Vayu Retreat Villas

Hotel review

If you're dreaming of rainforest-covered hills, outdoor showers, and an infinity pool, Vayu Retreat Villas ticks every box. Hidden away in the hills of Uvita on Costa Rica’s unspoilt Pacific coast, this adults-only boutique hotel is pure magic – a cool jungle hideaway that feels both off-grid and spoiling.

With just four villas and no children allowed, it’s ideal for couples looking for privacy or solo travellers in need of stillness. Everything is designed to help you slow down: expect early morning swims in the infinity pool, afternoon naps to the sound of howler monkeys, and candlelit dinners. It’s remote, yes – but it’s also surprisingly affordable for somewhere so special.

The design is low-key and lovely: think natural wood, stone walls and open-plan layouts that bring the outside in. Each villa has its own terrace, or large balcony, some have hammocks and rainfall showers that open to the sky. It’s a blissful mix of barefoot and boutique, with just the right touches of luxury.

The restaurant is another reason to book. The menu changes daily and the food is exceptional – unfussy, fresh, and deeply satisfying. The tuna tartare is the kind you’ll dream about for weeks, and the coconut flan dangerously good. They’ll even deliver dinner to your villa if you’d rather eat under the stars in a robe (and who wouldn’t?).

The owners live on-site and are full of local knowledge – they’ll help you plan a hike to a hidden waterfall, organise a surfing lesson, or book you in for a massage overlooking the jungle. That said, Vayu is the kind of place where you’ll also feel entirely free to do absolutely nothing.

You’re about 15 minutes from the beach and town by car, but up here in the hills you feel a million miles from the world. There’s Wi-Fi if you need it, but the vibe here is very much tune in, switch off.

Vayu Retreat Villas is one of those rare finds that manages to feel intimate, wild, and stylish without the sky-high price tag. Whether you’re travelling solo or with someone you love, this little slice of Costa Rican paradise is very hard to beat.

Lulu Townsend