many (human) creature comforts at Arenas del Mar. Relaxation is practically mandatory in breezy, tiled rooms with comfy couches and ceiling fans, and in luxurious suites with private hot tubs and outdoor terraces.

Private nature trails weave through the resort's 11 sprawling acres, leading to the luxuriant Brisas Spa and to two pools where guests can bob around and sip a horchata, a typical Costa Rican drink made with milk, rice, cinnamon, and peanuts. Venture a bit further along the jungle paths to two postcard-worthy white-sand beaches, Playitas and Playa Espadilla. Playitas lies on the north side of Arenas del Mar, a white ribbon of sand punctuated by Punta Quepos, a peninsula of deep forest and unusual rock formations. To the south is Playa Espadilla, a mile-plus stretch of toe-sinking sand where rocky outcroppings shelter warm tidepools. Espadilla also has two distinct breaks: El Frente, whose two- to five-foot waves are ideal for beginning surfers, and El Bajo, where seasoned surfers can ride 15-foot swells.

Just beyond the natural tranquility of Arenas lies more wild wonder in the form of excellent hiking, kayaking, sailing, zip-lining, whitewater rafting, and horseback riding. Nearby Manuel Antonio National Park offers 1,680 acres of vital rainforest, marshy woodlands, and mangrove swamps where thousands of species of animals (like the endangered squirrel monkey), birds, and plants make their homes. Hiking trails cut through the green up to hilltop vistas of shimmering blue-green Pacific waters, beckoning you down that last stretch of jungle trail to that soon-to-be-discovered swimming beach.