When I first traveled to Costa Rica, the trip was officially for business. Yet within a few days the line between work and leisure blurred. My meetings felt more enjoyable—and often more productive—thanks to the lush jungle scenery and the easygoing “pura vida” lifestyle. It’s no surprise Costa Rica consistently ranks as one of Central America’s top tourist destinations.
The country’s relaxed rhythm makes it ideal for mixing business with pleasure. Many visitors find that bringing a little “pura vida” into meetings helps discussions flow. Costa Rica is well suited to business travel: the people are welcoming, travel logistics are straightforward, and while Spanish is the official language, English is commonly spoken in tourist and business hubs.
© Westin Reserva Conchal
Costa Rica’s focus on sustainability and its strong culinary scene, paired with dramatic natural beauty, make it an attractive option for business groups. During my visit last spring I was struck by the country’s biodiversity—Costa Rica protects roughly 6 percent of the planet’s species—and by how closely environmental values are woven into public and private projects. A clear example is the Costa Rica Convention Center in San José: the architecture and programming reflect the nation’s natural heritage while providing modern meeting facilities. The center includes six conference rooms and can accommodate up to 4,000 attendees.
Programs such as MICE Forest promote sustainable meetings by offsetting event energy use through reforestation. Headquartered in Guanacaste, this initiative plants native trees to reduce the environmental footprint of conferences and corporate events; to date it has planted tens of thousands of trees. Expanding event venues and resort offerings across the country have helped Costa Rica grow as a business-travel destination.
Sustainability is a priority at many meeting properties. The Westin Reserva Conchal in Guanacaste, for example, offers 8,500 square feet of event space with nine meeting rooms and a largest capacity of 800—ideal for larger groups. The resort sits within a 2,300-acre nature reserve and features an 18-hole golf course, making it easy to combine work with leisure. Nearby, W Costa Rica – Reserva Conchal provides a slightly more upscale option, with airy meeting rooms overlooking mangroves. Both properties offer group rates for blocks of 10 or more rooms.
Tierra Magnifica © Steve Jacobus / Tierra Magnifica
For smaller, boutique events, Tierra Magnifica in Nosara on Playa Guiones offers a temperature-controlled indoor-outdoor conference room with a 65-inch flatscreen and a private garden. The on-site Huacas Restaurant includes a flexible entertainment space that can be adapted to a variety of group needs. Smaller properties often allow full-property takeovers, providing privacy and cohesive logistics—an appealing option for team retreats or incentive trips. The coastal setting also attracts surfers, adding an active element to any corporate program.
Unique venues
El Silencio Lodge & Spa is a boutique, 24-key property set within a 500-acre cloud-forest reserve. With six private villas and 18 suites, the Relais & Châteaux estate provides a serene backdrop for meetings. An on-site event planner helps customize itineraries and gatherings, and the full-service conference facilities combine modern technology with a peaceful rainforest setting—convenient for one-day events or multi-day stays, given its accessible location near San José.
The Retreat Costa Rica, also near the capital, offers 28 rooms, organic cuisine and wellness programming that includes abundant yoga options. Perched above a 50-acre quartz mountain, the property emphasizes restorative experiences and a focus on health and mindfulness—attributes that appeal to groups prioritizing wellness alongside meetings.
For teams seeking an active, coastal experience, corporate surf retreats are an increasingly popular choice. Shaka Costa Rica operates retreats in Santa Teresa and other Pacific Coast locations that cater to adult groups, often hosting parties of six or more. These retreats emphasize relaxation and rejuvenation, blending surf lessons and downtime with meeting and team-building time—an effective way to unify business objectives with memorable leisure activities.