There couldn’t be a better introduction to Costa Rica than a night or two at Xandari. Just 30 minutes from the airport with an impressive panoramic view over San Jose, escape the noise, heat and hustle of the city to the cooler mountain breezes of this villa hotel and admire the sprawling city from a distance. With flights arriving from the UK in the late afternoon and jet lag in your favour, plan an early start for the next morning and pre-book the local guide to give you an introduction to the local flora and fauna.
Accomodation
Almost all of Xandari's 24 villas provide private terraces with panoramic views and private gardens. There are also a variety of other spaces available to relax, such as the pools and outdoor areas, a restaurant and bar and a TV and DVD room.
Spa
If you're looking for some R&R after the long flight, head to the spa. You'll find with a yoga studio and thatched “jalapa” huts with uninterrupted views over the city, where you can enjoy a soak in a private two person jacuzzi followed by a massage for two.
Activities
Tours start at 5.30am to enable you to see wildlife feeding at dawn and take you either around the hotel’s gardens or on a more strenuous hike to several waterfalls within the grounds. 146 different bird species have been spotted within the hotel’s extensive grounds and many species of colourful plants and exotic trees have been planted and carefully labelled. If you have time to spare the hotel can arrange a tour of a local coffee plantation, or take a cooling dip in the plunge pools of the hotel’s waterfalls.
