Things to Do in Los Sueños, Costa Rica

Los Sueños sits on Costa Rica's central Pacific coast, wrapped around one of the most complete resort marinas in Latin America. It is the kind of place where a day can be as active or as slow as you want it to be, and where almost everything worth doing is within a short drive.

Start with the marina

The marina is the centre of gravity here. Yachts and sport fishing boats sit alongside restaurants and bars, and it is a two-minute golf cart ride from most Los Sueños properties. Mornings are quiet and good for coffee; evenings bring the lights on and the boats back in. It is also the departure point for most of the water-based activities in the area.

Get out on the water

Los Sueños is one of the world's great sport fishing destinations. Sailfish, marlin, tuna and dorado run at different times of year, and charters leave directly from the marina. If fishing is not your thing, sunset cruises, snorkelling and dolphin trips follow much of the same coastline, with the same easy departure.

Play a round at La Iguana

La Iguana Golf Course winds through rainforest and along the coast, with monkeys and macaws as regular spectators. It is a genuinely beautiful course rather than a resort afterthought, and tee times are easy to arrange through your concierge.

Spend an afternoon on the beach

Playa Herradura is the closest beach, calm and good for swimming. Jacó, a short drive south, is the surf town — longer beach, more energy, and plenty of places to eat. Both are easy half-days that leave the rest of the day open.

Head into the rainforest

Inland from the coast, the landscape changes quickly. Waterfalls, hanging bridges, canopy tours and river rafting are all within reach for a day trip. Carara National Park, just north, is one of the best places in the country to see scarlet macaws.

Eat well, without leaving the villa

One of the real advantages of a private villa is that you do not have to go anywhere for dinner. A personal chef service runs $300 per day and includes three meals plus groceries — which, for a group, often works out better than restaurant dinners every night, and is considerably more relaxed.

The best way to enjoy Los Sueños is to plan loosely: pick one anchor for the day, whether that is a charter, a round of golf or a beach, and let the rest of it happen around the villa and the pool.