How to Vacation in Costa Rica Like a Celebrity
Costa Rica has become one of the world’s most discreet celebrity sanctuaries. This is a place where stars trade the spotlight for privacy, natural beauty, and an effortless kind of luxury.
Over the years, A-listers like Reese Witherspoon, Gisele Bündchen and Tom Brady, Kim Kardashian, Hugh Jackman, and Gal Gadot have all chosen this country for their escapes. And they’re not alone. From musicians like Ellie Goulding and Justin Bieber to icons such as Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, and Leonardo DiCaprio, the list of famous visitors keeps growing.
Let’s explore where these celebrities stayed, why the destinations are so captivating, which other stars have followed in their footsteps, and how you too can vacation like a celebrity in Costa Rica.
1. Reese Witherspoon
In 2022, Reese Witherspoon escaped with her girlfriends to Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts’ mountaintop sanctuary in the southern mountains of Costa Rica.
Tucked into the foothills of Pérez Zeledón, this intimate retreat feels worlds away. It’s known for casitas scattered across a coffee farm, mist rising over the Talamanca mountains, and a rhythm of life designed entirely around restoration.
Reese even described her stay as “life-changing”.
Other celebrity guests: Emma Roberts and beauty visionary Gucci Westman have also checked in here.
Why it’s a star favorite: Hacienda AltaGracia is more than a hotel. It’s a complete reset. With only 50 rooms, it balances exclusivity with immersion. The resort offers unique things such as equine therapy, guided mountain treks, aerial yoga, and menus shaped by local farmers.
2. Gisele Bündchen
The supermodel owns a house tucked into the jungle hills in the Mal Pais/ Santa Teresa area. This popular surf town, a place that reflects her love of wellness, simplicity, and natural beauty. She is often seen here with her children and her new partner, blending easily into the community.
In the past, Gisele and Tom Brady were frequently spotted in the area as well, even hosting their second wedding celebration on these shores in 2009.
Other celebrity neighbors: Santa Teresa and nearby Mal País have become a magnet for the discreet elite. Mel Gibson owns a sprawling estate, while stars like Leonardo DiCaprio and Gwyneth Paltrow have also been drawn to the area.
Why it’s a star favorite: Santa Teresa is where high style meets low profile. It’s the kind of place that celebrities, and anyone seeking true seclusion, will love.
Where to stay: If you are looking for a resort stay we recommend Hotel Nantipa on the beach in Santa Teresa. For a secluded stay in the hills with coastal view Casa Chameleon in Mal Pais or Vista del Alma in Santa Teresa are excellent options. If you are looking for a vacation rental, you can’t go wrong with the 4-bedroom Casa Teresa or the 7-bedroom Casa Lanui.
3. The Kardashian-Jenner Family
In 2017, the entire Kardashian-Jenner family descended on the Papagayo Peninsula, staying at the sprawling private estate Villa Manzu, perched high above the Pacific.
The house boasts two infinity pools, a private chef, and a fleet of luxury cars. The trip was a featured storyline on Keeping Up with the Kardashians, complete with cliffside photo shoots, sunset yacht charters, and of course some drama.
The family returned to the peninsula a few years later at the request of North West, who loved their Costa Rican adventure so much she wanted to relive it.
Papagayo has a way of leaving that kind of impression.
Other celebrity guests: Papagayo’s villas and resorts have drawn an equally dazzling roster of visitors. Beyoncé and Jay-Z have vacationed here, Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga have rented its cliffside estates, and billionaire Anant Ambani chose the area for his family’s luxurious Costa Rican stay.
Why it’s a star favorite: The Papagayo Peninsula offers Costa Rica’s most exclusive take on luxury. Beyond private villas like Villa Manzu, the area is anchored by private golf courses, secluded beaches, and yacht-filled marinas. It’s the rare destination that delivers total seclusion and world-class polish.
Where to stay: If you are looking for the perfect resort stay, we recommend; Four Seasons Resort, Andaz Papgayo, or Nekajui. For vacation rentals you can’t go wrong with Villa Nambi or Casa Caiman.
4. Hugh Jackman
When Hugh Jackman slips away to Costa Rica, he often heads to Nosara. Here, you can enjoy consistent breaks at Playa Guiones, yoga shaded by jungle palms, and organic dining that reflects the town’s Blue Zone ethos of longevity. For Jackman, who lives as much by health and mindfulness as by Hollywood, Nosara is a natural fit.
Other celebrity visitors: Nosara has quietly built a star-studded reputation. Norman Reedus is said to own a home here, while Diane Kruger, Kevin Hart, and Morgan Freeman have all been spotted embracing its barefoot-luxury lifestyle.
Why it’s a star favorite: Nosara is understated luxury at its finest. It’s the kind of destination where luxury means living well with surfing, stretching, and slowing down. For celebrities, and anyone seeking a deeper reset, Nosara is the place to be.
Where to stay: For a hotel stay we recommend the Bodhi Tree Resort. If you are seeking a vacation rental you can’t go wrong with Raintree or Villa Zenith.
5. Gal Gadot
To ring in the New Year in 2024, Gal Gadot chose the La Fortuna region. She spent the holiday hiking rainforest trails, exploring waterfalls, and jet-skiing across Lake Arenal with her family.
Other celebrity visitors: Alicia Silverstone has also been drawn to La Fortuna, traveling with her son for a rain-soaked trek across suspension bridges.
Why it’s a star favorite: La Fortuna is Costa Rica at its most iconic: lush rainforest, endless adventure, and luxury lodges that balance immersion with indulgence. For celebrities and discerning travelers alike, it’s the ultimate blend of nature and refinement.
Where to stay: We recommend Amor Arenal or Nayara Springs for a secluded couples retreat and The Springs Resort if traveling with the whole family.
6. Ellie Goulding
British singer Ellie Goulding has also been linked to Costa Rica, spending time here while dating surf instructor Armando Perez, who runs a well-known surf school in Playa Hermosa, just south of Jacó.
Known for its powerful, consistent waves, Playa Hermosa is one of Costa Rica’s top surfing beaches, hosting international competitions and drawing wave chasers from around the world.
Why this area stands out: Playa Hermosa balances a laid-back surf culture with easy access to more elevated experiences. Just a short drive south lies Manuel Antonio National Park, one of Costa Rica’s most iconic destinations. Between Hermosa’s waves and Manuel Antonio’s natural beauty, it’s an area that attracts both adventurous travelers and those seeking a more refined coastal stay.
The star appeal: For a musician like Ellie (and for anyone seeking a surf-meets-style escape) Playa Hermosa offers the perfect retreat.
Final Word
From rainforest retreats to cliffside villas, Costa Rica has earned its place as one of the world’s most coveted celebrity hideaways. Stars come here not for flash, but for the kind of luxury that feels natural.
Whether it’s Reese Witherspoon finding renewal in the mountains, Gisele Bündchen embracing the barefoot rhythm of Santa Teresa, or the Kardashians bringing their signature glamour to Papagayo, each escape highlights a different facet of the country’s allure.
