Costa Rica spaIf you’d like to daydream about mud baths and massages in the tropics, check out our updated luxury spa roundup: Eco-luxe Costa Rica Spas.

The original post from ages ago was by contributor Insiya Rasiwala, who was leading yoga trips and writing often about yoga, ecotourism, and health for various magazines. With her guidance, we homed in on the best spas in Costa Rica and the best options for your own wellness retreat.

While the country doesn’t have as many spectacular spas as much larger Mexico, Costa Rica is rightly well-known for its pampering wellness options. The resorts in Costa Rica have a lot to work with including views of lush jungle, tropical fruit and coffee ingredients, and the twittering of birds as you get your rubdown.

Another big advantage in Costa Rica is that the current hot trend of using natural and local ingredients has been in place in this eco-friendly country from the start. The treatment menus here make full use of the abundance of natural items from the farms, the mountains, and the rainforest. With so much biodiversity in one small country, they’ve got a lot to work with for massages, facials, and body rubs.

Our associate editor Lydia put together the updates, with some input from me and our local contributor Samantha. Lots of new Costa Rica Luxury Hotels have opened in the past decade and some of the originals have expanded and upgraded. So we had a few changes and additions to make.

The epicenter for great spa experiences in Costa Rica is the Arenal Volcano region. When you see any kind of “best spas in Latin America” round-up, you’ll nearly always see at least one from this area. The combined spa at Nayara Springs and neighboring property Nayara Hotel, Spa, and Gardens is a thing of beauty and the 14,000-square-foot spa at The Springs Resort is in addition to all the pools and hot tubs with a view of the conical mountain.

One of the best Costa Rica spas at Nayara Springs

You’ve got plenty of Costa Rica spa options in the Guanacaste region as well, but we focused on three: the long-running champ Four Seasons, Los Altos de Eros, and the impressive newer Away Spa at the W Costa Rica. All are dreamy inside and out, with an array of unwinding options before, during, and after your appointment. I loved the gym at the W too, which overlooks the spa pools and the jungle.

This article highlights seven of the most notable eco-luxe pampering options, also including the Quepos/Manuel Antonio region (Guia) and   the bottom of the Nicoya Peninsula (Flor Blanca).

Costa Rica spa Flor Blanca

There are plenty of other Costa Rica wellness retreats to explore if you want eco-friendly experiences with natural products in a setting close to nature, but you won’t go wrong at these highly acclaimed properties that our correspondents have experienced first-hand. Use a couple as your anchors for a long vacation itinerary that will give you a true break from the hectic work life of home. You’ll return recharged, rejuvenated, and with healthy skin that glows.

If you’re going to rent a car at the San Jose or Liberia airports in Costa Rica to explore the country, keep your stress level down after the spas by renting with Vamos for fewer hassles and no hidden fees. Follow our link and get a 5% discount.

The best times to visit Costa Rica can vary depending on the kind of trip you’re looking for, but for spa visits, sometimes the “green season” can be more magical than the dry season and rates are better on hotels and flights.

See our full updated feature here on the best Eco-luxe Costa Rica Spas.