How Costa Rica Became Shaun White’s Relaxing Post-Retirement Destination

Shaun White and actress Nina Dobrev jetsetted to the relaxing country of Costa Rica after the Olympian’s retirement.

American snowboarder Shaun White and his girlfriend, actress Nina Dobrev, traveled to Costa Rica in March to celebrate the decorated Olympian’s retirement from the sport. They made sure to unwind all the while exploring the Central American country and diving into its local culture. They kept fans updated via Instagram posts, and made sure to share amazing landmarks they had the chance to see, hotels where they lodged, and fun activities they did.

The duo went horseback riding on their adventurous trip which is a popular way to tour the island. Visitors can do so through The Riding Adventure, Finca Caballo Loco, Discovery Horse Tours, and more.

Another way to immerse oneself in Costa Rica is tree climbing, and that is another adrenaline rush Dobrev and White pursued. The Original Canopy Tour, Serendipity Adventures, and Sky Adventures all offer great tree climbing opportunities.

Other exciting inland excursions and tours in Costa Rica include ATV and buggy rides, coffee tours, canyoning, Sky Tram tours, volcano viewing, ziplining, and jungle & wildlife tours. In addition to these, there are multiple popular water attractions tourists can take part in, such as surfing, as Shaun and Nina did.

Although there is much to explore on land while vacationing in Costa Rica, the beautiful blue waters cannot be forgotten, including: kayaking, white water rafting, snorkeling, paddleboarding, parasailing, and of course, surfing. These are only to name some, as the opportunities for water activities are endless. Even enjoying a nice beach day soaking up the sun next to the water on the warm sand makes for a perfect Costa Rican vacation.

While Shaun and Nina stepped out often to venture around the island, they made the most of their experience at their resort: Hacienda AltaGracia, an Auberge Resort in the province of San José.

This resort is not only a place to call home away from home, but an experience within the beauty of a nature-infused country. Hacienda AltaGracia offers an abundance of amenities, such as THE WELL, the resort’s own wellness retreat that offers yoga, a hydrotherapy tub, holistic spa treatments, including a River Bath, and more. Nina made sure to take advantage of the spa and received a clay treatment.

In addition to THE WELL, the resort offers tours such as the aforementioned horse tours, tree climbing tours, coffee tours, wildlife tours, and much more. In addition to restaurants, it also hosts culinary workshops, and coffee tastings. Guests at Hacienda AltaGracia will never be bored on their trip.

Kennedy Kollar

Content Associate

Kennedy is an entertainment junkie hailing from Pennsylvania. When she is traveling, you can find her searching for the best gluten-free foods as well as matcha and chai teas. She loves immersing herself in new cultures and wishes to visit the less-traveled hidden gems.