We arrived at Punta Islita for the last two nights of our first Costa Rican vacation, and realized very quickly we should have planned more time at this incredible Autograph resort! We were greeted with cool wet wash cloths to quickly refresh, followed by an offer of welcome drinks. I opted for the delicious hibiscus tea. Our Marriott Gold Bonvoy status was acknowledged & appreciated. The Concierge, Joe, introduced himself and provided an overview of the available activities during our stay. He shared his whatsapp contact info, so our family could discuss the activities of interest, allowing us to easily request for him to coordinate on our behalf. As we arrived early, our room was not ready, so we quickly gathered our swimming gear and the shuttle whisked us down to the Aura beach club. We enjoyed lunch overlooking the beach, followed by drinks at the swim up bar in the pool, before venturing into the ocean. The afternoon was picture perfect with sunny skies, before we were ready to enjoy the plunge pool with our room. The shuttle brought us back up to the reception area, where we grabbed our key, while the bellman gathered our luggage. We had splurged on the Honeymoon Suite (Room 31) and highly recommend this suite for anyone seeking a luxury stay with incredible views. As you enter the room, the eye is quickly drawn to the view of the plunge pool overlooking Punta Islita beach. Absolutely breathtaking views! We enjoyed the plunge pool for a couple hours, taking in the views. Once we decided to get ready for dinner, we were able to enjoy the incredible bathroom – double shower heads in an open tile area, with sliding glass doors providing a panoramic view of the beach and surrounding flora. There are two sinks on the counter with a wide window view into the rain forest. You literally feel as though you are in a tree house, with décor that combines the beautiful outdoor environment with luxury bath amenities. Dinner at the Alma Restaurant was lovely, as we enjoyed the views of the infinity pool. The restaurant staff is attentive, flexible and accommodated our requests for substitutions. Later, as the rain poured, we enjoyed another glass of wine with our dessert. The domed roof of the Alma whisked the water away, and we were able to enjoy the showers, while staying dry. The next morning, we opted for the Monkey Quest tour, and were delighted to find a family of holler monkeys. Manrique and Naron were great guides in locating the monkeys and were happy to share info and tips on what to search for in the trees. After the tour, we brought our 10-year-old son down to Aura beach club for a beginner surfing lesson on the beach. After 5 or 6 tries, he was up on the board! We enjoyed lunch at the Aura beach club (highly recommend the guacamole app and the grilled fish salad). After a couple hours of relaxation poolside, I took the shuttle to the Spa for a massage and facial. Nela alleviated the stress in my back and shoulders, and I drifted off to sleep a couple times. My husband enjoyed a group of macaws having a loud happy hour in an almond tree outside of our door. We enjoyed a quick dip in the infinity pool, which the views are STUNNING. Our last morning was enjoyed with a 6am bird tour (saw macaws, black headed trogon, blue crowned motmot, and long tailed Manakin) with Naron. We then enjoyed breakfast at Alma restaurant (asked for scrambled eggs with a side of fresh fruit, which was delicious!) before heading to another surf lesson for our son. As our shuttle driver was heading down the hill, he stopped and put the van in reverse a few meters back up the hill. Quietly, he suggested that we look out the left windows to see a lovely male holler monkey munching on leaves just a short distance from us. It was an incredible experience to be so close – Pura Vida! So many wonderful memories at Punta Islita for a 2-night stay, and the highlight of our first trip to Costa Rica…. Highly recommend a longer stay at Punta Islita, the honeymoon suite, and encourage folks to sample the variety of activities to experience Pura Vida… Engage the staff as they are lovely and will help with information or tips to make your trip exceed your expectations. We hope to return soon! …