When I first visited Costa Rica, I was ostensibly there for business. But after a few days in this tropical paradise, my trip started to feel more like a vacation than work. This isn’t to say I neglected my obligations, rather that my work meetings felt more pleasurable (and productive) than usual. The gorgeous jungle landscape combined with the pura vida lifestyle is a simply infectious combination, and it’s unsurprising the nation consistently ranks as the most popular tourist destination in Central America.

The laid-back ethos of the country proves a great incentive to combine business with pleasure — maybe adding a bit of pura vida to the proceedings makes the business transactions go down even smoother. Costa Rica is well-established as a business travel destination thanks to the friendliness of its people and the safety and ease of travel (many people speak English, though Spanish is the official language).

© Westin Reserva Conchal

Costa Rica’s excellent gastronomy programming and emphasis on sustainability, as well as its natural beauty, make the country a top choice for business travelers. When I first visited last spring, the natural beauty of the region blew me away. Home to 6 percent of the world’s biodiversity, Costa Rica stands out as a pioneer in eco-friendly travel. Its variety of landscapes and an emphasis on environmental conservation are on display at the Costa Rica Convention Center, where the country’s natural riches inspired the architecture. Located in the capital city of San José, the brand-new convention center offers six conference rooms and a total capacity of 4,000 people.

The MICE Forest program encourages sustainable meetings and events in Costa Rica, offsetting the energy expenditure by planting trees. Headquartered in Guanacaste, this reforestation project aims to mitigate the environmental impact of business travel events. So far it has already planted more than 30,000 trees in native environments. The nation has grown as a business travel destination in part because of expanded meeting venues and corporate retreat options at resorts across the country.

Sustainability is top-of-mind for MICE visitors at The Westin Reserva Conchal, located in the popular tourist destination of Guanacaste. Ideal for hosting larger groups, this all-inclusive property features 8,500 square feet of event space, including nine event rooms, with the largest space having a capacity of 800. The Westin also includes an amazing golf course, perfect for mixing
business with pleasure. The hotel sits within a 2,300-acre nature reserve alongside fellow Marriott property W Costa Rica – Reserva Conchal, which offers slightly more upscale, elegant spaces, including airy conference rooms overlooking the mangroves. Additionally, groups get discounted rates when booking a block of 10 or more rooms.

Tierra Magnifica © Steve Jacobus / Tierra Magnifica

Along the Pacific Coast of Playa Guiones in Nosara, boutique hotel Tierra Magnifica features an indoor- outdoor, temperature-controlled conference room with a 65-inch flatscreen and private garden. Additionally, the dedicated entertainment space in the award-winning, on-site Huacas Restaurant can be tailored to suit specific group requirements. And an advantage of booking a smaller venue is the opportunity for takeovers of every room on the property. The coastal location makes it a favorite for surfers, too.

UNIQUE VENUES
Consider El Silencio Lodge and Spa, a boutique, 24-key oasis with six villas and 18 suites located right in the heart of the cloud forest on a 500-acre nature reserve. The Relais & Châteaux property features an on-site event planner to customize your meetings and itinerary and boasts a full-service conference room with the latest technology in the most serene of rainforest locations. Plus, the closeness to San José is perfect for either a multiday stay or a one-day event.

Also located close to San José, The Retreat Costa Rica features 28 luxurious accommodations, organic cuisine and wellness options including plenty of yoga. The retreat nestles within a rainforest above a 50-acre quartz mountain said to have healing properties for visitors.

Alternatively, if your group would rather wade into the sea than hike into the forest, consider booking a corporate surf retreat on the Pacific Coast. Shaka Costa Rica in Puntarenas in Playa Hermosa is an adults-only retreat in Santa Teresa, a popular tourist hub for surfers. Shaka accommodates large groups of six or more people. With a focus on relaxation and rejuvenation, this venue makes an ideal way to blend business and pleasure.