In Latin America’s booming wellness corridor, The Retreat Costa Rica’s multi-million-dollar expansion adds Pacific-view luxury lofts, jungle-view dining and an upgraded fitness hub
The Retreat Costa Rica, a luxury wellness boutique resort and spa, has just completed a $4 million expansion, adding a 16,500-square-foot open-air clubhouse, two new restaurants and 10 luxury lofts.
Founder Diana Stobo, a celebrity chef-turned-wellness entrepreneur, says the project was designed around the Sanskrit concept of santosha, which translates to contentment and acceptance, with spaces built to reflect Costa Rica’s lush green terrain and to encourage peace, relaxation and connection.
It is a move in step with the broader wellness tourism market, which the Global Wellness Institute (GWI) projects will reach $1.35 trillion by 2028, bringing travelers who are looking for more than just massages. For its part, Costa Rica is part of a fast-growing wellness tourism corridor with Colombia and Panama, drawing travelers seeking restorative retreats as well as those pairing their stay with advanced medical care.
GWI’s recent Wellness Micro-Trends report highlights similar growth areas, from the integration of medical care with wellness programming, particularly for post-surgery recovery and chronic health management in nature-rich environments, to the rise of mental health–focused retreats that blend evidence-based therapies with holistic practices.
It’s a combination that plays directly into Costa Rica’s strengths as a destination for restorative, nature-rich travel — aspects that The Retreat has embedded in its approach. The property’s latest expansion complements existing facilities that include the Vida Mia Healing Center and Spa, a farm-to-table organic restaurant, two saline swimming pools, a yoga studio, a meditation deck, organic gardens, a coffee plantation and hiking trails with views of the Gulf of Nicoya.
The 16,500-square-foot Santosha Clubhouse houses a 5-by-50-foot single-lane lap pool, a 1,600-square-foot yoga shala and a 1,600-square-foot fitness studio. The gym is outfitted with cardio and strength equipment, while the shala features natural finishes and can accommodate up to 50 people in group classes.
Beyond its new facilities, The Retreat Costa Rica offers wellness programs ranging from adrenal recovery and emotional healing to menopause support, Ayurvedic detox and fitness reboot intensives.
“With increasing numbers of people looking to detox from our frenetic, digitally oriented society, the demand for our wellness services is growing quickly, with guests increasingly looking for more holistic and luxurious experiences,” Stobo tells Athletech News. “Wellness is deeply personal – there is no one-size-fits-all approach. That’s why I chose to invest in a larger gym and wellness club to create a space that honors every path to vitality. From classic strength training to somatic movement, body confidence practices, and outdoor fitness immersed in nature, we’ve designed an environment where every stretch is meaningful and every breath is strong.”
Stobo says The Retreat Costa Rica selected fitness equipment from True Fitness and Evergy for the clubhouse.
“We chose True because of its smooth biomechanics, sleek design and reputation for reliability in the most demanding environments and Evergy because their equipment elevates the training experience with efficiency and a sleek design,” she says.
The 945-square-foot Santosha Lofts were built to face unobstructed western views of the Nicoya Peninsula and Pacific Ocean and embrace feng shui principles to optimize the wellness experience. In a nod to the surge of wellness real estate, the design incorporates natural materials, including wicker light fixtures, natural teak wood furnishings, handcrafted stone wall accents and artisan-crafted details.
Two dining venues sit atop the clubhouse: Mystique, a 1,000-square-foot coastal-inspired restaurant, and La Diosa, a 1,250-square-foot rooftop lounge terrace serving small plates and artisanal cocktails in an open-air setting overlooking the surrounding jungle.
“Our guests have consistently trusted us to guide their well-being, and in return, we’ve chosen to invest in them – expanding not just our space, but our shared commitment to growth, resilience and transformation,” Stobo says.
