Xandari Resort and Spa, Costa Rica

Getting To Xandari Resort and Spa

The Xandari Resort and Spa, Costa Rica, is located just on the outskirts of the Alajuela area of San Jose. It’s around a 25 minute drive from San Jose airport, so the perfect place to start or end you travel. It’s worth staying here for a few days, whenever you stay here. Mainly because it’s such a relaxing hotel that you will want some time to enjoy it!

Why Stay at Xandari Resort?

As mentioned above, the hotel is less than half an hour from San Jose airport. So it’s in the perfect location for when you first arrive or leave Costa Rica. Despite it being so close, it doesn’t really feel like it’s in a busy area. Located up the hill from the city it has acres of jungle, trails and well maintained gardens. Excellent for relaxing in nature and enjoying the peaceful resort.

Although you may be looking for someone to stay for the night before flying home. I highly recommend staying at least 2 nights, more if you can! There are a lot of activities on-site, including the spa and nature walks. Plus the view from the sunset pool over the city to the distant hills is stunning. Then there are some great excursions to take nearby, so you will want to spend a little time here to really appreciate it!

The Accommodation at Xandari Resort and Spa

We stayed in the largest accommodation at Xandari Resort, the Star Villa. However, all accommodation at the resort is in a similar style. With beautiful curving walls in chalky pastel colours, mosaics at the entrance and stunning colourful art work hanging on the walls.

All the villas face out toward the view down the hill, which is always beautiful. Even in a thunderstorm! We watched an amazing storm passing over 1 afternoon, with the lightning very close to the resort.

In the evenings, if you aren’t outside on the balcony in the evening. Then you’ll appreciate the seating areas and dining table to sit indoors and chat. In the large villas there is a small kitchen area, however, all villas have a mini fridge, sink for drinking water and some cupboard space for snacks. The Star Villa has a full kitchen, so you are able to cook your own meals if you don’t wish to eat in the restaurant.

Enjoy the gorgeous shower rooms too, with curved walls and views out to the private garden areas.

Our bedrooms had everything we needed and were beautifully designed. Including patio doors looking out onto the view. In addition there is a desk area just off the main living room in the Star Villa, excellent for when you need to complete some work whilst travelling.

Xandari Resort Restaurant

The restaurant at Xandari resort is located behind the reception desk. On arrival you will be escorted to the restaurant for some delicious welcome drinks. We arrived in the evening and were amazed by the stunning view from the restaurant.

Each morning there is a buffet style breakfast. A range of fruits, sweet cakes, cereal and breads. Don’t miss the traditional Costa Rican breakfast of rice, beans, corn tortilla, eggs and plantain. It’s otherwise known as Gallo Pinto and definitely a delicious meal for anytime of day, not just breakfast!

In the evening you can enjoy dinner at the restaurant. There’s a large selection of dishes to choose from. Although there is no specific children’s menu provided, as with most of Costa Rica, if you can for the children’s menu you’ll be told of some smaller or simpler meals. The serving staff will be able to tell you what is available that is suitable for children. It’s also the perfect spot to watch distant thunderstorms.

Xandari Resort and Spa On-Site Activities

On-site there are of course the swimming pools. There are 3 pools available, although when we were visitng one was closed for maintenance. The best pool, in my opinion, is the sunset pool, which overlooks the amazing view down the hill, with jungle below. You will love enjoying the view just as much as the cool water! This pool is heated by the solar panels nearby. The other two pools are behind the villa complex, one is long and thin, great to get some lengths in. It also has a small jacuzzi beside it. The other is smaller and great for relaxing in.

Jungle Walks

There are plenty of paths around the resort, including some down into the jungle where you can find the waterfall trails. We followed the waterfall trail not long after a big thunderstorm had passed over. It was a bit muddy in places and the waterfalls were certainly muddy coloured, but were full of water, which was fun to watch! You can also take a guided nature tour of the trails from reception.

Plant A Tree

One of our favourite activities, that is included in your stay, was to plant a tree. You need to book this in advance, but not only do you plant a tree, you get to dedicate it too! We had the ‘Eaves Family’ and the date we planted the tree on the our stake. Which is very nicely carved and painted! It was a lovely thing to do on the morning before we left.

Ayura Spa

The main on-site activity is of course the Ayura Spa, located in the centre of the villa complex. Here you can receive treatments including a variety of massages, tropical treatments, facials, manicures and pedicures. There is also the option to add on time in the private jacuzzi and there are even children’s treatments available!

Nearby Excursions

Xandari is perfectly located from easy access to the airport, but also a short drive to some of the best local attractions. The Poas volcano is an active volcano with one of the largest craters in the world. An easy drive from Xandari Resort at only 45 minutes drive away.

Next there are the La Paz waterfall gardens at only 40 minutes drive from Xandari. The gardens are well laid out with some of the most famous waterfalls in Costa Rica! There are also many rescued animals and birds that are kept in cages (they cannot be released back into the wild due to previously being pets), but appear to be well cared for. Visitors also appreciate the excellent buffet at the restaurant on-site.

Another excellent excursion is to the Hacienda Doka Coffee plantation. Here you can find out more about one of Costa Rica’s biggest exports, coffee. Learn the history, how it’s made and more! It’s only 20 minutes by car to Doka coffee plantation.

Costa Rica is definitely a gem in Central America, although I am a little biased with Latin American countries. Peru was a big favourite of ours too and certainly one of the best South American countries to visit!

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