Before you visit Hacienda Pinilla, Guanacaste, you’ll likely have an idea in mind of what it’s like and what you’ll do: Golfing. Tennis. Mountain biking. Surfing. The Beach Club. And miles of beaches.
And as incredible as all that is, it only scratches the surface. At Hacienda Pinilla, there’s always something more – another sight to see, another view to summit, another indulgence to enjoy. And so, we thought we’d share a few of our favorites: From spa services in your villa to stargazing by night, from horseback riding through the backcountry to yoga with an ocean view – there’s so much to see, experience, and enjoy at Hacienda Pinilla, Guanacaste.
To Unwind: Visit the Spa
When you crave a chance to relax and unwind, there’s no experience we recommend more highly than a visit to one of Hacienda Pinilla’s luxury spas. (There’s one at the Pinilla Beach Club and another at the onsite JW Marriott.)
Indulge in full-body, head-to-toe pampering – body wraps and scrubs, manicures and pedicures, facials and massages – as you tune in (and out) to the sounds of lapping waves and birdsong.
>> Spa Services <<
To Wonder: Stargaze
When was the last time you were able to slow down enough to look up at the stars, clock Orion’s Belt, and zero in on the winking reddish light of Mars?
Welcome to your Hacienda Pinilla, Guanacaste vacation, where you’ll have the time and space and tranquility to do just that. Here, on clear nights, the sky unfurls into an inky blackness carpeted in a sea of stars – constellations and planets so bright, you’ll be able to identify every one! Be sure to download a stargazing app for your trip: The best of them allow you to point your phone at the sky to identify what you see.
To Get Active: Go Surfing
Whether you’re after a board rental or a surf lesson, surfing is an essential Hacienda Pinilla, Guanacaste experience.
Here, you’ll find many options from beginner to expert, and an exciting array of surf breaks to fuel your on-wave adventures along the community’s three miles of coastline. If you want to go big, be sure to catch “Little Hawaii,” the famous surf break in front of the Beach Club, where rights and lefts roll in all day long.
>> Surfing <<
To Stick to Your Routine: Work Out
Did you know that there’s a full gym on the second floor of the Beach Club? We think it’s the perfect pairing: Your favorite cardio equipment and weights, with a breathtaking, am-I-really-here? kind of views onto the azure Pacific Ocean, area surfers, and waving palm trees.
>> Beach Club <<
To Explore: Take a Horseback Ride
Hacienda Pinilla’s 4,500 scenic acres unroll over Guanacaste’s cattle ranching country: a veritable paradise of rolling hills, sun-drenched coastline, and scenic pastures.
Experience these landscapes as Costa Ricans have for generations – on horseback, as you explore our rugged backroads, encounter wildlife, and trek from gorgeous beaches into lush forests. It all begins at Hacienda Pinilla’s stables, where there’s a horse and a tour for all ages and riding experience levels.
>> Horseback Riding <<
To Wander: Nature Walk
Part of Costa Rica’s incredible, inescapable beauty is found in its lush and rugged landscapes, much of which is best explored via Hacienda Pinilla’s miles of mountain biking and hiking trails. Meandering over natural challenges, scenic routes, and rigorous backcountry, the community’s trail system wends and winds through 45 kilometers of forest, coastline, and traditional cattle ranch: spectacularly beautiful, wildly secluded, and ripe for exploration on foot or by wheel.
We also offer a guided two-hour mountain bike tour through Hacienda Pinilla’s pasture land and forest, over wooden bridges and down the sands. You can customize your tour based on the level of difficulty, and you can even extend your time on the trails if what you seek is a hardcore challenge. We can also help you coordinate bike rentals if you’d like to explore on your own.
>> Hiking & Biking Trails <<
To Indulge: Try a New Restaurant
There are few better ways to explore a new country than through its cuisine, and Hacienda Pinilla grants you so many options! Here, you’ll relish a taste of this and a taste of that – a smorgasbord that represents Costa Rica’s own eclectic melting pot.
From Costa Rican and Central American fusion favorites to Middle Eastern-inspired brunch, a buffet of vegan dishes, Mediterranean delicacies, traditional Costa Rican steakhouse, and local favorite, Lola’s beachfront restaurant, you’ll have a chance to sample, sip, and savor your way through over a dozen options located within and around Hacienda Pinilla, Guanacaste.
>> Hacienda Pinilla Restaurants <<
To Discover: Explore the Mangroves
Mangroves are one of the world’s rarest ecosystems: Rare, and yet of incredible biological importance, thanks to its salt-and-freshwater environment, thick mangrove roots, and diverse wildlife, much of which can live only here.
Take to these tranquil waterways in a kayak, and paddle into the thick of the Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge. Here, you’ll get up close and personal with everything from monkeys to caimans, as you explore this serene and often otherworldly ecosystem.
>> Tamarindo Mangroves <<
To Feel Good: Practice Yoga
Add meaning to your Costa Rican experience and practice your favorite form of yoga. Whether it’s meditative or relaxing, challenging or taxing – Hacienda Pinilla’s yoga sites and instructors promise a practice that will engage and inspire you.
Geared for any experience level, the community’s group and private classes are held in yoga studios, in your private villa, or beneath the wide Guanacaste sky. Instructors speak your language – both in speech and in practice, offering a wide variety of yoga styles and classes. Imbue wellness and tranquility into your Hacienda Pinilla, Guanacaste experience!
