When we stepped into The Spa at Four Seasons Tamarindo, after passing the softly lit boutique displays and locally painted wood carvings, a calm descended. Stone walls, warm earth tones, woven textiles and furniture made from natural materials gently connected us to the surrounding landscape. Large windows frame native plants and trees, reinforcing the sense that the spa is part of the natural world rather than separate from it.
The design here is deliberately understated—each detail meaningful but not loud. A large boulder uncovered during construction marks the entry, and a narrow channel of water flows from that point toward the back of the property where a half-sphere temazcal, or sweat lodge, sits. The path of water and the presence of the lodge are intended to evoke themes of birth, renewal and the elemental balance of water and fire.
The spa occupies a separate building with minimal outside intrusion, making it easy to leave everyday distractions behind. After changing into robes and slippers, we were guided to a couple’s treatment room and surrendered to the skilled hands of our therapists for a 50-minute massage that relaxed both mind and body.
Four Seasons Tamarindo is not a quick in-and-out stay near a busy airport; it’s designed for guests who want to disappear into nature. The 157-room resort sits on just 2 percent of the 3,000 acres it preserves along Mexico’s rugged Costalegre Pacific coast between Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo. The surrounding land remains largely wild and intact.
A David Fleming–designed golf course threads through the jungle along the shore, and the resort includes two long private beaches that feel uncrowded even when the property is full. In the dense jungle beyond, camera traps have recorded five of Mexico’s wild cats, including jaguars. Much of the landscape retains the same natural character it had centuries ago, long before European contact.
© Four Seasons Tamarindo
The spa spans roughly 32,000 square feet and offers eight private treatment cabins, each with its own outdoor shower. Two rooms are configured specifically for couples. Treatments use locally sourced ingredients whenever possible, supported by the resort’s on-site organic farm.
The working farm covers 35 acres and yields herbs, vegetables, aloe, agave and a wide variety of tropical fruits. Copal resin and beeswax are gathered from the surrounding jungle, and those materials, along with other medicinal plants, play a role in the spa’s temazcal ceremonies. The temazcal blends ritual and relaxation in a steam-based purification intended to clear the mind and restore balance. Many guests book extended spa packages to make a morning or afternoon of treatments and ceremonies.
An outdoor pool set within quarried local stone adjoins a minimalist terrace furnished with deep lounge chairs where guests can sip tea or cucumber water. Indoors, the spa offers saunas, steam rooms and relaxation lounges, plus a full menu of services including manicures, pedicures, facials, hair styling and makeup—useful for photo shoots or wedding preparations.
After treatments, guests return to rooms that often feature ocean views and private plunge pools on their balconies. Dining options include two on-site restaurants overseen by Executive Chef Elena Reygadas, the celebrated founder of Rosetta in Mexico City, and culinary director Nicolás Piatti, who also manages Rancho Ortega Farm. The resort’s culinary program emphasizes local produce and farm-to-table ingredients.
Reflecting contemporary Mexican design, the resort engaged architects and interior designers from across the country. In 2023, Four Seasons Tamarindo was one of 21 properties worldwide honored with Architectural Digest’s Great Design Hotel Award. Guests can reserve spa services in advance after booking a stay, or contact their assigned concierge—available by phone or through the Four Seasons app—to arrange treatments and plan spa experiences during their visit.