Since the end of 2023, a Costa Rican expression such as “pura vida” is included in the dictionary of the Royal Academy of the Spanish Language. Which seems fair considering they are the two words that are heard incessantly in the Central American country. Although there its meaning goes beyond the six meanings described by academics. For Costa Ricans, “pura vida” summarizes a way of living without haste or stress, with optimism and kindness, in addition to attachment to the land and the exuberant nature of these latitudes.
That is precisely the image we have of the Costa Rican country. A territory that is accommodating to the point of exhaustion with the visitor and where they go out of their way to delight the stranger with their culture, their crafts, their gastronomy and above all with the privileged natural environment that they take such great care of.
That spirit bathes any corner, but perhaps the greatest exponent is the region of Guanacaste. Located in the northwest of the country, on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, it boasts of its enormous tourism development, but always betting on sustainability. Logical, since the great claims of Guanacaste are related to the thousand and one ways to discover its natural treasures.
For example, it is possible to navigate the Tempisque River within the Palo Verde National Park to disembark at an old hacienda where rum was distilled from sugar cane. Or not far away is the option of taking walks through the volcanic massif of the Rincón de la Vieja national park. While on the coast the beaches of Las Baulas are protected, a nesting place for leatherback turtles, the largest sea turtles in the world. And to the north is the Santa Rosa National Park and its exceptional dry forest in Central America. Because we must not forget that Guanacaste is the driest region in Costa Rica.
That does not prevent it from also being a sought-after surfing area thanks to waves like those in the town of Tamarindo. And just a step away, you can discover the gastronomy and the relaxed philosophy of life that make Nicoya one of the six blue zones on the planet, that is, the places on the globe where it is not uncommon to turn 100 years old.
All of these sites and others like Liberia, the regional capital with its own airport, are close to Reserva Conchal. Privileged enclave that wonderfully expresses the concept of pure life and the evolution that the country has suffered, or rather has enjoyed over the last decades.
In the last century, Reserva Conchal was deforested to use its surface as pasture for livestock. A cow pasture as they call it around here. However, almost 40 years ago it was decided to reverse the process so that nature could regain its space. An initiative to recover its splendor and at the same time sustainably embrace the new uses of tourism.
Now Reserva Conchal is a key destination in Costa Rica. A large part of it is protected as a wild refuge where the forest and the mangrove reveal all their secrets thanks to hiking itineraries that run alongside imposing trees such as the carao, the cornizuelo and of course the large specimens of the guanacaste, which not only gives its name to the region, but it is also the national tree of Costa Rica.
Such vegetation thickness is perfect for the local fauna, which roams in absolute freedom through Reserva Conchal. Some animals are as small as the four types of bee that produce famous honey. And others are as large and powerful as the puma, whose presence is proven and attests to the current good health of that ecosystem.
And between both extremes, it is not difficult to come across skittish white-tailed deer or iguanas looking for the sun’s rays on those roads. Furthermore, all you have to do is strain your ears a little to hear the incessant tapping of the woodpeckers. However, if there is one sound that resonates above any other, it is the howl emitted by the herds of howler monkeys that slide with astonishing balance through the branches of the guanacaste trees.
The abundance of fauna is such that you don’t have to be an expert naturalist to see a raccoon or its cousin the coatis. And as one approaches the mangrove it will not be strange to marvel at the fluttering of the wings of the hummingbirds, the white plumage of the herons or the unmistakable black silhouette of the sea earwigs that fly over the coast and observe the great jewel of the reserve from above.
That treasure is none other than Playa Conchal, once listed as the best beach in the world. Unlike other nearby beaches, this one has white sand, a color due to millions of shells brought by the ocean and pulverized by the passage of time. A kilometer-long beach of calm waters, perfect for swimming, but also for kayaking, diving or paddle surfing. Or if you prefer, you can take horseback rides on its white sands. However, an absolutely essential activity is to sit and contemplate the panorama.
Much better if it is done in the shade of the vegetation that almost reaches the edge of the ocean. From there you can enjoy the views, the islets that outline the horizon, the dives of the pelicans that tirelessly fish in these rich waters and the outrageously attractive sunsets. It is precisely at that moment of sunset when outsiders, wherever they come from, understand the true meaning of Pura Vida, without the need for dictionaries.
The ideal accommodation to fully enjoy the place, as well as to get closer to other parts of Guanacaste, is the W Costa Rica – Reserva Conchal. The hotel is hidden between the mangroves and the ocean. Physically integrated into the nature reserve and imbued with the same spirit of sustainability. Hence its commitment to reuse waste or neutralize as much as possible the carbon footprint generated by its facilities and the 151 rooms of different categories it offers.
The resort soaks up the local culture and environment to transform it into a bold design. Just discover the colors of the hummingbird that decorate the welcome lobby or sit under the open ceilings of the Cocina de Mercado restaurant that recall the branches of the Guanacaste. This is one of three restaurants at the resort. The other two are the Zona Azul beach club and the elegant Latitud 10 Norte, whose name evokes the geographical line that unites Costa Rica with Southeast Asia, a link also reflected in its dishes.
As a good member of the W Hotels brand, the resort tries to reinvent the idea of ??luxury for travelers seeking experiences inspired by culture, design and distinction. And a good example of this is that the W Costa Rica – Reserva Conchal and its tropical exuberance have hosted for the first time in Latin America the musical event W Presents, flagship of the hotel chain and its commitment to avant-garde creation.