A Sustainable Costa Rican Retreat

Adventure & Wellness Converge at Lamangata

Story and photography courtesy of Lamangata Luxury Surf Resort

Twelve hundred feet above sea level, where the Costa Rican rainforest canopy meets the clouds, an intimate, all-inclusive retreat features six ocean-facing suites just ten minutes from the world-class surf breaks of Dominical. With highly personalized surf instruction, curated wellness offerings, and chef-crafted meals tailored to each guest, Lamangata Luxury Surf Resort is a place to reconnect with nature in refined comfort. The all-inclusive, six-suite mountaintop oasis blends expert surf instruction, curated adventure, wellness, and chef-driven cuisine, all with sweeping views of the Osa Peninsula.

“Lamangata was carefully designed in harmony with nature with a strong commitment to sustainability,” says Debbie Gruelle, founder and designer of Lamangata, whose background was shaped by years in luxury real estate and design at Toll Brothers, Inc., the company founded by her father, Bob Toll, a visionary in luxury homebuilding. 

Gruelle personally envisioned and designed every aspect of the resort, blending a sense of calm with understated luxury and privacy often missing from larger properties. Shared spaces such as the expansive viewing deck, open-air pool bar, and communal dining table were designed to foster connection, while the six light-filled suites offer complete tranquility. Each suite features king-sized beds with organic bedding, teak floors, vaulted ceilings, rain showers, and floor-to-ceiling glass doors opening to private terraces with panoramic jungle and coastline views. With its intimate scale and thoughtfully designed layout, Lamangata is ideal for full buyouts, serving as a private supervilla for families, retreats, and small group celebrations.

Personalized Surf Coaching

Lamangata’s surf program welcomes all skill levels, from complete beginners to experienced surfers looking to elevate their technique. With low guest-to-coach ratios (1:1, 1:2, or 1:3), guests receive personalized coaching that adapts to their goals and comfort levels. Each session begins with dynamic warm-ups and a short pop-up refresher before heading into the waves. Depending on ocean conditions and guest experience, surf spots include beginner-friendly Dominicalito, the mellow stretches of Playa Hermosa and Playa Linda, or the world-class waves at Dominical. Using video and drone footage, Lamangata’s coaches offer tailored feedback that accelerates learning, all while keeping the experience fun and empowering.

Luxury Amenities in a Natural Setting

Lamangata offers a curated array of elevated amenities designed to restore, invigorate, and delight, including an infinity lap pool with an Olympic-sized swim lane, a teakwood yoga studio, an oceanview open-air massage space, a bocce ball court, and a cozy relaxation space for unwinding.

Wellness offerings are tailored to each guest and include in-suite, terrace, or beachside massages performed by skilled therapists specializing in deep tissue, hot stone, Reiki, and lymphatic drainage. The yoga studio hosts sessions in styles such as Vinyasa, Hatha, Yin, Restorative, and Sound Bath, all led by expert local instructors. For guests seeking deeper wellness experiences, the resort can arrange visits to nearby centers offering herbal bath rituals or cold plunge circuits.

Gourmet, Customized Dining

Lamangata’s culinary experience is fully personalized, with no onsite restaurant: gourmet chefs prepare custom menus tailored to each guest’s tastes, restrictions, and cravings. Meals highlight local, seasonal ingredients, with plenty of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available.

Breakfasts include gallo pinto, chia pudding with tropical fruit, and crispy chili eggs with avocado toast. Lunch features globally inspired favorites such as poke bowls, Thai salads, Greek grain bowls, or empanadas, while evenings bring bold flavors and comforting fare, from mahi mahi with mango salsa and Thai red curry to cauliflower steak with chimichurri and Caribbean chicken with red beans and rice. House-made breads, sauces, and desserts complete every meal, including the signature homemade mango sorbet.

Post-surf beach snacks include fresh fruit and filling burritos, while nightly sunset hors d’oeuvres showcase dishes such as tiradito with leche de tigre, house-made naan with hummus, patacones with pico de gallo, and freshly prepared ceviche.

“From our solar-powered systems to the ingredients we source and the welcoming local team, everything is guided by our values of nature, community, and culture,” Gruelle shares. “Our hope is that after a week of surfing secluded breaks and reconnecting with the ocean, guests leave feeling grounded and inspired by this extraordinary region.”

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Rates for Lamangata start at $7,630 per week for double occupancy. For more information, visit Lamangata.com.