Los Sueños Marriott, Costa Rica

In Costa Rica you’re often greeted with the words “Pura Vida”. Simply put, it means pure life. With a perfect blend of Caribbean ease and American comfort amid the rainforest of Costa Rica‘s Green Coast, pure life describes the experience at Los Sueños Marriott Ocean and Golf Resort.

Located on picturesque Herradura Bay, the resort provides an ideal destination for getaways. Revel in the majestic beauty of the rainforest in this oceanfront paradise with stunning ocean and jungle views. Its beachfront location, impressively clear waters, and championship golf course have been noted as one of the “World’s Best”. Plus, it’s an easy drive from the San Jose International airport, about 90-minutes on a well-maintained four-lane highway.

First Impressions of Los Sueños Marriott

Spanish-Colonial architecture with a stone aqueduct water feature impresses. And, the coral color with terra cotta roof exudes a Caribbean vibe. The Great Room lobby’s generous space features immense white columns, a vaulted brick ceiling, and tropical wood accents. Comfy seating provides a great place to relax and unwind or to gather with friends to plan your day.

Sunlight streams in from large open doorways to the loggia where swirling ceiling fans beg you to sit a spell. Incredible views draw your eyes to the bay as the pleasant sound of splashing water from the aqueduct wafts throughout.

A Poolside Paradise

The freestyle pool has narrow waterways that loop under bridges and man-made waterfalls to a swim-up bar while the broader pool offers water aerobics, volleyball, and a vast shallow end for little ones. The lush atmosphere…complemented by plenty of poolside loungers…invites you to settle in for the afternoon.

At the adjacent kids club, parents leave their children supervised to have fun with the other kids for full or half days. Plentiful activities keep them occupied. Plus, bicycles, boogie boards, and other water sports are available for rent at the cabana tent.

Beyond the pool, swaying palms lead to Herradura Beach and offshore islands. Early morning beach walks were a favorite activity.

Sleep in a Luxurious Oasis

Los Sueños translates to “the Dream,” an idyllic name for its accommodations for they are dreamlike. The handmade artisan hammock suspended across a wall of windows with a sublime view of the Bay invited a dream-worthy escape. A spacious balcony had seating and a table for morning coffee along with another hammock for hours of relaxation. I often left my screen door open and fell asleep to the sound of the waves.

The rooms and suites at the resort recently underwent a renovation and the effect is akin to being in a comfy Caribbean cocoon with amazing ocean, garden, or jungle views. A relaxing color palette of neutrals sets the tone while a generous bath with calming rain shower head and terrazzo tile add to the serenity.

Tee Up at the Golf Club

Featuring an 18-hole championship course, the La Iguana Golf Club sits nestled among the unspoiled natural landscape of Costa Rica. Golfers like it for the wide fairways and challenging par 3s, designed by Ted Robinson Jr. Me? I liked it for its tropical beauty blending seamlessly with the lush jungle. A beautiful round of golf is a given every time you hit the greens here.

La Iguana Experience

The resort offers a complimentary La Iguana Experience Eco-Tour to commune with nature. The one-hour tour transports small groups by golf cart through the golf course to explore the stunning grounds and surrounding rainforest. We walked a short loop through the forest and stopped to admire a giant Ceiba Tree, more than 200 years old. I spotted toucans, iguanas, and a three-toed sloth high up in a tree.

Fine Dining Options at Los Sueños Marriott

When it’s time to refuel, satisfy your cravings at one of six restaurants. The Hacienda Kitchen, which is open for all meals, offers an international menu highlighting local ingredients. At breakfast, I sat outside next to the pool and watched scarlet macaws sweeping through the trees.

Also poolside is Zoe, a casual restaurant by day with a Mediterranean menu by night. It features fresh seafood, unique cocktails, and an unbeatable atmosphere. Casa del Café is open 24 hours and offers simpler fare and to-go options.

Bar 8 is a casual restaurant with an outdoor terrace featuring stunning views of the Resort and Herradura Bay. It also serves excellent food: my lunch choice was the quesadillas with a trio of dips.

Mixology Class

I had a private mixology class at Bar 8 and learned the art of concocting the perfect cocktail. Guaro is a clear alcohol distilled from sugar cane juices, giving it a distinctly sweeter taste than similar clear liquors. In fact, the name “Guaro” means sugarcane liquor and is often called the National Drink of Costa Rica.

Hugo, the mixologist, steeped the Guaro in dried hibiscus flowers to give it a distinct flavor and ruby red color. The golden sweet syrup that accompanied it included passion fruit, honey, and herbs and was muddled with citrus peel for an extra zing. It was like alchemy… I don’t know if I could duplicate it at home, but I’ll just have to come back for another of Hugo’s refreshing elixirs.

Exploring Los Sueños Marriott Resort Activity Options

The Marina Village, just a 5-minute walk or a short bike ride, is home to waterfront restaurants, shops, and services. I enjoyed sitting in a café with a glass of wine at sunset, watching the boats come in with their catch.

Should you prefer to keep active, the resort is equipped with courts for tennis, basketball, beach volleyball, and a full-service fitness center. Plus, the on-site Sibö Rainforest Spa & Retreat has nurturing spa treatments, massages, and facials using natural ingredients. You’ll leave feeling renewed, rejuvenated, revitalized, and relaxed.

Nearby Attractions and Activities

Should you care to venture further, nearby attractions include fishing and hiking through Carara National Park. One of the country’s smallest reserves, it is the richest in wildlife, including numerous bird species.

Just outside the property, it’s easy to find a zipline tour, deepsea fishing for tuna and marlin from the Marina or a boat ride to see the crocodiles and caimans in the Tarecoles river.

Manuel Antonio National Park is only an hour’s drive. The hotel has an activity desk that can arrange a tour for you. This lovely reserve is home to a vast diversity of plants and wildlife.

No matter how you choose to occupy your time, Pura Vida remains our wish for you!