# Anamaya Resort vs. The Retreat Costa Rica vs. Arenas Del Mar: Comparing Costa Rica's Top Celiac-Friendly Stays

> Side-by-side comparison of Anamaya Resort, The Retreat Costa Rica and Arenas Del Mar for celiac travelers: kitchen rules, pricing and travel style.

Source: https://glutenescape.guide/guides/anamaya-vs-retreat-vs-arenas-del-mar/
Last updated: 2026-10-20

As of our last check on 2026-Oct-20, **Anamaya Resort** (Montezuma) is a **Tier 1: 100% Dedicated Gluten-Free Facility**, according to the property's published information. **The Retreat Costa Rica** (Atenas) publishes an entirely gluten-free menu at its main restaurant, but we haven't confirmed a property-wide gluten ban, so we list it as **Tier 3: Verified Celiac Protocol** for now. **Arenas Del Mar** (Manuel Antonio) is a luxury beachfront resort with a shared kitchen that handles celiac requests. For a 7-night stay, Anamaya suits active yoga, surf and wellness travelers ($1,895 to $3,895 USD all-inclusive), The Retreat targets luxury detox guests ($4,200 to $8,750+ USD), and Arenas Del Mar serves five-star family and honeymoon beach travelers (room and breakfast, priced by the night).

## Side-by-Side Celiac Comparison and Pricing (2026 to 2027)

| What we compared | Anamaya Resort (Montezuma) | The Retreat Costa Rica (Atenas) | Arenas Del Mar (Manuel Antonio) |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Celiac safety tier** | **Tier 1: 100% Dedicated Facility** | **Tier 3** until the property confirms a whole-property ban | Shared kitchen with celiac handling |
| **Wheat flour on property?** | None, according to the property | Main restaurant menu is published as entirely gluten-free; other venues not confirmed | Yes, gluten is served on site |
| **Grain and dairy policy** | Gluten-free; serves gluten-free grains (rice, quinoa, corn) plus dairy-free options | Gluten-free, dairy-free and refined-sugar-free menu; some sources describe it as grain-free | Gluten-free dishes available on request |
| **Fryer** | The whole kitchen is gluten-free | Not a fried-food menu | Ask whether a dedicated gluten-free fryer is in use |
| **7-night cost (per person)** | **$1,895 to $3,895 USD** (all-inclusive retreat) | **$4,200 to $8,750+ USD** (all-inclusive wellness) | Room and breakfast, priced per night; check current rates |
| **Setting** | Ocean-view hillside on the southern Nicoya Peninsula | Mountain ridge in Atenas (Central Valley, no beach) | Beachfront and rainforest in Manuel Antonio |
| **Guest vibe** | Social, active yoga, surf, waterfall hikes and wellness | Quiet spa recovery and solo detox | Luxury families, couples, wildlife and beach |
| **Getting there** | Short flight from SJO to Cóbano (ACO), then a short shuttle | About 40 minutes by car from SJO | Short flight from SJO to Quepos (XQP), or about 3 hours by road |

## Kitchen Deep Dive: How Each Property Handles Cross-Contact

### 1. Anamaya Resort: Gluten-Free Farm-to-Table Abundance

Anamaya keeps gluten out at the purchasing stage, according to the property's published information. Because no wheat flour, regular soy sauce or barley malt is bought for the kitchen, guests don't need an allergy wristband or a counter wiped down before each meal.

- **The food:** Unlike strict medical detox centers that restrict calories or carbohydrates, Anamaya serves generous Costa Rican food: fresh Pacific fish, organic greens, house-pressed corn tortillas, yuca flatbreads and cacao desserts.
- **Why celiacs choose it:** It pairs a gluten-free kitchen with a social, active holiday where you can eat from the buffet and the plated dinner menu without quizzing anyone.

### 2. The Retreat Costa Rica: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Wellness Cuisine

The Retreat's main restaurant, Sol Terrace, describes its menu as entirely gluten-free, dairy-free and free of refined sugars. Some descriptions also call the menu grain-free.

- **The food:** Menus were designed by founder Diana Stobo and focus on reducing inflammation with organic vegetables, wild-caught proteins, seeds and cold-pressed oils.
- **Why celiacs choose it:** It suits celiacs who also avoid dairy, or who react to corn and oats. Travelers who want hearty gluten-free grains, corn tortillas or casual holiday cocktails may find it too restrictive. Ask in writing whether every venue on the property, including the rooftop and poolside menus, is gluten-free.

### 3. Arenas Del Mar: Five-Star Shared Kitchen with Celiac Handling

Arenas Del Mar is part of the Cayuga Collection and is often recommended to celiac families who want a luxury beach hotel.

- **The food:** Much of the menu uses naturally gluten-free local staples such as cassava, plantains and rice. Wheat bread is served on site, so ask how it's kept apart and whether fried foods come from a dedicated gluten-free fryer.
- **Why celiacs choose it:** If you're traveling with children or a family group that wants walk-out beach access, air-conditioned suites and wildlife in Manuel Antonio, it's a strong option. You'll still need to talk to your server at every meal.

## Which One Should You Book?

- **Choose Anamaya Resort if:** You want a **100% gluten-free kitchen**, ocean views, daily yoga, surfing, sauna and cold plunges, and an all-inclusive price that can come in under $3,000 USD.
- **Choose The Retreat Costa Rica if:** You want a **gluten-free and dairy-free** mountain spa focused on treatments, emotional healing and quiet rest within an hour of San José airport, and you're happy to confirm the whole-property policy before you book.
- **Choose Arenas Del Mar if:** You want a traditional **five-star beach hotel** with kids' amenities and direct sand access, and you're comfortable eating from a shared kitchen that follows celiac procedures.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Which Costa Rica resort is safest for severe celiac disease?

Anamaya Resort publishes a 100% gluten-free kitchen, with no gluten allowed on the property. Hotel Cuna del Angel near Dominical is also described as having a fully gluten-free restaurant. The Retreat Costa Rica publishes an entirely gluten-free menu at its main restaurant, but confirm that every venue follows the same rule before you book.

### Does Anamaya Resort serve grains like rice and corn, or is it grain-free like The Retreat?

Anamaya Resort is gluten-free but serves gluten-free grains and tubers, including rice and beans (gallo pinto), nixtamalized corn tortillas, quinoa and yuca, alongside grain-free and paleo options. The Retreat Costa Rica's menu is described by some sources as grain-free.

### Can you visit both Anamaya Resort and The Retreat Costa Rica on the same trip?

Yes. Many travelers book a 7-night Saturday-to-Saturday yoga and surf retreat at Anamaya Resort in Montezuma, then head back toward San José for 3 to 4 nights at The Retreat in Atenas before flying home from SJO.