Origins Astral: An Extraordinary Eco-Retreat Deep in Costa Rica’s Rainforest

Normally I can take or leave amphibians, but before my first trip to Costa Rica there was one creature I really wanted to see: the red-eyed tree frog. I came across a photo of these little guys in a childhood science book years ago and had always thought they were adorable, with their bulging crimson eyes and brilliant blue-and-green bodies. Some travelers visit Costa Rica hoping to spy a howler monkey; other people have their hearts set on sloths. And while I was excited to see those too (and we did!), tree frogs were at the top of my list.

Happily, I got my wish on the very first night of our stay at Origins Astral, an all-villa escape whose remote rainforest setting makes it ideal for wildlife encounters. There’s no town to wander into and no development within striking range — just dense thickets of tropical hardwood trees and vivid native flowers, with a distant volcano visible on clear days. Besides the joy of immersing yourself amid the wilderness, gorgeously appointed accommodations, warm and solicitous service and a deep roster of adventures and activities combine to make it a truly special getaway for all ages.

Origins Astral opened its doors in January 2026 as the new sister property to the more established Origins Floral, located just a stone’s throw away under the Origins Luxury Lodges umbrella. But while Origins Floral has built its reputation as a romantic retreat for couples, Origins Astral was designed with families in mind.

Review and Highlights of Origins Astral for Families

Location

Origins is tucked into an untamed pocket of northwest Costa Rica near the Nicaragua border (in fact, you can see Lake Nicaragua, a.k.a. Lago Cocibolca, from the grounds). Most travelers bypass this area on their way to more familiar destinations, but it richly rewards those who make the detour. Tenorio Volcano National Park and the Rio Celeste, whose milky blue color comes from sunlight refracting off suspended minerals, are a short drive away. A moderate hike through the park’s rainforest leads to a viewpoint over Rio Celeste Waterfall, where the same blue water plunges nearly 100 feet into a pool surrounded by tropical foliage.

The region also showcases the country’s incredible biodiversity, and it’s one of the best places to try for a tapir sighting — these notoriously shy mammals can be so elusive that even some native Costa Ricans only glimpse them a handful of times in their lives.

Getting to the resort involves a long and rather bumpy ride through the backcountry, but the payoff is more than worth it. Absolute stillness descends as soon as you arrive and step from the car, and the views seem to spread in all directions. A refreshing glass of passion fruit juice and chilled towels await, a welcome relief from the tropical heat. While staff members whisk your luggage off to your villa, you’re given a brief introduction to the property before being ferried to your doorstep by golf cart, taking in your first peek at the rainforest along the way.

Accommodations

Origins Astral is comprised of seven freestanding villas, each named after a planet in keeping with the property’s name. Mars, Neptune, Mercury and Venus all have two bedrooms; Saturn and Uranus have three; and Jupiter has four, meaning there are plenty of configurations to suit families of varying sizes or multigenerational groups. In some villas, the primary bedroom can be sealed off via a cleverly crafted bookcase divider and reserved on its own, leaving the rest of the space for your traveling companions or a separate party.

Perched on stilts above the underbrush, the villas feel vast, airy and awash in light, with floor-to-ceiling windows blurring the line between the indoors and the forest beyond. Local woods throughout — in ceilings, doorways and millwork; in live-edge headboards and bathroom vanities; in chunky side tables and sleek armchairs — give off an intoxicating scent, and accents are handcrafted by area residents (some from the indigenous Maleku community). Corridors and common areas open to the outdoors, and living roofs crown each building, their trailing vines softening the crisp, contemporary architecture.

We’ll book your stay at Origins Astral with VIP treatment from start to finish.

Every stay should feel special, and we’ll pair you with an expert Travel Advisor who can pass along insider perks such as complimentary breakfast, room upgrades and more, all while handling every detail behind the scenes.

Get Started

All villas include full kitchenettes (advance grocery stocking is available upon request) and the three- and four-bedroom units contain washers and dryers. Amenities are abundant and well thought out: a basket of local snacks; carafes of chilled water and a variety of complimentary beverages in the refrigerator; binoculars, reusable water bottles and flashlights (helpful both for night hikes and for navigating the property after sundown); walkie-talkies to communicate with the staff. Notably, there are no TVs — the focus at Origins is on unplugging and connecting with each other and the natural landscape. You’ll have Wifi if you need it, though you likely won’t find much reason to log on.

We stayed in Uranus, which has two bedrooms upstairs and a third on the bottom level (all ensuite). In the primary bedroom, the king bed is crowned with a soaring canopy and swathed in sheer draperies drawn at turndown; when they’re open, the view from against the pillows is a stunner. I loved nestling under the covers with morning coffee and watching the mist float over the forest canopy as the sun slowly climbed into the sky.

The adjacent bathroom features rough-hewn stone sinks, an enormous rain shower and a soaking tub next to wooden screens that open directly to the private outdoor terrace (you feel like you’re bathing right amid the treetops). Bath products, made using trees and plants on the property, smell heavenly and a bottle of natural insect repellent is a welcome touch.