>> Yoga <<
To Relax: Lounge at Your Villa
(Pictured: Casa Descanza)
Let’s be honest with each other: No vacation is complete without a little bit of downtime. And at your private villa, you’ll have plenty of opportunity for that.
Hacienda Pinilla, Guanacaste is an incredible place, populated by a handful of neighborhoods dotted throughout its 4,500 acres. In addition to Hacienda Pinilla’s luxury amenities – from a multi-million-dollar Beach Club and par-72 golf course to tennis courts and hiking/biking trails – these smaller neighborhoods offer their own amenities.
And within each neighborhood, you’ll find vacation rental homes that offer their own amenities: private ocean-view pools and bubbling hot tubs, outdoor kitchens and sun-dappled terraces, entertainment lounges and hammock gardens, gourmet-ready kitchens and… well, a host of if-you-can-dream-them amenities ripe for enjoyment. Your only challenge is in finding the right villa for your lounge style.
>> Hacienda Pinilla Villas <<
To Stroll: Walk to Avellanas
When you’re craving a more active kind of downtime, there’s nothing we recommend more than a stroll to Playa Avellanas. One of the Guanacaste coast’s more iconic beaches, Avellanas is known for its spectacular scenery, white sands, and world-class surf breaks, including Little Hawaii and its massive waves, which can reach up to 18 feet.
What’s more, Playa Avellanas is also home to the Hacienda Pinilla Beach Club and its spa, restaurant, fitness center, and an ocean-view, infinity-edge pool.
>> Hacienda Pinilla Beaches <<
To Treat Yourself: Call for In-House Services
When you’re seeking the ultimate in vacation indulgences, we recommend an in-house, in-villa indulgence!
Whether it’s a relaxing massage or an ocean-view pedicure, a catered meal or a private yoga class, our in-house services allow you to customize both your vacation and villa experience. Our talented concierge, Cris, can help you arrange for in-villa spa services, a private chef, yoga classes, and almost anything else you could desire.
>> Concierge Services <<
To Enjoy: Try a Pinilla Beach Club Activity
Hacienda Pinilla’s Beach Club is more than a luxury retreat on one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful beaches. It’s also our central headquarters for all things fun and leisure – your gateway to snorkeling and swimming, surfing and strolling, lounging, and luxuriating in the lava rock pools.
>> Beach Club <<
Where to Stay
If lounging by your villa, visiting the Pinilla Beach Club, and enjoying Hacienda Pinilla’s full offering of activities, relaxation, and leisure opportunities sounds like your version of a perfect vacation, then the first step is choosing where to stay. Here’s some inspiration to get your villa search started:
Casa Bonita Beach
5 Beds | 6 Baths | 14 Guests
What do a private waterslide, an expansive outdoor terrace, and epic surfing have in common? They’re all within your reach from Casa Bonita Beach, located just 600 meters/yards to a secluded beach, accessible only by guests in the community.
Welcome to the chance to carve out your own, private surf retreat: a luxury home, ripe with amenities including a private pool and shaded outdoor dining, top-of-the-line everything and superior accessibility. First and foremost, the beach: It’s just a 7-minute walk, so you’ll be free to grab your board and go, whenever the surf itch hits.
Of course, your own private retreat is about more than what you do beyond the front door. Because here, your vacation rental is half the fun! Rent with your family or friend group (reserve some surf lessons for the less advanced among you) and enjoy Villa Olas’s private pool and memory-making waterslide, outdoor kitchen and ample lounging spaces. It’s everything you dream and more than you hoped.
>> Reserve <<
Casa Palma
3 Beds | 3 Baths | 11 Guests
Small families don’t always have access to the big amenities at sprawling properties. Enter Casa Palma, a cozy and upscale family vacation rental that goes big on comfort, convenience and, yes, luxury amenities.
A delightful and intimate home, Casa Palma offers three bedrooms, each with its own private bath. Gather together in the comfortable living room and around the spectacular live-edge, tree-slice dining table, then head outdoors and into the reason you’re here: a private courtyard, swimming pool, and poolside patio, where the sun streams down and a tropical setting surrounds. The palms sway, the breeze whispers, and your catch of the day sizzles on the grill.
>> Inquire Here <<
To Do: Ask for Help Planning Your Hacienda Pinilla, Guanacaste Vacation
Did you know that, when you reserve your Hacienda Pinilla, Guanacaste vacation home with us, you gain access to our full concierge services? And by that, we mean an on-the-ground expert whose job is to explore, engage, and do everything. Cris knows her Guanacaste tours!
We know it’s a hard job, but someone had to do it, see it, and experience it all to decide on a few musts. And hey, if it has to be us… well, we accept! Because here at Luxury Villas Pinilla, it’s our job to know Hacienda Pinilla and our surrounding area. And we know a lot!
When you book with us, we’ll get in touch to help you plan all the details of your stay. Our job is to get to know you, so we can help you plan the trip of your dreams. Whether you just need help arranging transportation or would like a full itinerary – everything from your airport shuttle to a full trip’s worth of activities, private chef services, and golf cart rental – we’re happy to help.
Even better, our concierge services are always free. So, why wait? Get in touch and let’s get started!