Review: Hotel Punta Islita in Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Once you have visited Hotel Punta Islita, it feels somewhat inadequate to describe it as a resort — it’s much more like its own little world, hidden away in an exclusive corner of Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

Part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, Hotel Punta Islita does require a bit of a commitment from travelers, as the property is about two-and-a-half-hours’ drive from Liberia International Airport (pro trip: book the hotel’s shuttle for transportation to and from the airport to make transfers easy and seamless). But, once travelers arrive, they’ll have everything they need right on the property, from delicious dining to pristine nature and more activities than they’ll ever be able to fit into a single itinerary.

Thanks to its relatively remote location and a room count of just 56 accommodations, Hotel Punta Islita truly has the feel of a small community. Travelers are almost guaranteed to bond with the incredible staff and other guests — after just a few days, I could recognize almost everyone I saw around the property, and found myself greeting them like old friends.

Location, Spa and Other Amenities

Situated on the Nicoya Peninsula, Hotel Punta Islita feels like it’s built right into the environment. The main public spaces are perched high on a hillside overlooking the coast, offering stunning seaside views from the adults-only infinity pool and the primary restaurant, with hardly any other signs of civilization in sight. Perched at the edge of the pool with drinks in hand from the swim-up bar, my fiance and I spent many serene moments here, soaking up the scenery and watching tropical birds circle overhead. 

The hotel’s expansive property extends down the hill (which is dotted with guest bungalows) to the coastline, where it has its own beach club. More active travelers can walk down, but the hotel also operates an on-demand shuttle to ferry guests between locations. Though the beach is not well suited for swimming or lounging, Aura Beach Club has a slew of offerings just off the sand: seaside loungers and cabanas, an all-ages pool, another swim-up bar and the hotel’s second restaurant. 

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At the on-site Nanku Wellbeing Center, guests can book spa treatments inspired by the area’s Indigenous Chorotega heritage. Small but mighty, the spa is truly tranquil — at the time of my treatment, I was the only guest there, making me feel like I was in my own private facility.

Nanku offers a blend of the traditional — massages, exfoliating scrubs and facials — and the unique. My massage, for example, also included an Ayurvedic ritual, in which a mixture of honey and oil was drizzled over my forehead (specifically on my “third eye”). I followed that up with a relaxing bath with views of the surrounding forest, though other menu options include open-air thalassotherapy, jade and stone therapy, sound healing and more.

Hotel Punta Islita Activities

The tropical dry forest surrounding Hotel Punta Islita affords ample opportunity for guests to get out in nature. Even better, many activities can be accessed within a drive of about 5 to 15 minutes, right on the hotel’s own expansive property. Excursions are also operated by the hotel’s staff, giving them the flexibility to schedule things at the best possible time of day — even based on last-minute conditions.  

I especially appreciated the resort’s private zipline course, which starts with a five-minute drive to reach the first line. Our group of only four guests received a short lesson, and within about 10 minutes, we were zipping over the pristine canopy. (A twilight zipline experience is also available.)

My fiance and I had also planned to go kayaking in the mangroves, but when tidal conditions proved less than ideal, we opted instead for a horseback ride. Just down the road, we saddled up at the hotel’s stable, before enjoying a leisurely guided ride through the tropical forest and down to the beach.

But my favorite activity in Punta Islita had to be my visit with the local sea turtles, who come to a nearby beach to lay their eggs. Under the watchful eye of our hotel guide, we observed dozens of female sea turtles make their way from the surf to the sand, dig their nests and start the next generation — a truly magical thing to witness.

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Guests should also visit the nearby town of Punta Islita (within walking distance, or a short shuttle ride), which has strong ties to — and support from — the hotel. In fact, the property was involved in the creation of the town’s Open-Air Museum of Contemporary Art, which features works and crafts by local artists, and offers cultural workshops and activities that hotel guests can take advantage of. The town itself is an extension of the museum,  featuring colorful murals on its public buildings.

Activities and excursions are a mix of complimentary and added-cost options, but I found the prices to be reasonable compared to similar outings I have booked at other hotels. More of the myriad opportunities include nature walks and guided hikes, wildlife-spotting excursions (to see macaws, monkeys and other animals), cooking and mixology demonstrations, a sunset viewing excursion and more.

Hotel Punta Islita’s 56 Rooms

Accommodations at Hotel Punta Islita range from standard guestrooms and suites with private terraces to two- or three-bedroom villas.

Our spacious Junior Suite featured a stunning ocean view and an expansive private terrace complete with a hammock, two loungers and a plunge pool. A gorgeous mature tree offered not just shade from the tropical sun, but also hosted a few wild visitors: One memorable morning, we were drawn outside by the calls of two vibrant scarlet macaws who had taken up residence there.

While I would certainly describe the accommodations as upscale and exclusive, advisors should note that they won’t be every client’s idea of luxury — room furnishings are more rustic than modern, and we ran into insects on more than one occasion (understandable, given the wild nature of the grounds). That said, travelers who want up-close access to Costa Rica’s pristine nature and wildlife in an exclusive setting will love it.

On-Property Restaurants 

Hotel Punta Islita offers two on-property restaurants serving up a high-quality food and beverage program.

Alma, located just off the lobby and infinity pool, is an open-air venue that offers breakfast, dinner and delightful views. Dishes are a mix of Costa Rican flavors and international fare, prepared with unexpected touches and plated with care. 

At breakfast, I delighted in dishes such as the breakfast burrito and the “Chorreada Costarricense” — a  thick, squishy corn tortilla topped with cheese, avocado and pico de gallo — and I wished for more mornings to try the banana pancakes or cassava toast topped with coconut milk and caramelized apple. A few of my favorite dinner items, meanwhile, included a 24-hour braised pork belly; yucca-coconut croquettes; and beef seasoned with mirin, ginger and lemongrass. 

The lunch eatery, Aura, is found at the beach club, and offers a wide range of cuisine, such as flatbreads, guacamole, salads, tacos, sandwiches and burgers. I loved the super-fresh ceviche and the corn “roulettes,” a kind of savory corn pancake with grilled jalapeno. 

Dining follows the eco-friendly ethos that the entire resort operates under. Ingredient sourcing emphasizes the use of local vendors, both for sustainability purposes and community support.

It’s all part of an effort to take care of the environment, give back to the locals and inhabit the true spirit of Costa Rica and its people — while offering travelers a visit full of both purpose and pleasure.