Additional bedrooms in Uranus and all other villas can be configured either as a king or twins. As lovely and serene as the primary bedroom, they are anchored by massive freeform wooden headboards and include private terraces of their own, with views either toward the forest or the horizon in the distance.

With the exception of Jupiter, which has its own whirlpool tub, each villa offers a plunge pool set into an open-air deck. You couldn’t ask for a better front-row seat to the surrounding landscape or a more appealing way to cool off after a day out in the countryside — though the main pool at the heart of the property gives it a run for its money.

Activities and Amenities

Origins is, first and foremost, about relaxation; it’s the place to slow down and fall in step with the rhythms of nature. That said, there are plenty of diversions and ways to stay active. Our nighttime walk in the company of a naturalist guide was great fun — in addition to tree frogs, we spotted all kinds of beetles, toads, colorful moths and cicadas. You can also opt for a daytime hike that culminates at the onsite Oro Waterfall; a birdwatching tour (bring those binoculars!), during which you might spot toucans, hummingbirds and motmots; a horseback ride through the jungle; or fishing in one of the many lagoons.

The surrounding area offers adventures like tubing, whitewater rafting, ziplining, chocolate and coffee tours, exploring a local tapir reserve and trekking through Tenorio Volcano National Park. Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge is nearby, its wetlands home to hundreds of bird species plus monkeys, iguanas, sloths and (though sightings are rare) jaguars.

If you prefer cultural and culinary experiences, join a tour of medicinal plants grown onsite, including healing herbs and organic infusions, or a traditional farm life session that involves milking a cow, making Costa Rican cheese, preparing tortillas on a wood-fired stove, pressing sugarcane juice and brewing coffee using the local chorreado method (not unlike modern pour-over). Or try a mixology workshop at the resort’s El Cosmo Restaurant.

The complimentary Astro Kids Club, open from 8 am to 5 pm, offers nature-inspired programming in a dedicated indoor-outdoor space for children ages 3 to 15. And after a day of adventure, families can gather around the fire pit for guided stargazing sessions that make the most of the region’s dark skies.

Wellness offerings include alfresco yoga and meditation sessions. Origins Astral has no onsite spa, but staff can shuttle you by golf cart or car to sister lodge Origins Floral, where treatments take place in the circular Laka Tii Spa Suite — a gorgeously wood-bedecked sanctuary surrounded by foliage. The menu ranges from massages and facials to targeted therapies, body wraps, and scrubs. In-room spa services can also be arranged at your Origins Astral villa.

Dining

El Cosmo, the onsite restaurant, acts as the hub of the property (and also supplies the small bar by the pool). The space itself is beautiful, open to the outdoors, with a natural plank roof supported by the trunks of fallen trees from the grounds and comfortable lounge areas scattered about. Much of what appears on the menu is sourced directly from Origins’ own organic garden and farm, where vegetables, herbs, fruits and edible flowers are harvested daily.

Morning begins with a complimentary plate of local fruits such as pineapple and papaya along with a basket of freshly baked breads. Although you can opt for the classics — omelets, Benedicts, avocado toast — I strongly suggest the traditional Costa Rican breakfast, a medley of gallo pinto (seasoned rice and beans), poached eggs, plantains, bacon and soft, tangy cheese on thick tortillas. At lunchtime, the menu shifts toward lighter fare, with fresh ceviche, sandwiches and salads showcasing the season and the property’s farm-to-table philosophy. If you have offsite adventures planned during the day, the kitchen will pack a box lunch for you to take along.

Dinnertime is the star of the show, a multicourse feast with dishes that change according to what’s in season and what’s peaking in the garden. Each dish we had was perfectly prepared and exquisitely presented, garnished with edible flowers that were probably plucked shortly before we sat down. There wasn’t a miss among the courses, but my favorite was a tuna tartare studded with mango and lapped with a citrusy sauce. Cap off the meal on a pitch-perfect note with a cup of Costa Rican coffee from beans grown at family-owned farms nearby — just one more thing that adds to the sense of place.

Families Should Know

• Origins is best suited for nature lovers — as luxurious as the accommodations are, their open-air design means you can’t avoid a few insects or the odd bird flitting inside. The staff does pull shades across the exposed spaces at turndown, which helps greatly.
• The closest airport is Liberia International Airport (LIR), which is about 2 hours’ drive away. While you can rent a car, it’s far better to book a transfer given the rugged roads.
• A few nights here pair nicely with a stay on Guanacaste’s coast for a taste of both jungle and beach. If you’d rather spend your time inland, La Fortuna (home to Arenal) is also easy to get to.

Relevant Links:

Browse all family-friendly destinations and accommodations in Costa Rica on Ciao Bambino

25 tips for visiting Costa Rica with kids

Best itinerary for a Costa Rica family vacation

Costa Rica off the beaten path: Our best kept secrets

Arenal: An introduction to Costa Rica’s rainforest with kids

Photos by Lisa Frederick except where noted.

Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented.