Recommend March 2013 - (Page 93)

rural, wildlands and action-packed attractions here in the far north. The major destination for adventure-seeking visitors is the Rincon de la Vieja National Park, a 35,000-acre reserve whose centerpiece is a broad massif formed by Rincon de la Vieja and Santa Maria volcanoes, with nine craters that melded about a million years ago. Head west and north toward the Paciﬁc, and you’re in Santa Rosa National Park, sheltering a dry tropical forest, its own inventory of wildlife and birds, and some hard-to-reach but beautiful beaches— Playa Naranjo, for one—whose perfect waves draw world-class surfers. PLAYING AROUND The playground in this corner of Costa Rica as we mentioned above is Rincon de la Vieja National Park, where, from the Las Pallas entrance, visitors enter a part of the park that forms a 124-acre wonderland of pits of boiling water, geysers and fumaroles. Here is the place to take a 5-mile hike to the summit of the Rincon de la Vieja volcanic cone; take a dip in the Blue Lagoon; frolic beneath the 75-ft. Catarata La Cangreja waterfall; relax and steam in volcanic hot springs and mud pools; and hike to the volcano craters. In this corner of Costa Rica guests also go horseback riding, tubing in the rapids of the Rio Negro, canyoning and canopy tour ziplining. WHERE TO STAY Occupying a 12,000-acre ranch and the classiest lodging in the area is the Borinquen Mountain Resort & Spa. The 33-unit resort offers private duplex-style villas, free-standing bungalows and a new jr. suite, all with ample wooden decks for valley and forest views. Special is the Anahuac Spa for massages as well as volcanic mud baths, natural sauna, thermal springs and hot pools. Guest facilities include two restaurants and a large pool, while the onsite activities roster features hiking, horseback riding, ATV trips, a canopy tour and a farm tour. It’s a perfect pick for active stays and a wellness retreat. A bungalow for two starts at $180; the luxury suite for two starts at $281, and all rates include breakfast. Sitting right at the edge of the park is the Hacienda Guachipelin. The lodging was built around a 19th century, still-operating cattle and horse ranch. Surrounded by lush gardens, its 59 units are a mix of smaller and older rooms and newer and (recommended) larger superior rooms (with air conditioning, TV and better views), plus two suites with large terraces and views of the Rincon Volcano. Guests dine on Costa Rica specialties and international fare, and for relaxation, guests head to the Simbiosis Spa for the sauna, hot volcanic mud wraps and massages. The hacienda serves as a virtual adventure center for the sporting life in the area. It’s a perfect pick for family travel and active adventure vacations. Rates start at $129 for a superior room with breakfast. Drive farther north and toward the Paciﬁc to reach Recreo, a private villa community located beyond Santa Rosa National Park, almost at the Nicaragua border and steps away from two spectacular white-sand beaches: Playa Rajada and Playa Jobo. Eight villas—from 1- to 5-bedrooms—are available, each with grand views from a private balcony and private plunge pool, as well as air-conditioned bedrooms, living and dining rooms, spa baths, and a fully equipped kitchen. Amenities range from an iPod docking station, TV, and DVD, to linens, robes, beach chairs and WiFi at the welcome center. Activities include ﬁtness and steam room, tennis courts, mountain bikes, kayaks, and beach-ﬁshing equipment. It’s a perfect pick for honeymoons, active adventure vacations and family travel. Based on a minimum 3-night stay, villa rates per day from April 28 to Dec. 17 range from $189 to $429. Getting there: Rincon de la Vieja National Park is 14 miles north of Liberia International Airport; Recreo is farther north, 15 minutes from the town of La Cruz and a 1.5-hour drive from Liberia airport. turrialba valley Turrialba occupies a key location at the crossroads of routes to the Caribbean, Sarapiqui, Arenal and South Paciﬁc coast. While best-known by river-rafting day-trippers from San Jose, the region of Turrialba has an off-the-beaten-tourism-track life of its own. Part of a rich agricultural heartland, valley people are focused on their sugar plantations and coffee ﬁncas that spread beneath the highlands of cloud forests of Turrialba Volcano National Park. The highlands are the source for the two rivers that make Turrialba the country’s rafting and kayaking capital—class II and III rapids on the Rio Reventazon and the best white-water ride of all on the Rio Pacuare. PLAYING AROUND White-water and still-water rafting, kayaking, canoeing, canyoning, hiking, biking, horseback riding, canopy touring, and birding— there is hardly any adventure or naturalist sport that cannot be done in Turrialba. And there are excellent adventure tour companies to deliver the action. Activities include excursions to Turrialba Volcano National Park, where visitors can descend into the dormant volcano’s crater, while on the volcano’s slopes lies Costa Rica’s premiere pre-Columbian site, Guayabo National Monument, preserving a settlement dating roughly between 1000 BC to AD 1400 and ﬂourishing around AD 800. Flower lovers will want to visit the landscaped gardens, and birders will want to walk the trails of CAITE, one of the world’s foremost facilities for research into tropical agriculture. WHERE TO STAY A long palm-lined driveway leads to Casa Turire, an elegant mansion that recalls the gracious charm of a plantation home, overlooking Lake Angostura and surrounded by gardens and orchards. This deluxe property offers 12 rooms, three suites and one master, all well-appointed with beautiful wooden ﬂoors, lofty ceilings with cooling fans, and private balconies with views of Turrialba Volcano and Lake Angostura. Suites add expansive living areas, mini-bars, air conditioning, and bathrooms with hydro-massagers. The dining scene takes place in a charming restaurant or alfresco on the terrace, with a cozy bar for other refreshments. Guest amenities costa rica specialist program The online Costa Rica Specialist Program that focuses on the country’s sustainable initiatives has been updated. There’s a long list of new Certificate for Sustainable Tourism-rated hotels throughout the country in all levels of green leaf ratings. With this program, you will gain a thorough understanding of the Certificate for Sustainable Tourism program, in which hotels and suppliers are certified by the Costa Rica Tourism Board. Visit edu.recommend.com. march 2013 93 92-94 LA CostaRica.indd 93 2/21/13 8:33 AM http://edu.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend March 2013

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Tour Talk: Travel Indochina
Safaris in Southern Africa
Un-Cruise Adventures in Alaska
Alaska is Celebrating in 2013
"Hard Rock" Chicago-Style: Rock out in the Windy City
Mexico Destination Weddings & Honeymoon Planner
Girldfriends' Getaway at Eden Roc, Miami Beach
Kyushu: The Rising Sun of Japanese Destinations
The New All-Inclusives in Jamaica Claim Their Turf
RIU Punta Cana
Costa Rica: A Trio of Detours
Touring Central & Eastern Europe

Recommend March 2013