As is the Memorial Weekend tradition for me and my girls, I am on vacation as I write this week’s post. Live and direct from Costa Rica! Currently sitting poolside in Jacó, I’m trying to shake off vacation brain long enough to share a little bit of our adventure thus far. Despite a forecast of rain and thundershowers, today has been a beautiful, hot (and humid!) day. 85 degrees with sunshine and brilliant blue skies, surfers ride huge waves in the distance. I’m taking a pause and putting down my jungle juice for a moment. Let’s talk about that Costa Rica spa life, shall we??
Bout that Spa Life
One thing that we all agreed on before we got to Costa Rica was that we were in need of a spa day. Aromatherapy, treatments in a tranquil setting, and a chance to decompress and breathe. The house manager at our condo suggested a spa down the street from where we were staying, so I checked out the reviews and while they were good- another (higher rated) option popped up in my search. I clicked on the link for Serenity Spa and immediately was hooked. High on a mountain, with sweeping ocean views and an unbelievable infinity pool with an unobstructed view of the endless ocean below. Sign.us.up.
Serenity Now!
I love a good spa day, on vacation or close to home. Either way, it’s a great way to relax and regain your balance. Last month, I shared a few favorite spas in California. After our visit to Serenity Spa, I may have to start building an international list. For our first full day in Costa Rica, I booked afternoon spa treatments for our group. After perusing the spa packages at Serenity, I really wanted the Romance package- a foot scrub and massage overlooking the ocean, followed by an aromatherapy full body massage and balance of chakras. All I was missing was the other half of a couple… fortunately for me, all the girls wanted the same amazing package. So there we were- me and KT, TK and Janá… four girls booked for two romance packages. The spa staff may have been expecting honeymooners, instead they got a group of girls on a getaway. No matter, we were unbothered, and so were they!
Top of the World
A relatively short ride from our condo in Jacó (about 30 minutes), Serenity Spa is located at Villa Caletas. Villa Caletas is a gorgeous property, nestled in a secluded mountain side. Turning off the main road, we started a seemingly endless climb toward Serenity Spa. Higher and higher, every turn producing more awe-inspiring views than the previous one. The spa package included roundtrip transportation, which was a great addition. We didn’t have to worry about anything disturbing our Zen spa moment navigating taxis. Arriving at Serenity and walking up the stairs, the spa is appropriately named- it is indeed serene.
Peaceful, quiet and tranquil, we were welcomed to Serenity by the gracious spa staff and escorted to our first treatment area. Truly breathtaking, words could never do this view justice.
Bliss Times Four
Our group has done spa days together many times. Usually at least one of us has a less than ideal experience. There was the time I got a massage therapist with hands like sandpaper. She beat me up with her elbows for an hour. I was violently sick afterwards- pretty sure she put a root on me. There was the creepy guy who sent TK a text at 9:30pm, to thank her for allowing him to work on her that afternoon- gross. Those colorful experiences, plus many generally subpar treatments has me a little skeptical at times. For the first time ever, all four of us walked out of our massages happy, relaxed and with zero complaints. Serenity for the win.
Infinity and Beyond
Coming to Costa Rica during rainy season, you have to manage your expectations. It may rain for minutes, or hours. After our treatments, we made a beeline for the infinity pool. Slightly overcast skies didn’t put a damper on our pool time at all. It was still ridiculously gorgeous.
We heard that the amphitheater at Villa Caletas gets crowded around sunset on clear days. With the sun mostly out of sight, we accepted that we might miss out on a great sunset on this visit. Lounging in the jacuzzi, we glanced up and noticed the sun starting to peek out. The pool area nearly empty, with everyone else having given up and clearing out, we had the pool and an unexpected, brilliant sunset to ourselves.
If you are lucky, there are moments in life that are absolutely perfect, where you wouldn’t change one, single thing. This past Friday with my sister and girlfriends, high on a mountain in Costa Rica, looking over the edge of an infinity pool into shades of pink and purple sky- absolutely perfect.
I couldn’t think of a better way to start our trip to Costa Rica. I’m a little (a lot) sad to be leaving in the morning, but super grateful to have had another great adventure with my girls. Next week, I’ll have stories about the rainforest and tips we’ve picked up on our first trip to Costa Rica. Until then, Pura Vida!