Why Costa Rica Is the Hottest Pickleball Travel Trend in 2025
- Dean Martin
- Jun 23
- 4 min read
Globally, pickleball is blowing up, but there is one place where the trend is on FIRE: Costa Rica. Just imagine waking up to jungle birds, playing on a luridly sunlit court with oceanic views, and finishing your day with a waterfall hike or some yoga on the beach. That is the beauty of combining pickleball with Costa Rica's exhilarating nature and culture. By the year 2025 this combination has solidified as the must‑do athletic travel experience and this blog post will tell you why.
Pickleball’s Meteoric Rise
Let's start with the wider picture. Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America and is also seeing rapid growth in other countries. As of early 2025, there are approximately 50 million adult players in America, and courts grew in numbers by 223% in a three-year period. Internationally, entries into tournaments are growing at 30% year on year, with the worldwide market estimated to approach USD 2.6 billion in 2025, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.9%.
Costa Rica’s Natural Advantage
Costa Rica provides a tropical playground that few places can rival:
Climate: Warm throughout the year with regular breezes most days, and little rain interruptions.
Varieties of scenery: Tennis courts located within a jungle, mountainside, on the beach, or with volcano views.
Adventure options: You play pickleball in the morning, take a zip-line through the rainforest by lunch, go surfing on the beach in the afternoon, and sit in the sand for an evening salsa session at sunset.
All of these varied experiences work together to align with modern travel trends, with seekers looking for active and customized experiences, not passive, idle experiences.
Premium Pickleball Retreats Tailored to You
Costa Rica is a beautiful mixed-use resort and not just a dusty court! It is quickly becoming a home base for purposeful pickleball vacations. One of the exciting providers is Pickleball Vacations Costa Rica. They have developed curated retreats that appeal to your love of the game while showcasing luxury, flexibility, and local cultural immersion.
Home base: Play matches and clinics on pro courts with a view of the jungle or ocean or stay at an eco-friendly resort.
Custom retreats: Avail their Custom Pickleball Retreats to personalize anything from difficulty levels to buddy trips or club group travel.
Local immersion: Explore organized excursions like surf lessons, waterfall hikes, wildlife safaris, or cacao‑farm tours on our dedicated Excursions page.
This model aligns with the 2025 luxury-travel trend: pairing engaging activity and adventure with real social connectivity and tailored experiences.
World‑Class Coaching & Community
All pickleball travelers share a common bond of education and friendliness; Costa Rica is all about that. Retreats offer:
Daily clinics and drills by certified instructors.
Evening matches with feedback coaching at a professional level.
Casual and structured open-play formats—perfect for traveling and measured local play.
Courts in Costa Rica include elements of friendship and competitiveness, making it a unique baseline. That level of community-engaged-play is recognized as a top 2025 sports trend.
Comfort Meets Adventure
You don’t have to trade luxury for activity. The accommodations tied to these retreats include:
Modern villas with private pools and ocean views.
Healthy local cuisine customized to athlete diet needs.
On-site spa or massage and yoga/meditation classes.
Plus, optional excursions like zip-lining through a cloud forest, snorkeling, wildlife safaris, and more. Costa Rica uniquely supports a balanced retreat—play hard, recharge fast, explore often.
Authenticity & Destination Appeal
Costa Rica is habitually ranked as one of the happiest, most eco-friendly, and socially conscientious travel destinations. It resonates with many travelers who travel to have purpose-driven, socially responsible, and eco-conscious traveling experiences. Additionally, Costa Rica offers:
Convenient international access (Liberia or San José airports).
Visa free access for many nationalities.
Practical infrastructure to gain comfort while experiencing authenticity.
This makes it not just accessible—but one of the top aspirational travel trends for 2025.
Wellness Benefits Beyond the Court
Pickleball vacations are more than just a vacation based around play. Playing pickleball within a tropical context also provides real physical well-being benefits, from improved cardiovascular fitness and increased joint mobility and helping you to burn calories while having fun. The fresh air, natural scenery and daily movement create a level of physical well-being that can seldom be mimicked in a traditional gym in the concrete jungle or city.
There are also excellent mental and emotional well-being gains to be had as well. The exposure to outdoors, time disconnected from screens and the camaraderie with fellow travelers, can all serve to alleviate stress and improve our mood. Many guests, not only return home not only stronger, but also more energized, relaxed and inspired. It is a full mind-body reset, disguised as a vacation.
Join the Pickleball Travel Trend Everyone’s Talking About
Costa Rica, in 2025, is not only a beautiful country; it is the epicenter of a movement around the world. A place where pickleball is more than a game. It is a connection to nature, a connection to community, and a connection to self.
And this isn't just about booking a vacation. It's about giving you an opportunity to wake up on purpose, play with passion, and, oh yeah, enjoy one of the most phenomenal places on the planet. You'll get world-class coaching, a tailored experience, and be in an indescribable landscape and beauty that pictures can't replicate. Costa Rica allows you to step into something unforgettable!
Don’t wait to follow the trend. Be part of it.
Contact Us
Have questions or want help planning your perfect pickleball adventure? Visit our Contact Page today.
Accommodations
See what level of comfort awaits you at our Accommodations Page.
Comments