Travel Pros pick Costa Rica as the No. 1 Most Relaxing Destination in the World

“Costa Rica's emphasis on well-being and connection to nature makes it a top destination for relaxation”  “According to 2022 data from YouGov, a massive 45 percent of global travelers say they are specifically looking for "space for relaxation and well-being" in their next vacation. It was the second-most popular answer in the poll, right behind the "need to get away." And yeah, that feeling of reaching a new place, finally putting your phone face down, feeling your shoulders drop, and letting someone else take care of your every need sure does sound nice.  But if you're lost on where to go to get this experience, that's ok, because we asked travel experts which place does relaxation right, and they all said the same thing: Costa Rica.  "Costa Rica is relaxing, not because nothing happens, but because the entire country runs at a much slower pace than the rest of the world," Johnny Prince, the CEO of Timbuktu Travel, told Travel + Leisure. "The phrase 'pura vida,' or 'pure life,' is more than a slogan; it's a philosophy that prioritizes nature, wellbeing, and time outdoors in mountains, volcanoes, rainforests, beaches, and oceans."​  That idea of pure life shows up everywhere in the tiny Central American nation, from the morning surf sessions to the lazy afternoons at the coast, and even in the way the nation's landscape itself seems to do all the work for you.”  “​"You arrive and immediately feel your pace soften," Amanda Al-Masri, Hilton's global vice president of wellness, said. "The ocean, the wind, the light, and the scale of the cliffs create a sense of perspective that feels grounding and immersive at the same time." Al-Masri pointed to the Punta Cacique peninsula in the Guanacaste region as a perfect example, where the Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique is perched above Playa Penca, offering sweeping views of the Pacific.  ​Prince pointed to Hacienda AltaGracia, part of the Auberge Resorts Collection, located in the south of Costa Rica, as another prime spot to stay for relaxation seekers. "The property sits near one of the world's rare Blue Zones, regions where people tend to live significantly longer, healthier lives, and the philosophy of wellbeing runs through everything here," he explained. "Guests might start the morning with forest bathing or a gentle river therapy session, followed by a guided meditation or a light-touch reiki treatment."  And if you're looking for a smaller spot to call home, that's ok, because low-key boutique stays offer this relaxed vibe, too. "After a couple of days, people start to realize they're not checking their phone” “as much, they're sleeping better, and they just feel calmer," Debbie Gruelle, founder of Lamangata Luxury Surf Resort, said. "Costa Rica has a way of doing that to you."  But travelers shouldn't overlook the Caribbean coast, particularly  Tortuguero National Park, a stretch of rainforest and waterways with no cars allowed. "There's something deeply meditative about drifting through the water, spotting river otters or colorful toucans while surrounded by nothing but the sounds of the rainforest," ​ And if you time your visit just right, between July and October, you may get lucky and see sea turtles returning to the beaches to nest. "Standing on a dark beach under a massive canopy of stars, watching these gentle giants return to the sand to lay their eggs is a powerful spectacle that puts everything into perspective.  So, whether you want to take a deep breath while sitting on a Pacific Ocean-facing clifftop, drift through a Caribbean waterway, or simply find a hammock somewhere between the jungle and the sea, it seems that by coming to Costa Rica, you've come to the right place.”


Excerpt From
“We Asked 6 Travel Pros the No. 1 Most Relaxing Destination in the World—and They All Picked the Same Place”
Stacey Leasca
Travel + Leisure
https://apple.news/AjcbSdj6fTtOuDYwZuB3VbQ
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Excerpt From

“We Asked 6 Travel Pros the No. 1 Most Relaxing Destination in the World—and They All Picked the Same Place”
Stacey Leasca
Travel + Leisure
https://apple.news/AjcbSdj6fTtOuDYwZuB3VbQ