Life has often brought me to crossroads, but few as exquisite as the one I found at Origins Floral Luxury Lodge. An off-the-grid, eco-luxury retreat set on 111 acres of pristine rainforest in Upala, Costa Rica, I was spoiled for choice from the moment I arrived. Upon entering the retreat, one path led to a gorgeous private waterfall. The other path led to the Koora Yoga Deck, perhaps the most breathtaking shala I’ve ever seen with lighted torches and panoramic jungle views. It was the kind of crossroads where either choice is a win.
The Definition of Off-the-Grid Luxury
When reading a bestseller by the pool just isn’t relaxing enough, it’s time to discover off-the-grid luxury. Origins Floral offers something deeper than a vacation: it provides a return to stillness, to nature, and to self. You’ll discover that what’s here (the symphony of birds, the scent of Ylang Ylang blossoms, the hum of Mariola bees) is as restorative as what’s not here (no televisions, no cell phone alerts, no rush).
Nestled in the cloud forest, days drift gently by, marked by the position of the sun moving across the silhouette of Lake Nicaragua glimmering in the distance. Each detail, from the architecture to the organic cuisine, feels intentionally in harmony with nature. Elevated and refined, Origins Floral invites you to stop doing and simply be.
Recently honored with the 2025 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards for Central America, this boutique jungle sanctuary reminds you that true luxury isn’t about excess. This bespoke restorative experience unlike any other redefines what it means to be truly pampered.
My Private Lodge in the Jungle
Origins Floral is the perfect blend of stylish safari lodge and chic grown-up treehouse. Tucked away in northern Costa Rica’s cloud and rainforest, the property is home to just seven luxurious, secluded lodges, each a sanctuary of privacy and design.
I stayed in Mariola, an airy, spacious bungalow built on a circular stone foundation — inspired by the roundhouses of pre-Columbian indigenous people. A conical roof rises to a skylight that’s opened and closed twice daily, a native ritual said to flush negative energy and welcome positive vibes. My lodge had a mystical quality, curving and spiraling upward to the pointed glass top that felt like an ode to the Golden Ratio in nature. Hummingbirds hovered just outside my shower, and nearly every view was full of butterflies.
Inside, a hand-crafted canopy bed draped in white muslin delivered a restful, mosquito-free sleep. The amenities at Origins Floral were equally thoughtful, made from healing herbs and naturally scented from the Ylang Ylang trees found in the forest. But it was the private thermal plunge pool heated by a stove burning fragrant pilón wood that really captivated me: I found myself slipping in every morning and evening, soaking in healing volcanic waters.
During my time at Origins Floral, my private lodge became a place of ritual and rejuvenation, a daily retreat. I delighted in the noises of the rainforest and soaked in the views of the volcanoes and the verdant valley, all from my porch. This is ecotourism at its finest.
El Salto Restaurant & Skyview Bar
At Origins Floral, dining is an immersive experience. El Salto Restaurant, perched behind the main infinity pool, offers a French-inspired culinary program intertwined with the flavors of Costa Rica. Here, every dish tells a story. Refined techniques meet local ingredients, producing meals that are as visually stunning as they are flavorful. Whether a vegetarian, vegan, or a conscious carnivore, guests are treated to a vibrant, thoughtful menu rooted in terroir and tradition.
Each time I dined at El Salto I slowed down and noticed more. The ambiance of the restaurant changes with the day: light spills across the infinity pool, reflecting shifting clouds, while the treetops of the cloud forest stretch endlessly toward the horizon with views of Lake Nicaragua. Dining with views of the twin-cratered Tenorio Volcano from the treetop-level pool is nothing short of breathtaking. Even after multiple visits, each meal felt like the first, offering new flavors, textures, and new textures in the sky as if the clouds were paintings on a blue canvas.
