Endless Summer Spotlight: Costa Rica

So, the blankets of snow at January's end and the icicle-covered trees and street signs at the start of February have made it that much easier (or perhaps, that much more necessary) for us to close our eyes and wish ourselves away to warmer climates. With all this icy rain, sleet, and snow ravaging the country lately, we've got our (mind's) eye on Costa Rica for March. Why? It's the heart of the dry season there, which means relatively low humidity, temps in the upper 70s and 80s at their beautiful beaches, and still quite a few days where you just might be able to spot some hatching turtle nests. How cool -- er, hot -- is that?!

Lapa Rios, located in the remote coastal rainforests of the Osa Peninsula, is Costa Rica’s original luxury ecolodge. This is the opposite of a Cancun-style beach resort; guests come to the upscale Lapa Rios to enjoy the spectacular surroundings, learn about sustainable tourism, and re-connect with nature while disconnecting with TVs, internet, and phone service. Here, you can share the sublime views, fresh air, and jungle sounds of a 1,000-acre rainforest -- complete with wildlife -- with just 15 other glamped-out bungalows. Aside from the natural beauty and serene surroundings, there are many comforts here, including a pool overlooking the ocean, a splendid restaurant serving sumptuous cuisine, yoga classes, and let's not forget the rustic-luxe rooms with private decks. Plus, the beach is a quick walk away. This is a place to get in touch with nature without roughing it. And that is a certified eco-friendly feature we can totally get behind.

We think the Four Seasons is pretty much perfection, and at a full five pearls, it's among the most luxurious resorts in Central America. With two beautiful beaches, ocean views from each one of the sumptuous rooms -- decorated in materials including wood, bamboo, and stone, and an 18-hole golf course, the resort makes it possible for guests to spend their whole vacation on-site. However, those who do choose to explore beyond Peninsula Papagayo should note that the roads in Guanacaste are in poor condition.

Hyper-aware of its natural surroundings, Si Como No Resort, Spa and Wildlife Refuge has an open-air lobby that blends seamlessly into the verdant surroundings, and rumor has it that only one tree was felled during the hotel's construction. The entire property is well laid out and landscaped, so that guests are surrounded by nature as they walk around the winding paths and public spaces. Beautiful flowers are everywhere, and it's not uncommon to see several types of lizards and colorful birds scurry across your path. Since the hotel believes that a vacation in Costa Rica is a time for serenity and escape, guests won't find any internet or televisions in their rooms (though due to high demand, the hotel is considering adding Internet access outside of the lobby area). But who wants TV anyways when you can get a dose of real-life Animal Planet across the road at the wildlife refuge? Crocodiles, butterflies, and night walks, oh my!

Do you need a little more than just an escape from the city (and the cold)? While they may not be able to cure the common cold, the hydrotherapy spa treatments, gorgeous views, and secluded location of Asclepios Wellness & Healing Retreat in Alajuela sure provide a nice balm to the headaches induced by the deadlines, honking horns, and gray skies you'll leave behind. The upper-middle-range Asclepios bills itself as a wellness center rather than a hotel, though it successfully incorporates elements of both. Located in the hills near the Central Valley town of Alajuela, it’s conveniently close to the airport -- but worlds away from the hustle and bustle of downtown San Jose. A full spa, fitness center, outdoor pool, and organic restaurant all lie on spacious grounds amidst a lush landscape. Every one of its 12 comfortable and stylish rooms has a different theme, and all overlook hillsides planted with coffee and sugarcane. Guests looking for a spa retreat on comfortable grounds will find it here, but there's not much else around the property -- which is completely fine by us.

The 372-room Intercontinental wows with its sheer scale; it's the biggest and best-equipped hotel in the San Jose area, with a soaring lobby, huge pool complex we can really get on board with, one of Central America's largest spas, a total of five restaurants, and numerous help desks (the check-in counter, the rental car counter, the business services counter, the concierge counter…). While it may lack charm for the regular traveler (and feel a bit like any other property from the brand), there's no denying this spot is a haven for business travelers. Even if you aren't down with the lack of local vibe, the Club Tower's luxe accommodations may be enough to change your mind.

The Marriott Los Suenos is one of Costa Rica's few large-scale resorts, with 201 comfortable rooms, an 18-hole golf course, big pool complex, full-service spa, six restaurants, and beautiful Spanish colonial architecture. But the on-site beach is extremely rocky, so you may want to take a taxi to one of the other nearby beaches instead. Designed by Ted Robinson, the resort's 18-hole La Iguana Golf Course is complete with a driving range and putting green surrounded by sweeping, lush jungle views. If you aren't quite up to playing a full round, there's also mini-golf, volleyball, hiking trails, and a 24-hour fitness center -- as well as a glitzy casino.