Florblanca Resort

A wooden sign displaying the namesake -- a white florblanca flower -- marks the resort entrance. Guests are met with a charming hand-paved driveway made from stone that feels opulent coming from the area's gravel roads. A welcome area adjacent to the parking lot has a thatched roof and provides the first opportunity to meet with staff who will assist with luggage and offer fresh coconut water straight from the shell. Wood and stone appears to be the prevalent theme throughout; more stone pathways head down steps through gorgeous tropical vegetation. Villas are tucked within the lush landscape, denoted by little signs that will come in handy, especially after dark. The main pathway eventually lands at the front office, restaurant, and outdoor pool. Beyond here is a natural beach area with mature trees, hand-carved picnic benches, hammocks, surfboards, and a Bio Garden. The beach has a dozen or so lounge chairs that can be dragged under the trees for shade -- a great spot to watch sunsets. Florblanca is privately owned by a gentleman from North Carolina, and yet the staff seem as professional as if they were working for a large luxury resort chain. Though couples are the norm here, parents with well-behaved kids (six and up) will fit in, as will surf groups who can book the largest villa on the property: the Surf House. Guests may start the day with a yoga class, followed by a smoothie before hitting the beach or pool. Surf sessions turn to sunset cocktails, and sunset cocktails turn into gourmet dinners with wine. The vibe is classy and yet never strays far from the rugged environment, which is why celebs (Donna Karan, Rafael Nadal, and Demi Moore, to name a few) come here. They can be their most natural selves, often unbeknownst to everyone else. Of course, part of the credit goes to Santa Teresa and its unique culture. If Florblanca tried to be anything more than it is, it would simply not work. 

Florblanca is situated away from the crowds at the far end of Santa Teresa in the southwestern tip of Nicoya Peninsula. The out-of-the-way location is best suited for those seeking authentic Costa Rica, for the difficulty in arriving deters most conventional tourists who instead favor paved roads and bigger resorts, say in slightly commercialized Tamarindo or Jaco. Roads in this part of the peninsula -- a common conversation piece -- are dirt and gravel with some deep, jarring potholes. Some love it, some do not, but make no mistake, this is one of the area's defining characteristics, which might take some getting used to.Guests will likely want to spend part of their time exploring the area via an all-terrain vehicle or bicycle (ATVs and bikes can be rented from the hotel). There are several activities nearby with surfing taking center stage. In fact, this is the hottest spot in the country for international surfers, and the hotel offers free use of surfboards and lessons from qualified instructors (for a fee). The town of Santa Teresa (with cool bars and restaurants) is a five-minute drive away; it attracts good-looking expats from all over the world: South Americans (many from Argentina), Europeans (especially Scandinavian) and Americans here all seem to have been plucked out of a surfer magazine. Visitors can arrive via a multitude of ways. One option is to arrive to Liberia International Airport, rent a vehicle, and make the five-hour drive through a mix of paved and rough roads. Another way (the easiest and most expensive route) is to take a commuter plane from Liberia or San Jose to the smaller Tambor Airport, and then a 45-minute taxi to the hotel. Rental cars from this airport can also be arranged in advance. Other options include a ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera, though this makes for a long travel day. Another ferry makes rounds between Jaco and Montezuma, though getting to Jaco will require a two-hour drive from San Jose. 

Florblanca is a small resort with 11 individual villas separated amongst tropical vegetation and pretty stone pathways. Most have garden settings, though two are situated along the beach. Decor, like the rest of the resort, exudes understated luxury with contemporary earth tones, modern art, and distinct brick floors. Spacious living rooms are completely open to the elements which allow the sound of ocean waves, exotic birds, and howler monkeys. Each of these rooms come with a dining table, a living area, and a hand-made Costa Rican hammock for two. A wet bar is equipped with a Cuisinart coffeemaker, and a mini-fridge stocked with beer, Pellegrino, soda, milk, and snacks. Open-air bathrooms are spacious as well, with designer standalone tubs, rain showerheads, and eco-friendly toiletries. The master bedroom in each has a raised canopy king-sized bed; two-bedroom units offer a second room with two twin-sized beds and a second bathroom with a walk-in shower. Bedrooms are individually air-conditioned. Villa 11 is called the Honeymoon House; it comes with more privacy and direct beach access for romantic couples. Its neighbor, the more casual Surf House, is great for groups of up to six people. This house was converted from a private home and has three bedrooms that each open to the beach. There is only one bathroom in the unit. All villas include plush bathrobes and high-quality linens. 

A medium-sized pool is located next to the beach for easy access back and forth. There are several lime green cushioned lounge chairs and white umbrellas, and a large day bed with a thatched roof. The pool is round in design, with a few different sections of varying depth, and like the rest of the resort, it blends in with the natural environment. The beach at Florblanca has beige sand with a dozen or so more casual lounge chairs and mature trees for shade. This area of the beach may be rocky and narrow (especially during high tide), but guests can walk in either direction for endless sandy spots that provide safer swimming and surfing areas. Playa Carmen and Playa Hermosa, in particular, are both prime surfing spots and instructors can be arranged from the hotel. (The resort has a collection of surfboards and longboards free of charge.) Sunsets on the beach are a nightly affair where guests come together before dinner. Spa Bambu opened in 2009, after two years of planning, and has ethereal treatment rooms made from bamboo. It offers a selection of body treatments, aesthetics, facials, wraps, rubs, and scrubs.Yoga is a major component to Florblanca and there are daily classes in the open-air yoga studio open to all levels. These sessions combine Ashtanga and Vinyasa methods. Instructors are internationally trained and are regarded with such high esteem that celebs with private homes in the area also join the classes. On the second floor is a separate Pilates studio, open to students of all levels. Private and semi-private sessions are available for a fee, as well as group Pilates mat classes twice a week.Horseback riding, fishing and stand up paddle boarding can also be arranged. ATV and bicycles are located near the entrance, available for guests. There is free Wi-Fi and parking. 

The only restaurant and bar at Florblanca is called Nectar; it offers three meals a day from à la carte menus. It is both laid-back and elegant with outdoor seating, under a palapa for shade or on a sunny terrace. At night, the vibe becomes particularly romantic with candlelight; plus, the sound of the ocean can be heard (the pool, next door, also lights up for ambiance). Cuisine incorporates local organic produce and fresh seafood with a focus on Latin, Mediterranean, and Asian influences. There is an outstanding sushi menu served in late afternoon that challenges the best sushi restaurant in town. Guests can order smoothies, fresh juices, espresso, hand-crafted cocktails, or choose from a global list of wines. Food and drink can be ordered at the restaurant, by the pool, at the beach, or from the villas. Breakfast is not included in the rate.