Xandari Resort & Spa
Art-filled villas on a 40-acre former plantation above the Central Valley, 9 km from SJO
About this stay
Staying at Xandari Resort & Spa means immersing yourself in a serene tropical forest, with the majestic mountains and volcanoes as your backdrop. The villas are designed to blend rustic charm with vibrant colors, offering terraces that open to lush gardens and panoramic views. Days here can be spent exploring 4 km of natural trails, unwinding in the spa village, or finding your balance with yoga lessons. The outdoor pools and hot tubs provide perfect spots for relaxation, while the hotel's commitment to sustainability shines through its organic fruit cultivation. Evenings are quiet, with local and international cuisine served at the restaurant.
- 24 villas with private terraces over the Central Valley
- Private forest reserve with five waterfalls
- Two heated lap pools and a hot tub
- Spa village with palm-thatched pavilions
- Organic greenhouse and orchards supplying the kitchen
- 9.0 guest score from 302 reviews
Our take
Xandari's 24 villas sit on a ridge in Tacacori, in the foothills of Poás, on a 40-acre former coffee and fruit plantation that still runs an organic greenhouse and orchards for its kitchen. A private forest reserve with five waterfalls and a year-round river lies at the bottom of the trails, which is rare this close to an international airport: SJO is about 9 km away. Every villa has a private terrace over the Central Valley, and the colourful art and sculpture are the founders' own style rather than hotel décor. I would choose it over any airport hotel for the first nights of a trip; travellers who want rainforest wildlife in volume should save their nights for the lowlands.
- ✓Walk to the waterfalls in the morning: in the rainy months, Central Valley showers usually build in the afternoon, and the trail runs through transitional forest and bamboo groves.
- ✓Book a spa treatment in one of the palm-thatched pavilions: each has its own hot tub facing the Central Valley, which is the view the resort is built around.
- ✓Poás Volcano is the natural day trip from Tacacori, but tickets are sold only online through SINAC with timed entry, so book before leaving home.
- ✓Use the villa kitchen and bar for a late arrival: flights landing at SJO in the evening are common, and the restaurant draws on the farm's own produce for breakfast.
Why we love it
- The eco-friendly approach and organic fruit cultivation
- Spa village and yoga lessons for ultimate relaxation
- Striking mountain and volcano views from the villas
- Extensive natural trails for exploration
Why guests love itXandari's villas, each with a private terrace, a small kitchen and either a king bed or two full beds, give families more room than a standard hotel room, and the setting does the rest. The trails through orchards and coffee rows lead down to five waterfalls in a private forest reserve, a real outing for children who can walk back uphill. Two heated lap pools of about 18 metres and a hot tub fill the afternoon, and the orchid house and birdwatching along the paths suit curious kids. Parents get the spa village, with treatments in thatched pavilions. The resort leans toward couples and wellness, so there is no kids club, and evenings are quiet. The family advantage is the location: about 9 km from SJO, it lets children recover from a flight in the countryside instead of in Alajuela traffic.