A True Farm-to-Table Experience
At the heart of the culinary philosophy of Origins Floral lies the connection between chef and land. The lodge’s on-site Pio-Pio Finca supplies fresh eggs, milk, sugar cane, and a bounty of organic produce from the Mandala Garden, an aromatic sanctuary bursting with over fifty varieties of herbs and edible plants. Ingredients are harvested at their peak, transformed into nutrient-rich, artfully plated dishes that honor both flavor and place.
Guests are invited to wander through the gardens, awakening their senses in a true farm-to-table experience. Beyond the gardens, the lodge sustains a thriving ecosystem: organic eggs from chickens and quails, creamy cheese made daily from Margaret the resident cow, and fresh fish from on-site ponds and lakes stocked with tilapia, rainbow perch, and crayfish. Every ingredient reflects Origins’ devotion to sustainability, integrity, flavor, and well-being.
El Salto’s menu blends French technique and Costa Rican abundance: silky pineapple-cucumber gazpachos, breads baked fresh daily, colorful dishes adorned with edible flowers, and cocktails crafted from herbs, fresh juices, and spirits. Guests can even join mixology classes at the Skyview Bar, discovering the magic of blending local flavors into signature creations.
Unplug with Unforgettable Activities
Adventure and serenity intertwine effortlessly at Origins Floral Luxury Lodge, where on- and off-site experiences invite guests to reconnect with nature, movement, and self. From whitewater rafting and ziplining through the rainforest canopy to meditative yoga sessions and holistic spa rituals, every moment is curated to awaken both body and spirit.
Six horses from the lodge’s private stables await guests at the summit of the Oro Waterfall, ready to guide them back through the lush forest trails. “These are the happiest horses,” our guide explains, “because when they’re not carrying guests, they’re free to roam the meadows.”
Guests can explore a rich menu of daily activities, including guided biodiversity hikes, birdwatching, yoga and meditation on the Koora Deck, and immersive tours of the organic farm and Mandala Garden.
Those seeking adventure can hike to the on-site Oro Waterfall, try their luck fishing for tilapia in one of eleven serene lagoons, or set out on curated off-property excursions. Try whitewater rafting, waterfall treks through Tenorio Volcano National Park, or kayaking along the Río Niño, home to a multitude of birds, reptiles, and mammals. Cultural tours offer a deeper connection to local life, from coffee and chocolate tastings at nearby organic farms to traditional Costa Rican cooking experiences.
Wellness at Origins Floral
Restorative wellness is woven into every aspect of life at Origins Floral. At the Laka Tii Spa Suite, treatments take place beneath a glass-tipped roof that mirrors the design of the lodges. Guests can choose from warm bamboo, seashell, or hot stone massages, or opt for bespoke therapies including reflexology, energy healing, emotional release, and custom wellness programs. Each ritual is designed to detoxify, balance, and restore.
Origins’ holistic approach to well-being is inspired by Costa Rica’s nearby Blue Zone of Nicoya where longevity and joy are rooted in a life of balance, community, and connection to nature. Restorative multi-day wellness packages combine luxurious accommodations with daily activities, yoga, and vegan or vegetarian cuisine, offering a complete reset for mind, body, and soul.
How to Get There
Arriving at Origins Lodge Costa Rica is part of the adventure and half the charm. Most travelers fly into Liberia International Airport (LIR), just about two hours away. The journey winds through rolling farmland and into the rainforest, where the paved road eventually gives way to a bumpy mountain track locals affectionately call a “Costa Rican massage”. The trip makes you feel like you are truly in the middle of nowhere in the best possible way.
The lodge can arrange private transfers or luxury 4×4 pickups, or rental cars are readily available at the airport for those who prefer the freedom of the open road. If you’re coming from San José Airport (SJO), you can either make the scenic five-hour drive, take a quick domestic flight to Liberia. There’s even an option to arrive in style by helicopter, landing on a private helipad near the property.
Whichever way you travel, Origins is off-the-grid bespoke luxury at its best. Perched high above the rainforest canopy, surrounded by silence, birdsong, and clouds, you’ll understand what I mean when I say Origins has a way of working its magic on you.
