Latitude 10 Resort

Intimate and exclusive: just 5 secluded suites in a private beach retreat, in unspoilt southern Nicoya Peninsula

Imagine a friend with a flair for the exotic and a taste for the finer things sent you the keys for his beach home. Arriving by night, through the very discreet entrance, you wander down overgrown paths through the singing jungle towards the glow of lamps.

And there - surprisingly grand and very elegant - you’re amazed to find a sleek, colonial clubhouse, open to the murmuring surf. Lights are low, the music is mellow, and staff are waiting to mix you a drink. A private chef cooks a couple of locally caught fish, which you eat gazing out at the limpid green pool, cooled by sea breezes, before you stroll along those leafy paths to bed. Hidden in the foliage, your room is a little Balinese-style wooden house, lit with candles, filled with exotic treasures. In fact, there are 5 of these casitas, though you’re barely aware of anyone else: perfectly maintained gardens guarantee privacy. Shower en plein air, or, if you must, learn to surf from the beautiful beach just steps away, complete with overhanging palms. Do nothing terribly taxing. This is a very romantic place indeed. Lie back and dream.

Highs

• Perfect for honeymooners - or anyone in search of an exclusive beach retreat in the heart of nature
• The Balinese style adds a mysterious exoticism to the jungle casitas, and the open-air bathrooms are wonderful
• Run by Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality, whose eco-credentials are impeccable: it’s rare to find a place combining true sustainability with luxury
• The service is charming and personalised: nothing is too much trouble
• Guests are welcome to use the spa and restaurant at Florblanca, just a few hundred yards along the beach

Lows

• The roads along this part of the Nicoya Peninsula are terrible; take a transfer from the airport, don’t drive here
• The casitas can feel a little dark and there's no air conditioning (just fans), but it’s all part of the lost-in-the-jungle feel
• The style is charmingly exotic rather than slick and sumptuous. Nature is all around!
• It’s not cheap (though better value in the 'green' season), but this is a special experience