Pura Vida Retreat & Spa
800 Mts SW From Minisuper Pavas Pavas, Carrizal, Alajuela 20103 Costa Rica
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#12 of 41 hotels in Alajuela
Location
4.3
Cleanliness
4.5
Service
4.6
Value
4.4
World-Class yoga instruction, acres of natural beauty, delicious healthy cuisine and spa services unrivaled in Costa Rica await inside the cloistered walls of this magical retreat. Tropical rain forest, active volcanoes, mountain cloud forests full of rainbows, breathtaking beaches and exhilarating white water rafting beckon the adventurer in you, all within a few hours drive of our eco-chic spa and wellness resort in the world's greenest country.
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Property amenities
Free internet
Pool
Fitness Center with Gym / Workout Room
Bar / lounge
Airport transportation
Business Center with Internet Access
Spa
Non-smoking hotel
Internet
Hot tub
Outdoor pool
Restaurant
Breakfast buffet
Car hire
Laundry service
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Room features
Private balcony
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Green
Location
800 Mts SW From Minisuper Pavas Pavas, Carrizal, Alajuela 20103 Costa Rica
Getting there
Rental CarsSee rental cars from $9/day
210Reviews14Q+A64Room tips
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A friend and I stayed at Pura Vida following a 6 day Women’s Retreat. It was the perfect place to unwind and process. Jose was the absolute best. He was very accommodating with our check in/out schedule and even had a delicious chocolate cake delivered to our table for my friends birthday!! The pool was very warm and clean. The yoga Shala w brought a very magical feel to the yoga practices we took part in. The meals were nutritious and delicious. This will be at the top of my list of places to return to when in Costa Rica!! Thank you Pura Vida for such a divine experience.
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Date of stay: April 2023Trip type: Traveled with friends
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Just returned from a weeklong retreat led by the amazing Stephanie Nicole of JTown Hot Yoga in Pennsylvania, USA. Pura Vida is a beautiful place, managed by knowledgeable and kind folks, particularly Jose and William. The gardens are lovely, the food is fantastic, the yoga spaces are gorgeous (heated and unheated), the pool was warm and welcoming, as was the hot tub. There are plenty of spaces for quiet reflection, paths through the grounds for walking meditation, and plenty of fun excursion options (I did a great zip line adventure). I enjoyed several massages, including a swedish (Mar Y Sol), thai holistic (Thais) and an interesting "Dragon Fire" chinese treatment (Karina) that included acupuncture, moxa and cupping. My room (#203 Vista) was simple but comfy, with a balcony and fantastic view of San Jose. It was cleaned every day and the housekeeping folks were friendly and efficient. The shuttle service from the airport was convenient. It was simply a fantastic vacation!…
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Traveled with friends
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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From the tropical lush landscaping to the fresh delicious food to the accommodating staff, everything about this place is amazing. It’s such a relaxing retreat with so much beauty. We love the hidden location in the mountains and the kind people who work there. We’ll be back again soon!
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
The resort is absolutely beautiful and the staff went above and beyond to make our stay comfortable. The food was delicious and plentiful. We stayed in a trilevel and it was very spacious, the beds were very comfortable and the room was clean. 10/10 can't wait to come back.
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Date of stay: November 2022Trip type: Traveled with friends
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Room Tip: Bring good shoes and watch your step.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
The land in Costa Rica is absolutely beautiful, as are the people. The staff is so friendly and responds quickly to any requests. They fixed our shower head the day after we asked about it. Jose and William on the front desk are exceptionally kind, as are Alan and all of the other dining room staff. The food is delicious and healthy. The massage sessions were 3 of the best I've ever had in my life, with Alexandra, Karina, and Akua. Try a Watsu session in their exquisite Watsu pool if you can! The solar heated pool and hot tub are also extremely relaxing. I took a continuing education class there for 5 days and the classroom was wonderful. The view from Vista room 205 was amazing! I can't say enough good things about this place. :) I am dreaming of returning some day!
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Traveled with friends
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Recently visited Pura Vida for the second time (first time in 2011). It truly felt like coming home. It was everything I remembered and more. Beautiful grounds, amazing food, incredible staff. wonderful facilities, and phenomenal body workers. The Watsu treatment was truly transformational. My room and roommate were perfect - incredible view of the Central Valley. Even during the rainy season, Pura Vida and Costa Rica were amazing.
