Costa Rica’s Westin Golf and Spa Resort Aces the Beach Escape Concept

Beach getaways are always alluring. Even more so when the world is in turmoil and escape seems ever unattainable during day-to-day living. In 2026 and possibly for the foreseeable future, the criteria for a sun vacay for Canadians isn’t what it used to be. The nation, in the midst of a divorce from the United States, is in a mood to see what’s out there. Europe is calling, of course, but Central America and the Caribbean are closer, more familiar to some, and in many cases cheaper.

Costa Rica is on the dance card for Canadians eager to give places a try. The Central American country has enjoyed record growth in visitors from Canada this year. Easily the most Canadian of nation’s in Central America, Costa Rica is blessed with pristine environment and a population that celebrates the responsibility it takes for its stewardship.

It is also replete in the features northerners desire in a winter holiday: Sun, surf, flavourful food, and the option for adventure. You’ll find it all, and much more at the Westin Golf Resort & Spa – Reserva Conchal. An all-inclusive resort with category tiers, which can include access to the exclusive Westin Club amenity, the property shares a 2,300-acre gated resort space with the W Costa Rica – Reserva Conchal, which offers a boutique experience. [Read about the W Costa Rica – Reserva Conchal]

Golf, Spa and More in Costa Rica

The Westin Golf Resort & Spa is a sprawling property with more than 400 total suites and guest rooms spread across 40 two-storey bungalows and three tall towers. Among the notables at the resort:

• Seven restaurants, plus multiple bars either at pool-side or swim-up in the water
• Truly tasty ceviche made from line-caught mahi mahi or sea bass that is brought in daily
• A new HD Golf Simulator that’s available for a booking fee
• A beautiful 18-hole golf course with iguanas as the most frequent hazard; guests can reserve tee times before or during their stay
• The beautiful Heavenly Spa that soothes you as soon as you enter
• Beach access overlooking the Pacific Ocean
• Those who opt for the Westin Club receive access to additional food-and-drink and hospitality offerings in a members-only setting
• Designated spaces for families and adults-only guest areas.

On-site programming includes nightly musical performances and exercise activities such as yoga by the pool and cycling tours of the grounds. Tours and expeditions can be booked through the resort or on your own. The closest options are horseback riding on the beach and fishing charters, which can be reserved with local anglers. Explorations farther afield include hiking tours of the volcanic mountains in the distance and jungle treks along the Pacific coastline.

Where to Stay and Play in Costa Rica

As tempting as those excursions may be, the resort offers plenty of options if you just want to stay put and enjoy its bounty of amenities. Ideal if you want to de-stress and turn off the world for a while. The Heavenly Spa lives up to its name. Treatments are soothing and healing, and there’s a large ultra-relaxing hot tub for post-treatment aaaaahs. It’s a particularly tempting place after a round of golf.

The course is easily accessed from the Westin property. From most suites, golfers can walk to it in less than 10 minutes or hop on one of the carts that chauffeur guests from place to place on the property. A clubhouse where you can purchase needed paraphernalia and souvenirs, and a grass practice facility ideal for warm-up sessions are part of the golf facilities. Like most resort courses, the Westin’s is not a difficult circuit. Water hazards and sand bunkers tend to be on the periphery of the holes, keeping the through line to the greens in sight and largely achievable. There are steep trenches after the fairways on some holes that you’ll want to avoid dropping into. Lay up on those and then hit your approach shot to the flag.

Those iguanas are the main distraction. They can wander onto the green, clueless to the fact you may be sending in an approach shot or putt. There are also howler monkeys, vultures, and beautiful large-winged herons that you can glimpse in the bushes while playing (or looking for a wayward ball).

Most golfers tee off very early to avoid the Costa Rica heat. But I like the warmth and found that a 10 a.m. tee time was amenable. The course was virtually empty when I lined up on No. 1, helping me to complete the 18 holes in 3 hours, 30 minutes, even while allowing time for photographs.

Following the round, players can choose from one (or more) of those seven restaurants. The ceviche is at Caracola near the beach. The Mediterranean-focused Faisanella is the best of the outlets I tried, with a sea bass that was meticulously grilled and suitably tasty. The Thai-focused restaurant Bamboo is known for its fried rice. You could also opt for a pizza at the resort’s food hall, Mitra Market, which features a number of small eateries, and carry it to the beach to watch the waves come in and take the worries of the world away.

More About Westin Golf Resort and Spa – Reserva Conchal

Location: Reserva Conchal, Guanacaste Province, Santa Cruz, Costa Rica (see map below)

Getting There: The closest airport is Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia (LIR airport code). From there, it’s an almost 90-minute drive to the resort. (Be prepared for long lines at the airport before you clear customs and immigration.) For Canadians, Air Canada and WestJet fly directly year-round from Toronto and Montreal, with seasonal direct flights available from Calgary and Vancouver.

Room Rates: A weekend night in December costs $531 USD (about $745 CAD), based on a recent search of the property’s booking engine. Both the Westin Resort and W Costa Rica are Marriott International properties, so your Marriott Bonvoy points can be applied to your stay.