The growing emphasis on health and wellness today has created a demand for wellness destinations and exclusive retreats worldwide. And tourists are turning to Costa Rica. The country’s relaxed vibe, captivating beauty, and its natural affinity for holistic living has made it a top contender for a luxury self-care vacation.
Nothing epitomizes this fact more than the locals themselves and their emphasis on pura vida or the pure life. As a result, Costa Rica boasts a number of local and international wellness experts, able to provide a range of self-care services.
If you happen to be staying at Casa Teresa, we can easily arrange for you to enjoy a host of exotic and relaxing wellness experiences. Here is a list of must-try self-care vacation ideas for Costa Rica:
1. Massage Therapies
There’s nothing like a relaxing massage to wring out those knots, eliminate stress, and leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. At Casa Teresa, we offer a number of exclusive massage therapies for our guests to add to their stay. You can enjoy these treatments in the comfort and privacy of your villa and invite any guests you like as well. Each of these massages is performed by a trained, licensed professional.
Thai Massage
Quite different from Western massage modalities, this treatment combines influences from yoga, acupressure, Ayurveda, and traditional Chinese medicine. If you’re carrying chronic pain either in your back, neck, shoulders, or elsewhere, a Thai massage is a must-try self-care vacation idea.
During the massage, you lie fully clothed on a bed, while your therapist manipulates your body in a series of pulling and stretching movements, akin to assisted yoga. This helps release muscle tension, improve flexibility, increase circulation, and reduce muscle pain in your body.
Deep Tissue Massage
This goes beyond your classic superficial massage. A deep tissue treatment accesses your inner muscle layers and connective tissue. It uses long, slow strokes along and against your connective fibers to relieve tension and stiffness. It can also help clear out toxins and provide improved blood circulation through your muscle tissue. People have experienced improved posture, range of motion, and faster healing after a deep tissue massage.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage
Also called a lymphatic drainage massage, this is an excellent option for your self-care vacation if you’re experiencing swollen limbs due to lymph fluid accumulation.
If your body’s lymphatic system isn’t working correctly, the lymph fluid can collect in your arms and legs, causing painful swellings. A lymphatic drainage massage using gentle, skin-stretching techniques to improve the flow of fluid and decongest your lymphatic pathways.
2. Alternative Body Treatments
Healing can happen in a number of ways, without invasive procedures or even a massage therapist having to knead your body. At Casa Teresa, you can opt for a number of alternative and Eastern healing practices during your self-care vacation:
Reiki
Reiki is a Japanese form of energy healing. It’s based on the concept that vital energy or life force flows through the human body, affecting it in mysterious ways.
A reiki practitioner places their hands, palms down, on various parts of your body, acting as a conduit between universal energy and your body. These movements can benefit your body in a number of ways, including by promoting pain-relief, faster healing, digestion, and stress-relief. If you haven’t tried it yet, it could be an excellent idea for your self-care vacation
Reflexology
Reflexology therapy involves manipulating specific pressure points on a person’s hands, feet, and ears to improve bodily function. The theory is that these points correspond to certain organs and systems in the body and massaging them can improve the health of those areas.
Reflexology has been known to help combat pain, stress, and anxiety and boost the immune system.
Sound Healing
This unique type of therapy could make for an interesting addition to your self-care vacation. It uses music and/or particular sound frequencies to improve physical and emotional health and promote wellbeing.
There are a few different types of sound healing therapy, including guided meditation, neurological therapy, tuning fork therapy, sound bowl therapy, and others. They can involve listening to certain music and sound tones, singing along, playing an instrument, and moving in rhythm with it. Sound healing has been linked to a number of benefits, from lowering stress levels to boosting immune function.
- Yoga and Meditation
Want to indulge in some of the more tried and tested methods of self-care during your vacation? You can practice yoga and guided meditation right by the beach at Casa Teresa.
Your instructor will visit you at the villa at your preferred time for a one-on-one session or group session with all your guests. Center yourself as you let the gentle sounds of the waves wash over you. Emerge from your session mentally and physically refreshed and ready to experience Costa Rica to the fullest.
- R&R by the Beach
Sometimes, all you need to recharge your batteries is some sun, surf, and a lounge chair. And Costa Rica is just the place for it! Its miles of unbroken pristine white beach are incredibly inviting. Enjoy a refreshing mojito or cerveza while you’re unwinding in the most decadent way possible.
Casa Teresa is a beachfront villa, situated on the best part of Santa Teresa, a mere 75 yards away from the water. While you’re there, you can also choose to indulge in some of the outstanding water sports activities Costa Rica has to offer, including surfing, snorkeling, parasailing, and more. In the mood for something more exhilarating? Try a tide pool dive to discover a whole new world of beautiful flora and fauna flourishing just under the surface of the water.
- Holistic Dining
Take your self-care vacation to a new level when you book your very own private chef at Casa Teresa. Design a menu to your exact specifications for the entirety of your stay. Or, choose to explore Costa Rican food culture which places a natural emphasis on good, wholesome food. Sample some of the amazing local dishes which take full advantage of the country’s fresh tropical produce, seafood, and multicultural influences. Indulge in your favorite international cuisine with some of the best restaurants in Santa Teresa a mere a 15-minute walk away from the villa.
Costa Rica is the kind of place that frees and empowers you to be the best possible version of yourself. At Casa Teresa, we’re all about heightening this sense of fulfillment for our guests by delivering an exclusive experience every day.
Explore some of the luxury services offered at our villa. Reach out to us for booking details or more ideas for your self-care vacation in Costa Rica.