"Ponce de León put Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast on the map in 1519 — but, too afraid to confront the native Quepoa tribe, he was left to appreciate the evergreen forests and white sand from the safety of his ship. Today, thanks to the establishment of the Manuel Antonio National Park and a number of luxury resorts springing up along the beach, the lush coastal region is quite a bit more tourist-friendly. The poshest hotel of the lot is the Gaia Hotel and Reserve, a sprawling jungle retreat situated atop a mountain and comprising a series of terraced suites and studios in addition to a private villa that looks out over the ocean." - Tablet Hotels