Serenely situated between lush rainforest and the shimmering Pacific, the new Waldorf Astoria Punta Cacique stands as an ICONIC beacon along Costa Rica’s captivating Guanacaste coast. Secluded with escapism vibes, Hilton’s most anticipated openings in the Caribbean and Latin America immediately envelops visitors, celebrating the country’s ‘Pura Vida’ lifestyle.
Spanning 600 cascading acres overlooking breathtaking Playa Penca, the Waldorf Astoria Punta Cacique is one of 34 Waldorf properties in its award-winning portfolio. To understand its landscape design, architectural inspiration and local influence, one has to start at the ICONIC Waldorf Clock. Carved using an ancestral technique, Costa Rican artist Ingrid Rudelman sculpted Ventolero, a stunning bronze statue in motion that embodies the movement of wind, symbolizing the power and spirit of the naturally ever-shifting coastal breeze.
On a broader scale, the Mexico City-based team, Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos, captured the resort’s concept of Barefoot Luxury, evoking a vision that created spaces flowing seamlessly, and encapsulating the natural contours and colors of the region. Coastal rock greys, earthy browns and rainforest greens makes the property appear to change with the seasons, acting as a natural extension of the meandering hillside, and one that causes minimal disruption to the environment. Tempered glass, certified wood, eco-friendly cement, and even living rooftops populated with native plants were incorporated to both conserve water, mitigate heat and enhance both sustainability and the natural ecosystem. While the resort is located in the Nicoya Peninsula Blue Zone, celebrated for its high longevity rates, Waldorf Astoria Punta Cacique has been honored with the prestigious Costa Rican ‘Bandera Azul Ecológica’ award, recognizing its dedication to its long-term environmental preservation and stewardship.
148 expansive guest rooms and 40 suites, complete with floor-to-ceiling windows, and spacious terraces offer both unmatched ocean and tropical vistas. Private terrace plunge pools, oversized, spa-inspired rainfall showers, and private, furnished balconies create a soothing, relaxing oasis all your own. For added privacy, the two-bedroom Pacifico Suite is ideal for families with extra space and exclusivity, features a dining space for eight, and a kitchenette.
The three-bedroom Pacifico accommodates 10 guests, has multiple furnished balconies, private pool, private plunge pool and two freestanding soaking tubs. The two-bedroom Presidential Suite is a bi-level sanctuary and includes an infinity pool, firepit, furnished rooftop terrace, lush gardens and a fully-equipped kitchen with several social areas. Meanwhile, the three-bedroom Presidential Suite is a freestanding, bi-level mansion in the mountains, perched on the resorts’ most private area, and surrounded by Costa Rica’s endless beauty, not to mention gracefully sublime, unobstructed nightly sunsets.
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Onsite, cooking classes highlight the art of making chocolate sculptures, and flavorful Chorotega tamales. Sea charcuterie offers an opportunity to learn more about the Indigenous practice of preserving fish using Santos farm salt, which in turn is cured and seasoned resulting in a locally-inspired delicacy. Nibble on Alfajores with dulce de leche and tropical macarons while enjoying a private picnic beachside or on the mountaintop. Romantic, private dinners emphasize distinct local notes, including grilled scallops and lavender-infused lobster. Guided by local experts, Waldorf Astoria’s coffee connoisseurs curate bean-to-cup experiences, sharing the story of Costa Rica’s quintessential bean – from cultivation and roasting to the artistry of brewing, and the craftsmanship behind each cup.
Enjoy rum tastings and savor the finer notes of Centenario on its own, or elevate your experience and indulge in the irresistible pairing of the country’s finest rum with its rich, decadent, and locally produced cacao. Partake in artisanal wine and beer tastings, or discover the essence of agave in an expert-led tasting that features crisp Blanco to aged añejos. Don’t skip the spa. 11 treatment rooms, treehouses, lounges and a yoga pavilion make it a blissful, Pura Vida holistic retreat. Book a Nipa-Tuhmu Hot Stone Massage using heated volcanic stones placed along key energy points on the body, or get transported with a Trapiche Ritual, featuring a raw sugar scrub and a detoxifying cane honey wrap.
Offsite, embark on expert-led treks through cloud forests, keeping an eye out for sloths, monkeys and toucans. Sensoria Sanctuary is a luxury escape deep in a private rainforest home to thermal mineral pools, and barefoot walking meditations. Zipline above jungle canyons in Rio Perdido and Borinquen, and enjoy beach trails along the Papagayo Gulf on horseback. Sail the Pacific in luxury, raft the white-water Tenorio River, or rappel down waterfalls and hike the rugged rainforest near Arenal.
Scuba at legendary Las Catalinas, or take part in a one-of-a-kind dive experience, and watch a live underwater painting session by local artist Carlos Asofiera. Hacienda El Viejo Cultural Safari is a full-day wetland and riverboat experience that combines crocodile viewing with rum tasting, while Farm Experiences offer a glimpse into the cultivation of cacao, coffee, sugarcane and pineapple. Enjoy a scenic round at the par-71, Robert Jones II designed Reserva Conchal Golf Course, or stay up late and savor an intimate, private beach dinner paired with telescope stargazing.
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By sourcing local ingredients from local, small-scale farmers, both Executive Chef Nicolas Piatti and Food & Beverage Director Ana Martinez, ensure that each of the six onsite restaurants combine ancient traditions with unique, local flavors. Furthermore, by preserving time-honored agricultural practices, and celebrating the Chorotega people, who are indigenous to the region, they not only minimize the resort’s ecological footprint but with each ingredient used, tell a story about the surrounding people and cultural history of the Guanacaste region.
Start your day with Tico-Tica’s traditional Costa Rican breakfast with sunnyside eggs, house-made tortillas, stewed beef and sweet plantain. Head to Buena Nota Bakery and Coffee Shop for an Orange Cold Brew, and satiate your sweet tooth with a Mango-Toasted Coconut Sundae at Copo y Cono Ice Cream Shop. Enjoy a golden hour cocktail at The Terrace, the Striped Bass Barbacoa with roasted eggplant tahini at La Finca, the resort’s signature restaurant, before euphorically popping into the intimately sleek and bespoke Peacock Alley Bar for a glass of 12-year old Centenario with corn liqueur, and chocolate truffle.
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