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Traveled on business
Value
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Room Tip: Room 201 had a fantastic view with floor to ceiling windows on two walls - someone told me is was...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
I have heard about this place for many many years and have many friends who have been to this place numerous times. For me I was not so happy with the accommodations. The food was very good , but not a lot of variety. The staff was very very nice - however the manager was not nice at all , but his staff was wonderful as I said - go figure! The pool is beautiful and the excursions that they pick and the vehicles and the drivers are all very very good they pick top-notch excursions. So I was at a workshop I loved the workshop I was in. Other people that were there for the first time agreed with me that we don’t ever want go back there again but everyone has different opinions so for me I’ve been to many yoga retreats in the world and I will be checking out different ones the next time I go to Costa Rica .…
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Traveled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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+1
What a vacation!!! It was so relaxing and I’m still glowing a week after being home! The resort was beautifully situated in the mountains with nature everywhere while in the tropics. The accommodations were comfortable and the service there was impeccable. The staff educated us on the culture provided clean rooms & excellent food. My favorite was the beverages of fresh coconut, fruit smoothies and ginger lemon tea. They were always there if we ever needed anything but what would one need on a yoga retreat where all you need to do is be! Jane and Brett, the owners of hot yoga, the organizers were amazing! They really made sure every detail was taken care of. It’s as If I jumped in my car and got to Costa Rica with a snap of my fingers. The teachers had amazing energy and they were excellent. I can’t wait to take their classes locally. The excursions provided by the resort were awesome and the transportation and guides were fantastic. I met so many lovely people there. Everyone was so nice and friendly. I went alone and came back with a new found family! I would recommend this resort and experience to anyone. Thank you everyone I met, thank you yoga teachers, thank you Jane and Brett and most of all Puravida spa and their amazing staff.…
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
What an amazing experience at Pura Vida! It is an easy and quick ride from the airport. The property and the grounds are beautiful and the pool and hot tubs are quite special. My room was so comfortable and what a view! The food is healthy, delicious and plentiful and the resort staff is wonderful. Their hospitality is second to none and they can’t do enough for you. One of the staff actually took me on my own personal tour of the grounds as I have a challenged sense of direction. I stayed in my room alone and felt perfectly safe at all times whether walking around alone at night or in my room. The spa's staff are very talented and the treatments are incredible and healing. They really take the time to get to know the person they are treating. I went for a yoga retreat and the yoga rooms are great (both the hot and not hot)…the space is perfect for yoga and has incredible views. Everything is top notch and is a great place to relax and unwind. Don't miss the ginger lemon tea and the chips with guacamole from the smoothie bar. I will be coming back for sure!…
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Date of stay: July 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
We visited (my daughter and I )Pura Vida Spa and Hotel recently and was great!! What a magical place! If younare a nature lover and like to relax, connect with friends family this is the place for you!.. Pura Vida Spa and Hotel is surrounded by nature, the views are incredible walking in the the property its just so therapeutic. We did yoga with Tamara at sun set was one of the best yoga practice!! And we are not experts but like the benefits of the stretching, calm the mind, Etc Food is healthy and tasty the ladies at the restaurant and the gentleman are very sweet they made us feel like home!!! Everyone is very helpful sweet and kind so is Eduardo and Jose!! We want to go back!! highly recommend it 🙂👍 Pura Vida!!
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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ALSO KNOWN AS
pura vida spa & yoga retreat hotel alajuela, pura vida spa and yoga retreat, pura vida wellness retreat spa
LOCATION
Costa RicaProvince of AlajuelaAlajuela
NUMBER OF ROOMS
48
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Claim Your ListingPURA VIDA RETREAT & SPA - Updated 2023 Reviews (Costa Rica/Alajuela)
Frequently Asked Questions about Pura Vida Retreat & Spa
Which popular attractions are close to Pura Vida Retreat & Spa?
Nearby attractions include Hacienda Alsacia Starbucks Coffee Farm (3.0 miles), Our Lady of the Pillar Cathedral (3.4 miles), and Juan Santamaria Historical Cultural Museum (3.4 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Pura Vida Retreat & Spa?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include a pool, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
What food & drink options are available at Pura Vida Retreat & Spa?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant and a lounge during their stay.
What are some restaurants close to Pura Vida Retreat & Spa?
Conveniently located restaurants include Ragu, Taj Mahal - An Ethnic Indian Restaurant, and Pesqueria da Limonta.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Pura Vida Retreat & Spa?
Yes, guests have access to a pool and a fitness center during their stay.
Does Pura Vida Retreat & Spa have airport transportation?
Yes, Pura Vida Retreat & Spa offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Does Pura Vida Retreat & Spa have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the mountain view available here.