by Joe Lalaina

eople go to tropical destinations for different reasons: some like to just laze away on the beach; others like to gaze at gorgeous vistas from the balcony of their suites; some like to hike into the rain forest and explore flora and fauna; and still more like to enjoy fine food alfresco. You can do all this — and lots more — at the renowned Hotel La Mariposa on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, which can be reached by either a scenic three-hour drive or a quick 20-minute flight from the international airport in the capital city of San José.

“… indeed, I felt like a butterfly as I stood on the balcony …”

With its awe-inspiring 360-degree view atop a 500-foot ridge, La Mariposa is strategically situated at one of the world’s most beautiful locations. La Mariposa is Spanish for butterfly — and indeed, I felt like a butterfly as I stood on the balcony of my room, perched above the treetops amid a vast splendor of sky, sea, mountains and rain forest.

My balcony offered an absolutely breathtaking 280-degree panorama of lush land and endless horizons. To complete the circle all I had to do was stand by my front door to see the remaining 80 degrees.

When built in 1977 it was an intimate 10-room hotel in a magnificent setting. Today, there are 60 units, from standard rooms set amid exuberant foliage to a spectacular penthouse suite. “When we were building the new premier rooms,” explains longtime employee John Oroszi, “the owner of the hotel realized that there was a beautiful view on top of that building, so he made a last-minute decision to build a penthouse suite. The penthouse has a very large terrace with an outside Jacuzzi, and the best view in the area.”

La Mariposa offers more than just panoramic views. Le Papillon (French for butterfly), its signature restaurant, serves up delicious French-influenced fare. Honeymooners rarely leave the grounds; they are either ensconced in their rooms, dining or relaxing at their choice of three swimming pools (two of which are Infinity designs where guests enjoy cocktails while sitting on swim-up stools). Around dusk, I usually sat on my balcony and watched technicolor sunsets.

The three beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park — one of the few parts of Costa Rica where the rain forest drops to white sand beaches — are less than a five-minute drive from the hotel, and they are some of the best strands on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. My favorite is Manuel Antonio beach, which can be found in its crescent splendor just a short walk from the park’s entrance.

Among the natural treasures at Manuel Antonio are butterflies and reptiles, not to mention several species of monkeys and hundreds of variety of birds, proving unequivocally that Costa Rica is a zoo without cages. The adventurous have their choice of white-water rafting, kayaking, snorkeling, sport-fishing and nature hikes.

After a long day of activity, there's no better place to return to than the Hotel La Mariposa — truly a heaven on earth.

La Mariposa Hotel: tel. 800/368-2121; www.lamariposa.com.

Joe Lalaina is veteran New York-based journalist who is always searching for idyllic tropical getaways.

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