The Costa Rica jungle and rainforest make up the biggest part of the country and is one of the primary reasons why tourists flock to the country: to see the diversity of the flora and fauna. Kura Costa Rica is just the place to discover the richness of nature being perched on a jungle-covered mountain of Uvita with jaw-dropping views of the ocean (including the famous Whale Tail, one of the most unique land formations you will ever see), the rainforest and incredibly romantic sunsets.
Hotel
They have astutely arranged the checking in area to be by the infinity pool with the astounding rainforest and ocean vista in the foreground. This is when you might dig out your credit card and ask if you can book in for another week. The Borucan culture has a strong influence on the hotel: the word Kura means jaguar in Borucan and their logo is a jaguar paw imprint. There are traditional devil masks dotted throughout the resort, which is supposed to ward off evil spirits.
The architecture blends in with the surroundings with clean lines and lush vegetation throughout, which is hardly surprising considering the owners are an architect and a biologist. The hotel is a member of the Cayuga Collection of Sustainable Luxury Hotels and Lodges through their unwavering environmental and sustainability initiatives.
Room
There are eight luxury adults-only suites in Kura, all are masterpieces in their own rights. They have 180 degrees view of the scenic surroundings with ultra-wide terraces and expansive glass walls for you to enjoy the sights. We had an oversized double hammock on our terrace along with mini-bar, wine cooler, and espresso capsule coffee. Whilst the spacious bathroom included not only double vanities but a double rain shower with outdoor access. They only use organic toiletries and provide guests with plush cotton robes. For ultimate relaxation, phones and televisions are not found in the suites, instead, you are offered Wi-Fi and iPads, with which you can contact the front of house team. During turndown, they activate a sexy-red lighting option to set the mood for the evening.
Food
They offer a fine mixture of local Costa Rican dishes as well as comforting items like Italian pasta dishes. Prices are extremely reasonable considering the transportation efforts involved in bringing the food up to the resort. For starters, I would recommend trying their extensive carpaccio section, as fish plays a key role in the Costa Rican diet. Some of the dishes are Asian-influenced such as their soy fish, which is marinated with soy, ginger and sesame oil sauce.
If you want to sample a very typical Costa Rican main course dish, do order the pork “chifrijo” which has slow cooked pancetta, rice and beans, avocado, tortilla chips, pico de gallo and homemade chilli sauce. Likewise, for breakfast, you can either go typically local and order the tico breakfast with gallo pinto, homemade corn tortilla, and mild Costa Rican cheese or just enjoy a classic eggs benedict. They do offer some themed nights such as Caribbean tasting menu night, complete with live music.
Spa
For a genuine slice of tranquillity, make sure you book into Shà Spa. The open-air sanctuary with flowing white curtains and serene bamboo features is the ideal setting for a relaxing, pampering treatment. I enjoyed a soothing aromatherapy massage, where they used aromatic essential oils along with the therapeutic massage to awaken the senses, the body, and the mind.
To do
There are plenty of activities to do in Uvita from stand-up paddleboarding to horse-back riding but none are quite as breathtaking as a 4×4 ATV adventure in the same amount of time. Jungle ATV has strategically placed itself in Uvita due to the diversity of the surroundings from pristine beaches to lush jungle greenery. You can enjoy a quick ride from sea-level to 4000 feet up in the mountains where the air is cool and crisp. The ride includes going across streams and up very steep rocky paths; it’s the perfect adventure for those who seek to boost their adrenaline without having to sweat off countless calories.
During the half-day trip, you get to visit a coffee plantation, high up in the mountains and speak with the local artisanal producer and try his coffee first-hand. The tour ends with a refreshing dip into a local waterfall to enjoy the pristine Costa Rican waters and also a serving of exotic local fruits.
Getting there
This is the tricky part. You can either drive from Juan Santamaría International Airport to Uvita, which is roughly 4 hours or take another flight to nearby Quepos and then drive/get a hotel chauffeured car to Uvita. From Uvita, it is a steep 15-minute drive up a scenic mountain route (the hotel will happily assist with the drive).
In a nutshell
All manner of words and photos will not do the experiences enough justice whether it is the heaven-on-earth views from Kura or the thrilling ATV ride through the jungles and mountains of Costa Rica; so you just need to check out the details below and experience it for yourself.
Factbox
Rooms can be booked from $630 pppn.
Address: Uvita de Osa, Bahía Ballena, Costa Rica, Uvita, 00011, Costa Rica
Phone: +506 8448 5744
Email: reservations@kuracostarica.com
Website: kuracostarica.com
