DESTINATIONS LATIN AMERICA |COSTA RICA
ABOVE: The near-perfect cone of Arenal Volcano, surrounded by hiking trails and natural hot springs PICTURE: Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa
cow, tried lassoing with the farmer’s son, Freddie, and was taught the art of sugar cane extraction using centuries-old methods. It culminated in a home-cooked family breakfast of gallo pinto, Costa Rica’s national rice-and-bean dish served with ripe plantain, sour cream, tortilla, white cheese and egg. The farm family epitomised why
this region is a designated Blue Zone – one of just five in the world – where the average life expectancy is 80 years, thanks to a high-protein and mainly plant-based diet, plus daily sunshine, close connection with nature and hardworking but low-stress lifestyles.
NATURAL HIGHS
The laid-back coast isn’t the only spot to find stress relief – the dense rainforests of the interior offer clients the best of both worlds, so I headed inland to Arenal in the country’s northern region. Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa is
the country’s largest thermal springs experience and sits in a 900-acre rainforest reserve, which ticks the
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The suite also had a thermal-water- fed plunge pool, beyond which lay dense foliage filled with myriad wildlife
boxes for both adventure and wellness travel. The view from my suite introduced me to the key draw: Arenal Volcano rising symmetrically against the skyline over Lake Arenal. Not only this, but the wood-lined suite also had a patio with a daybed and thermal-water- fed plunge pool, beyond which lay dense foliage filled with myriad wildlife. The effect was almost dreamlike; I was surrounded by so much natural beauty and birdsong. A 10-minute walk from the main rustic-luxe resort are natural thermal pools, part of the underground river that flows through the tropical grounds, which have been cleverly fashioned into balmy bathing areas
backed by tumbling waterfalls. Luxe touches include swim-up bars and cabanas for sipping cocktails. Then there’s the spa area, where I joined small-group yoga classes, soothed by the sound of running water, and practised my Spanish during a nourishing facial in an outside bungalow, before zesty ceviche and a punchy cocktail in the Tucanes restaurant.
A guided hike took me along
a new trail forged through the forested grounds, accompanied by the sounds of howler monkeys
BOOK IT
Abercrombie & Kent offers a tailor-made six-night Costa Rica trip including three nights at Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa and three nights at Hotel Nantipa, both with breakfast, from £4,130 per person based on two sharing, with flights from the
UK, private transfers and guiding.
abercrombiekent.com
Latin Routes’ 14-night Ultimate Costa Rica Adventure starts from £5,399 per person, based on two sharing, with flights, private transfers and experiences including surfing lessons in the Nicoya Peninsula, kayaking on Lake Arenal, white-water rafting
on the Pacuare River, ziplining and a Rio Perdido Canyon adventure.
latinroutes.co.uk
and big-beaked toucans. Emerging from the natural rainforest canopy revealed the volcano and its near-perfect cone shape, a faint wisp of smoke appearing to float from the crater. Fear not, Costa Rica’s most active volcano is now in a resting phase. All too soon, my life-affirming wellness week was over but as I packed up to leave, I spotted a sloth – Costa Rica’s cuddly-looking unofficial mascot – hanging happily in a tree. Like me and Michelle Obama, it was going high.
TW
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