Driving along the dirt road in Tamarindo, Costa Rica there’s no reason to believe that you’ll soon be arriving in paradise, but trust me, you will. The rugged road opens up to an oasis in the Costa Rican rainforest, otherwise known as Los Altos de Eros Spa. Attendants greet you with a warm smile and escort you past the boutique hotel and the beautiful blue infinity pool to the day spa. The experience reminds me a little of the once popular tv show Fantasy Island. However, you don’t land at Los Altos de Eros Spa from a float plane and there is no island here, but you will experience your own personal fantasy during a visit to this Tamarindo spa.
The family-owned Los Altos de Eros Boutique Hotel & Spa is a little piece of heaven in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. From its perch within the tropical forest, you’ll look out to a jungle-like environment filled with lush plant-life, chirping birds, inquisitive monkeys, colorful iguanas and the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean. Located just 15 minutes from lively Playa Tamarindo, you’ll feel worlds away tucked into one of five private treatment rooms.
My husband and I had booked the Los Altos de Eros Spa Day Package as we were staying 45 minutes away in Portrero and wanted to treat ourselves to a full day of pampering. Our spa day included three treatments, as well as a gourmet lunch (including wine) and transportation to and from the Tamarindo, Costa Rica area. Tamarindo spa days are offered twice daily from morning to early afternoon and from afternoon to early evening. As always, check the website for current times and pricing as your experience may vary.
Spa treatments range from an hour and a half massage or manicure and pedicure, to facials, body wraps, body scrubs or an Indonesian soaking tub experience. Being from California, we’ve had our share of mud baths and we’ve even tried seaweed baths in Ireland. As neither of us had experienced an Indonesian or Balinise soaking tub, we selected the fresh fruit and flower filled bath as one of our signature treatments.
We each had our private treatment “room with a view” that looked out over the rainforest. As I stepped into the warm water, filled with copious amounts of fresh watermelon, cucumber, mango and pineapple slices, I couldn’t wipe the grin off my face as the flowers began to cover my body. Hibiscus flowers, strategically placed here and there, assured that I was ready for my Instagram-worthy photo shoot.
As my eyes took in the smorgasbord of fruit floating in front of me, I leaned to my right to sample from the generous fruit plate left beside the tub. A refreshing glass of fruit tea was within arms reach as I inhaled the tropical air surrounding me. The only question I had to ponder that day was what type of facial treatment I wanted; cucumber lime, red clay or oatmeal with honey.
After my cucumber lime facial I had worked up an appetite – must have been all those calories I burned off floating in the soaking tub! Once united with my husband in the lounge area we were invited to take a plate and help ourselves to the chef-prepared buffet laid before us. A platter of chicken kabobs, pasta salad, fresh vegetables and ahi tuna tempted our taste buds, but it was the tiramisu with chocolate that captured my attention.
Next time I return to Costa Rica, I might have to bring five other couples with me and rent out the entire hotel. That’s my fantasy that I hope to make into a reality. Dream big, right?
Insider Tip:
As I mentioned, Los Altos de Eros is a boutique hotel and spa. If you plan on staying in the Guanacaste Gold Coast, you’ll want to book your hotel in advance as they only have 6 rooms. If you’d like to try another area in the Guanacaste province, 45 minutes away is Portrero. There are plenty of beaches in this area of Costa Rica. We stayed at Villas Catalina vacation rental Protrero. For additional insider tips follow Northern California Travel Writer @Nancydbrown on Instagram and Twitter and Los Altos de Eros on Instagram.
If You Go:
Los Altos de Eros Boutique Hotel & Spa (800) 391-1944
Tamarindo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Los Altos de Eros Spa review and all photos by Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown. All opinions are my own.
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